Just Hanging Around

I couldn't resist getting a picture of Ethan and Erica "hanging out" together after soccer.

Spring Break 2010!

Spring Break 2010 was fantastic! Our family and friends gathered on the beach in Alabama to celebrate my brother's wedding. We had a busy week, but enjoyed the moments together.

B'maw helped Ellie catch a thrown roll at Lambert's. Ethan caught 3 on his own. Erica had no desire to catch them; she just wanted to eat the rolls. Uncle Eric caught one in the back of his head. I am still laughing picturing it.

Ethan and Erica loved driving the go karts. She was too worried about me and Ethan to pay attention. She rammed the parked cars a few times.

Paul and I thought that she would love the swings. That was not the case.

Life's a Beach!

Uncle Todd and Ethan

Logan and Erica

Kristopher, Ethan, and Daddy enjoying the waves

even the big kids enjoyed building a sand castle

Daddy and Erica were racing the tides

3 generations

My snuggle bug took lots of naps on the beach

Uncle Todd took Ellie for a boat ride.

B'maw showed Erica the joyed the surf washing over their toes

Clayton, Eric, Todd, and Ethan enjoying the beach

my girls enjoyed the sand

I loved the picture I took of them last year on the beach so much that I tried to get another one.

Aunt Kristi gave her a Diego sand toy. Erica was so proud of it. Look closely, you can see Diego.

These two loved the ocean. We couldn't keep them out of the waves and couldn't get Erica into them.

GOOOAAAL! Times Five

Go Ethan Go!

Go Revolution!

There must be something about six. Ethan seemed to mature on the soccer field as soon as he turned six. He paid attention to the game when he was on the sidelines and on the field! He also scored a few goals, AND he ONLY threw one fit. It was because he skinned his elbow.

Erica enjoys playing with her friends. She and Sophie are quite a team!

Um. . . I am not sure what is happening, but they were so happy to being playing against one another.

Girl Power!

Erica truly enjoys playing soccer. She is quite the little athlete. I would say that comes from Paul's side of the family. Ethan's talents probably come from me. Sorry buddy. She loves soccer! I think that she has an alter ego when she gets on the soccer field. Somehow my bashful little girl morphs into an aggressive soccer stud. I may be a little biased, but that girl can play! At her latest game, she scored five goals and she kept the other team from scoring a few goals.

Erica and her buddy Garrett

Six Years Ago. . .

Ethan in July 2004

and now

My Ethers celebrated his birthday today. Six years ago I was able to hold him in my arms for the first time. I can picture that day as if it were yesterday. I can still recall Dr. Cline talking about Teddy Roosevelt moments before Ethan made his debut. I can still see the look of panic in Paul's face when scissors were thrust into his hands and he was told to cut. I can still recall snuggling with my baby boy for the first time in awe; awe that he was mine, in awe that he was perfect from his head to his toes, and in awe that he was a boy.

I really truly can't believe where the time has gone. Oh, I love that boy. He makes my heart happy. He gives the best butterfly kisses. His quick visit at his dismissal is the best mid-day pick-me-up one could ever ask for.

He was SO EXCITED! I wish I didn't cut off his expression. It was priceless.

Check out that golf swing. . . maybe he could teach me a thing or two

and he was able to celebrate with his friends

Ethan, Addie, Ellie and Ruthie

Oh no, he had both of his "girlfriends" sitting together. . .

Celebrating with friends Cam, Erica, Luke, Carson, and Grant

Ethan hurt himself somehow, so Addie carried to the house until she tired out. Jake then took over. I am thinking we can embarrass these boys good in a few years.

and Luke

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Buerger

Call me crazy, but I love the look of a groom sporting his new gold band. There is so much significance in a tiny band of gold. This past weekend my brother married his bride on the beautiful sand at Orange Beach.

my favorite ring bearer and flower girl

Erica loved her dress so much that she refused to take it off for nap time, and she also wore it to dinner that evening. Who am I to deny a girl of wearing her wedding dress?

my brother and his bride, Kristi

Eric was sweating bullets. If we didn't know him better, one might think he was nervous! :)

The bridal party

Daddy spent the ceremony snuggling with his baby girl. She partied a little too long the night before.

Ethan and Erica danced the afternoon away. I was able to cut in and be twirled around the dance floor by my little man.

It was a beautiful day. It was certainly fun to celebrate Eric and Kristi's wedding with our family and friends on the white, sandy beaches. My cousin and his wife are trying to convince their young children to pick a beach destination for their wedding.

Happy Belated Birthday Papaw!

