Random Cuteness

Here are a few pictures that didn't quite fit into any other post, but that I wanted to share.

Hunter started eating Puffs toward the end of April.

What are these things?

Let me examine it a little more...

I don't know about these things.

Hello?

I'm going to put this puzzle together

Chef Peyton grilling us some food

Now I'm going to build a castle

Brotherly love

Chef Hunter

Twins!
(courtesy of Grandmom and Pop-Pop)

I am so lucky to have such adorable kids! Not to brag or anything...

Chili Cook-Off

My parents gave Jeremy, Jill, Kyle and I tickets to the DC101 Chili Cook-off for Easter. It is (obviously) a chili cook-off, but also a big concert featuring several bands. It is located on one of the parking lots of RFK stadium in Washington, DC. This year, Cook-off was on May 21. It was a gorgeous day, very sunny and in the upper 80s. I'm just happy it wasn't raining like the last time we went to Cook-off. That sucked.

There were seven bands playing. The four of us decided that we really didn't care about Neon Trees, Middle Class Rut, and Paper Tongues, so we left our house later in the afternoon. We wanted to get to Cook-off in time to see Panic! At the Disco, but there was a little mishap with some tickets, but I'm not going to call anyone out on that (*cough* Jeremy and Jill *cough). We were entering the gates just as Panic! was finishing up their set. Oh well...

Papa Roach was up next. They seem to play at the Chili Cook-off often, and Kyle and I have seen them three times. Seether was the next band to perform. During Seether, I started feeling pretty sick. I don't handle the heat well and I felt like I was going to throw up, so we went toward the back of the parking lot where there were fewer people and sat down for a little while. Then we walked around a bit and I felt better. The last band, who I wanted to see the most, was Weezer. We found a spot on a grassy area that was in the shade. We couldn't see the stage, but there were less people and we could actually feel the breeze. I think we stayed for about 13 of Weezer's songs, but Kyle was getting hungry and Jeremy and Jill looked like they might fall asleep at any moment, so I gave in and we left early. I missed my two favorite songs that Weezer sings, but it's ok.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Kyle and I

Jeremy and Jill

All of us!

Birthday Party Weekend

Last weekend, Peyton had two friends' birthday parties to attend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. We were some party animals! The party on Saturday was for Olivia's 4th birthday and it was located at Kinderfarm Park. As the name implies, it was at a park that had a farm section with lots of animals. All four of us went to Olivia's party since it was a nice day outside. We knew Peyton would be excited to see all of the animals, and we figured we'd bring Hunter along to check things out as well.

Once the party started, everyone headed over to the farm area of the park. The kids checked out goats, chickens, sheep, rabbits, cows, and the biggest pig I've ever seen. In the picture below, the Olivia is on the left, and Peyton is in the orange jacket (duh - the orange jacket works well in situations like this because it's easy to spot Peyton in the group).
Peyton taking a peep at some rabbits.
These boys are the Three Musketeers. The one on the left with the curly hair is Peyton's BFF, Levi and the other boy to the right is a newer friend named Noah. They are pretty inseparable at daycare (and birthday parties!)

"Mommy, these logs are awesome!" --Peyton

Hunter got to swing at the playground.
Peyton also had fun playing on the huge playground with his friends.
Eventually the party moved back to the pavilion, where the kids played some games and did activities. They hit the pinata (It's a pull-string one, but I'm not sure Olivia's parents knew that...)
They colored masks of different farm animals, including sheep, pigs, and cows. Peyton and Levi chose to be sheep.
Finally, everyone sang happy birthday to Olivia and enjoyed some cake and ice cream. After cake, the party was over, but Peyton and Levi played on the playground for a little while longer. Hunter was getting tired though, so we had to head home.

On Sunday, Peyton went to a party for his friend Nick's 2nd birthday. It was at a place called Ultimate Fun Zone. It had several moon-bounces and a big pirate ship with a sliding board. Peyton had a blast jumping and playing on the pirate ship.
After everyone was tired from jumping, we went into the party room for some snacks and cake. Peyton ate a ton of cheese curls, chips, and pretzels. I think he also drank three juice boxes. All that jumping makes you thirsty! We sang to Nick and then ate some yummy cake and ice cream. Peyton's hands were orange from the cheese curls and his face was covered in chocolate ice cream. Yum.
There was no time for Nick to open his presents, so after cake, we went home. It was a fun birthday weekend, but I was partied out!

