Spring Break 2012

Wow, what a whirlwind the last 3 weeks have been!  Between sickness, spring break, a surprise birthday party, a wedding and Easter, we have been busy!  I'll do my best to catch you up on our spring break in Illinois.

My big sister turned the "big five-oh" on Easter Sunday.  Her hubby planned a surprise birthday party the weekend before.  She was totally clueless and we had so much fun!  After she arrived, Jensen's showed up with yet another surprise...a new recliner!  Laughter and tears was all she could muster!  Good times!

The kids on Palm Sunday

We decided to head to the Children's Museum of Illinois with Catherine, Hunter and Ryleigh.  I was pretty impressed with this Children's Museum.  It was lots of fun.  Of course, when we pulled up, my kids commented how small it was.  They are used to the monstrosity in Indy, but once inside, we had a good time anyway.

I did manage a picture of Ryleigh.  She did a lot of smiling and hanging out while we were there.  She is the best little girl!  So proud of my niece and her beautiful children.  On a side note, all my pictures of Hunter are blurry.  We couldn't get the little guy to hold still long enough! 

Love her!  How can you not smile at this?

 We did have a little mishap that warranted a trip to the E.R.  One night before bed, Madelyn and Molly were playing and running through the house.  Molly fell and hit her chin on the pull-out couch in the back bedroom.  Some glue, Elmo stickers, a color book and some suckers later, we were on our way home.  I was so proud of how well she did.  She was a little reluctant but had no tears and even told the doctor 'thank you' after she was done. 

Molly being brave!

Easter Sunday, we went to church then had dinner with my parents and my sister and her family.  Then after, we did an Easter egg hunt!

Dressed in our Easter best!

The kids also went train hunting with Papa several times, had fun watching the momma and baby bunnies in the back yard, played with the neighbor kids and made numerous trips to the park.  Thank you Mom and Dad for letting us come hang with you for Spring Break!  It was nice to get away and relax!

Catching up!

So the blogging is few and far between to say the least.  No real good excuse, so let's save all that and just see if I can get you caught up.  We'll start off with Valentine's Day.

I have found a new love...Pinterest.  It's kind of hard to explain.  I guess it's kind of a cross between Google and Facebook.  Like a social search engine of sorts... Some think it's mainly a woman thing, but lately I've seen quite a few men jump on board this Pinterest band wagon.  Madelyn and I have been trying to find some new ways to do the do!  Ponytails and bows can get to be mundane.  So we tried something new in honor of St. Valentine.

Can you see the heart?  I pulled the rest of her hair up into two loose buns on each side of her head.  I have to say it turned out pretty cute for our first try!  And Madelyn couldn't wait to go to school and show it off to her friends!

David had a project where he had to make a box to hold his Valentine's.  Pinterest to the rescue once again!  It's amazing what you can do with an old kleenex box, some brown paint, and just the hint of an idea.

 

Well, shoot!  Mater looks ready to eat up some Valentine's don't you think?

Tricks or Treats

We had a wonderful and full Halloween weekend.  On Friday we took the kids to their first haunted house at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.  David loved it!  Madelyn screamed and cried the entire time, but then after said she had fun.  Hmm...  I'm not so sure.  Molly and I decided to sit this one out.  Good thing I guess.

A Mermaid Princess, Mario and a Parrot

On Saturday we found a Trunk or Treat.  And Sunday was another Trunk or Treat, some pumpkin decorating and we also made Halloween sugar cookies.

Madelyn designed a face and David a Mario

Finally Halloween night, we went out Trick or Treating.  This time, Madelyn wanted to be Strawberry Shortcake.

Molly seemed to catch on quick what all of this was about.  And she was not shy at all.

She was pretty popular with the homeowners and gathered us.... I mean her.... lots of candy!

City escapades

Labor Day weekend deserves some fun.  After lunch Sunday at Chuck E. Cheese's we headed to the city.  Our first stop: Lady Victory.

Lady Victory's sword and her future home...

Lady Victory was unveiled in Indianapolis on September 5th, 1893 atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, also known as "The Circle".  She was recently taken down for the first time to be restored and cleaned and is sitting on the Circle until Tuesday morning when she will be hoisted back to her original position.  The 38 foot tall statue attracted quite a crowd!

Molly enjoying the sights and sounds.

The kids sure did have fun exploring the city.  There were doors just at their height with surprises inside.....

 

Mirrors like you would see in a fun house....

This particular one made me look skinny.  Bonus!!

  A petting zoo...

And lots to just take in...

After dinner at Steak n' Shake downtown, we headed to the canal for some more fun.  We rented a bike / car and cruised the canal.  We had more fun!

And the perfect ending to a perfect day?

 

A beautiful sunset of orange, yellow, grey, purple, pink and blue.  God is good!

