Take me out to the ballgame...and me and me!

Well, that's just what Keith and I did with the kids about a week ago. The Greenvile Drive is a farm team for the Boston Red Sox (of course we cheer for the Indians), but it's a lot of fun going downtown and seeing some baseball. It's a really nice stadium, not a bad seat in the house, and they always have fun things for the kids to do/watch between innings. They even have a grassy area for families to sit and an enclosed playground. Last time we ventured out to a game we had to leave early because Kaleb cried every time the fans yelled, clapped their hands, cannons went off for a home run, etc. Needless to say, it was not fun for anyone! It's been over a year since we went to a game and figured we'd try it again. Well, this time Kaleb loved it:) There was no crying or covering his ears and he even yelled go team! Kassidy was VERY into the game and wanted to know everything about baseball...talk about a lot of questions! Good thing Keith was there so there were two of us to answer her.

This guy in the picture below was hilarious!!! He is the mascot for the baseball hall of fame and was visiting us this night. His name is Reggie and Kassidy still talks about him:) He would do really funny things like go up to the first base coach and kick him, leap frog over him, smell his behind and then fall down...very funny! The second pic below shows another funny moment. Reggie brought out this inflatable monkey (at first it wasn't inflated) then took the monkeys banana and made the monkey magically walk and dance and jump. The kids got a kick out of this one and wondered how he made the monkey do those things! Of course there was a person inside the monkey but they didn't figure it out.

Of course it wouldn't be a baseball game without yummy snacks! You can see Kassidy just loved her cotton candy! And Kaleb actually had a little bit then licked the rest off of his fingers. For you who know how picky he is we were both suprised by this:)

The game started at 7 and we managed to keep the kids attention until about 9. They were pretty worn out from not having naps but were real troopers. When we're out late with the kids Keith and I always have a bet who will fall asleep first and how long it will take them to fall asleep. Well, this time I won because I said Kassidy would fall asleep first and fall asleep within 5 min. Keith actually was a very close second because Kaleb fell asleep just minutes after that and so did Karson! Makes bedtime much easier:)


And just a cute pic I snapped recently...

Easter

Well, this year we had Grandma and Grandpa Montemagno from Ohio and Aunt Beth Ann from Vegas visiting us. It was so great to have family around and see the kids having so much fun:) They really do miss all our family that's out of town. We started off the weekend coloring eggs. It never takes as long as I think it will. Amazing how fast 3 dozen eggs get colored! Beth Ann and I had to show off our coloring skills and do a few eggs half and half with 2 colors...the kids were really impressed:)






Grandma was busy most of the day cooking all of our delicious food for the next day. Those of you who know me well know that I do not cook nice home cooked meals very often, especially for lots of people! I was so glad Grandma was there to help!!! Everything was super delicious! While Grandma cooked and Beth Ann and I helped with the egg coloring, Keith let Grandpa try out the Wii...he was actually pretty good at bowling!

Grandma hard at work

Kassidy with her new monkey from Aunt Beth Ann...her favorite color!

The kids new sunglasses...Kaleb insisted on wearing them almost all day long! Even inside the house to eat and watch TV!!

While the guys golfed Sunday morning, the ladies were busy getting things ready for dinner and entertaining the kiddos. I of course had to get some cute pics of the kids while they were all dressed up and happy...we all know how quickly little ones moods can change:)
The model posing!
Playing peek a boo with the pillow

After dinner (early dinner, actually more like a late lunch) my sister Kelly and her clan came over for the big easter egg hunt. The kids were SO excited and ran out to the backyard searching all over. Alex, Evan, and Kassidy had strict orders to leave the 'easy' ones for the younger kids and only find the 'hard' ones. Alex and Evan were up for the challenge and did very well finding all of our tricky ones...up in trees, in a birdhouse, on the playset, even on top of the light. Kassidy was not as outgoing and decided to find the easy ones with Kaleb and Sara.

Evan and Alex

Sara

Evan

Showing off their eggs

Donnie during the egg hunt...fast asleep with the baby!

Grandma and Grandpa Monte

Picture time!!!

The 4 of us girls...we haven't had a pic like this since Kassidy's first Christmas...she was only 10 months!!!

Mom and kids:) Love this one!Aunt Beth Ann...she says their favorite aunt!!! (I know a few aunts who would argue her for that title:) )

Karson's first Easter!!! He slept most of the day so unfortunately we didn't grab a lot of pics.

All in all it was a very good Easter!!! The kids were so thankful for their baskets, candy, bubbles, stickers, money, toys, etc. They still have fun hiding and searching for eggs in the house:) Thanks to all the grandparents for making it such a special day for them. We love you lots!!!!!

