Fun-Filled Weekends

The last couple of weekends have been pretty fun. Lincoln's Kindergarten class came over on Friday for some play time on the playset as well as some hot dogs on the grill. They had a great time and it was a lot of fun hosting all of them.
Last weekend we went to visit Grandma Laura & Grandpa Dave, check out the Columbus Children's Theater again for The Frog Prince, and take a swing by the Columbus Zoo.
This was also the kids' first time sleeping on the floor at another house. That took some adjustment, but as we're in Disney Training, it was good practice.
This past weekend the Parkinsons came to our place for a visit while Grandpa Dave, Auntie Haley & Jenn ran in the Towpath Ten Ten. They all beat their times from last year, and Grandpa Dave finished third in his age group!
And I ought to acknowledge the hard work Jenn put into making beignets. The kids have had them on their minds since reading a Princess & The Frog story about Tiana's beignets. Jenn said they were a headache to make, but WOW! did they taste good.

To The Theater!

This past weekend we all went down to Columbus to join Grandma Laura, Grandpa Dave & Auntie Haley for a trip to the Columbus Children's Theater and their presentation of Cinderella. Lincoln was thrilled, and the two little ones were manageable, and it turned out to be a fun, memory-making day.The weekend prior we went to the Ucker's house for Avery's birthday party, with a Cinco De Mayo theme. There's nothing quite like an Asian in a sombrero, don't ya think?It's hard to believe that one year ago Jenn and I were in Hong Kong. That seems eons ago. Even when I look back at the photos, and recall the really neat experiences Jenn and I had there it seems like it was much longer than a year ago. So much has happened over the last year, both with our family and with our own relationship. As trying as it's been having a pair of 2-year-olds, and what inducing twins upon ourselves has meant in many diferent aspects, we can both acknowledge that our marriage is stronger this year than it was last year. Though inducing twins upon a marriage is not what I would suggest to those in need of "marriage help."

As Henry's Gotcha Day approaches, I thought it would be neat to share a video with you that never got published to this blog last year. Look how skinny his little arms and legs were. And for all of those months where I wondered if he was ever going to talk, it's hard to recall back to when he couldn't make more than a "ba!" or "da!" sound.We've also been thinking about just how we're going to celebrate Gotcha Day. Some celebrate it like a birthday, but that's now how we're handling it. We're going to celebrate his birthday like his birthday, and celebrate Gotcha Day by recalling the day in some of its details and expressing our thankfulness that Henry is now part of our family. One of the unique ways that Henry's Gotcha Day will manifest is with a meal of Pizza & Gnocchi, our first meal together in the Italian restaurant of the Zhengzhou Crowne Plaza.Henry stuffed his face with Italian food in a way that would likely make his Italian Great-Grandpap namesake proud.

And the countdown to our OBX vacation with Grandpa Doug & Grandma Paulette and Auntie Em, Uncle Jeremy, Grace, Cole & Ella is officially on, and has been for some time now. Can't wait!!!