Just a couple of cute pics

The other day, I was cleaning up looking thru some of my pictures on my phone, and I came across a couple of cute ones that definitely are worth sharing:

On our way to jammy-day at daycare.

On our way out to go to a hockey game. Natalie had won the tickets at school thru their jump-rope for heart program.

At Barnes and Nobles - having lunch. Her school had a reading program / book fair at the bookstore on a Saturday, and of course we went. We had a great time listening to the teachers and some of the older classes read stories / do plays / sing in the chorus, etc... We decided to have lunch at their cafe. Don't worry, Natalie had "real" food first before this huge desert.

Family activity night at school

Natalie's school had a family activity night. One room was filled with board games, etc. The other room was the gym filled with fun things to do. Knowing Natalie, it isn't surprising that we never made it to the board games...

Slalom obstacle course - Natalie competed against one of her friends.

Natalie loved the climbing wall...

... and she was really good at it, too!

But I think her favorite was the hula-hoops:

St. Patrick's Day

This year, St. Patrick's Day really started the evening before. Natalie made a really cool leprechaun trap. Well, it really was more like a house than a trap - made out of shoe boxes and doll house furniture:

The living room, with a bridge into the pink reading room...

The pink room, the bathroom, and the kitchen.

The Leprechaun came overnight. He went in the window and out the door. And he even dropped a couple of gold (chocolate) coins:

Leprechaun footprints.

The day itself was also full of fun:

Traditional St. Patrick's Day breakfast: Lucky Charms and green milk.

And no St. Patrick's Day would be complete without the treasure hunt for the pot of gold (or other goodies) at the end of the rainbow:

Reading the next clue.

Where to go next...

The goodies included a big beach towel this year.

Swimsuit model

Before going to the waterpark for Karsten's birthday, Natalie had to check if her swim suits from last year still fit. So, she put on a fashion show:

Pose number one.

Ready to take on the world.

The sassy one...

As you can see, it turned out they all were a little small on her, so we ended up picking up a couple of new suits. But the fashion show pics were just too fun not to post.

Happy Birthday, Karsten - part two

To celebrate Karsten's big birthday, we went to Blue Harbor Resort with Aubriella and family. We had a blast!!!

The kids even drank "beer" (apple cider).

Natalie picked out Daddy's cake - I think she chose the perfect one!

The kids had such a blast...

I wonder if Karsten made a wish...

Karsten let each kid have a "tool" from the cake.

Karsten seemed to enjoy the day. It's always good to be surrounded by friends and family. 

Of course, we spent a lot of time in the waterpark:

Natalie is such a good swimmer.

She also loved the waterslides. She did them both on her own, and with Karsten. One time, after the two of them came down the slide, I was in the right spot at the right time with the camera:

That's Natalie behind that innertube - tipping it over...

You did it - no, you did it...

It's all good - so many giggles!

Happy Birtday, Karsten!

Karsten had a big birthday this year! We celebrated with a fancy breakfast table - and a big present:

The big box was something Karsten had wished for. It was really fun trying to hide it from him. Fortunately, Natalie and I had build a big fort in the living room the weekend before - the perfect hiding spot!

Happy Birthday, Karsten!

Natalie also had a birthday song for Karsten:

Cuddle time with Daddy

Sometime, hanging out with Daddy in front of the TV is just what is needed:

Cuddle time!