Summer

Our family LOVES warm weather (well I'm not too sure about Robbie but I'll speak for him and say he does). Nik just told me today that he wishes he could live in Hawaii forever, cuz it's so warm. Sadly our vacation to Branson, MO wasn't as warm as we would have liked. It was hard coordinating all my sisters', parent's, and family's schedules and so April was when it had to be (largely due to my pregnancy and the 9 hour drive). Despite the weather, which we had warm days, we had a ball. We stayed at a very nice Marriott and enjoyed just being together, and the kids LOVED having Kara around all the time. Here are some of the highlights.

This is my dad's favorite spot. It's a Trout Hatchery. You can buy a cup of fish food, (for only 25 cents!!) feed the fish and watch them go crazy over the food, and learn WAY too much about Trout from an "educational" video. Robbie really isn't into releasing yet, so he just watched but the kids loved it.






It almost looks like Nik is sharing with Kara but no, he's stealing from her. Poor Kara, feeding one pellet at a time, while Nik dumped the whole cup in!! Boys will be boys...


Branson is home to the "Wild Woody". Basically a wooden Go Kart track that has a 3 story spiral climb. The only people who couldn't go on it were me, Robbie, and Nana (my mom). We just watched the excitement in their faces (and raindrops). There's been some discrepancy about who really won, I was watching the whole time so I know. Christina and Kara, and Erin got an extra lap for being in the front. Christina and Kara reached the extra lap first so they won, but my kids will tell you differently ;-)










Robbie seemed pretty content with his ride at first, after 10 seconds he basically had it figured out and gave me a look that said "We could have fed fish w/that quarter!!"




What would vacation be w/o food?! Robbie's favorite part of vacation was meals.....not surprised.

Egg-tremely allergic

So for those of you who don't know, Robbie is allergic to milk. I found this out the hard way when I gave him a bottle of formula and he woke up covered in hives, weezing, blue lips, and scratching his whole body. 6 hours later in the ER the doctors ruled it "an allergic reaction to something". I could have told them that, in fact I did tell them that when I came in. But they're the doctors so they know more? Anyway I've been hesistant to try new foods with him, call me crazy but I didn't have fun seeing my son gasping for his every breath. Thank goodness the dr. sent me home with baby benadryl and an eppi pen (for real emergencies). Robbie is also struggling with his weight, as in he doesn't weigh enough. Crazy I know, my son dealing with a weight problem. Anyway I was talking to my Dr. and she suggested I try eggs, but be cautious cuz he might be allergic. Well I gave him the tiniest piece and well the pics speak for themselves.

I should also mention that I don't know why this kid isn't putting on weight. At his 1st bday party he ate 2 hot dogs. I take him to Wendy's and he eats a double stack. For dinner he just ate veggies, a piece of whole wheat bread, half a bagel and 7 chicken nuggets!! Anyway here's some other pics of the kids. And no Chrissy, there will be no pics of my bump this pregnancy. When I have to tell people that "no, it's just 1 baby" I'm carrying, even to my sister, I'm not that crazy for cameras at this point.

Better late than never?!

Ok so I know April has come and gone and here I am just getting pics up of the bday party. Cut this prego a little slack. It was a fun party, though I could have done w/o the snow! I guess that's what you ask for when you have a party on the first weekend in April. Enjoy the pics!!



I loved his birthday crown!! P.S. This pic was taken when he was EXACTLY 1 year and 9 mins :)


Since it was snowing we had to move the giant pinata to the garage, btw it was a Winnie the Pooh pinata. Marty and Chris really loved moving the pinata so the kids missed. The problem came when EVERYONE had their turn, even the men, and the thing still wouldn't break. I tell you I knew that Mexican store would be worth the trip. The pinata cost only $16 and I'm pretty sure all my kids could fit in there.

Robbie wasn't into hitting the pinata so we were in charge of giving the bat to the next person.

Nik was SO ready for the candy and prizes...little did he know that there was NOOO rush

I love this picture of my cousin Lydia, nice hit. In reality all she accomplished was breaking the rope which Chris and Marty just retied and the "fun" continued.

Doesn't this cake look so good?! In case you're wondering the theme was Mickey (for Robbie) and Tinker Bell (for Sophia).

Even her cake match with the Tinker Bell colors....I'm glad I have a daughter to appreciate the finer things in life!!

I LOVE this pic of Robbie and Chris!!

Poor Soph, she couldn't even tryout her new bike thanks to the beautiful weather.