Spring Break March 28- April 1 2011

The description of "spring" break was a little deceiving this year. McKenna did indeed have a break from school, although there was nothing springy about it. It was indeed cold and a bit miserable where the weather was concerned. I have been trying to focus on turning Lemons into lemonade so this was the perfect week to begin implementing the concept. Overall I think we had a great time this week. I know McKenna loved being home and Tyler loved having her there-someone to play with everyday!!!!!

McKenna had one request for her lil vacation. She wanted to go to the beach and go "hiking". I use the term very loosely. So when we woke Monday morning and saw it wasn't raining we packed our lunches jumped in the car and drove to Ruston Way in Tacoma to Adam's Beach to meet our friends the Chadwick's and to have a little picnic. The kids had a great time-although the adults were a little cold. :)

Other activities and crafts we did throughout the week were:

Rock Ladybugs,

Butterflies,

and we made sugar cookies and delivered them to a couple of our friends to brighten their rainy Spring Break.

Friday rain or shine we had decided to go to the zoo with some of friends and ran into a few friends who had the same idea. We spent a lot of time in the Aquarium looking at the fish, sharks, Seahorses and having lunch.

When the rain let up to a drizzle we ventured outside to see how the animals were faring in the rainy weather. This was the closest we've ever seen the Daddy tiger-who was taking a nap out of the wet brush.

The baby tigers don't look much like babies anymore. At 10 months old the male Bali is already 100 lbs.

The snow leopard trainer came to feed the 20 month cubs(?) which was fun to see. We headed over to see the walruses & seals where our Daddy surprised us-since he only had to work half a day.

On our way out we stopped by the carousel because no zoo trip is quite complete without a ride.

Overall it was a fun week! I'm thankful for the internet and it's vas array of ideas-craft and activity it has to offer. We had a lot of fun with McKenna and we're glad she could take a break to play with us and we're really glad we had our Grandma here to share it with.

Grandma's been going to therapy a couple of times a week and can often be found doing her stretches at home and seems to be doing quite well. There's even talk of her leaving at the end of the month-which is pry good news for her (so her son doesn't torture her anymore and she can have good thoughts about him), but we don't look forward to her leaving! Tyler is often found in her room in the rocker spinning round and round while talking her ear off, or playing games with her! No night is complete until they have been able to kiss their Grandma on the way to bed. We sure do love having her around.

Sick Day

I was sick all last week, although it felt like a year-John began to come down with it and in an attempt to prevent the spreading of germs and him getting it any worse his Mom talked him into staying home and sleeping today, Friday.

It actually ended up being a really nice day-I'm sure he'll get a little slack at work.

It was nice enough to have a picnic outside.

While we listened to the Oldies Tyler busted a move and broke out into dance.

She's the dancing queen for sure!

Shortly after these pictures were taken the rain actually began to fall...again.

Happy Spring!

36 Years and Counting

This year my birthday kind of snuck up on me with everything going on. I didn't even know what how to celebrate which meant low key was just fine with me...

Saturday morning I woke to meet Jorelle & Jenny for a run. It was a little cool, but the sun was out and it was beautiful and peaceful along the river. Then they surprised me with breakfast at Dixie's with Leslie & TD. It was fantastic! Giant Hot Chocolate's, Huge Breakfast, a Cinnamon roll with a candle and the whole restaurant singing Happy Birthday...Ok I was a lil embarrassed at that point, but I was very happily surprised by the whole morning.

On the drive home I called to tell the kids I was stopping at the store and they enthusiastically all 3 jumped on the phone to wish me Happy Birthday. It was soooo endearing and cute!

John did have to work in the morning but that gave me time to get myself waist deep in another disasterous birthday cake delima. As soon as he got home we jumped in the car and went and picked up the newest members of our family: Rainbow, Lollipop, Flower and Shiver. Our chicks.

The cake....well John tagged it as Typical Melanie...and sadly he's right. But I promised my girls a cake and although I was going to bag it at the last minute I just couldn't pass up Martha Stewart's Sweet and Salty Cake-Chocolate, caramel and Salt? It didn't look like much and it didn't taste that great until a day later so I guess all's well that ends well.

Luckily Leslie had my back with the YUMMIEST Trifle I've ever eaten-blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cream. What's not to like? Did I mention Y-U-M-M-Y!

That was another highlight of the day-that and the pizza John's Mom treated us to so I wouldn't have to cook on my birthday. It was a perfect Day!!!

Thanks to all the birthday flowers, gifts, calls, texts, and wishes from family and friends! The highlight of my life are those I surround myself with, you make me a better me!

Pickin up Chicks

Saturday afternoon we headed out to Reber Ranch in Kent and picked up the newest members of our family. 4 of the cutest lil Chicks you ever did see.

Hard to believe that Tate's favorite was not the popcorn, although he did love that! He found a display of toy horses that he went gaga over! Can't believe we made it out without one in hand.

The chicks we bought were named: Lollipop, Rainbow, Flower & Spec aka Shiver

Guess who named them?

The Man Cave Reformed-Barn Room

Wish I'd taken real Before pictures with all the junk, the exposed wood and that made up this little room.

As you can see not much room for much else besides John and his saw.

We then brought in the Big Dog to do the Decorating. We always put our guests to work and this time Grandpa had his work cut out for him.

The finished product:

The Artist: J. Don Payne aka Grandpa Payne

The Signing

Thanks Grandpa-it's better than anything we had ever imagined and the kids LOVE it!

While our cousins slept in their room the girls were able to break-in and enjoy the barn room as their sleeping quarters creating the perfect sleepover environment. They were soo excited!

After taking out the sleeping stuff and putting in Tate's Toys-he hasn't left the room and called his Dad up to show him his new play room and to have him play with him.

Like I said-the room is a HUGE hit and we Love it!