GO CUBS GO

The season is finally here and the Hadzima's and Van Nuland's are ready! Hopefully Hell will freeze over this year... we can hope can't we?!?!?!?

The Great Pirate Ship Battle

While the boys were at G&G H's house with Jill they decided to have a Battle of the Pirates.

It is still undetermined who won the battle.

Not Much..

Not much has been going on with us. The boys have been at G&G H's house with Jill since Tuesday night and they return this afternoon. (Amy is in Florida taking a little vacation with her family and the whole Bay Port Baseball team.)

Steve and I haven't done much the two days the boys have been gone, which is nice! Steve had "boys night" Tuesday and I finally got to test out the new couch. It was fabulous! Last night Steve picked up wings from the Bar and we watched the movie Napoleon Dynamite. Yes, it has been a VERY long time since we watched a movie and Amy gave this one to me a few weeks ago so we thought we should return it to her soon.

So all in all that is what has been going on this week.

Yesterday I got the following email from Jill with the Subject line saying: "What I had for lunch"

Dash

I saw this on my friend Jill's blog and I thought it would be fun to do.

You Are a Dash

Your life is fast paced and varied. You are realistic, down to earth, and very honest. You're often busy doing something interesting, and what you do changes quickly. You have many facets to your personality, and you connect them together well. You have a ton of interests. While some of them are a bit offbeat, they all tie together well. You friends rely on you to bring novelty and excitement to their lives. (And while you're the most interesting person they know, they can't help feeling like they don't know you well.) You excel in: Anything to do with money You get along best with: the Exclamation Point

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Birthday Shout Out!

Happy Birthday to Denise!

We hope you are having a wonderful birthday in Finland and we miss you!

Birthday Party # 1

Jack had a fun filled birthday yesterday. He woke up and entered the living room to discover a Happy Birthday banner and tons of balloons. After Alex woke up Jack opened his presents from Dad and Mom and Alex. He got a Soccer ball and goal net. From Alex he got a V-Tech letter pad.

After opening the gifts and playing with them for a bit Jack had his favorite breakfast, pancakes and syrup. After breakfast we played some more and got tons of phone calls from family and friends. Then we made birthday cookies for the firefighters at Uncle Chad's station. Mr Man then got his favorite lunch from "Old McDonalds", chicken nuggets, apple dippers and a few french fries. Then it was off to take a nap.

After his nap we were off to the Doctors office for his 3 year check up which went fabulously, Jack is 34lbs and 38" tall. After his appointment we headed home to drop off Steve and Alex and we were off to feed the firefighters.

Jack was very excited about sharing his birthday cookies with the guys at the fire station and made sure to tell Uncle Chad to share them with the other firefighters. He had a blast walking around the fire station checking out the Engine truck, Ladder Truck and the Fire Boat. Unfortunately the Ambulance was out on a call and didn't return before we left.

When we got home Aunt Jen, Nick , Mya and G&G V were there. We ordered pizza and had birthday cake. Then if was time to open presents from everyone. He got a bug lantern, bug utility tools and a book from Aunt Jen and kids. G&G V got Jack a big boy bike. Everyone left after the kids where done playing and Jack and Alex were off to take a putz (bath) and the boys went down for the night.

Birthday party #2 this happening this Saturday with my family. Everyone is going to make it so all the kids are excited about seeing each other. It has been a while since all 7 of them where together so there will be more Birthday stories to come!

The best saying Jack had yesterday was "I grew up today.... I am three!"

Birthday Banner

Being put to work washing windows

Opening Presents

More Presents

GOAL!!!!!

Did I do this before or after the cookies where done?!

Jack and his Birthday Flag

Check out my Fire Ax

Grandpa V and the kids

Mr Man and his cake

Blow that candle out!

Grandma V, Jen and Nick

More presents

Check out my bike!

Who says you have to be walking to ride this thing?!

The Bunny Arrived!!!

The Easter Bunny made it to the Van Nuland house this year. Jack was pumped looking for the Easter Eggs and found them all before Alex had an interest. (Next year should be interesting!!) After finding the eggs it was off to find their baskets. Later on during the day we made a trip to Kaukauna to visit G&G V and the Voster clan and headed back to GB around bedtime.

See Mom, I can get it

Check out my egg!

Silly bunny put Jack's basket in the tub.

Here Alex, here is your basket under the computer desk.

Do they look pleased with their findings?!

Amy's Big Night

My friend (and the boys daycare provider) Amy joined St Agnes Parish and the church on Holy Saturday. She decided to join the church a while back and took classes for a few months and on Saturday she was Baptized and Confirmed. Amy asked me to be her Sponsor (aka: Godmother) and I of course was honored and said yes. It was a great ceremony and Amy did a fantastic job standing in front of the church getting dosed with Holy Water and smeared with oil. Welcome Amy and we will see you at church!

