Lilly Turns 3!

After Lilly's dance recital we had a little birthday party for Lilly in the park. This year we combined her birthday with one of her best buddies Briton Ehat. His birthday is on the 5th of May and he was turning 4.

Lilly and Briton

The goodie table

Chris Ehat made the best tri tip steak and grilled chicken! The kids loved the hotdogs.

After lunch we let the kids play "Pin the Tail on the Donkey".

Lilly totally cheated!

Then the dads took turns playing.

Next it was time for the pinata! That was one of the only things Lilly really wanted at her party. Lilly loves the show "Caillou" and he had a pinata at his party.

Here are all the kid lined up waiting to take a smack at the pinata!

Nice hit Lil!

Kate loved the candy from the pinata.

Macie sporting her birthday hat we made for Lilly's guests.

Time for cake!

After the party we all took some much needed naps. Then we gave Lilly our present to her.

Now that you have a big kid bike you have to wear a helmet.

Lilly loved her bike and had a fabulously busy day!

Lilly's First Dance Recital

May 1 2010 was a big day for Lilly! Not only was it her 3rd birthday but it was her first dance recital. Lilly has been taking dance from The Dance Academy just 10 minutes from our house. It has been great having somewhere to go every Wed. morning.

This is Lilly at the dress rehearsal the day before.

Here the video of Lilly's recital. I was not supposed to tape it but I could not help myself. Because of that the camera work is not very good. I was so proud of my little Lilly girl!

Lilly's dance teachers gave all the girls a special dance metal after the concert. Lilly was absolutely thrilled about it!

Next we changed Lilly into her new birthday clothes and we headed off to her party in the park.

My computer crashed!

So one Tuesday morning I hooked up my ipod to my laptop to create a fabulous play list for my run. When I came back from my run my computer was frozen and I could never get it to work again. What a sad day. I was devastated! I hadn't back up a lot of our pictures and video. We are still working on trying to get stuff off the hard drive. For mothers day Ryan surprised me with a new computer. It has helped me move on a bit but I can't believe how devastated I still am. Oh well! Sorry for the lack of blog posts. I plan to catch up with what I have soon.

Spring Break '10

We had such a fabulous Spring Break this year. We did not end up going to Utah instead we stayed around here.

The first weekend of spring break we hang out at our local park just around the corner from our apartment. It was barely warm enough to be out.

Monday

On Monday we went to "Just 4 Fun" which is a fabulous indoor park in the next town over called Grafton. For a long time we were the only family there and Lilly did not have to share a single toy. She loved it! I loved it because it was easy to keep track of her and I got to relax a bit.

Have I ever mentioned how much Lilly loves her Daddy and wants to be just like him? She was so excited when we found this Brewers jersey at TJ Maxx that is just like her Daddy's. It has become her favorite shirt.

Kate is such a happy little girl. I always say she has little lights in her eyes that just brighten everything!

Tuesday

On Tuesday we headed to the Jelly Belly Factory located in Pleasant Prairie WI. They offer a free little tour and history lesson on the Jelly Belly jelly bean. They also have a free sample station.

Lilly loves to entertain us no matter where we are. She put on an interpretive dance show for us.

The day could not be complete without stopping at a different park in our little town.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

The next three days we spent in Chicago. I found a great deal on hotel rooms right in the heart of downtown Chicago. It was the nicest hotel I think I have ever stayed in and the cheapest rate I have ever paid as well.

We went ahead and sacrificed our healthy eat for a tradition Chicago hotdog. Man, was it good!

After our meal we hit the streets of Chicago!

We took a short bus ride over to the Lincoln Park area. Chicago offers a free zoo and conservatory.

We got lucky in that the museum in Lincoln Park was also free that day. Our favorite part was the butterfly exhibit.

That night we found ourselves in the middle of an anti-war protest. Try explaining what that is to a two year old. When Lilly saw the flag she said "We always put our hand over or heart." I was proud that she knew that.

Saturday

Well I have no pictures of Saturday because we spent that day sleeping and recovering. The girls had so much fun in the hotel but that did not include a lot of great sleeping.

I want to mention Kate had many first this week. Her first bus ride, first taste of Chicago deep dish pizza, first pony tail and her first real steps! That girl is walking every where now.

Well spring break had to come to an end. The girls needed their routine back (and so did I). Ryan needed to get back to his studies. Good thing Easter is right around the corner and that means Easter break!

A dentist

A few weeks ago I was Ryan's first ever comp exam patient. It was a little weird at first to have him poking around in my mouth. I don't really like going to the dentist. (Who does?) But I decided to let Ryan because there is no one that I trust more. He did a great job! In two years if anyone is looking for a dentist I would totally recommend him.

Lilly and Kate got to come hang at the school while Ryan worked on my teeth. Lilly loves seeing daddy's school. Ryan's classmate Emily kept them busy while I was having my cleaning.

Valentines 2010

Ryan and I have never really done much to celebrate valentines day in years past but this year we decided to take some time and hang out together. Two of Ryan's class mates came to watch the girls and we headed out to enjoy a fabulous brunch in our little town of Cedarburg. It was such a beautiful day on Sat. the 13th. February 13th is an important date for Ryan and I. Eight years ago Ryan and I went out on our first blind date. I still remember that date just like it was yesterday.

We have been wanting to try this little restaurant in town called Cream & Crepe Cafe. It is a cute little cafe that was once an old mill. The cafe looks out over the river that runs through town.

After our brunch we took a stroll through Cedarburg. The town was having their annual Winter Festival. The stress were lined with ice carvers. At the community center they offered camel rides and a petting zoo for the kids. We loved walking the streets together shopping and talking without juggling the girls.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!