Remind Me Why We Have Toys?

Our boys both LOVE to play with the vacuum.  We recently got a new one that I don't let them play with, but this older one is (they think) the best toy.  Austin likes to climb it or tip it over and ride it.  Zach loves the attachment hose and pretends he is a fireman or a workerman.  The cord (unfortunately) is also really appealing.  Funny boys. 

 Hmmm, maybe this is why we needed a new vacuum?

Easter Eggs

The day before Easter we dyed our Easter eggs.  I broke down this year and bought the special egg dying cups and they worked so much better than paper cups.  We didn't do anything fancy this year except added a little glitter at the end.  Zach did a great job this year! 

I didn't get any pictures of the boys "opening" their Easter baskets or doing the egg hunts, but they had a great time.  Austin caught right on to putting the eggs in the basket.  Zach liked to hide the eggs himself, then "find" them again.

Mystery Rash

One of the less exciting things we have been doing is battling cold after cold and trying to figure out what is causing a mystery rash on Austin.  You can kind of see it here on his cheeks (it looked much worse in person, and covered most of his body), when it was particularly bad.  I think this might actually be a reaction to the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine that he had received a week earlier.  Apparently it is fairly normal and nothing to worry about.  Unfortunately, he has also had a strange, changing rash over various parts of his body since before his birthday (early April).  So, many trips and phone calls to the doctor later, we now have an appointment to see an allergist.  In a month.  We've tried the no dairy route, and he is now on Zyrtec.  I have no idea.  Luckily, it doesn't seem to bother him and it has gotten a lot better.  I'm not so worried about the rash itself as what is causing it.  I just want to know if it is something we can avoid...(like if he is allergic to something).  We'll have to keep you posted once we know more. 

Snow Day

I'm so behind in blogging, so here are a few quick posts from the last month or so...

Zach was super excited to wake up to spring snow one morning (mid April).  So we bundled him up and out he went!

My Favorite Kind of Robot

This morning I was putting away the boys' laundry and Zach came into the room talking in a "robot voice" and moving kind of like a robot.  This is what he said:

"I am the cleaning robot.  I am going to clean the whole house.  I can clean anything!  Zach machine.  Super clean.  Cleaning machine needs something to clean.  Mom, what can I clean?"

Too bad it doesn't really work that way.

But it made me smile.

Just the Girls

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be included on a Smith girls' weekend.  Although I was a little anxious about leaving the boys (my first time leaving Austin, and only days after weaning him completely), I knew they would be fine and I was so excited to go!  I'd forgotten how leisurely travel can be.  I actually got to read on the plane!  Oh, the luxuries...

We first all met up in Reno and got to attend a fabulous Katie G thrown baby shower for Sarah, who is due in June with their first baby.  Katie is amazing and I ate way too many delicious treats.  After lots of oooing and ahhing over darling girly baby things, we headed up to Tahoe for some relaxing.  We enjoyed an incredible spa day, yummy food, and lots of reading and resting.

Rosie and I braved the cold one afternoon for some picture taking.  (Thanks to C3 for lending me his camera so I could truly enjoy light travel!)  My fingers were numb.

So nice to lay on the couch near the fire and read...

Beautiful Sarah, 30 weeks.

The morning we left had beautiful blue skies and sun.

Sarah, Rosie, and Calli.

I'm so glad to be part of your family! 

Thanks for the wonderful weekend!

This Should Make You Smile

I was so shocked the first time I saw Austin's little face peering at me over the countertop.  I really shouldn't have been, as he is SUCH a climber.  He is obsessed with Zach's step stool and I've found I have to put it up on the counter away from him now, since he doesn't always have a spotter.  Lucky for Zach, he is getting so tall he doesn't really need it much now (also a little shocking!).