MN Landscape Arboretum

We found out that admission to the MN Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen was free on Thursdays from November - April. So after we got Brenden on the school bus last Thursday, Todd & I took Tyler & Maddie to the Arboretum to walk around. There wasn't a lot to see as far as pretty plants & flowers since everything is still pretty dead for the most part..........but Tyler had a blast getting to decide where we would walk & running around. He does love to go for walks. :)

Tyler found this little gazebo-type platform to walk up & look around.

"I up here Nana!.............Come up here." :)

Tyler enjoying the day.

Nana & Tyler taking a break on a bench..............mostly so Uncle Todd could take a picture. :)

The walking paths had a little snow & ice in some spots, but were mostly clear. In this area, though, Tyler found walking in the crunchy leaves much more fun! :)

:) ............... :) ................ :) ................. :)

"Run, Nana, run!" :)

Sidewalk Chalk Fun

Monday (last week) was so nice outside..........I think the temperature was in the 60's.........we had to make sure to go outside. We drew lots of pictures on the driveway with sidewalk chalk. :)

Tyler concentrating very hard on his drawing.

Tyler admiring his drawing. :)

Drawing with sidwalk chalk is a messy job! :)

Brenden coming home from afternoon kindergarten. His bus picks him up & drops him off right at the driveway..........that is really nice! :)

We drew Spongebob Squarepants and then Brenden wanted a balloon where he was thinking, "I love crabby patties."

Tyler, Nana & Brenden.

Maddie Having Fun! :)

Last week (March 14-21), Todd & I took vacation time & watched Jeremy & Kim's 5 kids so they could go a trip to Florida...........just the two of them! JD had strep throat & we had to get him some antibiotic the first day........he was home sick from school Mon - Wed. Justin was still on his antibiotic from strep throat from the week before.........their spring break. And Maddie had nebulizer treatments for croup. Needless to say it was a busy week, but we had a great time! We had JD (11), Justin (9), Brenden (6), Tyler (2) and Maddie (10 mo).


Here are some pictures of Maddie playing. :)

Maddie really liked playing with the Gatorade bottles & the big water bottles! :)

JD's Team Won 1st Place in the State Tournament for 6th Grade Traveling Basketball!

We don't have any pictures from the basketball tournament because Todd & I watched the 3 youngest siblings for the weekend of his tournament. But we are very proud of JD and his team..........we heard they played great all weekend and have the medals to prove it! :)

WAY TO GO, JD! :)

Brenden, Maddie & Tyler waiting for breakfast on Saturday morning. :)

Maddie's New Coat

Todd & I went thrift store shopping a couple of weekends ago and at one of the stores we found this really cute coat for Maddie that looked like it was brand new. Maddie was wearing it on Sunday when she & Jeremy came to pick up the boys...........so of course............I had to take some pictures. :)

Playing Games

We had fun playing games with Tyler & Brenden this weekend. Tyler had fun playing a couple bigger kid games even though he didn’t quite understand the concept………………especially with Connect Four. He played that with Brenden for quite a while and just liked putting the checkers in the slots. He did win the 1st time though, because Brenden wasn’t paying close enough attention. :)

Justin's Basketball Game.......with a better camera. :)

We went to another one of Justin's basketball games on Saturday morning & this time I remembered the camera to get some better pictures. They won the game but I do not know what the score was...........I forgot to check. :)

Justin

Justin being guarded by an opposing player.

Justin

We are often in awe & wonder at how Justin can stand with his feet turned in opposite directions. Apparently this is comfortable for him...........Todd just had to get a picture. We have several pictures from our wedding where he is standing with his feet in this position, also. So he has been doing this for long time. I am curious if he will still be able to stand like that when he is in his 30's or 40's. :)
Brenden, Jeremy & Tyler watching the game. Tyler was trying very hard to be patient, because after the game, he & Brenden were going home with us to spend the night at Nana & Todd's house. :)

Maddie...........looking cute..........as always! She was looking a little tired and a few minutes after this picture was taken, she was sleeping. She was so tired that when the game was done, I was able to put her snowsuit the rest of the way on, zip it up & carry her out to the van without her waking up! :)