Great Wolf Lodge

We spent a couple days over spring break at Great Wolf Lodge.  The kids had been to the one out in Kansas City several times, so it was fun to check a new one out closer to Roanoke this time.

The girls especially enjoyed story time each night.

They got to meet Wiley and Violet after the story one night.

And of course goofy pictures were necessary.

The next day they got their faces painted, and they decorated their wolf ears at the kids' center.

And they got to meet Oliver and Brinley that night.

Happy Haircut!

It's that time of year - Cole got his annual summer cut - at least the first of many for the summer.

This was the longest his hair had ever gotten, so it was a major cut.

Looking smooth!

Happy Easter!

Easter is such a joyous day to celebrate - remembering that Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death, hell, and the grave is a wonderful truth in which Christians delight.

Because it's such a special day, it's also fun to dress up a little more for church and celebrate His resurrection with others.  Here the kids are in their best attire - this was the first Sunday that Cole has worn a tie since we've been in Roanoke!

So thankful we got a good family picture.

And after church we enjoyed eating and having an egg hunt with friends.  So silly!

Happy Easter, everyone.  He is risen indeed!

What's up with Cole...

Cole has had a busy week...

First, he started t-ball this week.  He is so excited to finally get to play on a team and have some games!

And he's been working all week on learning Mother Goose rhymes at school.

Today all the kindergarteners presented their nursery rhymes to the parents.

Cole chose Humpty Dumpty, and he did a great job memorizing and reciting it.

Look at that great sad face when he said Humpty couldn't be put back together again.

Cole was very pleased when he was done.  He was so much fun to watch!

Lots of construction

The church has finally started the building process, though right now the only thing that has happened is the delivery of massive amounts of dirt to the building site.

The kids have gone out to the dirt pile twice now, both times climbing up and sliding down, getting thoroughly filthy!

Cole seems to be posing as King of the Mountain here - and of course he wanted to climb on the bulldozer.

Hopefully there will be many more chances to go and explore the building site - the construction crew may get sick of seeing us eventually!

In this picture you can see the church office in the background.  We were all up on top of the dirt pile.

Meanwhile at home Cole did some construction of his own.  

Cole has a tool collection, but until now he didn't have a big enough tool box to hold his saw, hatchet, and other tools.

So Penny and Cole built a toolbox together - it turned out great!

Visitors from St. Louis

We had two families drive out from St. Louis to visit us this weekend.  They had a long break from school, and we had a new city to show them, and it was so fun.

We took them up to the Roanoke Star (a must-see in Roanoke).

They came and watched Mead and Cole play indoor soccer.  (Incidentally Cole scored one goal and Mead scored 5 goals in this game!)

And we went for a hike on the Appalachian Trail.

Cole was doted on all weekend!  He loved having his pals to hang out with again.

And we're off on the hike!

Campbell has an amazing dad, willing to carry her up to the top of Sawtooth Ridge!

Climbing on rocks up at the top - every kid's joy.

Loved my little hiking buddy!

And we all cleaned up nicely for church on Sunday.

Loved having everyone with us.

Lots of great food and conversation.

Lots of laughter and playing.

Until next time...