The Buening Family gathered at the Holiday Inn to celebrate Papaw's birthday with a swimming party. Of course we were water-logged and loving every minute of it.

Make a wish!

The kids picked their own gifts to give to Papaw. Ethan thought that Papaw could not live without the rocket balloon launcher. It turned out to be great entertainment for all of us.

"That's hilarious!"

E picked a musical card for Papaw and just about drove my bonkers on the way home from the store with it, but Papaw and Ethan enjoyed it.

Ellie gave Papaw a picture of the two of them.

I don't know who snapped this photo, but I love that I have all of my babies with me. Plus, I am stealing a kiss from my big girl.


Ok, Papaw celebrated his birthday last month, but I just now figured out how to copy photos from Shutterfly to here! We were going to a swimming party, right! So, you would think that I could remember to pack my swimming suit. I had to make a run for the nearest store, Wal-Mart, and buy a new suit. I also forgot Ellie's swim diapers, but I was able to borrow from her cousins.

That was a Great One!

Paul and I love spring storms. We love to watch the lightning streak across the sky feeling the rain on our cheeks. Our children do not enjoy the storms as we do, Ethan especially. He cowers when the storms come. Paul and I were very proud of him the other evening at bed time. He stayed in his room for 40 minutes trying to brave out the storm, but fear finally prompted him downstairs to snuggle up with me. Erica followed Ethan's lead and decided that she is also not a fan of the thunder.

I took my 'fraidy cats to bed with me to snuggle leaving Paul to curl up on the couch. Trying to calm their nerves, I reminded Ethan of a story B'maw once told him. The thunder was Grandpa Reimer playing his favorite sport, Lawn Bowling, in Heaven. When we hear the thunder that means Grandpa Reimer had a great score. After hearing the story, Ethan told me thank you for explaining what the thunder really was. As Ethan was drifting off to sleep that evening, we heard the thunder clap and he mumbled, "That was a great one, Grandpa Reimer!"

Oh my Ethan and his loving heart!

Oh, my Ethers

My Ethan . . . sometimes he leaves me at a loss for words. Like yesterday.

Ethan comes to class with me each morning. Yesterday, before school started he ran out of my classroom yelling, "It's an emergency." I just assumed that he went to the restroom just a few yards from my classroom door. Nope, not the case. He ran around to the opposite side of the building where his class normally uses the restroom. Well, my little guy had diary (as he was calling it yesterday).

By now the bell has rang and students are pouring off of the buses ready to start the school day, when low and behold, my Ethers comes down the hall holding something gray. From a distance I wasn't sure what he was holding. As he came closer, I noticed that he was swinging his gray boxers. Yes, my Ethers was walking down the hall, chatting up my student teacher, and carrying his now dirty underwear down the hall. Only to yell, "Hey mom, guess what. I had diary and now I can't wear this underwear."

Yes, my son went commando at school yesterday. My Ethan makes motherhood fun.

Easter Egg-stravagaza

Happy Easter Bunny!

Our Easter celebration began with the coloring of the eggs. The kids were NOT fans of the vinegar. Poor Ellie would smell it, sneeze, and smell it again.

Gathering of the pink eggs

Ta-da! The finished product!

Ellie continued rearranging the eggs to her satisfaction.

Ellie is still learning the meaning of Easter, but she sounded so sweet wishing everyone "Happy Easter Bunny." Our Easter was jammed packed. We first awoke with treats left behind by the Easter Bunny. He even nibbled on a few carrots left by Ethan and Erica.

Ethan and I were able to get a few rounds of his new game, Sorry Sliders, in before church. At church Ellie decided to play Rock, Paper, Scissors in the middle of a prayer, much to the entertainment of the teenagers sitting behind us.

Following church we headed to Gammaw and Papaw's house for brunch and an Easter egg hunt. Then we were off to Grandma and Grandpa Moellers for Easter dinner and another Easter egg hunt.

Only a portion of the Buening grandkids

Ethan, Max, Erica, Beau, and Ellie

She loved her pink basket.

Divide and conquer

Beau was content with one egg, and Max was able to secure a few eggs in his basket.

Daddy and his girls

Erica and Ellie spent much of their visit on the Gator.

Now off to Grandma and Grandpa Moeller's house . . . where Ellie found her best friend.

Paul and I were just discussing what to get her for her birthday. She showed us her wishes loud and clear. Our Ellie became fast friends with the four-legged Ellie and her brother, Sherman.

If that is not pure bliss, I don't know what is.

Ellie didn't leave Sherman's side.

Ellie and Ellie

Needless to say, we had one very tired family.

We hope that you had a wonderful Easter with your family.