We've been to Ohio...3 times...

As some of you know, Hans and I are preparing to move. When we first started the process I was very excited. I love looking at houses... or I should say I use to love looking at houses.
Hans and I took our first trip out to see Athens and found out you have to give 24 hours notice, even on empty houses, to get in and see them. Since I wasn't as prepared as I should have been we saw 2 or 3 houses... yikes. So we planned another trip. This one we drove, and this trip we took the kids... In 9-10 hours of driving, one way, I thought the kids were going to be so restless, and at times they were, but I have to say despite the mess in the back half of the van, the kids were really good, and we saw a ton of homes in our weekend trip. We also stopped in Chicago on the way home for a few days, Hans had a conference there and we took the opportunity to see a bit of the city.
After all this we still had not found a home that met the few requirements we originally set. So knowing we had 1 more week to get out of our house, last weekend we left Lincoln and Holly with friends, and Hans, Alex and I took an overnight trip out to Ohio for one last look at some homes.
We found one and we are busy making offers, and packing like mad so we can drive away on Monday morning. Here are some pictures of the fun family car ride... We have yet to tell the kids the trip out to Grandma's on Monday is 24 hours of driving. We'll cross that bridge when we get there...

Ben Folds

Last Wednesday night, Hans paid a babysitter and took me to see a band we both love. Now I must say that I am not much of a concert person. I've seen some pretty sad things. I saw the Righteous Brothers at the fair grounds, the Osmonds during Mother's week at college, the American Idol concert (first season with Kelly), and Jim Brickman's Christmas concert... oh wait one more... Jim Belushi and Dan Aykroyd at a truck stop... wow, this list keeps getting more and more embarassing... However, despite this odd list a few rise to the top as better concerts, ones I would go to again, like, Harry Connick Jr. at the Hollywood bowl, and Art Garfunkel here in Columbia. But last week I saw the best, Ben Folds.
Hans and I have been patiently waiting for him to show up in this college town for a few years now, so when Hans found out he was coming, we bought tickets that day. Despite the drunken frat boys behind us, the chain smoking couple in front of us, and the loud mouth guy making out with his wife beside us, we had a great time. Ben Folds is amazing on the piano which is surprising since his instrument in college was precussion. He also had an incredible bass player,(Jared Reynolds) and the nerdiest drummer (Sam Smith) I have ever seen which made his band all the more enjoyable to watch. It started to drizzle, and I thought for sure there would be no encore, but they came out and played a couple more songs including Army (Hans' favorite).
Here are a couple pictures I took. I took one of them in the middle of the concert, and I remember thinking "he's looking right at my camera so I can get a good shot", and sure enough, I did! These picture are really for my Sister Emily. Emily it's time to trade in the Kenny Loggins photos for Ben! Wish you could have been there.

Lets hear a Quick shout out for Holly!

I'd like to make a really quick post for Holly! She has her tonsils and adenoids out today! Holly is the sweetest person I know. She is always willing to share and help, and of course hug and kiss. Leave her some support, and I'll read the comments to her when she comes home! So shout out for Holly Girl, you are going to do great! Now, who else needs a shout out?

Catching up

Lots of things have been happening in the last little while. First, here are a few pictures I took on Easter. We went to Stake conference in the morning, and the kids were sick by the time we came home. That is why there are no pictures of an egg hunt. We did have one in the house, and the kids were good about rallying their strength, but it was a pretty sad little affair. They are feeling better now, lets hope it stays that way for awhile.

On March 31st, We celebrated Alex's first Birthday. He was such a good sport when we had other things going all day, (we'll celebrate more on Sunday with friends between conference sessions) . One funny thing, he snuffed out his one candle with his finger tips. After the initial cry from hot wax he was fine. He had a small little cake, and after fingering the frosting, he dug deeper and found chocolate cake. he liked that a lot! Then he watched Lincoln and Holly open his gifts...I mean help him open his gifts. He had a good time. I'll try and post more pictures from Sunday. the movies is of Alex eating his cake. You can hear the coughing all around, as this was the beginning of a family cold..yeah... Oh and if you watch, it is a bit uneventful, but the end when he smiles makes it worth seeing.

HUH?

I had to post this, I thought it was really funny. this conversation took place on the way to drop Lincoln off at school.
"Mom, I really want to have Aiden over for a play date."
"I know, I'll e-mail your teacher today and get his mom's number and call her. Maybe he can come over one day next week since it will be spring break."
"No Mom he can't. He has to go to his Grandma's house and build a 6 legged walker."

Okay I have no idea what a 6 legged walker would look like, but it would cost a fortune in tennis balls! Have a great weekend!

St. Patrick's Day

Yesterday was a bit of a blurr for me. Carpool and preschool, plus the doctor took most of the day. For dinner I wanted to do something fun for the kids since it was St. Patrick's Day. I remember my mom making us special breakfasts on such holidays. Since my kids don't really like Corned beef and cabbage, I didn't make it; It's a bit salty for my liking as well. Instead of that I made the kids Green eggs, Green juice, and Green Chocolate chip pancakes. They loved it and ate it while deciding the best way to catch a Leprechaun. Oh and in case you noticed, Alex didn't wear green. The poor kid was pinched by every elderly person we passed all day. They thought it was so funny. Good thing he's tough!