Charlie's 4th Birthday

Charlie's 4. I just can't believe it.
We had a family dinner together last night (pancakes, that's what the birthday boy chose), then we went to see the movie UP.
It's a great movie, I can recommend it for any age. But curiously, Charlie would have rather been home watching the movie on our TV. And it's not a super-huge TV with crazy blow-you-hair-out audio sound. It's just a 'regular' TV. But if you compare the picture I watched in my living room when I was a kid to the picture that our children today get to enjoy...they're worlds apart.
It does make you wonder if going to the movies may be losing it's charm. For me, certainly not. It's always an event to go OUT to see a movie. But for my four year old, he can't quite see the draw, yet.
Interesting.
So, now the joy of the movies must be taught?

Charlie's bike ride

This is Charlie's mother's day present to me! Thanks, Charlie!

Bursting with Spring

April was wet, windy, cold and altogether unpleasant - but it's done it's job and now we're headed straight on to summer. The garden is started. I had help from these guys, believe it or not. Seriously. I was lucky to catch this image. They concentrated on digging and making dirt structures mostly, but it was helpful and fun.

In this picture - Charlie, Alec, and Owen. Logan was away with dad all day at a chili cookoff at the union hall or he would have been there, too.

There's much more progress to show, but that will have to wait. Thank you May for all the flowers!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Tonight is Sydney's first Daddy Daughter Dance. What a nice looking pair!

Kristi's non-bachelorette party

Girls night! We're taking the bride to be out for a little pottery action! Yep, pottery! Then later, we'll be back at the house for some fun...

Ha Ha Tonka

Silly name. Seriously awesome state park. We further tested the kids' hiking abilities. They did really well. The day started out gloomy and rainy, but luckily the afternoon was mostly clear. We had to see the beautiful 'castle' ruins and then we did the Spring trail. There were some strenuous parts, but we made it. Even Charlie and his little legs. He might have had a couple of piggy back rides... Great fun, we'll do some real camping this summer, fo' sho'!

Bridal Cave

We're at the lake of the Ozarks for the weekend. It's Spring Break back up in the city...so we're off for some fun. We went to Bridal Cave today, the kids' first cave adventure. I had the most fun, I think, but we all survived. Great cave, too! We went for a hike afterwards above and discovered Bear Rock Beach. Well, that's an unofficial name. We saw bear scat and lots of freshly eaten freshwater mussels. It really looked like a place the bears would rock. We're back in the comfy condo for the weekend, just taking it easy. We'll go see Ha Ha Tonka tomorrow.