Update

Phew what a week. I'll basically let the photos tell the story.

Thursday night at Jeffrey's baseball practice. Annmarie got some needed one on one attention. So we worked on basketball skills. 

Friday morning Chris and I headed to Iowa to find a home. It was initially supposed to be just Chris but tuesday (3 days before) I decided to just look at prices and I found a round trip ticket same flights etc for 300!!! miracle #528,643.

After looking at a few houses (12-15) we both liked a different one. After talking with each other, Chris's boss, and then re-looking this will be our new home. We hope to close the week before Memorial day and then move in the following week. 

After a very very bumpy, long, delayed flights home I mowed the lawn the following day and loved watching Henry run in and out of the house. 

Henry was more excited to see Annmarie than me. I guess I should be happy he loves his sister.

Monday night Will had a game. He got to pitch. Wow being a parent watching your kid do that is . . . a bit nerve wracking. He did great. I was so proud of him. I only wish I had a better camera with me. 

Annmarie was "sick" last week, but she seemed much better in the mid day so we went for a bike ride. This is Jed's favorite park. This swing makes him so sick.

riding a bike was not Jed's favorite. After I told him we were going (I was pushing Henry in a stroller) he finally remembered how to ride his bike. 

last wed Chris and I got to do something I have been dreaming of doing for a while. We ran The Mall. It was great! a bit windy, and chilly but I loved doing this. I have a new goal to run in every state. I've got a bunch to go, and no running in an airport doesn't count :)

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Overall it has been a wonderful week. Chris takes his first final tonight. He has 3. We are so proud of him and cannot wait to begin our next adventure.

ten on tuesday

1. first we will start with the miracle of the day. Chris leaves Friday to go house hunting in Iowa. I decided to look on southwest just to see how expensive the tickets were. round trip for 300! 4 days before. I scrambled and found a few kind wonderful soles who will be watching my kids so I get to house hunt with Chris. Oh what huge blessings these are. 

2. During spring break we went downtown one day. The scaffolding was finally off the Washington Monument. It opens in a few weeks and I am excited to go back and take the kids.

3. Henry makes us laugh. Not sure how he figure this out but he played this way for a good 5 min.

4. I used scissors in my boys hair! Will wishes I left more length. I wish I cut more off. 

5. Love Henry's legs. 

6. Henry got his own ice cream out and his own knife? 

7. While at the Cardinals and Nationals game Chris and Boys were standing along the outfield fence next to the foul pole.  Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals picked up an errant ball hit into the outfield.  He then looked up into the stands directly at Jeffrey who was wearing his little league Chicago Cubs hat.  Jeffrey who was watching the outfielders did not notice this.  When Matt finally got his attention he said to Jeffrey, "If I give you this ball do you promise to get rid of that Cubs hat and buy a Cardinals hat, and make me your favorite player?"  Jeffrey of course nodded in the affirmative.  Matt then threw him the ball which Jeff caught in his glove.  Jeffrey immediately took off the Cubs hat and yelled, "Thank you."  Matt replied, "You Promised" and gave a thumbs up to Jeff.   

8. Our first fire of the year. Oh how I love fires. The kids had a blast too. 

9. If there ever was a photo that caught Jed's true face this is it. I love him but some days are harder than others

10. Henry painted a blue beard on half of his face.
"He's an Artist"

Ten on Tuesday

1. Chris and I got to go to the temple (TOGETHER!) with his mom as well. It was wonderful. I wish it was easier to get to the temple. 

2. The kids started spring break by picking up Grandma Carmen up at the airport. They were all so excited to see her. Hope she survives the week. 

3. Chris and I also got to go on a run together. It was wonderful with this wonderful view.

4. I have never been a nature photo person but there are way too many beautiful things here not to share. 

you cannot really tell but there was a beautiful fog across the top of the hill. With the sun. It was beautiful, this photo is such poor quality.

I love how beautiful the blossoms and leaves look together. I cannot breathe but I love spring here!

5. No baseball this week, thanks to spring break and rain.

6. We have started looking at homes for us to live in Algona. Since it is a small town, the selections are not lots but we are hoping the one best for us will open up. 

7. I have mopped (with a sponge on my hands and knees) our kitchen floor 4 times in 5 days. I said this and then Will says. So you got a break one day? Oh man that kid.

8. On Wednesday I got to have lunch in old town Alexandra with a good friend. It was so nice to catch up and I was thankful for a does of the "real" world. A view from our walk.

9. I bought Lucky charms this week. Wow it seems eating this cereal is genetic. 

 10. What happened when I went for a run one morning. Hey he was happy right?

 11. Best quote of the week

bonus 12!

The kids were wrestling (tickling and tackling) with Chris on our bed. This is how it ended. 

Ten on Tuesday

1. Baseball. This will most likely be on lots of our past up coming. Saturday was crazy!!! first there was a parade, which lasted a long time after the parade. Then each team had photos 30 min before their games started. then they had games. simple enough right. Well no not really, when games and photos don't start on time, and more than 1 child has a game at the same time. We survived. Although there were no photos of Will. I hope to fix that tonight at his game. 

Will - Pirates

Jeffrey - Cubs

Jed -Team Storm

The others cheering on the boys for the parade.

2. Jeffrey's first hit! The ball is on the left of the photo just below the cubs banner.

love his face here

3. Jed - he actually got an out (the kid still stayed on the base). It was a t-ball miracle.

4. We are FINALLY spending more time outside.

5. Henry loves this blanket and to touch ears. This was a tender moment for me. 

6. After a long day I made homemade hot fudge. Oh it made life great!

7. After taking something to Chris yesterday, I got a quick photo of some of the blossoms. Oh so beautiful!

8. Friday Jed got an upper GI scope. I think this was his 4th time? He was so adorable. The man who was admitting him laughed and laughed. Jed was telling him everything that would be happening that day and the following. He was going to ride the metro, go to the Nationals home opener, then there was a parade and baseball games. The guy (about 60) couldn't believe that I had 5 kids. He said "no way" at least 5 times. Then he told me I was beautiful. Oh I needed that. I had a huge smile on my face from him kindness.

While Jed and I were at the hospital Chris put Henry to work :)

The rest of Jed's day!

a bit excited for the metro

At the stadium

My favorite photo of these 2 ever!

Chris sent me photos from his phone so here are some from when we went to the Air and Space museum

9. I'm doing a photo challenge and used this of myself today. See I still exist and I am not just the "man behind the curtain."

10. It has warmed up and we can play at the park!!!! Oh I'm in heaven, so is Henry