A visit with Grandparents

 

Easter morning after all the eggs had been found.

 

National champion trophies

 

Grandpa's traditional attack upon arrival

 

Baseball with Grandpa in the back yard

Mom and Dad came out for a visit for spring break. We had a lot of fun doing lots of activities. Dad always attacks the boys when they first get here. This time they pulled in just before the boys came home from school. Dad attacked them with squishy balls so Madsen fought back with his giant squirt gun.

We went on several walks along our favorite trails. We had dinner at Perkins, the tradition here, we went bowling, to the beach, to Duke gardens, UNC basketball museum, frisbee golfing, Pelicans for ice cream, to the church to play basketball... this one did not turn out quite like Dad expected. We played a little ball but pretty much ended up coming home with 4 mad boys because the game did not turn out how they thought it should. We watched a lot of basketball as the NCAA tournament unfolded. Madsen ended up being the family bracket champ, he actually picked Duke winning the title. We ate lots of ice cream and did not do very many chores. We had to rearrange everyone's sleeping location so Little Miss could sleep at night. I am hoping we will not have too many more visits from grandparents in this house! I keep thinking that some day I will be able to buy a bigger one and we will have a guest room! I always love having my parents come visit. The kids have so much fun with them. I enjoy being around my parents and talking with them.

Waverly was funny with these strangers. It did not take long for her to warm up to them when she realized they were not going away and that the brothers liked them. She was more shy around Dad then Mom. Dad would come get her and she would run, squealing to me and climb as high as she could with a big smile on her face. When Dad was on a couch she would walk by and bop him either on his feet, head or shoulder. Just a little touch to see how he would respond. It was cute.

It was a good fun visit and now we just get on with life for a few months before we get to see everyone when we head to Utah in July!

A day at the beach

 

 

 

 

What is a trip to North Carolina without a trip to the beach? This time we went to Carolina beach. Waverly threw up about 15 minutes into the drive. It was great! The weather was just perfect, the water was freezing, but that did not stop the boys from enjoying the ocean. They played in the water, the sand and the flew kites. Cannon really liked the kite. He was flying it and said, "I am a really good fly kiter!" made us giggle. Madsen, Declan and Cannon were buried in the sand for a while. They said it was nice and warm. I could not stand that, between claustrophobia and sand-aphobia, I would be miserable! The adults enjoyed sitting on the beach watching the kids and listening to the ocean and dipping our toes in the water. Waverly was perfectly content as long as she was on someones lap. She did not want anythig to do with sand or water. I took her to the water and she screamed and held her little legs up. She did not like the sand either. She would keep her feet off the ground even when she was sitting on a towel. I imagine she will learn to like the beach and ocean some day. After several hours in the sun we headed home. We got dinner at Hardee's, the Carolina beach tradition. The kids crashed out in the cars for the majority of the ride. Waverly threw up again, about 10 minutes from home. The poor girl just does not do well in long car rides. We made it home with lots of sand and sun. Arms and faces and feet were a little burned, but it was worth it!

UNC Basketball Museum

 

 

 

 

To make up for taking them to Duke, we went to UNC to the basketball museum. It was really pretty cool, particularly if you happen to be a Tarheel fan. All the national champion trophies were there, lots of giant championship rings, players shoes, they are HUGE! Jerseys, signed balls, nets, stories about different teams and some spots designated to top players and coaches. All of this is on a full size court where they have marked the spots of game winning shots. There was a descprition of the shot at each spot. I liked the Michael Jordan stuff best. There were his recruiting files, letters of intent, letters from the coach telling him what he needed to do to improve... I liked his letter from Coach K. after Jordan decided not to go to Duke. There was also the letter from Coach Smith after he had accepted going to UNC. There was video about him and lots of other stuff. Madsen liked the Tyler Hansborough stuff best.The guys liked seeing the trophies and the rings. They were amazed at the size of shoes, rings and jersies these players wear. It was a fun little trip, so the next time you are in Chapel Hill, stop by.

Duke Gardens

 

 

 

 

We met Matt up at the Duke gardens in the evening one night. We had a gourmet picnic and enjoyed walking all around. These gardens are beautiful! Tulips were in full bloom in one area. The trees were flowering. There are over 5 miles of trails throughout the gardens. The boys like the ponds and fountains and they rolled down a big hill. Matt likes to take pictures of plants. Mom and Dad and I like to look at all the pretty flowers and plants and trees. It was a perfect evening and we think the gardens are the best thing about Duke!

Real bowling vs. Wii bowling

 

 

 

 

We had our new traditional Wii bowling tournament with Mom and Dad. The boys are really good bowlers on the wii, scoring in the 200's. Madsen, Sully, Declan and Grandpa were the winners bracket. I think Sully ended up being the family champ.

We then went real bowling and the scores were quite different! We made Madsen and Sullivan bowl without bumpers. It took a while to figure out and they did not have 8 strikes in a row. Declan actually had fun this time instead of being angry all day. He actually was the highest scoring brother. Grandpa was the family champ at the bowling alley.

High School Musical photos

 

 

The musical ended. It all ended up just fine. The kids did a fantastic job and I am glad Madsen was able to participate. These are just a couple of photos of him in costume. The other boy looked enough like Madsen that both Matt and I found ourselves wathcing him for a while til we realized we were looking at the wrong kid. His mother thought the same thing, that is why I took a picture of some random kid.

Out town has asked the kids to perform a 30 minute sketch of the play during the town festival. The kids are excited to be able to perform together again.

Dear Diana...

Since I know she will read this!

Dear Di,
Please update your blog. I know things have happened in your life since October. You do not have to tell us everything. Just start over now. I know you read our blogs so you have not given up computers.

And, have you ordered a dress yet? Me either.

Love,

Nae