Skydiving!

May 12 was the big day to go skydiving! Kyle and I dropped the boys off at daycare and then hit the road. We jumped at Skydive Delmarva, which is located about an hour over the Bay Bridge in Delaware.
We arrived around 10:00 and it was the most beautiful day to jump. It was perfectly clear, without a cloud in the sky. Once we checked in, we had to fill out a multi-page booklet with our personal information and sign lots of waivers before we could jump. While we were completing our paperwork, a load of skydivers took off in the plane. We got to watch them all jump. This is obviously not me, but I'm sure I looked just like this.
After all of the first plane-full of skydivers landed, we were called into a warehouse to prepare for our jump. Kyle and I jumped tandem, which means that we each had an instructor attached to our backs. I jumped with a guy named Pat, who was really nice. I was quite nervous as it got closer and closer to the jump, but he calmed me down. Kyle and I got into our jumpsuits and harnesses and were given goggles and helmets. Then Pat and I went over how the jump was going to go. We practiced the position that you need to be in on the floor of the warehouse. He explained exactly what we do on the plane and how we would jump. We went over this several times before we even boarded the plane.

Eventually, it was time for us to board the plane. There are two benches in the plane, one on the left and one on the right. Kyle and I were sitting next to each other. We sit facing the back of the plane, straddling the bench. Our instructors sat behind us. Once we were in the plane, they hooked themselves to us. Everyone else on the plane was jumping alone. It took about 20 minutes to reach 12,000 feet, which is the altitude from which we jumped. While we were flying, Pat went over the game plan a few more times. Finally, we reached altitude and it was time to go. I kissed Kyle "goodbye" and off everyone went. I think about 10 people were on the plane total. Kyle went right before me and I was the last one off the plane.

To get to the door, we slid down the bench. Once we reached the end of the bench, we fell right onto our knees. Together, the instructor and I turned 180 degrees so that we were facing the front of the plane. That is the thing that scared me the most -- I was terrified that we were going to fall out of the door (even though, yes, I know that's what we'd be doing in just a few seconds). Once we were oriented properly, Pat grabbed my shoulders and rocked me to "Ready, Set, Go" and we fell out of the plane! The free fall was absolutely amazing! It lasted about a minute, I'd estimate. I was being videoed and photographed by another employee. He highfived me and had me do thumbs-up a few times during the free fall. Pat spun us around 360 degrees so that I could see everything. Then he pulled the ripcord and the parachute opened. It jerked us upward (or felt that way at least). Our glide down to earth took about four minutes, I think.

Once the parachute was pulled, Pat and I could talk again because it was quiet. He let me steer the parachute for a minute, and showed me some river and where the Chesapeake Bay was. He also showed me the airport and the tiny little circle where we'd be landing. Then, he explained to me how we were going to land. He told me that I had to pull my legs up so that his feet touched the ground first, or else we'd tumble on the ground. Well, once we reached the ground, I didn't get my feet up in time and I fell on the ground on my stomach with Pat on my back. I couldn't stop laughing. It didn't hurt or anything, but it was funny. Pat unhooked us, and we headed back to the warehouse.

Kyle got to actually jump from the plane off of his feet. He also got to pull the ripcord himself and steer the parachute, since he was a seasoned veteran (he's jumped once before).

Skydiving was great! I will absolutely do it again.

My mom picked Peyton and Hunter up from daycare for us, so we had the afternoon free. We stopped and got lunch on the way home. Then we stopped at the Queenstown Outlets and did some shopping. It was a super fun day, for sure!

Mother's Day

A few days before Mother's Day, Kyle and Peyton brought me these beautiful white roses (my favorite!)

I am lucky enough to be called 'Mommy' by the world's two cutest boys!

Peyton and I

Hunter and I

My two loves!

I got to sleep in on Mother's Day (mostly because Sundays are my sleep-in day, haha). Kyle and the boys also got me some presents! They got me two of these picture frames. I'm going to put the pictures of all of our nieces and nephews and lots of pictures of our family in them and hang them in the dining room.
I also got a pedometer, which I requested. I've been walking and trying to reach the recommended 10,000 steps per day. (It's unattainable...)
Besides the fact that I had strep throat, a double ear infection, and that we spent two hours at Patient First for Kyle and Hunter to be examined for strep, I had a fabulous Mother's Day!

I would also like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Linda, and all of the other wonderful mothers that I know!

