Super Saturday

This Saturday, we had a "Super Saturday" with our friends Jen, Brent and Ava. Since they moved out of our ward boundaries, we don't see each other very often. We went down to their house Saturday morning and had a fabulous time playing with our wonderful friends. Last summer when Jen came into the mother's lounge I got excited because they had a little girl Pepper's same age, and I thought the girls could be friends. Then we had them over for dinner that same night and we knew instantly that we were all going to be friends! After lunch, while the girls napped, Morgan took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to play in their backyard.
The weather here has been fantastic this week with sunshine and temps in the low 50s. We had been spending most afternoons outside taking walks and Friday morning we went to the Nature Realm for playgroup. However, on Saturday, despite the bright sunshine the temperature had dropped to the 40s and the wind picked up a lot. This of course did not keep Morgan from playing outside in a light jacket. He is his father's son!

Jen was nice enough to give our kids some haircuts while we all played in their amazing basement. Fun, nice and talented!

Such a handsome little devil!

Pepper getting her first haircut. This was a hard moment for me because I was worried that this would make all her curls go away. But she was starting to look a little mullitish so I knew something had to be done.

Jen took a little off the bottom and layered it a bit to help her curls. Pepper did a fantastic job and didn't squirm or cry one bit. I didn't even have to bribe her with treats. I don't want to brag or anything but I'm pretty sure my daughter rocks!

Yep, it's official...she rocks!

And her curls are better than ever!

Thanks to Jen for doing an amazing job with their hair. When I'm ready for something new I will definitely let you know:)

Pepper and Ava having a tea party with Elmo.

After the haircuts, we headed over to the Massillon Rec Center to go swimming. It was AWESOME!!! The kiddie area had a lot of fountains and was only ankle/shin deep.

The highlight of the kiddie pool area was the pirate ship water slide. Our kids pretty much spent an hour and a half doing this.

Here's a video of the kids and the rest of the pool area. On the other side there was some water slides, a big kid play area and a lazy river. There was also an area to swim laps. Such a cool rec area!

Miss cutie-patootie Ava. She looks a little worried here but both girls seemed to have no fear of the water or slide and just had a blast.

During a "safety break" when they had to stay out of the water. Pepper looking longingly at the rest of the pool area.

After swimming, we grabbed some dinner from Swenson's and went back to their place to eat. We finally dragged ourselves away well after bedtime and headed home. Thank you guys for a wonderful, fun-filled "Super Saturday." We will have to do it again soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all our family and friends from Beth, Cody, Morgan and Pepper! On Friday morning, Morgan and Pepper, with a little help from yours truly, made their daddy some valentines. They were very excited for Daddy to see them and were so proud of themselves. On Sunday, when everyone was wearing their pretty Valentine's Day outfits we decided to take some photos.





We are in love with out little family and hope all of you are feeling the love today as well!

It is hard to get everyone smiling at the same time, especially with a timer!
Now for some randomness. Pepper and Morgan have started making a little fort behind the kitchen set in the corner of the playroom. Well, I should say Morgan started the fort and Pepper does anything Morgan does...when he lets her join in of course.

Yipee, for siblings who keep each other entertained.

Saturday morning Pepper decided again to be a monkey. She's been wearing this around the house a lot lately.

Whenever Morgan sees her dressed up, he has to run and get his costume on too. We need some more dress up clothes around this joint! Sigh...one day I'll get to it.

Here are some videos of the kids jumping to the tune of "Five Little Monkeys:"

Akron Family Reading Festival

This Saturday morning we attended the 3rd Annual Family Reading Festival at the main library in Akron. It went almost all day and had tons of fun activities for the family. The first thing we did was meet Clifford and Curious George. Morgan and Pepper were both very excited to see them...until we got up close that is. Morgan absolutely refused to get even near them and Pepper was not too thrilled when Daddy got her up close and personal.
Of course as we walked away Morgan and Pepper kept waving and telling them "good-bye."

Then we headed over to the auditorium where a children's music performer, Jim Gill, was putting on a show. The kids loved it and had a good time dancing around. After the show, we walked around to different booths and tables. They had a room set up with tables full of books and the children were each allowed to pick a free book. I couldn't believe they had legit books, like lots of Sandra Boynton books, which are our favorites. Morgan was all set with a great P.D. Eastman book before Cody showed him some Star Wars book about Wookies. Morgan has never even seen Star Wars and doesn't know anything about the characters but he was hooked. Of course, now he doesn't want to read it because he thinks it's too scary. Thanks, Dad!

