Busy Weekend!

This has been a whirlwind weekend at the Schneider household. We went to Phoenix on Thursday for David and Maryrose's wedding on Friday. A good time was had by all, even if little boys were pretty worn out by the time dinner rolled around at about 8:30 Friday evening. Grandma and Papa took the boys home with them and Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a night to ourselves in a nearby hotel (hooray!). On Saturday, we all went to Gavin's first birthday party before coming home. Today we just went to Mass and relaxed, but I think it will take a while longer to recover from this weekend!

Two handsome boys waiting for the wedding to start.

Two sleepy boys enjoying cookies before heading home - they didn't even make it to cake time.

All four of us at the wedding. The "favor" was a photo booth setup where each group got their picture taken. One was put into a book for David and Maryrose and we got to keep the other - I thought it was a great idea!

Playing in the park at Gavin's party.

Pictures of our big trip to Old Tucson will be up soon, as will pictures of Grammy and Mommy's fancy picnic table, just as soon as I get it painted!

Hippity Hoppity

The Easter Bunny came to see us! Yes, it was over two weeks ago, but who's keeping score, really? We had a visit from the Bunny himself (or so we assume, because if you're looking he won't come, but if you sleep like a big boy there are eggs and treats outside when you wake up)! Then we went to Mass and were even reasonably good. Father Ricky, though he is a wonderful man and a wonderful priest, made the ill-fated decision to sing the entire Eucharistic Prayer I (the REALLY long one). That was about our undoing, but we survived. Then it was back home for ham, stuffing, mashed taters, and other yumminess.

Decorating eggs - Mommy figured it was better for all shirts involved if the boys just showed off their killer abs.

Finding eggs on Easter morning - Patrick didn't quite have it figured out, but Christopher was a pro!
Patrick, however, had no problem with the chocolate-eating portion of the morning!

Still hunting eggs, missed the memo about eating chocolate!
Laugh all you want - this is indeed the best of all the dressed up Easter pictures.

Garden Overhaul

Two weekends ago we took advantage of the free dumpsters the HOA brought in and did a little yard work. We tore out a ratty old fountain and cleaned up the planter area around the side of the house. Then my big helpers and I added lots of good dirt and planted some herbs we'll be able to use in our cooking this summer and fall. Maybe next year too - many herbs seem to be perennial around here.

Our clean slate, and Christopher trying to rake with a plastic golf club.

This seems to work better!

Adding the dividers

Digging a hole for the rosemary

Pushing the dirt back in

Last plant - parsley

Daddy even had to mow our lawn - yes it looks brown here, but it is a lot greener now

Air Show

A few weeks ago, our local giant Air Force base had their semi yearly airshow. I think it's supposed to be every two years, but they hadn't had one for a while. We went and the boys got to see all sorts of great airplanes flying fast, slow, high, low, upside down, and sideways. All in all, it was super cool!

Daddy and his two big boys!

Watchin' the action on the flight line
Check out my cool new airplane - it does loops too!

Big Boy Bed

Patrick got a big boy bed (well just a mattress really) right around his birthday. I finally got a few pictures of him in it a few weeks ago. Sadly they're mostly blurry. I didn't realize the flash was turned off. It will have to do for now, though. We will eventually buy him a real bed and new dresser, but for now this will work.


Action shot of him "sleeping" - he thinks it's funny to lay upside down in the bed

Showing off the new Thomas sheets

Very silly boys!

Actual action shots. He fell asleep chewing on Puppy as usual.

Next up will be airshow and gardening and Easter pics. Eventually I might get caught up!

McCormick Train Park

If you have little boys (or even girls) and you live in the greater Phoenix area (or even Tucson), run, don't walk to McCormick Train Park. Only get there early, because it fills up fast. We went about two weeks ago and had a great time. Christopher and Patrick both loved riding on the little train, seeing the model train setups, and playing on the playground. It was all really reasonably priced, too.

Before riding the train, Christopher had to investigate it's "big rod." He's fascinated with the train drive rods. Go figure...
Patrick liked standing and waving to the passengers as they went by.Getting ready for our first ride. Christopher is excited, Patrick is not so sure what's going on or where he's supposed to sit.
By the second ride, Patrick has this down. He sat up in an open car with Daddy and Uncle Mark and waved to the little people as they went by.
For the second ride, Christopher decided he was going to sit in the boxcar, which meant Mommy got to ride in the boxcar too. But, so did that very pregnant woman in the picture behind Christopher, so I have nothing to complain about.

I LOVE this picture!
After our busy day at the park, we celebrated Papa's birthday with dinner and cake. Grandma decided that the cake needed sprinkles, and knew of just the sous-chef to make sure it was done right!

It was a really fun trip - thanks Grandma and Papa (and Uncle Mark) for the idea! Next up, I promise pictures of the big boy bed now that he's been sleeping in it for a month.

The Dinosaur Train

I was commissioned last night to build a Dinosaur Train (yes, in caps - the real one, not just any old dinosaur train). It was required to have an engine, tender, coach, observation car, and caboose per Christopher's orders. Here was the result. I think he was impressed. He put his little dinosaurs in it and had to leave it up for today. And say goodnight to all the dinosaurs about 10 times...

Christopher thought it was really important that you get to see Ned the Quadruped.

Patrick got in on the action too, stealing Lora the Gigantosaurus and putting her in Tidmouth Sheds. Of course, Christopher had a fit and the moment was past, but it was good while it lasted.

I promise pictures from our weekend trip soon. I put them on the computer now, so I just have to go through and pick my favorites!