Surprise

Greg had the idea to plan a surprise party for Dad's 70th and we decided we would come to NC to celebrate. We booked our flights in January and didn't tell the kids we were going anywhere until a few days before our flight as we didn't want to ruin the surprise. Mom didn't even know about the party as Greg worked with Mrs. Hodges.  We left our house at 6am and had to fly through Chicago.  We arrived in Charlotte about 20 minutes late.  As we were getting ready to get off the plane, I realized Ryan had not gone potty since we left our house, so it had been about 8 hours.  Just as I was saying something to Andy, Ryan said "The pee is starting to come out a little bit!"  The people across the aisle said we could go in front of them ;)!

We were fortunate to have Shyloe leave us her car in the valet area at the airport.  This meant we didn't have to bring car seats or get a rental car and was a huge time saver.  We ran into traffic getting out of Charlotte - it might have been an accident.  We finally started moving around 5:45 and were cutting it close with not much time to spare given the party started at 6:30.  On our way to Hickory, Avery and Ryan worked on their surprise faces! We pulled into the restaurant at 6:20 and still had to get changed and freshen up.  We saw several of mom and dad's friends in the parking lot who were excited to see us there.  We made it inside right around 6:30 and mom and dad walked in a few minutes later.
Mom saw us first and was definitely surprised.  When dad finally saw us, it looked like he saw a ghost. Glad we were able to pull of the surprise and be part of the surprise!  Greg and Shyloe did a great job figuring out the location, food, invitations, etc.  We had funcatching up with people we haven't seen since our wedding.  And, the cousins were excited to be reunited!

The party wrapped up and we headed to mom and dad's house.  Avery and Ryan were excited to sleep in Uncle Greg's old room (last time we were in hickory it was June 2011 and they were in pack n plays).

Pre-K I

Most of Avery and Ryan's friends turned 4 in Dec/Jan and they had moved up to the next class.  After Avery and Ryan turned 4, the director asked us if we wanted to also move Avery and Ryan even though they don't typically move this late in the year.  We decided to go ahead and move them, which meant uniforms during the school year.   It does make things easier and they don't mind at all!  They are loving the new classroom and teachers and being back with their old friends and meeting new friends!

Snow Day/Sick Day

I spent most of my day off for President's Day sick in bed.  By Thursday, Avery and Ryan caught what I had and we all spent the day at home since there was a snow storm.  I had an all day web call and Avery and Ryan wanted to be close to me so they used the chair and Raleigh's bed to hang out with me and sleep.  Ryan also spent lots of time on my lap - poor guy!!

Zoo Visit

We took advantage of some nice February weather to visit the zoo and meet the newest elephant, Kimbo.  First, we went to California Pizza Kitchen to use our two free kid's birthday meals!

This was the first time we went to the zoo wagon free and was fine for the most part but towards the end we had some tired kids that were done with walking!!  Glad we made it as we haven't visited since Labor Day weekend.

Valentine's Day

We had a great Valentine's Day.  Andy sent me a very cool orchid at work and got me personalized m&m's. Avery and Ryan had fun party at school and afterwards we came home and made yummy m&m cookies!  And, Grandma and Grandpa sent Avery and Ryan a fun package of chocolate lollipops (www.tastyimage.com) that they were able to decorate and eat! They loved it!

Weekend Getaway

We were able to escape to the mountains again for our 3rd annual client appreciation annual trip from Towers Watson.  This year the event was at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor's Gulch.  We headed up on Friday afternoon and checked in and they gave us the club level.   It was quite nice with food and alcohol throughout the day - but not really needed since everything was already included.  It did work out quite well on Saturday for lunch after we went skiing and all the restaurants had huge waits and we were able to grab lunch on the club level.  We had massages in the afternoon and we enjoyed a nice dinner at Spago that night.  It was a much needed getaway after a busy year-end with work!!

4 year old checkup

The annual check-up for Avery and Ryan went well overall from a health and development stand point. Though by the end we hit melt down mode as we spent close to 1 1/2 hours there. It didn't help that we forgot to bring a snack as we didn't realize we would be there so long.

The stats:
Avery - weight 36 lbs, height 40 inches
Ryan - weight 33 lbs, height 39.25 inches

Ryan 4 year old questionnaire

1. What is your favorite color?  blue
2. What is your favorite toy?  fire station
3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Thomas the Train
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Daddy Sandwich 
6. What is your favorite outfit? Cars shirt
7. What is your favorite movie? Car 2 
8. What is your favorite snack? cliff bar
9. What is your favorite animal? elephant 
10. What is your favorite song? Happy Birthday
11. What is your favorite book? Monkey George
12. Who is your best friend? Kenley
13. What is your favorite cereal? Daddy Cereal (Kashi with vanilla yogurt)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Slide
15. What is your favorite drink? Juice (special occasions only)
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Hannukah
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? doggie
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Pilot
21. What is your favorite vacation spot?  Kiawah

Avery 4 year old questionnaire

1. What is your favorite color?  pink
2. What is your favorite toy?  all of them
3. What is your favorite fruit? oranges
4. What is your favorite tv show? Angelina Ballerina
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Daddy wrap
6. What is your favorite outfit? new princess dress
7. What is your favorite movie? Cars 2
8. What is your favorite snack? cliff bar
9. What is your favorite animal? tiger
10. What is your favorite song? Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift
11. What is your favorite book? Ladybug Girl
12. Who is your best friend? Kenley
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? See Saw
15. What is your favorite drink? juice (special occasions)
16. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? doggie
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? special pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? mommy
21. What is your favorite vacation spot?  Aspen

Avery and Ryan turn 4

Avery and Ryan are 4!! There were so excited to turn 4 today.  They have been counting down the days!  After school, we went to dinner at Mellow Mushroom, one of their favorite places to eat out.  Then, we opened their presents.  They got new books, legos, a camper and trains. They were happy kiddos!

Super Bowl

We had friends over for the Super Bowl.  And, everyone was from the Baltimore area, so fun to see the Ravens in the final game (since the Broncos didn't make it this year).  Matt made some delicious crab cakes!  Then, we had bbq from Moe's and it was quite good.  Along with homemade baked beans and cole slaw.   The game went late since the power went out and even the kids made it to the end to see the Ravens pull off the win!

Great Play

We celebrated Avery and Ryan's 4th birthday at Great Play.  They had a wonderful time playing with their friends.  There were four coaches that kept the kids moving from activity to activity.  They customize the screens they use based on the birthday kid's interest - so they used princesses and castles, cars, airplanes and animals. After about 1 hour 15 minutes of play, they did an award ceremony and then it was time for snacks and cake.  Avery picked out a princess cake and Ryan picked out a Cars cake.  They were fast asleep on the drive home.  What a fun time and lots of smiles all around!

After they were up from their nap, they were ready to open presents! Avery loved her new princess dress and Ryan got lots of fun Cars and dinosaur stuff. They also love their new coaster cars from Aunt Shyloe,  Uncle Greg, Taiten and Greyson.