it's been a while

Sorry it has taken so long to blog, but the weather has been AWESOME and we have been outside. Unfortunately, the weather is not so nice today. It was in the 80's last week and today, I am sad to say, it snowed! Only in CNY! We got a new sandbox from Zach's sister this past week and the kids love it. We did have one incident of Kylie sitting on Cooper's head in the sandbox. Fortunately, Cooper thought it was cool! We also found out that Cooper LOVES anything that moves. Especially the lawn mower. Daddy took him for a few rides and he LOVED it. SO I thought I would include some pics for you all.

Kylie in the sandbox

In case you were wondering where we put it
Cooper looking handsome
Unfortunately, he has and older sister
There we go...a boy pic!
Kylie in a new dress (thanks Grandma Riedl)
Waiting to go to Grandma's and Grandpa's

Is it spring or summer?

It has been a great week. We have been outside playing EVERY day and even got to go to the zoo. Today was the warmest of the days...80, so I put a small amount of water in the play pool for the kids to play with. My intentions were not for them to jump in it, but what was I thinking, of course they were going to get a dirty/wet as possible. I have noticed that Cooper LOVES to get dirty. He will smear mud on himself whenever he gets the chance to. Thought I would include some pictures...

I think Cooper looks so cute with his hat on!

Before...

After...

and in case you wanted to see how much fun Cooper had...

On another note, I started some of my veggies for the garden. I have broccoli, peas, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers so far. They are growing nicely so far...hopefully we will get them in the ground soon. We need to get some top soil for our garden...anyone want to donate any?

Hope you all enjoy the nice weather!

Sunshine!!

Yes, that's right...IT'S SPRING! We have had a great week full of sunshine and playing outside.
It was even warm enough for the kiddos to eat lunch outside! Let me tell you, the fresh air helps them take GREAT naps! I have to admit that I have been taking great naps as well!
I was even able to hang the diapers out! They desperately needed some fresh air as well...along with some sunning! I love laundry that is hung outside to dry! I also started some plant and was able to put them out in the warm sunshine for a few days!
And I just thought Cooper was too cute playing in the sand box. Apparently, sand is his new favorite treat!

It was great to get outside and start gardening as well. We decided and re-decided where we are going to put our garden, Zach cleared out a lot of the fallen branches in the back yard, I got the car washed, I read a book in the "warm" sunshine, and we relaxed on the hammock. I love how busy we are in the spring and how fast the days fly by. Unfortunately, both Kylie and Cooper are afraid of the swing this year and cry every time we go near it. We are hoping to break this very soon! I will say they had fun driving around in the jeep and going down the slide though.

Is it spring yet?

We have had a few days of up and down weather. On Monday it was in the 60's and VERY windy. Then on Tuesday it was sunny, but in the 30's. Today seems like the best of the days because it is suppose to get into the 50's and is VERY sunny! We let Kylie take her new jeep power wheels out on Monday and she seemed to like it. She needs to work on her steering, but has the, "playing with the radio while driving" down! Cooper is intrigued by the whole driving process and cannot wait until he can reach the peddles.

I cannot wait to start my garden. I did some weeding and am starting to brainstorm where I want my garden. We have a lot of bunnies and deer, so I want it somewhere that they will hopefully leave it alone. Any suggestions....

On another note, it looks like Cooper is starting to walk...FINALLY. He is taking 5 or 6 steps towards things and likes to push his toys around in his walker. My back is begging for him to walk, but my heart wants him to stay my little baby forever;o( He just starting really playing with Kylie too. I am including a little video of Kylie pushing Cooper around in his walker...I wonder where Cooper got the idea to push his toys around???

Hope you all are doing well. Enjoy the sun while you can!!!!

xoxox, Kara

Easter...

So we didn't get a good family pic this year! Actually I deleted them all because they were so horrible. Hopefully someone from my family took a good one and I will post it at a later date. The kids had a great time...well Kylie did! She got a lot of stuff for Easter from all the grandparents and the Easter bunny and looked BEAUTIFUL in her dress! Cooper was a cutie and loved his balls from the Easter bunny. It was great visiting with Candice and we already miss her lots;o(

Kylie and her Easter eggs

The Easter bunny hid a lot of eggs this year!
One of the Easter baskets (Zach put her pj's on...yes they are x-mas ones)

Cooper looking cute
Cooper and Aunt Candice

on a serious note...

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the importance of marriage. Our society today tells us that we should get married, have kids, and then if it doesn't work, get a divorce. This is a total twist in thinking and we need to correct it so our kids don't grow up to believe this. Now, I am not saying there aren't any situations which people should get divorced...the Bible is very clear about this, but people are just getting divorced because, "it wasn't working out". Well sorry to burst your bubble but marriage IS work!!! So...the following blog is just a few things that can help your marriage. Know that marriage IS NOT always fun and can be very stressful at times. As someone once told me, "you are two imperfect people and when two imperfect people get married, there is bound to be some issues."

• MAKE TIME FOR ONE ANOTHER!!! There are NO excuses...trust me, I have them all! Set up a time AT LEAST weekly for one on one time. Zach and I are taking a marriage class right now (Love and Respect) where we have learned that women NEED face to face contact with their husbands.
• Go on a date at least once a month. Get a babysitter and go out. If you don't have money for this, then put the kids to bed, light some candles, make dinner, and watch a movie together!
  
• Take advantage of the classes offered for married couples. Even if you aren't having problems right now, YOU WILL. So be prepared!!!
• Communicate! Women seem to think that men can "read our minds", but here is a newsflash for you...THEY CANNOT! Tell them how you feel..tell them what you want...don't assume they know. Take time to ask your husband about his day and find out what he likes to talk about (it doesn't have to interest you...know that a lot of the stuff you talk about doesn't interest him).
• Greet your husband with a hug when he gets home from work. Tell him you love him before you tell him how horrible your day was. Give him a home he WANTS to come home to, not an environment where he feels overwhelmed as soon as he enters the door.
• Tell your husband you appreciate him and the hard work he does to provide for your family. Watch how fast he lights up...men love to feel respected.
• Submit to your husband...not I am not talking about the little submissive wife who does whatever she is told, I am talking about the Biblical wife who submits to her husband. Read Proverbs 31 for this definition.
  
• Write love letters to one another, share your dreams together, talk about money regularly, consult "seasoned" married couples for advice, encourage each other, and love each other even when it is "impossible".
  

These are just a few things that have popped out in my head...I could go on for days, but thought this was a good start. I am taking a Bible Study right now called, Being Good to your Husband on Purpose. It is a great book and I recommend it. The other book I referenced was Love and Respect. We need to work on our marriages!!!

One another note, I thought I would post a cute pic of Kylie and her cousins, Ryan and Mason taken before they sang at church this past Wednesday.

So girls and guys...LOVE EACH OTHER! Give your wife/husband a kiss and tell him/her how much you love them!

hairmixer.com

This blog is thanks to Sophie!!! She got me addicted to spending time doing silly things. Let me know how you think I look....

Jessica Simpson

Oprah!

This one is for BJ! Clinton!

Paris Hilton

I don't remember his name...but the guy from Los Vegas who dates Fergie!

Well I had a fun time...Hope you all do too!