Eggs, Beach, Kites, Etc.

I posted Spring Break: Part 1, implying there was a Part 2 and there was but the pictures are mixed here and there so we're just going to say it's covered and not try to reorganize!

Coloring eggs is always much anticipated fun but it goes really fast unless you have a ton of eggs.

 I promise they did have more fun than it would appear in these pictures.

 See, fun - right?!

The results were pretty good.

 This past weekend Melinda came to town.  We always celebrate her birthday even if it isn't exactly her birthday.  We only missed it by a couple of weeks this time!

 Chase was excited to take her to his soccer game on Saturday and even more excited that we got there early enough for a little extra time to play! 

 We left straight from soccer to the beach!  First stop was the playground but we didn't stay there long!

 Thankfully the kids like the beach as much as we do.  Chase kept asking where our beach house was and could not understand that we weren't spending the night.  We realized this was the first day trip to the beach for the kids.

 Taylor took some time chilling in the chair.

 Chase never stopped moving!  They even got in the water.  It was NOT that warm but kids are crazy.

We ate dinner at our favorite Sandbridge restaurant and then got ice cream from the market next door before we headed home.  The kids did so well and had so much fun that I see this happening again very soon!

 Back at home playing a little baseball.

 One last picture before Melinda hit the road!

 Later that afternoon we went out to the Kirby's for a little fun on the farm.

 We were supposed to be flying kites but the wind that has been blowing all spring was suddenly calm!

No worries, there is always an answer for that problem.

 Jason kindly pointing out the power lines.

 Turned around and kept on going.

 Chase hanging out with the older boys and being just as cool.  

 A hayride.

 More hayride fun.

 MeMa and the girls.

The girls again.  The boys never stay in one place long enough for a picture!  

 These last few pictures are from soccer practice last week.  Taylor and I do everything but watch soccer during practice!

 It was a pretty evening and there were too many "flowers" to pick! 

Glad to have seen the sun for a while because it has disappeared and we might be washed away soon!!

Chicks & Easter

 While we were in Cincinnati, MeMa got some baby chicks and ducks for a mini-petting zoo at the church Easter egg hunt.  Chase was so upset that he was going to miss this.  Not to worry, he asked MeMa if he could get some chicks when he got back and she said "sure".

 The chicks had many fans.

 Chase could not get enough of them.

 But we were not taking them home.

 I thought she was just getting them for a few hours but they just went to their new home today so he got to visit with them for over a week.

 The kids found some "claw machine money" - a.k.a. dollar bills - in their Easter cards this year.  They wasted no time getting there to use it.

 There were some victories.

 And some more time to play with the chicks.

 Easter morning.

 Taylor told the Easter Bunny exactly what to get.

 All dressed up.

 At church with the cousins.

 The family shot.

Ever since we were in Cincinnati, Taylor has been asking me to braid her hair like Kerry did, and then fussing at me for not doing it as well as Kerry did!  I've been doing some experimenting and this was one of our better braids to date!

Spring Break: Part 1 - Cincinnati

We took off right after school got out on Friday to Cincinnati to see the family!

She was ready to go!

So was he!  We were able to talk Dave in to joining us for the weekend too, which made the trip even better!

Of course, with Dave the first stop after the plane lands is Skyline!  The kids are big fans too.

Saturday was a beautiful day and we ended up just hanging around for most of it.  I intended for us to be able to visit around on Saturday but it just turned out to be more of a family weekend.  So if you are a friend in Cincinnati reading this and wonder why you never saw us, don't be offended :)

There was ice cream eating.

And Easter egg hunting.

Grandpa looks less than thrilled to see his money being passed out in eggs! Ha!

Taylor passed by the money for the chocolate!  That's my girl!

I must stop here for a disclaimer:  this first part of the trip is way better documented mostly because I stole half of these pictures from Megan!  This was out for dinner at the Mexican restaurant - if you couldn't guess that.

The ladies.

Sunday we went to the Reds game.

Chase loves Carl.

And Skyline. Yes, again.

Like I said, these events were well documented.

Taylorbug and her daddypoo.

Chase loved every minute of the game.  It looks like he is drinking an adult coca-cola but I promise that is the guy next to him!

After the game it was off to celebrate Grandma Hoeh's 16th birthday.  She is counting down from 100 now!

Typical Taylor.

Finally ready to take the picture on her own terms.  Here's where Dave had to leave us and head back home to work.  Someone's got to do it and I'm glad it's him :)

Monday we spent some time visiting Mr. & Mrs. Shoemaker at their retirement community. The kids loved the library part of the tour.  And I only have one picture because Megan wasn't there!

We went back to visit Grandma Hoeh and see her dogs!

And then it snowed?!?!

We went down to Florence to continue our visits and mad e a trip to Frisch's for lunch.  They were having a coloring contest so Chase joined right in!

We played at the mall for a while.  "The Queen" was a fitting title this day.

I could see this happening in real life too!

The double-decker merry-go-round.  Of course one picked the top and one picked the bottom!

Riding the dragon!

Someone finally passed out for a nap.  Praise.the.Lord.  It was much needed!

Playing games with Jacob and Ben!

And more games with Grandma & Grandpa Edwards.

Then it was time to head home!

Always on the phone!

The trip home we had 3 seats in a row but one was by itself.  The kids fought all morning about who got the single seat.  When it came time to board, Chase quickly backed out!  Thankfully Taylor was still excited about it.  That could have gotten ugly.

This guy always stays close by!