Red River Gorge!

Last weekend our family traveled down to explore red river gorge and we had such a blast! Lots of relaxing family time, hiking and beautiful weather! 

Stefanie and I wanted to get another hiking trip in before the second babies come because it doesn't get much easier then hiking with just one baby! 

We hiked 7 miles and Jack and Henry did so well in the backpacks! Jack talked Joe's ear off as they pointed out every stick, tree, rock and bird! 

The views were beautiful! So many gorgeous cliffs and natural arches!

Jack couldn't get enough of all the outside time! 

Our little family of 3 (and a 27 week pregnant mama!)

We felt so refreshed after this weekend getaway!

March Madness in Full Swing!

Joe and I love the basketball season! We long for the college basketball season to start and then just live for the month of March when our lives and conversations surround everything basketball! It's total madness :)

This year Jack got the chance to enter the bracket challenge and Joe helped him fill out his bracket! Whichever hand he reached for first was the team Joe wrote down (too many Cheerios later the bracket was complete!) 

Jack has been a Xavier season ticket holder since he was 7 weeks old. This season was his second season attending games and he got more into it! He calls basketball "baball" and constantly points out any basketball, picture of a basketball, basketball hoop or our tv and yells "BABALL"! We just love it! In the last few months we have even noticed anytime he sees the letter "X" or we wear Xavier apparel that he points and yells "baball" - the boy is trained Very very well! 

Joe, Dave, Bill, Jack and Henry spent today (the first Thursday of the tournament) at our house eating pizza and watching basketball all day while the ladies went to work! This is a tradition they have had for a few years and one that I see continueing for a long time! I hope it's a tradition Jack will look forward to each year! 

GO XAVIER!! 

Trucks, Trucks, Trucks!

18 months is a great age! Jack has been very verbal since turning one and definitely tells us his favorite things! Trucks are for sure one of his top favorites and for the truck lover we have had an exciting week! Construction trucks galore parked on our street plus a special visit/tour of The Chief of Valley View's (Grandpa March) police station and fire house!! Jack has learned a new level of excitement!!

"Drucks, Drucks, Drucks!" (Everything now a days starts with a "d") 

Papa might love it as much as Jack! Joe explains all the parts to Jack and likes to tell him what the different types of trucks are responsible for! 

We took many walks last week around the neighborhood checking out (and sneaking on) the "drucks!"

And playing and digging in the mud of course!

This weekend we were so lucky to get to spend a very relaxing sunny weekend in Cleveland complete with a trip to the police station and fire house! 

The Fire Man told us all about the trucks and even gave Jack his very own hat and hero bag! Jack was a bit overwhelmed at first but eventually warmed up to it all!

Ready to be hired as the next Valley View cop!

The boys even figured out how to lock Mama up - pretty terrifying actually! 

The rest of the Cleveland weekend was spent with lots of special, relaxing family time! 

BYE!!

Jack is really into saying "bye" to anything and everything - it's really a funny little phase he is in! He says bye in typical situations such as Papa leaving for work, someone walking away, saying bye to the people at every store we walk out of, etc.  What cracks us up is his little hand wave and voice when he waves and says bye to the water when we drain the tub, turning off anything electronic, every night when we lay him down in bed, passing cars and trucks, taking his plate away at the end of meals - just to name a few!

He is also really into telling us how old he is and reminding us that when we hand him food he is only to eat one piece at a time! He holds his little hand up to show us "one." Such a rule follower! 

Snowy Days!!

Last week Cincinnati got hit with a pretty good snow storm! The city and schools shut down and we were able to get outside and enjoy the fluffy white "shnoow" - Jack loved it!!

We played and shoveled and ate snow! In this picture Jack is screaming "truck" as he saw a truck drive down the street!

Even Roxie loved running all around in the snow!

Jack just couldn't believe how cool the snow was he just kept saying "wow"

And we went out for a nice family walk!

We also got to go sledding which was a blast! Jack was a cautiously enjoying it and looking to Henry much of the time to make sure it was safe! 

Sledding with Omi!

You are never too old to enjoy an afternoon sledding! We had a blast! We captured the babies in a sled together which has become an instant hit of a picture - one we will cherish for a long time!!

I just love Jack's nervous face and Henry's excitement! So cute!!

So many snowy memories! Jack and Henry were very fun ages this year to get to enjoy the snow! Everytime we look outside and see the snow Jack always says "shnoow shnow" in a really hilarious nasaly voice! 

Ready, Set, GO!

Jack is working on his running form and really getting into track races! He races Papa from the wall to the couch and likes to do it over and over again!

Papa and Jack have to line up with their heels against the wall and wait for Mama to say "ready, set, go!" Sometimes Mama isn't fast enough and jack says "weady" "set" and then takes off!

Whoever crashes on the couch first wins!!

After losing to Papa a few too many times Jack asked Papa to put his running shoes on! (Clearly we make him race in his running buns as well! Ha!)