My Birthday

This year, I celebrated my 29th (yikes!) birthday. My parents came over so that Kyle and I could go out to dinner without the kids. Before we left for dinner, Kyle and the boys gave me presents. I got a griddle/grill pan from Peyton and Hunter. It was exactly what I wanted (Yes, I bought it for myself...)
Kyle gave me a pretty big surprise -- a trip to go SKYDIVING!! I was instantly super excited and also terrified at the same time. I've always wanted to skydive, but the fact that it was actually going to happen made me a little nervous!
Kyle and I went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. We go there when we don't have Hunter with us, because he can't even enter that restaurant because of all of the peanuts on the tables. I got a free appetizer because it was my birthday and we were stuffed after dinner.

We went out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factor with my parents, Jeremy, and Jill the following weekend to celebrate. It was delicious, as always. Thanks for dinner, Mom and Dad! All in all, a great birthday.

Easter Dinner

As usual, we hosted Easter dinner at our house. This year, we had 17 people -- my dad's side of the family and Kyle's sister Kate and her family. Here are my cuties dressed in their Easter best.
My parents came over before everyone else to watch the boys so that Kyle and I could cook and set the table without distractions. They, of course, came bearing gifts. Hunter couldn't wait to dig into his bags.
Grandmom read Peyton his card.
And then he started to open his gifts. Peyton got lots of summer clothes, some workbooks, and Madagascar 2 on DVD.
Hunter really wanted to eat his marshmallow lollipop right away.
Hunter also got lots of summer clothes, a Sesame Street DVD, Peter Cottontail DVD, and some books.
Kate, Dave, and Noah arrived next. We got Noah a Cookie Monster Play-Doh set because he is our godson.
Aunt Kate and Uncle Dave gave Hunter some rattles and the Pat the Bunny book, which must taste good.
They gave Peyton some sidewalk chalk and a box of Mickey Mouse coloring pages with markers.
My parents gave Jeremy, Jill, Kyle, and I tickets to the DC101 Chili Cook-off. It's a big concert to benefit the National Kidney Foundation.
The boys also got gifts from Kim and Bo, Nadean and Vester, and Aunt Bev. Every holiday is like Christmas in our family. It is sort of ridiculous how spoiled my kids are!

For dinner we had the usual -- ham, ravioli, meatballs and sausage, cracker corn, and broccoli salad. For dessert, I made the ever popular Death by Chocolate and a black bottom banana cream pie. Kate made the most adorable Easter basket cupcakes and Kim made yummy lemon bars and cheesecake bars. I think everyone was stuffed after dinner. Everyone hung out and chatted while Peyton, Hunter, and Noah played with toys. As everyone left, we gave out leftovers but we still ended up with a ton of food. I'd say it was another successful Easter dinner.

Easter Morning

After Peyton and Hunter went to bed, the Easter Bunny came to our house! He left each boy a basket full of candy and a big tub full of books and toys.
Hunter woke up first Sunday morning. I guess he was super excited for his first Easter. Kyle and I got dressed and we woke Peyton up so that we could all go downstairs together. Peyton couldn't wait to see what kind of goodies he got.
Hunter checked out his basket full of candy. Kyle and I took care of eating his treats for him.
Then, Hunter peeked into his tub of gifts. He got four Sesame Street books, a toy truck, a bubble maker, and another Fisher Price toy.
Peyton got a big Diego coloring book, an elephant and a horse, Ice Age and Ice Age 2 on DVD, a set of capsules that when put into water dissolved into sponge animals, and three books. The Easter Bunny must have known how much Peyton loves animals.
Peyton checked out his candy basket next.
Then, Peyton went on a egg hunt. He found both his and Hunter's eggs.
After Peyton found all of the eggs, we divided them up into his pile and Hunter's pile. Then Peyton opened all of his eggs, and found money in each one.
Hunter was content to shake the eggs and listen to the coins rattle around in them.
Peyton and I got dressed in our nice clothes and headed off to church. Hunter was a little under the weather on Easter, so we decided that he should just stay home and rest. Peyton actually loves church because he likes all of the songs. In fact, weeks later, he still randomly starts singing one of the songs we sang in church on Easter. It's pretty cute. After church, we went to get lunch at Taco Bell, because Kyle always says that we should serve tacos at our dinner. Since that is not happening anytime soon, I compromised and bought him tacos for lunch instead. After lunch, we laid the boys down for naps, and we started to prepare for dinner.