Take Me Out To The Ball Game

We knew that before we left Toledo we had to go to one last Mudhens game. On Thursday night we headed for the ballpark hoping that it wouldn't rain. We have been in Toledo for almost 4 years and had yet to try the famous Tony Packo's and Ryan couldn't leave until he had one of their famous hot dogs and some fried pickles. So before the game we decided to try it out. The verdict was 2 thumbs up!
The game was So much fun!! There was no rain and the kids loved it! Macie made new friends with everyone around us and Jack loved to watch all the foul balls fly super high in the air.

Check out the photography! I just wanted to get an action shot and it turned out that this hit was a home-run!

The game went into extra innings but the kids had had it so we had to leave before the end of the game. Unfortunately the Mudhens lost but it was a great game and we had a lot of fun!

Detroit Temple

We were lucky enough last night to make a final trip to the Detroit Temple. We dropped the kids off at our friends, the Eckel's and headed up to Detroit. Unfortunately we forgot that in Michigan they like to do construction on all of their roads at the same time. But fortunately for us we made it to the temple with plenty of time to spare. There is something special about the smaller temples and it was great to be able to go one last time. So the temple was great but as soon as we got in the car and headed for home the real fun began. We found out that not only do they close roads but they like to close the on-ramps to the freeway----ALL of them! Despite all the Michigan lefts and closed roads we were still able to find our way home. The babysitting report wasn't much better. Usually our kids are good sleepers but they must have been completely thrown off being in a different place because Jack was still awake when we got home at MIDNIGHT!! And Macie screamed every time they tried to lay her down! But of course as soon as we picked them up and put them in the car they both crashed hard.

What we learned from this is that things rarely go as you plan.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!

On Saturday, Jack had his last soccer game of the season. It has been great especially considering this was his first year playing. We would have liked to have seen him be a little more aggressive at times. Jack was often found running in the wrong direction with his eyes closed and a big smile on his face. But he definitely had fun, and that really is what we wanted the most. We had so much fun watching Jack and his teammates chase the ball and sometimes score a few goals. Can't wait until next year!

Half-way through the season, Jack scored his first goal. He dribbled the ball around 3 defenders (which is pretty impressive since there's only 4 on the field at a time), took his aim, and fired a perfect strike into the upper-left corner of the goal. Well, not really. As you can see in the picture there's not really any "corners" in the goals. But for Candace and me, it might as well have been the world cup. We both jumped up in the air with our arms up in celebration. I don't think I've ever been so excited. I seriously had to stop myself from crying. After the game Jack asked me why I was jumping up and down during the game. I guess I'm going to have to teach him how to celebrate - just a little.

Jack in action - and in his own little world. Which is where he spent most of the time while he was playing. During the off-season I was thinking we might work on keeping our eyes on the ball, but first we're going to have to master keeping our eyes open.

Jack with some of his teammates and his coach. If Jack looks a little small, it's because he is. The soccer league is for 4 and 5 year-olds, and Jack turned 4 just after the deadline. But I guess he needs to get used to playing with kids that are a little older than him.

After the final game, Jack got his first trophy. He was so excited and is still very proud of it. He can't wait to put his trophy on the shelf in his new room after we move.

Great Trip!

With our time running out here in Ohio we decided that we really wanted to do a mini church history trip. We headed to Kirtland and Hiram on Tuesday, Palmyra on Wednesday and Niagara Falls on Thursday. Thanks to Laney and Taylor for letting us crash at their place in Buffalo. On our way home we stopped off in Erie,PA and visited with Ryan's best friend from high school. Here are some pictures of the highlights of our trip.

The John Johnson farm in Hiram, Ohio. There were some amazing events that happened here. The steps we are standing on are the original steps where the Prophet Joseph Smith preached after being tarred and feathered.

The kids were little troopers. Their sleep schedule was completely out of wack. They spent a ton of time in the car--just over 18 hours according to mapquest. All I have to say is that we are lucky to have two great kids that travel so well. I just hope they keep it up for the drive to Utah.
The Sacred Grove was amazing. Macie was so exhausted! As soon as we entered the grove she was out. It was so nice and peaceful to walk through the grove without worrying about keeping Macie entertained and from wandering off the path. We were able to spend about 30 minutes walking through the grove.

Jack was so sweet. As we were walking through the Sacred Grove he would ask us where Heavenly Father and Jesus were and as we left he was concerned because we had not seen Them. I love the questions and comments that this sweet little boy has. He truly has an amazing spirit.

Visitors Center at the Hill Cumorah

Jack at the top of the Hill Cumorah

The Peter Whitmer Farm where the Church was organized.

Jack was so excited to see Niagara Falls. I think this was the highlight of the trip for him.

Jack loved the beach! It was so good to see him playing at the beach. The last time we were at the beach Jack freaked out having stuff in between his toes. But now he can't wait to go back.

At the beach in Erie with the Call's. It was really great to see them.

