How cute is Mother's Day at Preschool? Adorable!!!
Ilya loved showing me his work. Started off showing me the plants in order from the sun.
Then on to a game of planet bingo!
Next, a little water work.
And finally, some songs, a cookie and a hug!
Picture says it all!
Ilya is cracking me up with his love of Eric's ties. He thinks it's hilarious that I have a bunch of scarves in the closet and Eric has ties. He loves helping Eric pick out his tie for the next day and then checking to make sure he's wearing it when he comes home.
I love using words like Christmas and Disney in the same sentence! We had a blast. The first night there we were able to catch up with my Godparents, my cousin Erin and her VERY adorable little girl. Then for the next several days we joined Eric's parents for a few adventures in Disney.
While it was a bit rainy to say the least, we didn't let it stop us. Our tour guide led the way...
We made sure to see all the favorites
Got front row seats to Disney Clubhouse live (Ilya was in awe and so excited to dance along).
A few days into the trip...look who we bumped into...cousins Kylee and Dylan. Who knew they'd be here for Christmas too! They were all thrilled. Best present ever!
A few more rides...
We completed the week with a great family Christmas dinner, saw the fireworks, watched the snow fall and scrolled down Main Street back to the hotel!
What an amazing weekend! We headed out early Saturday morning to the Council Bluff, Iowa airport. Last Father's Day, Ilya and I bought Eric a discovery flight ride. So glad we got it!! It's an amazing gift. Eric got to try his hand at flying a bit. The sun was just coming up. It was beautiful! Eric did a great job with the turns and all the things the instructor asked him to try. He really enjoyed flying. Ilya and I were glad to join along. What a beautiful way to spend a morning. Ilya loved having the headset on, watching outside the plane and watching all the gauges! This was definitely the highlight of Ilya's day, weekend, week, month...maybe even year! I would highly recommend this!
This week we enjoyed a visit with Gram and Papa Souders. Papa spent most of the time with Eric working on installing the wood floor at the new house. Ilya took the opportunity to swim with Gram and go shopping. Look at the fun stuff you get when you take Gram shopping...just the two of you!
Is this not a dream breakfast??? A donut with a blue icing design (he picked it out of the case), chocolate milk and then a side of Trix cereal! Yum! This and some cartoons made our Saturday morning complete!
With a designer like this and outfits this creative...who need New York Fashion Week! Ilya made this snazzy ensemble at school this week. (Sorry but Eric forbid me from putting any of his pictures in this exact vest up here- hilarious!)
A few nights ago, Eric decided to break out the horseshoe set. His thought was he and I could play while Ilya was in his pool or on the slip 'n slid. I think I threw one shoe when Ilya jumped out of the pool and proclaimed, "I do that!" He's pretty good. And really determined to get it in the "right spot."
What a great weekend! The Lauritzen gardens and several other museums in town had Railroad Days. Each location had a variety of things to go and see related to trains. Lauritzen has a great train display throughout part of the gardens and two engines nearby (we didn't make it to these--gotta save something for next time). Instead, we watched the garden display and when it got a little too hot, we headed inside to cool off and view the layouts there.
We also took a little time to stop and smell the roses. Ilya loves going through the gardens. He insists on reading every sign. And when I say every sign...I mean each and every one.
Watching the Koi for a bit.
Eric and Ilya made a little creation with the Play-doh. Pretty creative!
The company Eric works for is wonderful! They hold family nights several times a year where they provide dinner and an activity. This time, the invited the entire department to a fun night at the local bowling alley, bumper car and game place. We had a blast!
Ilya gearing up for the big race. Can't take his eyes off the road for even a minute!
Not bad---Ilya scored enough tickets to get a few packets of Skittles from the prize counter!
It's a good thing the company and conversation was good during bowling. With 4 kids and 4 adults, it took nearly a hour and a half to get through 5 frames. We called it a game. Here is Ilya picking out a ball and his friend Joe showing him how to set it just right. It was so cute. The ball would take a good minute to reach the pins. I was sure it would stop and we'd have to go get it!
After the longest game of bowling (or at least 5 frames) on record, we headed over to the arcade!
Arbor Day Farms is such a great place! We headed over there for their Easter Egg hunt. Such a beautiful day to wander the trail and search for eggs. This was a great way to enjoy the area and the visit with Papa and Gram Souders. Ilya had a great time reading about each and every tree. Seriously, I really mean each and every tree that had a plaque, Ilya asked for it to be read. Think about how many plaques that is---it is ARBOR DAY FARMS. I have no doubt that there are a hundred or more plaques describing the tree, the history of the tree, the uses historically and current for the tree...you get the idea. Whew! I say next time bring Papa Kenny too (for those that don't know my dad he owns a nursery full of trees)!
Easter eggs here we come!
Posing for a picture :)
Ilya being silly with Dad
Ilya being silly with Papa and Dad
We made the trek to the local train museum. The museum is housed in the old train station. What a beautiful building! Ilya loved the actual train cars but most of all he could have watched the model trains go around all day!
Being silly with Dad!!! Going over the waterfall and hangin' with some friends.
What's better than being at a train museum. Posing for a picture only to have a working train go by!
