Starved Rock Water Park Amusement

My parents invited us to go to a water park near Starved Rock for a night. We gladly accepted!

  We started off with some hiking.  Parker loved exploring and Adley loved riding the backpack.

Then we went to the waterpark...and I didn't take a single picture!  Parker liked the slide, the lazy river, and the wave pool.  Adley...didn't like any of it, but she did like having Papa hold her the whole time. And she looked cute in her swimmy suite.

After we went out to eat, Ryan and I took Parker to an indoor amusement park where he did a high ropes course, trampoline, zip line, and rock climbing.  My phone was dead, so once again, no pictures.  He did awesome on the rock wall though!  He also loved the zipline, but he had a no expression on his face on the way down.  He just asked to do it again once it was done.  It was so fun to watch!!  

Adley was out like a light, and Parker got to cuddle with Papa for a little bit before bed.

The next morning we went to the water park again for a while, and then we went hiking again.

Parker pretended he was a trailer for a while.

Then he decided he needed a ride, too.  Good thing Daddy is strong!

We ate lunch and headed home.  Thanks Mom and Dad for taking us!  We had a great time!

Spring is here...right? Please say it is.

As soon as it felt like Spring, we busted out the double stroller and went for a walk.  We had to walk on the road because the snow wasn't melted enough on the sidewalk for the stroller to fit through, but it felt awesome!

 Adley tested out the Strider Bike for the first time.  She did great!  I can't believe our second child is already using it.  It seems like just yesterday Parker was two and cruising down the sidewalks on it.  He is pretty much a pro on his pedal bike now.

One night, Parker got to spend the night at Josiah's house.  Adley and I stopped at Target to pick out some "unnies." She's been asking about them so much!  She picked Doc McStuffins.  (She hasn't worn them yet. We'll tackle that soon).

Then we watched a little show and had popcorn together.

Ryan has been what I like to call "Kombucha Krazy," lately.  He's been making homemade kombucha, and now we have all the supplies to bottle it ourselves too.  It's a fermented tea probiotic drink and has helped Adley's tummy tremendously!  

World's cutest fireman and police/army woman.

Adley is becoming quite the fashionista lately.  She likes to pick out her own clothes, and she says "I like it, I like it," when she decides what to wear.  She also compliments others on their clothes quite a bit.  She loves our neighbor, Mila.  Whenever she sees her, she says "Hi Mia, I like a shirt.  I like a hair." Or pants, shoes, coat...whatever :)  How sweet!

The paperwork has increased ten-fold since Ryan has been back on shift during the internship portion of paramedic school.  Parker likes to "help."

One Sunday, Adley woke up from her nap after 30 minutes and then slept on me while I watched March Madness for the next 1.5 hours! She still plays with my hair every chance she gets. She's done that since birth.  Sometimes it gets to be a little much, but I know someday I'll miss it, so I try not to complain ;)

Other February News

On Febraury 1st, we were snowed in at my sister's. We played play dough, 

 Wii,

played outside, celebrated Nat's birthday, and watched the Super Bowl.

The kids and I had a Valentine craft day.

Ryan's paren'ts took the kids overnight on Valentine's day, so Ryan and I went to the city to meet up with friends.  He got me ice skates and all my favorite snacks from Trader Joes.  We went skating at the "Ribbon" and out to eat that night.  He proposed 7 years ago!!

Adley loves doing fine motor things, so I got out this cribbage game for her to put the pegs in.

These were their outfits one Sunday morning for church.  Country kids at heart!

Parker got a pair of ice skates, too! We took him out a few times at the Ross pond and an ice rink by our house.  This day, I helped him a while and then when he was done, I wanted to show him what it looked like to skate fast.  I made a lap and a half before totally wiping out ;) Ouch!

Playing BSF

This is my second year doing Bible Study Fellowship (BSF).  Last year we went through Matthew and I learned SO much and found my love for Jesus growing exponentially.  This year we are going through Exodus - Deuteronomy.  The beginning when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt was pretty exciting and entertaining, but then we moved into Number and and Leviticus.  These are books that I have always skimmed or skipped.  All of the rules, sacrifices, grumbling, destruction...it's really not the "feel good" part of the Bible, but I'm SO glad I stuck with it.  I understand now, more than ever, how powerful Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is, and how EVERYTHING in the old testament foreshadows His life, death and resurrection.  The Word is living and active FOR SURE!  It's incredible.

The kids love BSF, too. The children's program is amazing.  Adley's teacher's name is Mrs. Smucker, and every time I tell her it's BSF day, she says "Mucker hold you?!" 

They often play "BSF" at home. They pretend to tell a Bible story, sing "God Is So Good" and "Holy, Holy, Holy," and have quiet time.  It's so precious!

Chick-fil-a had free breakfasts on Thursdays in February, so we went before BSF one week.  

They thought that was the best! 

Fun Fridays

A few Fridays in February, the kids and I tried to do something fun and educational.  One week we went to the DuPage County Children's Museum. SO fun!

 The next week we went to a wildlife conservation center to see some birds, read some books, 

and play with a rat.

Gross!  I could barely look at that thing, but the kids thought it was cool.

Making the Most of the Snow

This particular Saturday in early February was great.  I read some books to the kids while Ryan studied a while. They both insist on sitting on my lap.  I can barely see the book, but it works!

Adley has been doing this hilarious pucker face for a while now.  

She does it all the time, so we all tried.

Then we bundled up and went to Herrick Lake for a little snow hike.  

We brought the sled and pulled the kids behind us. 

 We made some snow angels and found some REALLY deep snow!!

When we came home, Ryan and Parker got to work on another igloo.  They were working so hard.  They even ate their lunch outside.

They also built the world's biggest snowman.

They both stayed up until mid March!