4th Festivities

We had a great 4th of July weekend.  We started out celebrating on the 3rd.  Daniel had been hired for a private party to do balloons and also to do a magic show.  Jamie and LeeAnn Berry are huge fans of Daniel's and have seen him perform several times.  They wanted him for their annual 4th of July party and invited his family as well, so the kids and I and also Daniel's Mom and Dad who were in town, tagged along.  They had several bounce houses and games for the kids, hamburgers, hot dogs, and tons of food.  We really didn't know anyone there, but were welcomed and had a great time.  After Daniel's show, we headed over to a local elementary school for a private fireworks show.  This show was better than some town fireworks!  Just amazing.  However, Molly was not impressed.

She spent the whole time watching the display frowning.  She never cried, she didn't fuss.  She just frowned.  I think she was wondering why in the world we were keeping her up past her bed time to watch things blow up in the sky.   :)

The next morning, we headed to the Brownsburg 4th of July parade.

It rained on us a little, but did not ruin the fun.  The kids got tons of candy!!  And despite being up late the night before, Molly was in a pretty good mood.

Especially when she realized candy was involved.

After the parade, Don, RuthAnn, Heidi, Dusty, Rachel and Aaron headed back to our house for a cook out.  Grill master Daniel made some awesome burgers and we sat outside in the back yard and enjoyed the day.  That night, we stayed around home and watched the fireworks in our community and played with sparklers and bottle rockets.  The girls and I also enjoyed watching the Macy's New York City fireworks display on TV.  Good times and great memories made!!

to Sullivan to Avon

Late Christmas Eve night we headed to Daniel's parents house.  Molly had not taken an afternoon nap, so she instantly crashed in the van late that night.  When we arrived in Sullivan, we set up her bed and put her right next to the Christmas tree.  She cooed and talked and jabbered for at least an hour at the lights.  Such a happy baby when she should be sleeping.

We work up the next morning and Christmas ensued! But not before some horse play. 

Molly with her stocking loot!

Here's Madelyn and Rachel caught with some cookies right before dinner.  I told you she had more cookies this weekend!!

 

After dinner, Heidi and her gang and Peter and Mychele headed off for more Christmas.  We spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing with our new toys.  The next morning we headed off to Pa-paw's church.  Then we came home to some more playing!

I think Molly enjoyed her first Christmas....don't you??

After lunch we packed up and headed back to IN.  This was the first Christmas that we weren't able to collapse the 3rd row in the van because of Molly.  Is this even safe???

And off in our sleigh we flew!!

Christmas recap - Avon to Stonington

Well, we started out with Christmas at home.  Santa came to the Lusk household a little early this year because he knew we would be out of town on Christmas Day.  Do you like our fireplace?  I wish we could hang our stockings on it. 

We then packed up and headed over to my parents house.  That evening, Madelyn and I decorated our cookies we had made.

She did well decorating.  She even got to enjoy a couple.  I think this was her first of many cookies this week.  :)

 Christmas Eve night we opened presents.  For Molly, the paper was just a flying!!

 

My great nephew Hunter enjoyed the present I gave him.  It sang a little tune and every time he pushed the button he would dance.  So cute!!

We had a great time getting together with family.  I wouldn't change it for anything.

My sis Lori and niece Catherine

Here's my Dad with the present we made for him.  It's a mouse pad that says "Papa's good luck charms".  To help with his poker games online of course.  :)

And of course Christmas would not be complete without singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

My Mom's best friend Marge.

Always chaotic, always too short, but a great Christmas with family and friends!

Today we ventured out to visit Santa at the Children's Museum.  David was first up on Santa's lap.  He asked for a remote controlled iron man guy (Why is it your child asks for something completely different as soon as they crawl up onto Santa's lap than what he's asked for all season?  Figures.)  Madelyn requested Tea Cup Piggies and a humongous doll house (this doll house she wants is over $150 and I'm sure will not be under the tree..... ever.)  And Molly....well, she gave some smiles and clapped her hands.  And I think she asked for "Peas on earth".  She was not scared one bit.....at least this year.  Of course no visit to Santa is complete without petting/grooming/riding some reindeer.

On Dasher, On Prancer, or Donnor or Blitzen??

The kids then did some ice fishing, ice skating and then went into the kitchen to bake some goodies.  Good times were had by all.  This time at our Children's Museum visit, Molly was able to have some fun too.  She didn't fuss one bit even though she missed her afternoon nap. 

Of course no visit to the Children's Museum is complete at Christmas time without some Yule Slide fun.  Today was a good day to go, because there were no lines for the slide or Santa.  I think the kiddos went down the slide at least 6 times.

Best of all, I talked Daniel into taking a couple hours and joining us for all the fun.  Truly a great day!

Turkey time!!

We spent Thanksgiving at Heidi's house this year.  We had a great time.  Who can go wrong with turkey and all the fixings??  Later that evening, Aunt Heidi sat down and read some Thanksgiving books to all the kids.  This was about the only time besides dinner they sat still for more than 5 minutes.  Lots of playing was to be had.

And how did Molly spend her first Thanksgiving?  Well, after some sweet potato casserole, stuffing and dressing, she spent some time reading....

And also chasing the Black Friday ads....

Photo courtesy Heidi Hackney

After some more turkey, and even some Charlie Brown, Thanksgiving was over.  We were all stuffed and tired, but had a great time!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!