I took pictures of the boys in their somewhat matching ties, and went on to document  most of the afternoon.  We went out to eat as Grandma W was sick, came back and dewinterized the camper while the boys slept, and then had a little time left to play on the trampoline before evening services.

Eating:

Playing:

And...a rabbit:

That was a quick post!

We went to the zoo in April.  We went to Six Flags the next day.  By we, I mean the boys and I on Day 1, and Jason joined us for Six Flags on Day 2.  This post may be short on the captions.

Zoo:

Penguins.  (They're looking at penguins; not calling the boys names.)

One of many moments where Calvin was happily spaced out.

"Ew, don't hug me while the gorilla is watching!"

The giraffes are favorites pretty much every visit.

Zebras.

The River's Edge:

Isaac was looking at the elephants, and Calvin preferred the man-made brook.

I have a video to go with this, but I don't know if it will make it up here.  Just wanted to say that Isaac is braver than Calvin about getting wet, but they both had a good time.

Six Flags

Isaac was eager to greet the characters.  He likes greeting.  He will greet objects and people with equal enthusiasm.

Isaac and I hung out in Looney Tunes town while Daddy and Calvin rode the Tony Hawk ride:

We met up again at the carousel:

On the Colossus (ferris wheel):

"Yay, we're at the top!"

Another stop in Looney Tunes town:

Seen in a bathrooom stall:

I thought their definition of "fun and exciting environment" was a little unorthodox, considering the location of this sign.

Fans of the moon cars.

March saw one of the coldest winters on record just starting to thaw.  Just a few random pictures from March:

Calvin riding "Cal's Colt" and Isaac wearing Aunt Candace's hat while kicking back at Gma W's.

 
At the Mills with Grandpa and Grandma W in March.  The boys had a good time, including watching a Blues hockey practice and riding two carousels (above, and a coin one with a British voice).  Since February, my dad has continued bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments.  We praise God to report the treatments have shrunk the tumor near his kidney and lowered his colon cancer blood counts from 150 to 16 (normal <5).  He just completed his 11th treatment, and is now deciding with doctors and prayer on what course and frequency of maintenance therapy to take.  It would be nice to get the numbers within normal range, but for now they are at least stable, and we can still pray for more decreases in the future.  We are thankful he has been able to continue to travel and do the work of an evangelist during these treatments, and we hope his health will continue to improve.  Thank you again for all the prayers for our family!  God's power is indescribably amazing!

And now for something completely different...

Outdoor playtime in March:

(Cue sentimental music)  "Oh, Buzz Lightyear, you are a fine friend to a boy!"

Rolling down the hill with Buzz.

Sliding down the slide with Buzz.

And of course, flying the Buzz Lightyear kite!

We were happy to announce 2 months ago that we are expecting a new baby at the end of September.  I am even happier to announce it now, as I am no longer battling the nausea with the additional bonus of regularly feeling this little one moving about.

Here is our first sneak peak, back when I was 8 weeks along:

 
As always, I drew on the ultrasound for fun.  I figure it makes the picture more interesting.  I've seen the baby once since then, at about 12 weeks, and the little one was moving and kicking well-formed legs by that point.  We are looking forward to seeing the baby again at the 20 week ultrasound next week, and if all goes well, not again til the end of September!

We are not finding out the gender, but you're welcome to guess.  I'll try to put up pics next week.

Reasons I'd like a boy:  Because I'm the mommy, and I know how special my boys make me feel.  Because I'd be sad that Isaac may be my last baby boy, and another boy would give me that experience again.  Because they would have a grand time together as three brothers.  Because I would remain the only queen in the castle (whatever that means, but it sounds important).  Because we wouldn't have to stop at the girly rides or girly shops on vacation.  Because we'd be a little richer for not buying clothes for a different gender, specifically the more expensive gender to dress.  Because it's easier to style a boy's hair/low maintenance (also easier to dress) (also easier to give haircuts at home).  Because the wedding expenses for a boy someday are cheaper.  Because I have some experience with boys already.  Because raising a girl and establishing that relationship is at a minimum foreign to me, and intimidating if I think about it long enough (is someone really going to look to me as an example of domestic perfection?! hahahaha).  Because I know the drama of teenage girls, being one and being around them growing up.

Reasons a girl might be nice:  How many people can miss the toilet bowl in one day?!  Boys are so onery and wiggly at church; I apologize to the pews around me for years to come.  Probably not going to get as much help on the domestic front in the years to come without a daughter.  Girls seem to be better caretakers of parents in their old age.  It would be cool for Jason to have a daughter.  Isaac might like being my baby boy rather than thinking of himself exclusively as the middle child.  I have a middle name that's been passed on for 5 generations of oldest daughters; it'd be a shame to break the chain, but it does happen.  My mother-in-law would really like a granddaughter (no daughters of her own), but hopefully my brother-in-law could give her one someday.  Putting ruffly tights on a boy is just wrong.  Same goes for headbands with flowers half the size of the baby's head.  Dollies.  I like playing Barbies.  Just the general curiosity of what a girl would look like who was a product of my husband and I.

So, like I tell people, I'm glad God picks!

We had a baby shower at church for Tiffany and Brandon's baby in mid-February.  Candace commandeered my camera.  This post is so late, I might as well put for the record that the baby arrived March 15th at 8lbs9oz and her name is Olivia Larynn.  At least that's what I recall she weighed without bothering to look it up anywhere.

Here are some shower pictures:

Elizabeth Hartman, Great Grandma of Olivia.

Jackie recording gifts.  Blurry; she must have been writing very quickly.

Gift opening; onlooking.

The "don't say baby" ring game.

Candace and Lana Kay, cousin to Olivia.

More onlooking.

And, another angle.

Quinn...again.

Mimi and Lana; practically cousins.

Posing with one of my star Wednesday night class participants.

Opening more pink gifts.  We're sure glad they were right on that girl prediction!

Candace and Julie.

Do I even remember how to blog?

Maybe if I put up a few pictures, that'll work some of the rust out of the system:

Where we left off...

 
This is Jason's dad's brothers/wives.  We won this trivia night for the second year in a row--I think there were around 70 teams, so we are always excited and surprised.  This year, we were in third place going into the final round, but ended up tying for first and winning the tie-breaker.  This year, we also had someone take a picture.  You never know if we'll ever repeat the feat again!

After trivia, Jason left for China for 2.5 weeks.  He forgot the camera, although he has lots of great pictures from coworkers on his laptop.  I don't have access to his laptop this afternoon, so just picture Shanghai however you'd like.

Waiting for Daddy to come home:

Isaac, a man of many faces.  This one conveys displeasure.

Calvin enjoys coming up with new ways to use the abacus.  He likes making patterns.  We've also used it for addition, subtraction, and counting by 10s so far.

Okay, there's one post.  That'll get us to February.