Ohio

Last weekend we took a very quick trip out to Ohio.  We received the good news that my brother was getting baptized and wanted to go and celebrate with him.  So grateful to be there for his special moment.

Just a few pics.

Jojo had a buddy in Uncle Chad.  I love that he's picking his nose on this picture.  Not sure why this pic is so blurry...

Miranda was sweet and just us a b-day cake.  Steve and I are just a day apart and Chad is in a couple weeks.  They are both 40 this year.  Bunch of old geezers.

Handicap

A few weeks back my dad had surgery on his shoulder.  He's been in a quite a bit of pain but hanging in there.  I love that it's hardly slowed him down!  Still loving on the kids.

Story Time

Every day before Josiah's nap I read to him.  For MONTHS we have been reading and rereading the same books.  We look at the same pictures and say the same things.  I must admit I get a bit tired of story time.  But I know someday I will miss it so I plug away, knowing that he will not always want to look at pictures of food and trucks and animals.

I asked Aaron to take a few pictures of us the other day.  I thought he did a great job with the camera!

Out of the Mouths...

This past weekend both Aaron and Greta spent the night at a friend's house which rarely gets to happen for either of them.  When they saw each other at church they began comparing notes about what they did.

Aaron: "We went to Rita's!!"

Greta, ever competitive and sassy, says with hands on hips: "Who's Rita?"

Spring Training

Numb

This poor guy has needed some major dental work recently.  He's been such a good sport!

True Story

Two sisters: one is neat, one is messy.  Nothing in this room was altered for the camera.

In case you are wondering and notice these things (Kendra!!!) their room is getting painted soon, hence all of the drywall patches.

Ice Skating

Steve's mom took the crew ice skating.  They loved it!!

Aaron is not mad, I think I just caught him in a moment of  being cold!!

Girls

I was so excited that our niece Alana was coming along this trip.  She is 6 months older than Greta and how sad that they are cousins who didn't know each other!!

The girls literally hit it off immediately.  Everyone came in the house after traveling for almost a full day and the girls ran right to Greta's room and began playing.  I hardly saw them all week, they just played and played.  It seemed that they are quite a bit alike.  Quiet, but strong in their certain ways.

I think this is one of my favorite pics I took when the family was here.  This was about 10 at night.  The kids were all up and the house was swirling with activity.  Alana had her iPad blaring to the 'Frozen' soundtrack and the girls were there coloring so contentedly.  What a sweet moment.

Boys

These 2 are big fans of each other.  So sweet.

A few good ones

Our disastrous photo shoot did yield a handful of good shots.

Huge Fail

As I mentioned yesterday, our attempt at getting a shot of all the Heitland cousins was a complete fail!  Had it been 30 degrees warmer and not muddy, I may have worked a little harder and with a bit more confidence.  But the littles were screaming, the bigs were freezing.  Complete fail on every level!!

At least we have a fun memory and some pics to laugh at.

I think this one might be my favorite.  Aiden looks like someone just chopped off his foot or something.

This one is close at least the boys are't wailing...but Aaron is looking away 

This was me throwing snow at them.  Sort of worked.  

It hasn't been quiet

Though my blog has been quiet these past couple of weeks, my house has not!  We were so excited to have 5 guests from CA to come visit us this past week.  Steve's mom, sister, brother, and our niece and nephew were all here.  It was so fun to be together.

One of the things that we wanted to accomplish when they were in was to get a pic of all the kids.  It has been 4 years since all the cousins have been together on the Heitland side.  Ashley and I had fun picking and coordinating outfits for the whole clan.  Unfortunately for us, the photo shoot was a total BOMB!!  Two screaming toddlers who would not quit...or cooperate.  I will post those pics soon.

So this was the best shot that we got.  It was a last ditch effort, having them sit on the back of Jer's truck.   It calmed Josiah down but Aiden was having none of it.