Oddities
Elephants in our neighborhood (really!) on their way to the circus downtown.
The climbing gear finally getting some use - Eric fixing roof damage from pesky racoons. Finally, we always know what season it is or what holiday is coming up based on the costumes on our neighbors geese. Can't wait for the pool to open!

Ohiopyle, PA and Fallingwater


More to come, but after an awesome weekend with a self-imposed computer ban, I need to write 2 exams and figure out a few lectures.

Car Rides


We have spent a lot of time in the car recently - a spring break to Amish country (planned) and a weekend trip to DC (unplanned). Cadie seems to enjoy going places as evidenced by the full tantrum she threw when we pulled into the garage this evening. "No Cadie's home!"

With a little help from my friends
My camera's memory card is full and rather than organize, download, and delete I'm ignoring the problem and relying on friends to take photos for me. Here are some recent great ones:
Playgroup at the park this week with 80 degree weather (from friend Amber):

Out to dinner a few weeks ago with freezing weather: Cadie wishing for warmer weather with her swim suit on top of her clothes (from sister Paige):

I'm teaching 2 classes this term and unfortunately they are on opposite days so I am on campus every afternoon M-F. The great thing about this term is that both Eric and I are only teaching classes that we have already taught - things are so much easier the second time around. We just finished week 1 but the stress level around our home is much lower than last term.
C's vocab is growing exponentially (finally!). I love the funny things that come out of her mouth. Today: (while inspecting her straight arm) "Mom, where elbow go?" and then bending her arm to get a better look: "Oh - hi elbow!"

Spring and Such

This isn't the greatest photo but I don't want to look at the snow pictures anymore. Something happened in Columbus a couple of week ago and we went from freezing weather to flowers. I don't ever want to go back. Ok maybe next year but right now I'm trying to soak up the rays any chance I get.
This week is spring break but not really, next week the maddness begins anew. Eric and I are spending the week in preparation for next term.
On a happy note, we signed up for a community garden plot again and have been planning our veggies. Yum yum. I love summer.

Snow and Such
We had to play in the snow at first while it was all new and pretty but now I just want it gone. In the meantime, we've tried to come up with creative indoor activities.
Here is my snow angel - notice the corduroy pants and rain boots. I avoided buying snow clothes for Cadie this year in hopes that we wouldn't need them.




I love this picture, Cadie and Eric wearing their baby carriers.


Eric and I went to the Columbus Blue Jackets game Friday night. It was my first professional hockey game. There were some similarities to the high school and college (USU) games that I've been to - mainly the exact same music was still blasted and the occasional punches were thrown. Overall the Blue Jackets were much more exciting to watch especially with a goal at the first 22 seconds and two more within 3 minutes. One weird thing (to me at least) was the man playing the organ. I expected Brewmeister Smith to pop out somewhere.

Last night's bedtime stall tactic

After all the kisses, hugs, songs, stories, etc. as I was walking out of her room:
CADIE: Mama?
E: Yes?
C: Dee-dee baby bum?
E: Yes, Cadie you have a little bum.
C: Mama whoa bum?
E: Thank you, Cadie, yes I have a big bum.
C: night-night mama.

I think this came from a bathroom conversation earlier when I was explaining that she needed to sit on the kiddy insert for the toilet or she might fall through...

Goings on
We have kept ourselves busy lately. Eric and I are both teaching this term and my sister Paige has moved in with us to help watch Cadie. This little girl has grown up so much in the past few months. It seems she learns something new each day. My recent favorite: I asked her to hold my hand as we walked through a parking lot and she replied "Cadie's self," and held her own hand as we walked.