Goodbye Winter?!?!

Today, we welcome spring!  Hard to believe after such a long winter that spring has arrived (technically). We made the most of some finally warmer temps.  Couldn't resist a silly version of a snowman in the yard to brighten our neighborhood!

 We had a fun weekend up at the lake a few weeks ago.  You would think with family close by now, it would be easy to see each other, right?!?!  Well, all winter we have been trying to get a family fun weekend planned but with busy schedules, it was a lot harder than we expected.  The good news is we picked a weekend with sunny weather and above 0 temps!

 The kids and adults spent the weekend ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and sun-bathing (Auntie Erin and Mommy enjoyed some lounge chair time, ha!)

 Meet Cooper's pet waxies (meal worms)- gross.

We didn't catch any fish on our jig poles (game fish season was over, so no tip-ups this time, boo).  Mostly, we were just excited to scoop the holes :)

 We even scooped in between snowshoe runs!

A little more tedious than finding a tree in summer, one of many perks of being a guy :)

We loved the HUGE snowpile across from Grammy's house... king of the mountain anyone?!?!

We celebrated Dr. Seuss week... Cooper had to dress up for preschool (note the banged up eye... in 1st photo....snowmobile trailer mishap) and Mommy dressed up for "Wacky Wednesday" with the Kindergarten team.

 I was so excited for the mini-shopping cart additions at our local grocery store.  I insisted that Mom let me put the groceries in my cart, not hers.

 Mom and two of her childhood friends had a weekend getaway at Grand View Lodge.  They had a great time at the day spa, lounging, eating at delicious "adult" restaurants and sleeping in until 8:00 a.m., woo-hoo.  Family update (Meggen is like an unofficial sister of Mommy's)....Meggen just completed law school at WM (Valedictorian) and started working at a well-known firm in MPLS.  She will take a year break in a few weeks as she was selected as law clerk at the MN Supreme Court.  We couldn't be more proud of her!  Holly is a OR nurse at Children's Hospital (RN) and has a new beautiful home in the cities.  Mommy cherishes these friendships.

 Mommy received some text updates during her getaway.... we went to "Chunk's" 40th birthday party.  Chunk is Daddy's cousin, so we were able to play and see the little cousins at a small town bar of course!

Cooper and I are in the middle (me wearing a red coat and Cooper in a black jersey)

 We finished hockey a few weeks ago!  It was a long season, but we learned SO much.  Cooper has also been promoted to Mighty Mites, so we will both be Mighty Mites next year together (we will stay in MM until about age 7).  The Chi-Hi Cardinal joined us on the ice for some family fun skating.  Cooper played chicken with him... little stinker.

 I had my spring music program last week.  It was just my Kindergarten class, so it was about 20 minutes or so.  Short and sweet :)

 I had a small part in "Muffin Man."  My parents just smiled as they recalled when I hardly sang at my 3 year old program.  I knew all the words to every song and had this small part in the program... so cool!

 The audience joined us for a few songs at the end and Grammy came to watch me too.

 St. Patrick's Day was "eh" this year.  It was on Monday, so we didn't really celebrate with anything extra special.  Mommy made these snacks for Cooper's preschool (she said it was tedious and she will never do it again).

 Cooper made this beauty at preschool....

 Ballers

 Cooper refused the ramp this time and wanted to toss the ball down the lanes like the big kids!

We bowled with about 10 of our friends.  Lucy was cheering on Cooper and even gave him a love pat on one of his turns.... LOVE!

Me, I still like the ramp and scored 3 spares or so by using this.  I did bowl a few on my own (tossing it), but quickly chose the ramp because my ball went faster.

 Blow drying my hair....

 It is spring break week!  We didn't travel anywhere warm, but we have stayed busy with a playdates at a pool, bowling alley, playing around home, and we bought the Frozen soundtrack and DVD (we have all been belting out the songs around here!)  Mommy had Happy Hour with some girlfriends (she sent Daddy the above photo while he was in DC).

OK, so big news... Daddy was one of three people selected from his hospital organization (13 hospitals) to become a fellow.  The fellowship will take 18 months (along with a board exam); he ultimately is being groomed for top admin positions (CEO) in a hospital setting.  This will involve lots of studying and 6 trips to Washington DC.  He is there this week for the orientation and has said it is amazing yet intense.  We are so proud of Daddy and his work ethic, drive and passion for his career!  Rock on Daddy!