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Cal

Caleb and I have been enjoying the wonderful spring like weather outside while Allie naps. (yep, she still does! yahoo!) I took my camera outside 2 days ago and captured some precious pics. enjoy.

again..

I have lost track of time and have to catch you up with the family happenings... (I'll give you a photo recap of the month.

Enjoying my brother's company (and Leslie's) after kiddos took naps- (see last post)

 our budding artist- she could draw for hours

 Cal is still on the gluten free/ dairy free and now soy free diet and doing well. We are finding more things he likes every day. (Thanks Nancy for the cookbooks and all of the starter ingredients. These oatmeal cookie are from the Babycakes book.)

 Yes, we celebrated Valentine's day- Happy belated to you all. :)

 Clint and I celebrated in style, crab legs, steak and champagne. Delish.

 And we have once again ventured into my favorite walking spot in Crow Creek park, I seem to take the coolest pics of the fam there.

 yep, Cal can write his first and last name. proud mama moment.

Return of the Prodigal Son and His Wife

Well, I admit that's a stretch, but we truly have good reason to celebrate this week-end. My brother returned from his 3rd Air Force deployment last month and he and his wife were able to come and celebrate his safe homecoming with us this week-end. (well, they are still here, I'm just taking a moment to blog because the kiddos are napping:))

                                  

 Allie and Aunt Leslie

(celebrating with breakfast at the Cracker barrel on Friday morning)

 Allie and Uncle Andrew

 This morning, after a breakfast of pancakes we headed out to a farm that Leslie's family owns (her grandma was actually born in the farmhouse that is still on the property) and explored the barns and outbuildings.

 There was a beautful dusting of snow that only fell while we were there. It really added to the whole "Iowa farm in winter" ambiance.

 My bro and his trusty companion, Boomer

 My dad and my brother

 From L to R, Andrew, Dad and Clint

 The pups, Lola and Boomer

You might have noticed the kids were not in most of the pics, they were snuggled in the nearby car watching Dora and enjoying themselves. :)

a hike in the woods

 Clint had a volleyball game after work today so the kiddos and I were on our own for the evening and dinner. It has been so nice (40 and 50 degrees outside) so we decided to go for a hike in the woods (one of Cal's most favorite pasttimes). I packed our dinner in some lunchboxes and we headed out to our favorite park cross country course.

 Allie is SO very attached to her purse and her phone- she takes her purse every where I take my purse and talks to her friends on her plastic Dora phone most of the time we are in the car.

 By the time I could get my camera out, Cal had already run down the first hill. Did I say he loves this park?!

 I tried to get another pic of my sweet kids on the bench, but Allie was so interested in what was in her purse that it distracted them both.

 A perfect picture of my boy doing what he loves best-

 Ok- let my take a minute to steer away from the wonderful walk and expand a little on this girl and her fashion sense. I have to tell you that I am secretly in love with the bizzare things that she loves to wear. Notice the pink (garden tools) bag, the pink and leopard fur coat, the black and white striped socks on top of brown pants, and the pink Dora boots. I admire her and sometimes wish that I had her wardrobe so I could try out some of the funky things she wears- although I am not sure that I would be as well received as she is. :) I am not a creative dresser but at the ripe old age of two, my daughter is quietly encouraging me to take more risks. Thanks, miss.

 a sweet impromptu hug

and then dinner in our backseat of the van listening to my kiddos favorite music and warming up. We all had a great time.

January still...

 We are still enjoying winter type activities and the kiddos are still content to be inside most of the time, although Cal asks at least 4 times a week to go to the zoo. Soon, buddy.

 Enjoying the snow last Saturday.

 Sledding in the backyard

 Tuxy boy enjoying a blanket left in the kitchen - the little guy will take anything he can get to stay warm. He is not enjoying the winter.

 A tent found its way out of storage and into Cal's room- He and Allie loved playing and pretending in it-

and then he enjoyed sleeping in it last night and tonight, too. Sweet dreams, sweet boy

January stuff

 Cal has spent a lot of time playing in the water lately- whether he is in the bath tub (daily) or playing with his toys in the bathroom sink. (they were at the beach :)) He told me today that he wants to go swimming. Oh my water baby is just like his mama.

 A family Christmas present- a new tablet with all kinds of kid friendly games (and netflix). I speak for everyone when I say we love it!

 We are still cooking and experimenting with gluten free, milk free foods. We made sugar cookies with frosting for the kids' Sunday School class and they turned out great. Allie is lovong all of the time we spend together in the kitchen.

 Silly story- Cal is forever squinting his eyes when I am taking pictures of him, exhibit a

 exhibit b

 so, me in my silliness, decided it would be funny if we had a squinty picture together- but he decided to have a fabulous picture. darn it!

 my guy

 playing "stinky feet" with daddy

 watching the squirrels in the backyard after church

 My budding artist is enjoying coloring with friends,

and painting with her brother. Girlfriend has at least a dozen paintings she has completed in the last few days. It is definitely her favorite pasttime at the moment.