Update on my dad

I just wanted to fill everyone in on my dad. He's fighting soft tissue sarcoma that's metasticized to his lungs. He completed two very strong rounds of chemo and the tumors are still there, no smaller and actually bigger. He's decided to participate in a clinical trial but has to have a consultation first to get all the details and make sure he's a good candidate. I will keep everyone updated after his consultation and hopefully have more details as to when treatment will be, how long it will last, etc. Please pray that my dad continues to fight as hard as he can, keeps the will and determination to fight, stays close to the Lord and leans on Him for strength, understanding, and wisdom, that the tumors will shrink with the new treatment, that he stays healthy without any symptoms, and for the purpose of this whole situation to be revealed to my dad. We all know God is powerful and can heal my dad and know in our hearts that He will, it's just so hard to be patient!

Karson is one month old:)

Boy, is Karson growing fast! He's now 9 lbs 11.5 oz and 22 in (at birth he was 7lbs 14 oz and 20 in). His thighs have some fat on them, he's just starting to get a belly, and his cheeks are getting chubby! He has pretty much outgrown his newborn outfits, he's just too long now, and has moved on to 0-3 month clothes. Even some of his hats are too small! Kassidy just loves picking out his outfit every morning, such a big helper. She always has to have matching socks, too. Karson is a really good sleeper, especially during the night. Lately he's been getting his last feeding at 10pm, to bed by 11, up between 5 and 6 to eat, then back to bed til 8 or 9. During the day he does nap after each feeding but not in the crib yet. He fusses a lot before he falls asleep so it's more convenient having him close to me in the bouncy, swing, or pack n play downstairs. Eventually I'd like to get him napping during the day in his crib but I'm in no rush. A few days a week he has to take some naps in his carseat when I drop off and pick up the kids from school and luckily he just LOVES his carseat!!!

See the chubby cheeks?

Karson really went through a growth spurt last week. For a few days in a row he would cry and cry after every feeding. When I figured out he was still hungry and gave him a bottle he sucked down another 1-2 oz real fast! Kassidy just loved helping feed him a bottle those few days and asks when he'll take more bottles so she can feed him again:) It was great having some help!

Karson is staying awake more now after feedings, still not a whole lot, but is getting some tummy time and time on his activity mat. He even manages to bat at the toys hanging above him sometimes! Probably just by accident but at least he's moving around. He still rolls over from his tummy to back. He gets one arm under him real far which moves him to his side, then he kicks real hard and flips on over. The kids just love watching him do it and cheer him on:) Karson really is a strong boy...he holds his head really well now. I can hold him under his armpits kind of sitting up on my knees and I don't even have to hold his head!

Tummy time...look how far he can lift his head!

The kids and I went to Aunt Kelly's house to hang out for the day. It was a great break from our house and the same toys every day. Kassidy and Kaleb really needed a break from our routine and time to run and play outside. They had a great time with their cousins Alex, Evan, and Sara. They were all excited for Easter (a week early) so had a practice egg hunt outside. It was cute watching them run to find all the eggs! Then they headed to the cul-de-sac for bike riding, had a cookie/water break, then all decided to "sun" for awhile on the grass. The boys took their shirts off because they were just so hot and I'm sure you can guess who joined them...Kassidy! She didn't hesitate to take off her shirt too and was not at all embarasses around all the boys. (Someday I'll have to teach her about being modest).

Sara and Karson

Evan and Karson

Kassidy is really into taking pictures lately and since I have hardly any pics holding Karson I decided why not let her try to take one of the two of us. So, this is what she ended up taking...not too bad!

Kaleb has been so gentle with his little brother. I was a little nervous at first because he would just kiss Karson's head so much and rub his head against Karson's, but he actually has settled down a bit lately. He still loves to give kisses but they're much softer. The other night he layed next to Karson and started singing him a song. It was so sweet! He tells Karson all the time that he loves him so much and that he's so cute:)
Keith's sister, Beth Ann, came all the way from Las Vegas to visit over this past weekend. It was SO great to see her!!! Of course the kiddos loved seeing her too, and jumping all over her on the couch. Can you tell that Kassidy and Beth Ann look a lot alike?

Well, I managed to survive last week with all 3 kiddos without my husband (he was in Vegas for work). It was crazy at times and I was tired for sure but it went pretty well! The hardest part was getting everyone up and ready in the morning, including myself, and off to school by 9am. But we did it and weren't late to school even one day.

I think it's appropriate to leave you all with this pic of Karson because it is very true, I do adore him:):):) What could be more precious than this handsome little guy?