Eagle's Nest

People have been tuning in to the live webcam that is on the eagle's nest in Decorah, IA.  She has two eggs which should be hatching soon.  We added the video stream to the side of our blog if you feel like checking it out!

Toy Story 3 on Ice

The culmination: Toy Story 3 on Ice! After a brief rest back at the hotel, we attended the show. It proved to be everything we had hoped:) All the kids and adults had a great time. The show was very entertaining and brought us immense joy to see our children's faces throughout the production. We were so happy to be able to share the experience with Grandma Lola, Uncle Seth, and Aunt Jenney.

Olivia sporting her Jesse hat and Sylvia rockin' her Jesse boots.

Joey got a new Rex toy at the show.  He really did have a great time, just hard to catch him smiling for a picture.

us

the stage

aliens skating

out-takes:) Uncle Seth wearing our new Buzz Lightyear rubber hat.

Kaleidoscope

Saturday morning, we visited Hallmark's Kaleidoscope. The kids had a wonderful time creating and exploring. It was the best "free" activity we could have asked for. Honestly, the girls...and Grandma Lola...would have stayed there all day if they hadn't asked us to leave in order to make room for the next group:)

Waiting in line

The "set" was very artsy and elaborate.

I wasn't ready! My relaxed face looks angry:(

Sweet boy was trying to hang with the girls, but he was getting sooooooooo tired.

space ship

Fritz's

Friday night, after arriving in Kansas City and checking into our hotel, we headed out to find some grub. It was really nice to not have to drive anywhere to find food. One must-see attraction was Fritz's Restaurant.

The kids in the train car outside Fritz's.

All of us in front of the train.

After getting seated, we ordered from a drive-through-type phone at our booth.  Matt can attest to the drive-through likeness of ordering...he said that when the person on the other end of the line spoke, he could only hear garbled words through heavy static.  After placing our order, he wasn't sure what we'd end up with. Ha!

Check out the unique way the food was delivered to our booths. The kids, especially Joey, had a blast watching the trains come and go!

the menu

A view from inside Fritz's.  Look at the fun train caps patrons receive. 

Joey in his cap.  Do you think I could get him to look at the camera???

The Hotel

One thing the kids were most excited about during our KC trip was swimming, which of course we had promised them once we arrived at the hotel.  After all, one of the deal-breaker-amenities was a swimming pool.  Pictured below is the Westin Crown Center's swimming pool.  FAIL!!!

heated, outdoor pool

Yes, friends, the pool was heated, but it was only around 40 degrees outside with a brisk wind. Nope, we did NOT go swimming. No, sir-ee!

Once the disappointment of the swimming pool wore off, the kids were able to keep entertained for awhile riding the escalators with Grandma Lola (she's such a bad influence on them:) and oggling over the "jungle" and waterfall.

blurry picture, but you get the idea

The hotel was actually connected to a mall with shopping, restaurants, and family activities...so we found plenty to do!

Adventure Book

Every random book that Sylvia picks up has become her "adventure book". (This one happens to be a coloring book)  This morning she was reading to Joey from her "adventure book" and telling him all about Kansas City and outer space and Le Mars and going off to college!

(she got the adventure book concept from the movie "Up")

RAT!

I'm sure you've got many questions running through your mind as you gaze upon such a ghastly site.
"Why on earth is she holding that thing?"
"Why on earth is she smiling and displaying that filthy rodent so proudly?"
"Why on earth does her mother let her play with such thing?"
Would you believe I even let her name it? Yep, his name is Cookie and he is the most popular TOY, I repeat TOY, in our house!
It just figures, when I say "eeeewww", they say "when is it my turn".

New Buzz Hat

(Actually posted by Abbey)

I didn't have the energy to drag a screaming kid out of Walmart this morning, so Joey got a new hat. Possibly the best $6 I ever spent:) ...disregard the mermaid bib he's wearing during snack, it's mostly blue, okay?

For God so Loved the World…

Olivia drew this picture unprompted in church today and it really filled my heart. She told me the flowers are the three crosses and the big one is Jesus. What a connection to make for a 6 year old. That she could see the cross as a beautiful Spring flower that brings new life out of love. Do you think she understands John 3:16?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I've said it before and I'll say it again, holidays are soooooooo much fun with kids!  Olivia, especially, could not get enough of the green, shamrocks, leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold.  We got a goody box in the mail a few days before March 17th, filled with holiday headbands, green derbies, and candy.  Ironically, I'm certain Olivia would not have eaten anything for supper, had I not served something green:)

Green scrambled eggs and "french" toast with bacon and sausage links

It was a quiet supper...because they were all stuffing their faces:)  Such a sight makes for one happy Mama!

Reversed Thinking

Earlier this month, Abbey alluded to the three year anniversary of my regeneration, or "re-birthday." I had planned on writing about it, but some things are extremely difficult to express in words. Maybe someday. But I did run across this amazing video that captures the essence of the regenerative power of Christ. Watch it very carefully. You may need to watch it twice.

Mommy to the rescue

Words you never want to hear as a mother, "Mama, I accidentally fill in the blank".  Those were indeed the words I heard shortly after lunch today.  Olivia came to me and confided, "Mama, I accidentally locked the bathroom door and shut it behind me".  Okay, so #1, that is NOT something you do accidentally, and #2, arghhhhh!  But, I was feeling particularly gracious, something I've been working on...rather, something the Lord's been working on in me, so I only sighed deeply and went to assess the damage.  I quickly realized there was going to be no "jimmy-ing" this one open, like we used to do on the locking doors in our Ames house.  I would need tools for this job.  Truly, all it took was a screw-driver, but I'm still pretty proud of myself:)  After taking the doorknob completely off, I was able to unlock the door, open it back up, and successfully reattach the doorknob.  ...All in a day's work.

My handy-work

Thursday Fun

Olivia is home from school today, since there is teacher inservice today and tomorrow.  We didn't have much planned for fun today, but I knew we had to get out to do something.  We found ourselves at the bank dropping off a mortgage loan application, yes, we're close to buying a house...more details to follow, and the North Grand Mall.  We chased the kids walked around, dawdled at the water fountain, picked out a birthday present for Olivia's friend Chloe at Claire's, and rode the dump truck.
  

Characters

Joey has quite the collection of Toy Story 3 miniatures.  When he's not carrying them around in his little paws, they're often lined up in such a fashion.

He can name each and every one of them, just ask him:)

Feelings Follow Action

We have been ultra sick around here!  Since returning from a fun birthday weekend in Le Mars, we have all been sharing our germs in one way or another.  We've missed multiple activities and had to cancel numerous commitments, and I obviously have little to nothing to blog about:(  I'm hoping Matt works up a real "hum-dinger", being it's his 3 year re-birthday and all!

My new favorite podcast is Family Life Today and the most recent topic has curiously been all about women:)  Today while listening, I was affirmed in one principal that I've been living out since learning more about how Christ wants me to conduct myself as a woman: Sometimes, our feelings follow our actions, rather than waiting until we feel like doing something to put it into action.  I would love to hear if any of you have experienced the same, and how it has transformed your life or any given situation.  Please share:)