Pokagon State Park...

The kids and I, along with Grandpa Chuck, Grandma Deb and my little sis Maddy, went on a road trip today to Pokagon State Park. I think it took us about an hour and twenty minutes to get there from Warsaw. The kids really enjoyed the Toboggan run but not so much the waiting and line. It is the last weekend of the season and it was VERY busy. We had to wait about an hour just to get a couple toboggans and then about 30 minutes of standing in line each time. They only went down twice and then we were off to lunch at Pizza King:) The run is pretty fast, going 30-40 miles per hour. We rode 4 people on each toboggan and those things are heavy. Our hands and feet got a little chilly but the weather was not too bad. If only we had picked a less busy day:( Maybe next year...

Here are some pics of the kids playing in the snow while we waited for toboggans:)

Waiting for our turn...

Suessical!

Today all of the 4th and 1st grade students at Harrison Elementary school took a field trip to the Honeywell Center in Wabash, IN. I went along with Leytan's class. We saw Suessical...The Musical. It wasn't the best show but still fun to have some "one on one" time with Leytan. I thought the show was cute but most of the kids thought it was kinda boring. I thought the costumes could have been much better and the singing was just OK. I did get to see the triplets briefly. Lorelle and Liam said they both slept during part of the show. Oh well...I am glad a went. Wish I could have seen it on Broadway instead though:) WOW...are we spoiled having the Wagon Wheel Theatre here in town?!

Leytan and I before the show began...

We couldn't take pictures or video during the show but Leytan took a few pictures of the theatre and stage before the show.

Indoor Soccer...

Landan had been playing indoor soccer again this winter with the Inner City Soccer program. This is the same organization that he does the summer camp with also. GREAT group of people! He is playing with the same group of friends that he played with last year and it has been great for them to keep the same team. GO Strikers! Their coach, Rod, is great with the boys and has even taken them snow skiing a couple times this winter. Landan LOVES it! We need to take the whole gang sometime...our other kiddos would really like to try it too. But...SOON it will be time for the spring soccer season at the CCAC. Landan and Lorelle are playing this spring. Lance is going to be coaching Lorelle's team:) I am excited to watch her play.

Unfortunately, during Landan's game Sunday evening, he fell and sprained his ankle pretty bad. He was in a lot of pain. He stayed home yesterday from school. We iced it and kept it elevated all day. As you can see above, as soon as he tried to put it down (even for a quick minute) it starts to swell and turn purple:( I did send him to school today on crutches and asked them to try to let him keep it elevated as much as possible. I am praying it goes OK today and that it heals quickly. I am not sure if he will be ready to play in his game this Sunday though.

Saturday Morning Football...

On Saturday morning we woke to beautiful falling snow. The kids and Chip headed out to enjoy a game of football on the fresh coating of white slushy stuff. They were having a GREAT time! I did not join them but I did take a few pictures from the kitchen window:) Yes, the snow is getting a little old but the kids still seem to be enjoying it. I for one could use some more sun...Spring where are you?!

Leytan tackling Liam below...

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

This means, "Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year." I believe people are making their way back to work this week in China but I don't think the official end of the Chinese New Year celebration is until the 28th. In honor of Chinese New Year, Lorelle decided to wear one of her traditional Chinese dresses to school on Friday...for show and tell:) Doesn't she look BEAUTIFUL!?!

Valentine's Day Morning...

Since Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year landed on the same day this year, we were in Chicago for Valentine's Day as well. I brought the kids Valentine's Day gifts with me to Chicago and on Sunday morning when the kids woke, I gave them their gifts. Lorelle and Lilyan got American Girl dolls. They had picked out their favorite dolls out of the catalog a fews weeks prior but were not expecting them. They were excited. Lorelle got a doll named Julie and Lilyan got the doll of the year, and her name is Lanie. I also got each of the kids a small box of chocolates:-)

Lorelle and Lilyan opening their gifts...

Lorelle with Julie...

Lilyan with Lanie...

Landan and Leytan each got Walmart gift cards along with their candy and Liam got a computer game that he wanted. It was one his brothers play together and he was SO excited to be able to join them now. All the kids are enjoying their gifts. Lance just got a card:) I love all my Valentines SO much! I am BLESSED!!!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Yesterday was the first day of the Chinese New Year, the most important holiday in China. We always celebrate with the kids in some way. In the past we have gone to the Great Wall restaurant for dinner, given the kids their red envelopes, haircuts, crafts, and I try to do something with each of the triplets classes at school. This year I only made it to Lorelle's class. I read a couple Chinese New Year books and I made paper lanterns with them.

We also decided to try something else a little different this year to celebrate as a family. We decided to go to Chinatown in Chicago on Saturday. We gave the kids their traditional Red Envelopes and they went shopping with their "Lucky Money" in the local shops. As you can see below...Lilyan picked out a Chinese drum and Lorelle picked out a HUGE Chinese fan, that she now has hanging on her bedroom wall. Lilyan and Liam also had treats from the Chinese bakery while we were there. They chose not to have Chinese food for dinner but instead we had our favorite Chicago pizza at Giordano's:) It is SO good!

Lilyan with her Red Envelope and drum she wanted to buy...

Here is my gang in front of the 9 Dragon Wall...

Lorelle and Liam in front of the lion statue...

Lorelle with her new fan...

Dragon in the parade...

We spent the night Saturday night at a hotel near Chinatown and on Sunday morning we found a restaurant for breakfast called Yolk. It was GREAT! Then we were off to the Chinese New Year parade. Liam and Lorelle especially enjoyed it. The sun was shining and it was a fun afternoon. Happy Year of the Tiger everyone!!!