The First of Many Goodbyes

Wednesday was may last day as a Class Manager at the Upper Arlington Jazzercise Center. I will miss all my friends I have made while working there. They surprised me with flowers, balloons, and a card signed by everyone. After class, the ladies and Jeff (yes there are male Jazzercisers out there) took me out to breakfast. It was definitely a reality check for me, beginning the first of many goodbyes I have yet to say here in Columbus.

This is Michelle the instructor.

Here are a few of my friends that are "regulars" at the class time I manage.

Little Tennis Stars

Memorial Day was such a beautiful today, so we dusted off the tennis gear and hit a few balls with the kids.

More Celebrating

As of May 24th, I am 29 years old. Can you believe it?? I think Kassie was the most excited for my birthday because she loves cake. She knows if there's a birthday, there has to be cake!!

Lee won a gift card to P.F. Changs so we went there for lunch. After we got back, Kassie and Lee made a cake.

(Katherine made a deal with me that she would make smoothies if I finished this post so here goes) Kassie was also excited about the present that she helped pick out. (she actually spent the entire present expedition asking for 'a tiny purse just [her] size'. There is also another theme represented in these pictures. Anyone with a one-year-old boy will most likely spot it immediately. (Notice what Tommy is doing in the first few pictures with the objects he is holding??)

Yum . . . tastes . . . fuzzy!?

Katherine poses with her new posh purse, (Lee is such an outstanding husband, and has good taste to boot!)
Of course Tommy and Kassie wanted to ride the cement horse in the background. Both were well behaved during our time at the restaurant though which was refreshing albeit unexpected.

Tommy decided that he would cry during Katherine's birthday picture if he was denied his fuzz and rubber snack.


As you can tell Tommy really thinks fire is exciting, don't we all?

Kassie's Last Day

Kassie had her last day of preschool on Wednesday. There was a picnic at the park where she was able to say her goodbyes and play on the playground. Here she is with her teachers. They were absolutely wonderful!

Mother's Day at the Richardson's

On Saturday, we started off celebrating Mother's Day with a trip to the park. The weather was great and the kids were happy and excited to celebrate.

This isn't my favorite picture of me because my face says, "OOoo I think I'm little too big for this thing!". Although I think Kassie would appreciate it.

After the park, Lee began his food masterpiece, Sirloin Burgers with Balsamic Mayo, Mushrooms and Swiss Cheese!!!!!! Thanks to Rachael Ray!

With a little help from his assistant chef Kassie, things were ready to go.

There's nothing like sitting and relaxing when there's good food cooking!
Dinner couldn't be complete without a little crying. Lee made sure Tommy wasn't faking by stepping on him.

A little crying didn't matter because every one's mouths were soon filled with yummy, tasty hamburgers cooked by Lee!

What a day it was! I am thankful to be a mother!

Just Goofing Around!

Tommy is a funny kid. He loves to make people laugh.
I am envious of Kassie's hair. Her curls are perfect and the color is so unique. This picture is hilarious because she looks like a big poof-ball with all that curly hair, talk about a 70's hair style. I had just taken out her pony-tails so that's why her 'do is a little crazy. Even though her hair is pretty cool, Kassie tells me she wants hair like Rapunzel. Go figure, right?
With all the nice weather we have had, Kassie has been a little worn out.
But there's always room for some princess attitude!

Hocking Hills

This week we went to Hocking Hills with our friends the Meadows, Palmers, and Yeates. We rented a "cottage" for the night and enjoyed the outdoors. We went hiking, sat by the campfire, and made sure the kids didn't poke their eye out with a stick.

Here are the guys making "O-H-I-O".
Conkle's Hollow

Camping wouldn't be complete without marshmallows. I think each kid had more than their share.
Kassie wanted to be a helper with getting the fire started.

Tommy and Kassie are gathering sticks for the fire but Kassie wasn't too sure about Tommy's method.....swinging the sticks instead of putting them on the pile.
Tommy and his stick, what can I say? Except that little boys like sticks. Tommy was definitely in heaven with so many rocks and dirt to play with. We had to hose both of them down before they went to bed.

These are the Upper Fall's of Old Man's Cave. The waterfalls were so beautiful and the weather was absolutely perfect.
Kassie did a great job hiking. She might have said she was "just a little exhausted" at the end.

Kassie, Tommy, and Alyssa's highlight of the hike was of course throwing rocks in the water.
and more rocksWe had to rescue Tommy from walking right into the water more times than I care to admit. He absolutely-positively wanted to go for a swim and make himself comfortable by sitting right in the water.

Meg could be a hair model with pics like these!
Here is a family photo in front of one of the many waterfalls on the trail.

Our fun filled adventure finally came to an end. We had lots of fun.