It's Official

Thursday was a big day for us. We are now home owners! We closed on our house on Thursday and it is now officially ours. We are so excited to move into our 1st home. It is hard to believe that the end of medical school is already here and we are getting ready to move on. And on that note I want to congratulate Ryan--he finished his last rotation on Thursday also. He is now officially finished with med school and now all we are waiting for graduation on June 5th.

What else have we been doing?

Jack has a new love---golf. He loves to play golf on the wii and Ryan has taken him to the driving range a couple of times and Jack absolutely loves it. For family night last week we went miniature golfing for the first time and now I am sure it will not be the last.

One thing that we are really going to miss about Toledo is the zoo. Today we went to the zoo and we realized that it may be the last time that we go to the zoo here---sad!

It is so much fun to watch Jack and Macie interact with each other. They love to be outside and they love to play together.
I have been meaning to post about soccer for a long time but I'm slow. Jack started playing soccer this year. It is so much fun to watch a bunch of 4 year olds play soccer. Jack is in his own little world most the time but when he does get to kick the ball he gets an instant smile and the look of pure joy takes over his face. Look forward to an entire post of Jack playing soccer in the near future.
It has been so great to have Ryan around more. As soon as he walks in the door Jack and Macie go running for him and give him the best hugs. Ryan loves to read to the kids---Jack loves it and will read story after story. Macie on the other hand will only sit through a couple pages but she is slowly getting better at paying attention to the stories.

Happy Mother's Day

So my post is late. We might as well point out one more thing where I cannot keep up with Candace. We did indeed celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, and from what I observed it was a good one. On Saturday I asked Jack if he wanted to go to the flowers store to get Mom some flowers. He agreed and then subsequently went and asked Mom if she wanted to go to the flower store too. Failed attempt at surprise #1.


The kids and I let Candace sleep in on Sunday, and later took her breakfast in bed. Omelets are always the entree of choice when eating breakfast in bed. It only took me three tries to produce an omelet I felt comfortable serving to Candace. Lucky for me, Jack and Macie didn't care that the first one was burned and the second was too runny. We spent considerable effort trying to wrestle Macie away from Mom's omelet. And Jack thought bouncing on the bed would only add to the excitement of our celebration. So breakfast in bed - sort-of a surprise.


After breakfast we took our time getting ready for church. We had an enjoyable sacrament meeting and then played in the nursery for a couple of hours. (Sorry to all the mothers of the nursery kids - we forgot to do a Mother's Day craft) Failure to attempt surprise.

Earlier in the morning I prepared a pork roast with vegetables. When I say prepared, I mean I bought a prepackaged roast with cut vegetables which also included a seasoning packet. The only "preparing" I did was open the package and dump the contents into the crock-pot and add a cup of water. The result, however, was quite good. Candace seemed very pleased with the dinner which was really bonus points for me. My goal was simply to not have Candace prepare dinner and to somehow make something edible. What I will give myself points on is the strawberry shortcake we had for dessert. I think Candace was very impressed. Mission accomplished.

After dinner we opened some gifts, talked to our moms, and got the kids in bed. Later, Candace subtly told me she had hoped I would do a Mother's Day post on the blog. I responded that I had been planning on doing exactly that all along. I then thanked her for ruining the surprise. She probably didn't believe me, especially since I haven't come through on my "plan" until now - late Tuesday night. But Candace is already asleep and doesn't know I'm doing this. So hopefully tomorrow there will be one more SURPRISE!!!

I'll finish by telling just two things that I love about Candace. First of all, I love the way she takes care of Jack and Macie. I know that sometimes it is really hard, and she does an amazing job. They absolutely adore their mother, and I do too. Secondly, Candace is one of the most unselfish people I know. She is so devoted to me and our family, to her faith, and to her friends. I often times have to force her to take time for herself because all she does is put others before herself. She is a constant example to me of showing people we care about them through our actions. Thank you, Candace for everything you do.

trapped inside...again!

It has been so nice outside the past few days and we have loved getting outside and enjoying the beautiful spring weather. We have been able to go to the zoo and to the parks. The kids do so much better when we are able to be outside. Well there has been some kind of virus or something going around here but our family has been lucky enough not to have caught it...until yesterday. Yesterday Jack woke up and was complaining that his tummy hurt but that was it--no other complaints. He seemed to be feeling fine so we headed to play group and he acted totally fine. Once we got home he was acting really tired and didn't want to eat. I tried to put him down for an early nap but that didn't work. I heard him whining and so I walked in just in time for him to empty his stomach all over my bed and all over himself. I felt so bad for him, he was trying to catch it with his hands. Needless to say the remainder of my day was spent washing everything and trying to keep Macie away from Jack. Luckily that was the worst of it. He slept pretty good last night but he did wake up dry-heaving plenty of times this morning. The poor kid hasn't eaten much of anything for 2 days and he doesn't have much weight to spare. Now I am just hoping that Macie doesn't get it and that we can be outside again soon.