Special Outings ('09 catch up - part 1)

Before talking about the Special Outings, I need to make this general statement:

The next 7 part "2009 catch up" picture postings and 8 video clips are to catch you up to speed on our January - March 2009.

This comes just in time for me to draw a quick breath before the whirlwind of April Birthdays and Easter photos!

I shall endeaver to post those pics before 4th of July ;)

Enjoy!

Special Outings

While Papa was visiting us, Dan and I were able to take each of the kids on and extra special outing. They got both Dad and Mom all to themselves!

Kaylin's was actually on December 30, 2008.

We took her to the Botanical Gardens Christmas Lights.

We all 3 had such a good time. It is amazing how fun and relaxed it is when it is 2 parents with just 1 child. :)

Afterwards we stopped by Shari's and Kaylin ordered a banana split

On Friday, January 2, 2009, we took Krystin out for breakfast at Denny's.

(hmmm.... I'm seeing a trend to go to restaurants with 1st names....)

Just before, Dad put puzzles together with Krystin while I had a dentist appointment.

Krystin really enjoyed her crazy cup.

She wanted to share with Dad :)

That afternoon, Ethan wanted to go to a family fun center to play arcade games.

This was a favorite.

Shooting the infared beam at targets made different objects spin/light up/talk

Eagle eye Ethan!

Mom and Ethan racing cars

He ended up with quite a few prize tickets.

Here is the bounty

Paddle Ball and Harmonica Videos (early '09)

Papa picked these paddles up for the kids.
Kaylin is distraught at the end because hers breaks.

I would post her rendition of "Drummer Boy".....

but just imagine 40 more seconds of the same thing... an octave lower :)

Sisters ('09 catch up - part 2)

This is a pretty common sight these days.

Kaylin and Krystin like to fill up any bucket like object with various sorts of treasures.

What is so funny?

Look at their pants.

They filled their pajamas up with various toys.


Papa made this 2-headed burrito
(and then ran to the other room for 2 minutes of peace and quiet) ;)

Hair Salon

I still can't believe Krystin sat still long enough and tolerated Kaylin putting all those barretts in her hair. I have a hard time just getting TWO in her hair!

(and I think she wasn't done yet in this picture)

Dan and I are just glad that Kaylin asked first before cutting Krystin's hair!

I had some apples going bad, so I decided to make dried apples.

The girls loved running the peeler/slicer machine.

And the apple peels kept them entertained for a long time!

Pretty dresses on pretty girls.

I especially love their shoes....

My Little Pony Dress up shoes :)

Big Girl Krystin ('09 catch up - part 3)

Krystin is now out of her toddler car seat.....

... and in her new big girl booster

She even pours her own milk sometimes now


She knows her ABC's
(she put these magnets in alphabetical order while singing ABC song)

And I bet you know where this is leading....

Yep. Krystin is officially a Big Girl now! :)

Krystin singing Twinkle Twinkle

MISC Pics ('09 catch up - part 4)

Ethan helped me make French Toast one morning

We've had a lot of bed bugs lately ;)

Ethan has probably been the biggest perpetrator, but I didn't have a recent pic of him in our bed.

I went kinda wild for Valentines Day this year. The kids each got a puppy.

Ethan got Stratego, Kaylin another game, and Krystin a Play-Doh set.

The kids reminded me we do strawberry shortcake for V-day.

Dan is in charge of the shortcakes

I got a "gazelle" with some Christmas money.

Krystin is demonstrating how it works :)

Forts haven't lost their appeal

What are the 3 kids looking at?

Why, it is the first mowing/weed whacking of neighbor Dave's lawn this year :)

We are back in swimming lessons.

(And if this picture doesn't make you laugh, I just don't know what will :)

Family Monopoly

Dad played Jr. Monopoly with the girls

And you all know what a big picture taker Dan is.... so I took this poor long arm shot of Ethan and I playing the "grown up" Monopoly.

Learning to Fly Video

MISC Videos - Early 2009

The original Stair Masters :)

Mini-Marathoner

(Dan is currently up to 16 miles on Saturdays - Marathon is in May)

Ethan's First Soccer Game ('09 catch up - part 5)

GO LEOPARDS!!!

On Saturday, March 21, Ethan had his first soccer game!

We went through the "Upwards" league. It is a Christian league that emphasizes fun and sportsmanship. AND scripture memory! There is a short devotion at each practice and game.

Ethan has practice Wednesday nights and 1 game on Saturday mornings.

It is a 4 on 4 league with no goalie.

(I think the score was 3-4. But not sure as official score is not kept and I was doing a little "sister soccer" officiating on the side when Ethan wasn't playing)

Dan and I were proud of Ethan. He did a good job of chasing after the ball and paying attention.

He stopped the ball a couple times and even got to throw the ball back into play once (see below videos)

Ethan on far left for both pics

The cheer section
Dad sideline coaching Ethan
The man and woman on the left are Ethan's coaches.

1/2 time devotions

(I am realizing that it looks like there are only girls on his team. But the other 2 boys are hidden on the left hand side of this pic)

The Kropfs are playing soccer, too.

So we celebrated our first game by going out to Wendy's together afterwards.