Grandpa, measure me!

Dad has been measuring my kids on their basement wall since Reagan was a babe. Every time they have leg aches now they say, "Mom, Grandpa needs to measure me, I'm growing!"

Great Grandma Mary with Brady. We stopped by Mom and Dad's before our Spring Break trip to Omaha and had dinner with my parents, brother, sister and her kiddos, and my Grandma.

Mom busted out the Easter eggs and Addison and Brady were entertained for the longest time.

Aunt Amanda playing with Addison.

Jana and Brady. Jana is a wonderful baby helper!

Ronald McDonald House

We've been collecting/saving our pop can tabs for the Ronald McDonald house!

Scott, Lamont, Nate and Ashley eating at RMH.

Scott, Lamont, Nate in front of Ronald McDonald House after our night of volunteering.

Since we've been here I've wanted Scott and his Marines to show a softer side, if you will, and do a community project. After seeing a friend do it I realized we could donate a meal to the families that are staying in the Ronald McDonald House, which runs solely off of donations. The house has 32 rooms for families of children that are receiving treatment at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital here in Iowa City.

I was finally able to get things scheduled and Ashley and I prepared a meal of Chicken Tetrazzini, green bean casserole, garlic bread, and cookies and bars for dessert. We all met at the RMH and got the meal set out for the families, ate ourselves, and then did some cleaning chores on the houses chore list. It felt so good to help.

While there I met a beautiful little boy, Braden. He's four months old and he and his Mom and Grandma were there waiting for his second heart surgery. He was born with a heart defect and was supposed to have the surgery earlier that morning but it had been rescheduled due to an emergency heart procedure that needed to be done for another patient. So, Braden's surgery being put off allowed us to meet!! While talking to his Mom we realized we had a mutual acquaintance in my good friends Emily and her husband Darin. I've spoke of Emily before. Her son Gabe was born with a congenital heart defect and through her experiences she and a friend started Help a Heart, a non profit organization that provides help to heart families like Braden's. I couldn't help but feel we were all in the the right place and that our lives touched full circle that evening. The Lord has a great way of doing that! I'm so happy to report that Braden's surgery was a great success and he continues to do well. Thanks to Emily for giving me his Caringbridge site address so I could keep track of his progress. I'm so happy we could do a small part to help out the wonderful families at RMH. Three families that are very near and dear to us have used their facilities across the U.S., it truly is a wonderful place.

Iowa Children's Museum

We had to be out of the house the other day while our house was being shown so we went to the Children's Museum. It was Spring Break so it was crazy....for you military folks, it was like going to the Commissary on a payday....not advised! LOL The farm room is for kids 5 and under so Addison and Brady got to get out and play for the first time. They had lots of fun with the rakes and hoes.

Two boys and two ladies on the tramp...

Expecting two 1 year olds to sit still on a trampoline is ridiculous.....so......this is how they were. The babes had fun on the trampoline with Reagan and Brett on a great Spring day last week.

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Addison. Look at her hair...the static has her hair on end and that happy two toofer (top two are on there way) grin is priceless. Funny girl.

Brady is an "on the move ALL the time kinda guy"....he wouldn't sit still for a picture so Reagan helped out a bit.

Our latest trick....raising our hands and saying, "TaaDaa"!!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa visit for the day

Reagan re-enacting a basketball photo of me she'd seen in the past. If she only knew how much I disliked the sport in school......shhhh.

Playing Nerf basketball with Grandma.

Scott's Dad teaching him how to remove the Y bone from a Northern. We had yummy fish for dinner that night!! The kids love it too! Grandpa teaching Scott turned into a nice lesson for Brett and Reagan that our parents teach us things no matter how old we get. From Brett, "Dad, you STILL are learning things from your dad?" Funny.

Leggo my mango!

At school each Wed. until school is out they have something called Pick a Better Snack Day. Reagan came home saying she'd eaten mangos at school and could we get one to try....so we did. Everyone liked the mango.....even the babes. I'd like mine mashed, whipped, frozen and with alcohol in it, please!!! Oh......

Scott's trip to Cali.

Scott was TAD to Camp Pendleton in California in Feb. for two weeks for a competition with his 9th MC Recruiting District team. While he was out there his cousin Tom was graduating boot camp so he was able to attend that as well which was super cool. Scott's Grandpa and Tom's family was there for graduation too. This is a picture of Tom, Grandpa Mike, and Scott after Tom's graduation. I love this picture! Thanks to Rhonda for taking it and sending it to me!! Scott was able to see Tom in his platoon just before they went on the crucible two weeks before graduation. It was a HUGE surprise to Tom and motivating as well. A proud day! Congrats to Private First Class Bloes!!