Next up was storytime with all the characters. They had local celebrity readers like the mayor of Akron and a fireman. Between stories the characters would do a dance or silly song and get the kids all up and wiggling. We walked around some more and ran into some friends from church. We all went back into the auditorium to watch the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet put on a show. They also taught the kids a little dance.

Morgan and Pepper were mesmerized by the pretty ballerinas. Pepper was having a blast trying to do the dance. I think some dance classes are in her very near future!

We had an awesome time at the festival and are already determined to make this an annual event for our family. Yay, for reading and free festivals!

Last Friday, we went over to Heather's to let the kids do a little painting/craft project. We also let them run around and destroy Heather's house. We had a great time:) (Oh and sorry, Heather and Becky, for the candid shot but Gwendolyn was too cute in this picture not to include it. Plus I liked how quiet and crafty the kids were being.)

Yipee, for friends and craft projects on cold winter days!

Morgan's 4th Birthday Madness

On Saturday, January 29th, Morgan turned 4 yrs old. We had a big party at our house to celebrate this momentous occasion. We were very blessed to have lots of wonderful friends come to help us celebrate Morgan. Including my lifelong friend, Mesha, who flew in from Utah for the weekend. Heather made this amazing cake. Morgan said he wanted a cake with Hiccup and Toothless on it from "How to Train Your Dragon."
I could not believe all the details.

She even made Hiccup a viking hut. She has mad skills!

The idea for the party was to have an outdoor-type summer party in our basement. We borrowed a bouncy house from a friend and brought all our outdoor toys downstairs. I also found a Step 2 Roller Coaster on craigslist for $30. Best find ever!

We are now on the lookout for one of these.

Pepper the party girl.

Cody and the other dads were the Funhouse supervisors. A few moms helped them out now and again but I thought they did a fabulous job! Only one child came upstairs crying the whole time.

Jenna giving Morgan a push.

Here are some videos of the kids having a good time:

For lunch we did a picnic type spread. We had Uncrustables, bags of chips, juice boxes and grapes for the kids to make a plate with and go back downstairs.

All the other moms, babies and few other kids having their picnic upstairs.

After lunch we sang to Morgan and he blew out the candles:

While my friend Jen cut the cake, Morgan opened his presents.

He was very enthusiastic about everything, which made me happy.

The time for cake and ice cream picnic-style on the kitchen floor.

The party ended around 12:30/1pm and I must say I think it was a huge success. I, of course, was totally stressed beforehand thinking about all the details and how it would run, hopefully smoothly. I guess I can never quiet the Stage Manager inside my head!

Thanks to all our friends who made it out. We had a great time sharing Morgan's day with you.

While Pepper was napping, the rest of us checked out the Funhouse. The bouncy house was just Mesha's size. You should have seen her trying to get out of it:)

Morgan also opened his presents from Grandma and Papa Adams, Auntie Mesha and mom and dad. Grandma Adams gave him a cool hamster that runs around and makes noises. Despite his face in this picture he loved it.

This was his reaction to the dinosaur pajamas Papa Adams picked out for him.

We got his this Hiccup outfit. Let's hope he doesn't try to use the ax on Pepper.

Modeling for the camera.

Auntie Mesha got him this inflatable Buzz Lightyear wings and spaceship (not in the picture). The gun shoots balls. Great look Meesh.

Morgan showing off he wings.

Pepper did not nap very well, probably had something to do with all the sugar she consumed before trying to sleep. Sunday was much better but she was still very cuddly after her nap. I didn't mind one bit.

Morgan and Pepper loved having Auntie Mesha here and were very sad to wake up this morning and realize she wasn't here anymore.

Monday morning, Pepper played at a friend's house while Mesha and I took Morgan to the Little Gym. Then we drove out to Smucker's to have lunch with Cody. After, that we hightailed it to Cleveland to take Mesha to the airport. Thank goodness it was a beautiful day.

We miss you already, Auntie Mesha! Thanks for coming and come back again soon!

Morgan's great picture taking skills. Well, at least he got a great shot of her ring:)