Snow. Finally!

Lola has never been out in a real snow.

That may seem hard to believe, but for some reason, our little corner of the world has had two very mild winters in a row. So, she hasn't made it out this year OR last year (and of course, the year before that wasn't even walking yet!)

When we got just a few precious inches yesterday, and a snow day from school to boot, you can bet we jumped on the opportunity to take advantage of it!

Lolee girl was so excited to get all suited up and play in the white stuff. 

She had so many layers on, she could hardly move!

We took a jaunt out to a local Forest Preserve, and found out 

hey--families of deer like the snow too! We counted 12!

We enjoyed sitting and watching them for awhile. They came so close!

But then...the hills were calling our name. Out came the sleds!

As much as the boys went down the hill, this was the first year there was 

NO complaining about coming back up! They truly are growing up....*sniff*....

Even Grandma Jane came along....

....and went down a few times herself!

Lola took turns with a few of us, but DADDY was definitely her favorite "passenger". 

She was pretty unsure her first time down (her very first time ever!)....

....but was very brave--even put her hands up! *grin*

She LOVED it!

Both gave Mommy a great smile when they got back up.

A picture I will treasure for a long time, I'm sure.

Since I'm behind the camera so much, I don't usually get to be in photos...but Shane took his 

turn snapping, and I got a gem of Lolee and I whooshing down the hill. I love this one!

 We had a few of these.....

....and these....

....and these....

....but mostly, there were just these.

Smiles.

Such a wonderful adventure....

....and once again, I feel blessed to have a day like this in the books!

A new truck for Daddy

Last month, we did something very, very special.

We drove over to Indiana to pick up a brand new (to him) truck for Daddy!!

Shane has been looking for a while to replace his truck. If you have seen it, you would know why! We are very, very thankful that his truck has been so faithful for so long, but we decided it was time to upgrade to something that could fit the whole family.  Last month, we loaded up the family and headed over to pick up one we found that was perfect!

The kids immediately ditched me decided they wanted to ride home with Daddy. 

There was room for them plus extra to spare!

Proud Daddy and kiddos!

We took a trip to the Lego store and then had some lunch at the Olive Garden. 

The kids love that place (it is a rare treat) an are always very well behaved.

It was a super fun day with the family.

So excited for you and your new ride, babe! :)

A great season of basketball

Time is flying past me. We are smack in the middle of a wonderful baseball season--and I am behind, as usual, in my blogging! This is yet another 'catch-up' post. I'm determined to get them all done!

The end of March brought the end of yet another sport: basketball.

This was the first year our family has been involved in basketball. Shane coached Colin's team and Colin thoroughly enjoyed playing.  His best friend also played....

....and they had so much fun playing each other!

Colin and Colden--both number 14!

Before each game, they played what we know as "the bulls music" and announced each child as they ran through a tunnel. It was very cute and you could tell was something the kids all loved.

Colden coming through

Sports activities are a great way to bond as a family. Our family always goes to everything together (though, this year it is proving to be difficult as the boys do, on occasion, head in different directions--but we are crossing those bridges as we come to them!) 

While things can get over crazy if you allow your family's schedule to become too full, we are mindful of that and work very hard to keep things in check. One way we do that is only one sport/activity per child per season. So far we have enjoyed each new thing that has come our way, basketball included!

Grandma, Cameron, Ethan, and Lola watching Colin

We did basketball through Upward, which is a Christian organization. The teams and refs prayed before each game, and the children were encouraged to learn verses each week. I liked that aspect very much!

Getting ready to go

And they're off!

As you can see, Colin is small (I have no idea where he gets that) but he is quick. 

He had several steals and breakaways this year.

Even, if you can believe, a few blocks!

He also was a very good ball handler, and brought the ball up the court most of time.

Playing some defense....

....and some offense.

Coach giving some advice during a time out

Something was going on that he apparently didn't care for! lol

Love this shot of Colin shooting and Colden playing defense.

Daddy giving some instruction

Shooting

The game ended in Colden's favor--we lost!

But the boys were still as good of friends after it was over, and that was all that mattered.

Congratulations on a great first basketball season, Colin!

