More snow fun

Today was much more fun in the snow than yesterday. We probably spent two hours out. Temps were a little better and moods were much better. We started off with a walk around the circle, then another circle lap with Eli riding in the toboggan and then some play time in the back yard.

Our little movie star - Eli wanted to wear sunglasses b/c it was too sunny

The start of Lap 1

This is one of those shots you'd see in 'Us' magazine of a movie star doing something that normal people do. Here Eli walking down the street with Grave Digger in one hand, of course.

How many more weeks to Spring if Eli sees his shadow?

Goofing around, Eli fell on some ice. He wasn't very happy and, of course, good Mommy snapped a picture while Daddy helped him up.

Post-fall, Eli would not let go of my hand.

Starting out on Lap 2

Mommy & her boys on a quick ride down the driveway

Aren't they cute?

Baby Cole's first snow

Eli decided to clear the snow off his slide with his bottom

The 2nd slide attempt ended in a snow face plant

It's all good!

Today = Snow fun

Snow started falling last night after we put the boys to bed and kept it up pretty much all night. Early this morning it switched over to the "wintry mix" mess but we managed to get everyone outside for a few minutes after lunch for a look at the white stuff. The past times we've had snow, Eli has been sick so it was fun for him to actually get out in it this time. It's quite cold (22 degrees) so we didn't stay out long. With temps the way they're predicting, it's going to be a mostly inside weekend and the snow / ice will probably stay around for a few days.

Heading out

He looks so sweet and cute here but fought like crazy getting ready

Mommy & Cole all snuggled up

Me and my Boys

Eli had fun going up and down the hill with Tim - aka the ditch!

As much as he didn't want to go outside, Eli definitely didn't want to go back inside

Here we go again.....

We had Cole's pre-op appointment for his tube surgery today. While we were there I had the ENT look in his ears to see if anything was an issue. He said there was mucus in there and we could put Cole on an antibiotic if we wanted or just wait and see if we needed one. I, not wanting to give him medication if he didn't really need it, opted to just wait. Well, 1-1/2 hours after we dropped him off at school, I got a call that his fever was 101.4. So I picked him up and called the pediatrician for a sick appointment. She said that with the fever and the way his right ear looked, that antibiotics were needed. Another co-pay and a trip to Target later, Baby Cole has had his first dose of it and Tim is now trying to get him to sleep. I am so looking forward to warmer weather, stronger immune systems and getting all this behind us. I hate seeing my babies sick and pitiful. Cole has been pretty cranky and not sleeping well at all. I'm scared to expect miracles but from what everyone has told me, we might have a different baby after tubes on Tuesday. Here's hoping I stay strong enough to handle everything between now and then. Life's pretty busy, crazy and stressful!

Some happy photos.....

Today's happiness - a tray full of puffs! Check out that tooth. =)

Just looking cute Tuesday morning

Eli our big boy - no one ever taught him to drink the milk after cereal. Guess it's a natural instinct!

A big day - MONSTER JAM

A big day today - Monster Jam, seeing "Real Grave Digger". That was the main event however we started the day with a wonderful walk. Tim picked up a new double stroller for me yesterday (love Craigslist!) and I enjoyed my first walk with both boys. It allowed me to get out with them and gave Tim time to shower and do a few things around the house while we were on our 2-1/2 mile walk. Cole took a cat nap and Eli & I talked the whole time. I did calculate going up a hill that I was pushing a grand total of 84 pounds - whew! After the walk, we came home and got ready to go to Monster Jam. The baby sitter came to stay with Cole so we could take Eli on his special outing.

Pre-walk

Post-walk: we got a little cold but both boys had fun

We first went to the Pit Party from 11a-1p to see the trucks up close, meet the drivers and take pictures. Not only did we get to see all the drivers, we also got to meet the motor-cross and quad-cross guys there. We talked to the cross guys and I was amazed that they make their living riding bikes all around the world. I knew the monster truck drivers did but didn't realize cross riders did too. After seeing all the drivers, we headed to our seats and then found ourselves some lunch. Eli wasn't interested in eating, he was too excited about the trucks. We had to wait about 45 minutes before the show started and it was a little challenging to keep Eli occupied and from getting out of control. We took him on a walk around the concourse that ended up being a run - he was everywhere!

The show was a lot of fun. Quite different than what you see on tv as there is a lot of down time as they have to reset for the different events and they are also very safety conscious so they make sure everything is perfect before a driver starts. The first event the Wheelie Competition. The drivers had a car stack and a table top to perform wheelies. Grave Digger won and it was cool that Gary Porter, driver, took the trophy into the stands and gave it to a fan. The second event was the course race where they had a certain route around the course and whoever was fastest won - Grave Digger again! Another trophy to a fan. Then they had a series of other wheeled events - bmx, some street stunt cycles, motor-cross and quad-cross. They performed in groups and then they were all out there free-styling together. That was sooooo cool! The motor-cross guys were jumping with the quad-cross guys and towards the end they actually started doing flips super high in the air. It was awesome to see in person. The third event, after intermission, was the freestyle event. Each truck got 75 seconds to do what they could do. Another Grave Digger win and another trophy to a fan. Eli was had so much fun watching them and he would cheer and clap when the rest of the crowd did. He was really into it before it was over. When we left, he wanted to ride on my shoulders and before we got out of the arena, I felt his chin on my head. It was 4pm, he had not had a nap and he was so tired. He fell asleep in the truck before we even left our parking space!!

All in all, it was a very fun and tiring day for all of us. Cole got to get out and about as well and had his own fun. He was napping when we got home but that didn't last long - guess he knew we were home. =) He woke up very happy and we had a great evening. Both boys went down fairly easy for bedtime and hopefully they'll sleep well after their busy days. Not too much planned just yet for tomorrow - maybe some errands and getting ready for the week ahead.

Headed to Monster Jam with Grave Digger in hand

Eli with Spider-Man driver, Whit Tarlton

With Predator driver - Eli got good showing #1 for each driver

Gary Porter - today's Grave Digger driver

Eli & Mommy with Grave Digger - hands down the most famous truck there

Daddy, Eli & Grave Digger

With Rap Attack Driver, Dave Rappach

With After Shock

Grave Digger's crew chief - they actually replaced the transmission in Grave Digger during the intermission. Amazing!

Crew chief for Prowler - he told us "they break it, I fix it"

With Prowler driver

With Samson driver, Dan Patrick

Meeting the motor-cross guys and checking out their bikes

This was "Mad Mike" - he wasn't mad, actually very nice!

More motor-cross guys

Mommy & Eli in front of Krazy Train

Our Monster Jam Freestyle Boy

Looking down on one end of the Pit Party

They brought a huge flag for the National Anthem - it was very cool.

Spider-Man's 1st wheelie

Grave Digger coming back through

Dave Porter taking the trophy to a fan

Woo-hoo!!!!!

A fun shot of one of the motor-cross guys. They were amazing.

Rap Attack on the course

Grave Digger catching big air off the dirt mound

Freestyle winner

Pooped out Eli after his exciting day