Special visitor

Maren:

The last week or so has been pretty crazy around here. Daddy was teaching a class for work so he worked a lot extra and of course mommy was working too.  Because of that, baby brother and I got to spend a bit more time at school.  Our Nonna and Nonno came to the rescue plenty though so it wasn't too bad. At the end of the busy week we had some pretty special visitors come to cap it off.  Pica and Grammie came up from Reno to spend the weekend with us. 

We had a weekend packed full of fun! Saturday we went over to the Trautzs' house for Bella's second birthday celebration. They had a really nice barbeque and I got to introduce my Pica and Granmie to everyone. Then, on Sunday, mommy treated us all to a very special day. We all (except poor daddy, he had to work) went for a ride on the jet boats! We left pretty early in the morning, so it was a bit chilly, but I snuggled in next to my Pica and did just fine. We had a nice ride and then stopped for a really great breakfast. After we ate lots of food, we loaded back on to the boats and headed back. The ride home was awesome!! We raced some other boats, did lots of spins and got really wet! My Pica and Grammie sure laughed a lot! That evening we had a little barbeque at home and Maddox and I tried raw corn for the first time! 

Monday came and Pica and Grammie had to head home. Because it was Memorial Day, swim class was cancelled, so we went over to hang out with Jace and Bella. While we were there, Jace and I got into a sword fight... I took a blow to the forehead and ended up with quite the bump! That ended that game!! 

Maddox:

I got to meet my Pica and Grammie again this weekend. Still not sure that I will remember them, but we had lots of fun. I loved watching their crazy dogs and really wanted to pet them whenever I could. Mommy was a bit worried that they might bite me since I don't understand how to be gentle yet but it all worked out ok. 

Our weekend full of adventure was pretty great for me. I had a blast at the birthday party and spent most of my time playing on their little tractor. I loved it!! It's my most favorite thing to do at home... Drive the car or the tractor. I will do it for as long as someone will allow me to and this one was just my size! 

The jet boats were pretty fun too though I fell asleep on the way down. It took me a bit, and I cried for a while but then I zonked out. While I was awake I was pretty focused on the mans shirt in front of me. It had cars all over it and I sat and poked him in the back over and over again saying "car-car"! 

Real bike rider

Maren:

Well, I have finally moved on to the big time! Gone are the days of training wheels... I can really ride a bike! My good buddy Jace has been riding without training wheels for a long time and I desperately want to keep up with him! So, I decided it was time to get rid of them! Daddy spent an afternoon with me, I had a few falls, but I got it down! I am so proud and so excited!! A few days after I mastered it, mommy took me to the greenway so I could really go. Nonno met us and I got to show off my new skills. Then Nonno had us over (cuz my Nonna is in Jersey visiting my Auntie C's) and we rode around the neighborhood and I got some more practice.  

Maddox:

I am a bundle of energy and fun! And my best buddy is my sweet sissy! Now don't get me wrong, sometimes I drive her crazy and sometimes she drives me crazy too, but we love playing together! She and I are really starting to have fun together.  She is mommys big helper and tries to entertain me if needed but I think she is now enjoying me a bit more. 

We went for a really nice walk on the greenway so sissy could ride her bike but I got to show off my walking skills too! I have really bonded with my Nonno while my Nonna has been gone and he thinks I'm pretty fun. 

I love hats! I have to have a hat on pretty much anytime I am awake and there is one around. I even like to wear one in the tubby! I also go for a necklace if given the opportunity! 

Let the Summer Fun Begin!

I'm Maren:
Spring is officially here and summer is on the way!  This last week was Mothers Day and we spent the weekend up at Dr. Franks cabin on Klamath Lake.  It was a bit overcast and cold so we couldn't swim but we still had a lot of fun.  The first day we got there I was surprised to find a bird in our bedroom!  Turns out that it was a bat and mommy sent daddy in to catch him with a fishing net!  That was a pretty exciting way to start off our trip!  The rest of the weekend was pretty calm in comparison, we went on canoe rides and daddy even taught me how to fish!  We caught a really big lake trout right off the dock!  Nonno came up to hang out with us one of the days (Nonna is New Jersey visiting Auntie C for a couple of weeks) and we all went out to lunch.  Unfortunately, baby brother didn't sleep to great so mommy was pretty ready to head home come Sunday morning.

Maddox:
I had my first big camping trip this weekend!  Mommy and daddy broke me in with a visit to Dr. Franks cabin and I had a blast!  I loved spending time down on the dock and played a really fun game!  Anything I could get my hands on went swimming!  I kept mommy and daddy on their toes retrieving things out of the water and trying to keep me from going in after it.  They kept my life jacket on me most of the time, just in case, but I never fell in.  I was really fascinated with the water and wanted to touch it so badly!  I would hang my feet over the edge, hold onto the boards, and stretch my toes down!  Every once in a while my toes would touch and I loved the cold water!
When we got home Nonno came over for dinner one night.  He loaded me up onto Marens bike and pushed me around.  I thought that was so fun and would giggle like crazy!  I also made little driving noises while we were moving and just never wanted to get off!
I am talking up a storm and have added some new words: outside, sock, shoe, and Nonno!