Happy Spring!

We can be outside. Finally! The last couple of weeks have been busy ones for us. We went to the cabin over Mother's Day. It was wonderful weather. We started in Altoona at Irvine Park on Saturday morning. I just took the pictures off my phone, so we must have more on the camera. Here's Andie outside the bear/tiger den.

One morning it was raining, so Daniel put on his rain boots and got out the umbrella to shield himself and Andie as they walked into school. Mommy stayed in the rain, but it was all worth it for this picture.

Park fun! We have gotten out to the neighborhood parks a couple of nights now. Daniel will either ride his bike or scooter and Andie will either ride a little hot-wheels type bike or the cozy coupe while being pushed. It takes us quite a while to get to the park or even around the block!
Andie LOVES her new hat from the Easter bunny.
The kids also enjoy these new chairs. Daniel has started to call it his 'snack' chair. I guess they've gotten a couple snacks while sitting in here...

School Pictures have been taken. Andie's turned out great, so here it is (We bought the digital rights to it so we could print our own pictures). Daniel's turned out ok, but none that we loved. So, we'll have to get his 4yr pics scheduled soon.

Daniel on his scooter. What a fast little guy!

Toys!

Daniel had his fourth and final birthday party of the year yesterday, Saturday the 9th. This one was for all of his friends. There were 16 of his friends from school and around the neighborhood that joined us at "Pump it Up", which is a big place full of GIANT bounce houses. After an hour of running around in the bounce house arena, we all headed to the party room for pizza and cupcakes. After that's done, Daniel got to sit in the giant throne while everyone watched him open his presents.

The Kids are all lined up behind Daniel the line leader, ready to head into the arena

The Giant slide

Trying to get a bunch of 4 year old's all together and sitting
still for a picture was not all that easy to do

Pizza in the party room

Daniel in the big King's chair opening all of his presents

After all the birthday party fun was done, Nate had an appointment to go pick up his new toy... (well, ok, it's the family toy)

2011 Lund 1775 Impact Sport

It was a bit of a squeeze, but she fit..

Jen getting the feel for the co-pilot seat

Later that evening, Andrea grabbed a Cabela's catalog, walked outside, sat down, and started flipping through it. She spent quite a bit of time doing research on trolling motors... I suppose she wanted to make sure I put the right on on the boat.. This picture was NOT staged, in fact she didn't even know I was behind her taking the picture.

Daniel is 4

Daniel had his 4th birthday on April 1st. What a year it's been. The "three's" were manageable, but they definitely had their moments. Daniel had four birthday parties in total this year, (if you count the party at school), and we have a house full of new toys to play with.

He got a whole bunch of new twins gear, and T-ball equipment. Here he
is showing off his new Twins hat and jersey, and his new T-ball bat

And the full outfit.. The pants are really for T-ball
but he REALLY wanted to wear them. He love them so much,
he wore this whole outfit down to Grammy Q's the next day.

Of course with all the new baseball gear, he needed to go try it out,
so out we went.

Visiting Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grammy and Grandpa Q for dinner
(wearing the full baseball uniform)

Awaiting family for the big party

Ready for the party


Blue Steel

Cake #2 , this one was Toy Story themed.
Jen did a great job decorating

All the Grandma / Grandpa Q side cousins

Catch Up

Falling behind a bit... A few weeks ago we packed the car and headed to Milwaukee for two special occasions, Brooklyn's 2nd birthday, and Emmett's Baptism. We had a wonderful time, and the kids did great in the car. The Hoffe house was buzzing with people all weekend, but it sure was great to spend some time with everyone.

The Al and Lynette Grandkid crew

Daniel looking at the camera upside down

Andrea borrowed Brooklyn's big fluffy skirt

What a cutie

Daniel and Grahm playing tea party? I guess there
weren't too many boy toys yet

The adults got a little time to rock out with Guitar Hero during nap time!

We even got a chance to hit the slopes for a bit. This was Andrea's first time
sledding, and she loved it!

All bundled up and staying warm

Daniel taking care of Emmett

Random picture of Andie after one of their
"crazy hair days" at school

More Pictures

On New Year's Eve, Jen and Daniel made a delicious batch of sugar cookies. On New Year's Day we frosted and decorated them. They were delicious!

While Nate went on his annual Ice Fishing Trip, Jen's parents came up and they all went to Chuckie Cheese's! It was Daniel's first trip, and he was overwhelmed after about 1/2 hr. With the tickets he won (and Tim and Liz's tix too), he got tootsie rolls! What a good kid! He left the spiders and snakes behind the counter. I sure have a keeper :)

Jen's friend Sara came over to watch the kids so Jen and Nate could get out. Here's Daniel and Chase playing together. Thanks again Sara!

Andie and her new kitchen from Santa! She already loves the phone.

Nate's shirt from Jen. (We do funny T-shirt exchanges...I'll get my picture up here soon). His says, "What? I can't hear you over the sound of my awesomeness"

Andie and her adorable Wisconsin Cheerleading outfit...Thanks Rena!

Daniel sporting a pair of glasses. (This is at Jen's friend

Heather's parent's house on one of our Christmas stops)

Daniel's Batcave

And...The First Annual Matching Christmas PJs

Wow...that was a lot :)

Mudroom!

The mudroom is finished! Jen has been thinking of how to make the mudroom functional since we moved in, but has been a lot more now that Daniel is more independent. With the brilliant design ideas from Jen and the construction capabilities of Nate, we have a fully functional mudroom! Of course, we had to work with the lack of space we were given, but this works great. As you can see, Jen and Andie are home today :)