Baseball equals BUSY

The middle of April welcomed baseball season around these parts, and with it came intense excitement on the part of the three little men that live in my house. Between three teams (and the practices/games each one brings to our schedule) and three boys going in different directions each day/night, busy barely even begins to touch how our lives have been the past few weeks!

This week, I am determined to catch up on a few posts that have gone unwritten due to time constraints as of late; but for now, I'll show you a little slice of our lives from the past month.

Colin is on not one but two teams this year. He plays regular baseball and is known as a Mudhen (our league decided on Minor League names this year!); he also plays for our travelling team, and is known as a Cobra. On both of our teams are two little boys with sisters about Lola's age, and the girls have a blast playing together.

First game; practice game against the Catlin Grasshoppers, May 1st

Daddy, of course, is a helper on all of the boys' teams.

High five before Colin's first at bat

First Cobra game: Sunday, May 6th. 

Colin played all over the field, trying out different positions.

Ethan, Cameron, and Lola do so well for as many hours as we are at the ball park! 

They usually help out in the dugout with bats/gear or play with the other kids. 

Sometimes, I am lucky enough that they actually sit with me for a few minutes!

Monday, May 7th began a week long pre-season tournament. Our boys did so well and won their first game against Bryant Industries. They were more than a little excited!

The very next night--Tuesday, May 9th--we played again. Colin is the pitcher's helper on our team and does very well. He is athletic and very quick. This time, he was facing someone we know very well....

....his cousin Mason's team!

It was fun to see Colin and Mason out on the field together! 

Mason plays shortstop and is a very good little player too!

Colin on second base, Mason fielding

Since Mason was there, I got to squeeze little Paislee for a bit. Yay :)

Quick Cuts did well, but our boys were able to pull off a very close win. Colin was super happy!

On to Thursday night in Georgetown--where I did not have my camera battery charged and didn't figure that out until I got there! Grrrrr! But our boys pulled out another win.

The next night (Friday, May 11th) was an extra special one. 

Tell me, is there anything on this planet cuter than a T-baller?

Cameron and Ethan's first game as a part of the Catlin Cardinals was a smashing success. 

Cameron played first base, and this is a position that gets a lot of action in T-ball, 

since all the children fielding on each play are instructed to throw it there. 

Ethan played shortstop. He took the position very seriously, as you can tell. :)

Though I am certainly biased--I do believe we had the cutest cheerleader of them all!

Cameron batted second in the lineup.

No tee needed--he hit one right off the bat from Coach Dave's pitch. It went all the way to the fence 

(though, to be fair--fielding is still quite the challenge at this level!)

Then, in the third spot in the lineup came Ethan.

He also hit one right away from Coach Dave.

Safely to first and conversing with Waylon, the other team's

first baseman and one of Cameron's K-5 buddies.

One his way from second to third!

And when it was his time to run from third to home....

....of course he would slide! So funny. Both boys slid across the plate both times they came around, even though there was absolutely no need to do so!

Cameron back out at first, catching a toss from his teammate to get the batter out

Batting again. This time, he needed the tee, but still got a hit.

Cameron and Waylon: still friends after the game! :)

Such a fun night as a family at the ball park.

The next morning (Saturday the 12th) we got up early to head back out and do it all again. We played at 9 a.m. for a spot in the championship game of the tournament.

The girls decided to play in the dirt for a while.

Colin led off, and the inning was off to a great start. 

We scored four runs right off the bat against a very good team.

Rounding third and on his way home--love the determination in this picture.

Lolee girl cheering Colin on!

Though we lost our first game that morning, we still had to be "doubly eliminated". So, we turned around and played again at 11:30--this time, squeezing out a win by one run!

We then had to turn around again and play at 2 p.m, since even though we lost that morning, we had fought our way back into the championship game. We played the same team we had played just hours earlier. The boys put up a much better fight, but we still lost 12-9. They were simply exhausted after a full day of play.

Congratulations were in order for the second place champs!

The kids with their coaches and medals

So, as hard as I will try, I may be more absent from this blog than normal.....

....we are out on the fields just having too much fun!