Tulips!

Today I took the kids to the tulip gardens.

I was envisioning great pictures with the kids sitting nicely by the tulips, even though I knew that was probably wishful thinking...

okay, it was REALLY wishful thinking...back to reality. This was the 'pose' I got instead:

Oh, here's a picture of Owen...but with the back of some ladies legs and not a tulip in sight:

But the kids had a lot of fun....mainly because they could run around.

My kids don't tip-toe through tulips, they run full speed:

And they keep running...

and running...

and running...

Then Caitlin made a friend.

This picture was taken about 1 minute and 27 seconds after these 2 met for the first time:

and Caitlin's new friend had a little brother, too. Doesn't this picture look just like the album cover of "Abbey Road"

Okay, maybe not:

But I did manage a couple of decent pictures, even if this one had to have Binky the doll in it:

Owen did not enjoy this, but even still, I think it's sweet:

That's my boy...

Trip to the zoo

Given Owen's obsession with animals, and the fact that it was a nice, sunny day today and we had nothing pressing to take care of at home, Jon and I decided to take the kids to the zoo this afternoon.

Owen was fascinated with all of the animals:
We took along our wagon, which was a lifesaver!

Snacktime!

These kids look like trouble...I wonder who their parents are?

Caitlin took it upon herself to direct us where to go using her trusty map...

It was so funny watching her walk around, constantly looking to the map and telling us where she thought we should go:

Checking out the giraffes:

Best moment of the day: We were looking at the monkey exhibit and Owen was trying to imitate them...here is one of the many, many faces he was making:

Can someone tell Caitlin that she's looking the wrong way...the animals are on the other side of the fence (I'm pretty sure she spent more time people-watching, than looking at animals)

Caught her again watching people rather than animals:

A sampling of animals we saw:

From the archives...

I was looking through old photos and came across some from last May (back when I didn't have a blog), when Caitlin was a flower girl for Jon's brother's wedding in Iowa. I was so worried about how she would do at the wedding...

But she sat nice and still while she got her hair all done-up (with the help of a lolli-pop):
And she walked down the aisle so sweetly with her Uncle Jeremy. I was SO proud!!!

At the reception she was really into the dancing. Here she is bustin' a move:

And here she is picking out her man:

And she got him!!!

Fun times!!!!

Easter

Yesterday a big chunk of the VK family got together for an Easter celebration!

Caitlin spent a lot of time "taking care" of her baby cousin, Kyle. She was constantly rearranging his blanket, making sure it was just perfect for him. She also seemed to like to rub the top of his head:Caitlin also loved to play with her other little cousin, Logan. Here they are passing the ball:

We all enjoyed a delicious meal of turkey and ham with all the fixings. After that the kids had a egg hunt (which we had to have inside since it was pouring rain outside!)

An attempt of a picture with all the kids:

Enjoying the Sun

Today we ate our lunch outside for the first time this season... ...it was wonderful.

Owen took approximately four times longer to eat his lunch today because he was distracted by so many things. He'd see a bird and say "BIRDIE" about 37 times, until he saw an airplane, and then he'd point and say "AIR-PAIN" 29 times, until he heard a dog bark...and well, you get the point.

YIPEE for SPRING!!!

Trip to the park

Just a few pictures from a recent trip to the park!

Baking with Caitlin

It all started last month, a little before Caitlin's birthday. I was looking online for some cake decorating ideas and came across this website that shows video step-by-step instructions on how to decorate cakes. Caitlin saw me watching these videos and asked if she could watch, too. She loved watching them, and still occasionally asks me if she can "watch those cake decorating things on the computer?"

Well, the other day Caitlin was playing with some play-doh and I noticed that she was describing in great detail every little step she was doing-just like the "how-to" videos for the cakes. So I suggested to Caitlin that she create her own show, which she was SO excited about. I supplied her with some flour, sugar, sprinkles and water (doesn't that sound delicious!) and got out the camera. So here she is, our next food network star!