Amy being Baptized

Father Getchel and Deacon Jim Welcoming Amy

Amy and her Mom Angela

Amy and me

Jack Meets the Dentist

Thursday Jack had his first Dentist appointment. He was very excited about the appointment all day and told his friends at Amy's that he was going. On the drive to the Dentist Jack kept telling me that he was going to get a toothbrush, sticker and a treat. He did a terrific job, the only thing he had a problem with was sitting in the big chair. He wanted to sit in the waiting chair instead. Kim (the dental hygienist) was great with him and asked him to show her how he brushes his teeth. Then when he was done she asked if she could also brush them. Kim then asked if she could floss his teeth and he said she could. Then Dr Anne came in and took a look and said everything looks great and told Jack he would get a prize out of the treasure chest.

Jack in the waiting room

Showing Kim how he brushes his teeth

Kim flossing Jack's teeth

Jack with Kim, Dr Anne and Mom

Happy 3rd Birthday Mr Man!

Mr Man turned 3 today! It is completely unbelievable how fast the time goes by. I can still remember every second of the day he was born. Here are some pictures of Mr Man from the past 3 years.

Alex and Dad's weekend at home

While Jen and Jack took a road trip to Neillsville, Alex and I had a nice weekend at home! Saturday afternoon Alex helped me run a couple errands and then we just hung out at home. Alex was having a blast chasing me around the house in his walker and pulling himself up on EVERYTHING! He has no fear and he wants you to hold his fingers while he walks around the house. This is fun for about 10 minutes, then my back is killing, so we had to stop. His other favorite thing this weekend was to climb in the entertainment center. He pulls himself up, opens the doors and tries to crawl in. It was fun for him until he realized he could not get back out...poor little dude!

Sunday I felt brave and took him to Palm Sunday mass, which lasted 1 1/2 hours. Despite it being very long, Alex did surprisingly well thanks to plenty of toys and snacks. It also helped that I was sitting by friends, so they took turns holding him and helping to keep him entertained. After the long mass, he feel asleep before we got out of the parking lot.



Since he was sleeping so soundly, I decided to drive down to Kaukauna to visit G & G Van Nuland and to help my Mom house-hunt for my sister, who is moving back to WI in June. House hunting is much more enjoyable when you are spending someone else's money! After an uneventful search, we went back to G & G's house so Alex could play with Grandpa for a while before heading back home.

I think Alex played very hard this weekend because after eating dinner he was ready for bed. I was not about to let that happen since it was only 5:30, luckily I was able to hold him off until 7:00...then it was bedtime. Once we has asleep I quickly picked up the house and waited for Jen and Jack to get home...

Crazy Kids

Here are some photos of the kids from last week.

Here is Jack with Flat Stan for Nick's school project at Lambeau Field.

Isn't this how you use a walker?

A new bedtime ritual.

The boys before we took a walk Thursday after work.

Aren't we cute?!

Jack and Mom's Road Trip

Jack and I had a fantastic weekend at G&G H's this weekend. The morning started off with me hitting the Y at 6am. After I got home Steve headed off for his workout. While the boys and I were playing the new owners showed up to pick up the old couch. Luckily Steve got home right when they were backing the trailer into the driveway. So as soon as they loaded the couch I jumped into the shower and I was off to my hair appointment. An hour and a half later Jack and I were on the road.

The drive went really fast and Jack slept for about 45 minutes of the drive. Once we arrived he was on a mission to do everything possible that he could think of. First he had to bring the toys upstairs and then he helped Grandma make mashed potato's.



After cooking with Grandma he was off being attached to Grandpa's hip. A bit after dinner Grandma and I made a trip to Greenwood to church and when we returned home at 9:15pm Jack was still up and roaring to go. Around 9:30 Jack announced he wanted to sleep downstairs, and we made our way down. After saying our prayers and talking about what he all did that day he was out cold... as was I.

Sunday was another fun filled day for Jack. He helped Grandma make Great Grandma's pancakes.


The final product

Add syrup, roll and eat (yummy)

(Photo's added to make Suellyn jealous.... are ya?!)

After breakfast Jack and Grandpa went and picked a bucket full of rocks and proceeded to take a wagon ride to the bridge to throw the rocks into the river. (This is something my father has done with all his grandchildren. They all or most of them love doing this. They get a kick out of how much of a splash they can make when the rocks hits the water.) Jack came back and announced that the river was still frozen and there were no big splashes.

After playing outside, Jack helped Grandma tenderize the round steak for dinner. He was having way too much fun with that mallet!



So after beating the meat we were off to color Easter eggs.

Look mom I made that egg go SPLASH!

Check out that egg!

After coloring eggs we (Jack and I) went downstairs to take a nap, yes I took one too. One and a half hours later Grandpa came downstairs to wake us up. (Oops)

After dinner and packing the Pilot up we were on the road back to Green Bay around 6:50pm. Jack was determined to stay awake the whole way home but finally after an hour and 45 minutes he passed out. We arrived home around 9:30 and tucked Jack into bed, unpacked the Pilot and went to bed myself.