Places to Go

Baby Sean is rolling over!

The boys and I went for a run this morning. We ran for three miles around the neighborhood. I love our neighborhood. It's really pretty. The area is wooded and hilly and there's a creek that runs behind some of the homes. The people you meet are always friendly. Both boys really seem to enjoy the stroller most of the time. Plus, as I get faster, we are able to cover more distance in the same amount of time. Today we kept a 12 minute pace. The first two miles were at an 11 mile/min pace, but the climb up to our house is a rough one. On a treadmill, I've been doing about an 8.5 min/mile pace (if that gives you any indication as to the effects of what hills and pushing 50lbs of kiddos will do to your pace). We had fun though. Sean faces me so we smile at each other the whole time and Trent points out all our surroundings. When we got back to the house, I laid a blanket on the grass for Sean and I. Trent went in and got his toys. While Trent was drawing masterpieces on our driveway with sidewalk chalk, Sean rolled over from his back to his front. So fun to see! We were outside all morning. Sean was happy as could be to soak up the sun and Trent was all over the place. It really feels like spring is here!

Roses, Roses, Roses

Jesse, Trent and I went to the Botanical Gardens on Mother's Day. It is always a gorgeous time to go because all of the roses are in bloom. We had such a good time taking in the natural beauty of the place, the yummy scents of all the flowers, and enjoying a leisurely afternoon together.

"I like this one!"

My favorite rose

Jesse's favorite rose

Glimpse of the rose garden

Such the thumbsucker - This is while running downhill!

The boy who made me Mama

Rain, Rain, Rain

Today it's supposed to rain all day. I woke up this morning to a hard rain and thunder and lightening. Usually, I'm a sunshine fan, but today I'm really thankful for the rain. It started off with an excuse to skip body pump this morning. Do I really want to get soaking wet just to go the gym at 5:30 in the morning? So after contemplating for a little bit, I made my way back under the covers. I can do body pump on Saturday morning if I'm still feeling guilty about skipping today.

We're also in full swing pollen season right now. Everything is coated in icky, yellow pollen. Oak pollen is what causes everyone's allergies to go crazy. Pine pollen is what coats everything. My green car looks yellow. I took Trent to the playground yesterday and he was COVERED in pollen by the time we got home. I don't struggle with allergies, but Jesse does, so April is a tough month for him. His eyes get itchy. I'm hoping that all this heavy rain will wash all the pollen right out of the trees!

Would you believe I washed this table down just two days ago?

Yes, that is the screen from the porch that you see...

it's that whole not wanting to get out in the rain

I love our winter yard because I can see forever through the woods. It's easy to spot deer on the ridge and see birds flying through. I love the summer yard because everything is green and full of life. It amazes me each year how quickly the green comes in. It seems like it's been all in one week that our backyard woods transformed from barren winter trees to a yard full of green!

LOVE.THE.WEEKEND.

I love the weekends because I get to spend extra time with these two handsome men:

TJ and Jesse pondering great things ;)

TJ practicing flexibility in his high chair

Tonight for dinner, we grilled hamburgers and enjoyed our meal out on the patio. I LOVE that spring is here. Outdoor meals, Patio dates after TJ goes to bed, Long days full of sunshine, Gardening, Trips to the Park - Life is good!

Let Him Eat Cake!

Our baby boy turns one today! This past weekend we had his birthday party. It was a really fun time to get together with family and friends. We had a beautiful day for it so we were able to extend the party out onto the porch and patio. Trent received many great gifts and he's been enjoying playing with them ever since. The party was over lunch so we served different types of sandwiches, animal crackers, fruit, a veggie tray, a cheese and cracker tray and most importantly CAKE! We had a smash cake for TJ and a sheet cake for the rest of us.

The "Smash Cake" just for Trent

Cake for the rest of us

What is this?

Okay, maybe a taste...

Tasting the icing

Mommy helping me get to the cake part

Telling everyone all about cake

the grownup cake was pretty good too :)

Future Ball Player

I love being outside on a sunny day. It was absolutely gorgeous today. Trent and I played in the morning, then met some friends at the zoo, then came home and played out on the porch. Trent's really into playing with balls right now. He loves them! We played catch for a while. He has quite the arm for a little guy!

Signs of Spring!

Spring finally showed up! I've been SO ready for some warmer weather and longer days! We started our spring garden this weekend. Around here, you can keep a garden for the majority of the year. We usually plant our hardier, more cold resistant vegetables at the end of February/beginning of March. Since this winter has been a lot colder, we just now planted the early vegetables. We always have container gardens. This year we're planting some by the new patio as well! Our spring/fall vegetables are cabbage, spinach and swiss chard. The summer vegetables that we do every year are eggplant, tomatoes and peppers. We're also trying strawberries, potatoes, asparagus, cauliflower and rhubarb this year.

Left side of the patio

Top tier: flowers - tulips will bloom first, then wildflowers throughout the summer

Bottom Tier: Asparagus, Spinach, Cabbage

Right side of the patio

Top Tier: Still tulips and wildflowers

Bottom Tier: Cabbage, Swiss Chard, Herb Garden (Basil, Rosemary and Cilantro)

Container Gardens - Spinach (not shown), Cabbage and Cauliflower

Pretty Daffodils blooming around the mailbox!

TJ and I sitting OUTSIDE on a coffee shop date