Being silly with Grandpa...notice a theme?
A family picture!
This last week we had a great time with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa (Baba and Papa). We started the visit with a few Christmas presents!! Ilya loved that Santa came again...this guy is great! I wish more of the pictures turned out...but...um...let's blame the camera. A least we got a few of the main highlight---the blue truck from Uncle Kevin. A favorite from the start!! In the picture on the right, Ilya is giving a "tour" of the truck and all its features!
Last week being filled with snow day after snow day and being too cold to even play in the snow (-40 with wind chill at times), we found lots of other great things to do inside! Here are just a few...
Play with trains...a new day...a new reason to break apart the track and create a new layout!
Playdoh.....always a good time...
Books, books and more books...you can't read enough on a snow day! The books being loaded in the blue container...are just the first set!
We heard the pizza/arcade place was cool...but we really had no idea it was this level of spectacular, amazing, over-the-top fun! It was a lot like Vegas...but for kids. There was boxing, roller coasters, race cars, golf (mini), machines that looked like slots where kids pushed a lot of buttons to get tokens (see what I mean...a lot like Vegas). The colors, sounds and lights where everywhere. Oh, and they also had an all you can eat buffet for $4.99. While I don't have proof---I think they were pumping oxygen in there. Before we knew it 5 hours had passed and we had no money...see what I mean...a lot like Vegas. Here are a few pics of all enjoying a good time.
Dylan showing off his racing skills and winning a few rounds (watch out--mean left hook on this kid)!!!
Not a surprise---Ilya found the climbing maze area fun. Kylee tried her hand at a few point and shoot games (poor chickens---she's good)! And Ilya practicing his driving.
The kiddos, waiting patiently for their turn to race. And then at the starting line...while some will debate it...I think we had a tie in the end...or a least a tie on who had the most fun.
When looking at the pictures you might think...wow Elizabeth these are a little blurry...you should learn to use the camera. Nope...that's not it. They are bouncing up and down too quickly to get a clear shot...about two stories up and then down. At the end, Ilya jumped out of his seat said sadly, "All done fun." And then with excitement in his eyes, "Go again???"
This actually was a roulette table for kids. Guess what color the ball will stop and and you get tickets. Ilya loved it! He thought it was funny when he said a color and the ball would stop on that color. He didn't find it so funny when it didn't land on his color and tickets didn't come out though. When that happened he asked to play, "One more time!"
A few random games. Eric and Kylee rode a roller coaster. I should have taken video. This thing must be pretty realistic from some of their reactions (see how they are holding on!)
Again with the blurry pictures...this ride went in circles. Not sure I would have kept my lunch after it but Ilya and Dylan thought it was a riot. They both yelled faster, faster and put their hands in the air throughout most of the ride.
Glow in the dark bumper cars...does it get more fun...I think not!!
I believe the only thing I'm missing is a picture of the buffet--complete with mac and cheese pizza. A kids dream come true!
Who knew there were so many ice skating rinks in Omaha! Gram and Papa Souders took the grandkids out for some time on the ice. The kiddos loved it!
Gram with all the kiddos
Kylee teaching Ilya how to balance and Ilya teaching Kylee how to stop...with style!
Freedom...watch me go! A natural on the ice--Ilya keeps asking to go back!
And cousin Dylan showing off his spectacular moves with a few spins-whew--just watching makes me dizzy!
A few more pictures from the party. A good time was had by all. Unfortunately, my camera (surely, not the operator of the camera) only took a few good pictures. If anyone has a few more pictures of the evening, I'd love copies!
Scott and Julie planned a going away party for us. Given the fact that Eric now will be wearing ties to work (a significant change in wardrobe from casual West Coast attire), the theme of the party was "Send Eric off with a new tie". Everyone wore a tie to the party and Eric left wearing dozens of ties!
Ilya loves to help feed the horses. Here he is with Papa Souders showing Papa Kenny (behindthe camera) exactly how it is done. Sidenote: A few days ago Ilya rode one of those horses you put $.50 in outside the grocery store and it rocks back and forth for a minute---Ilya was not impressed he got off and said "no horse"..."Gram has horse." Indicting that the ride "might" look like a horse...but it was definitely NOT a horse.
I think the title...and the picture sum it up. Ilya looks at this picture and just laughs...silly papa.
The title says it all...
We've had a few glimmers of nice weather lately. Gram Souders took advantage of this with Aunt Julie a few days ago and got all the cousins up on the horses. Ilya loved ridding!!
After church on Christmas eve, grandma/grandpa Souders and great-grandma Toney came over to the house for some warm soup. Ilya took the opportunity to snuggle with great grandma (Eric's grandma).
Sledding was a hit at Nolan's party. Here are the dads (Matt, Eric and Sy) and the boys (Logan, Ilya and Nolan) at the top of the hill. Ilya and Nolan no sooner went down the hill than Nolan was leading Ilya back to the top to go again!
Our buddy Nolan had one birthday wish--to play in the snow! He got his wish (and looks like he will continue to get his wish for the next week)! Here we are playing in the snow 1/2 way between their house and ours. Happy Birthday Nolan! (only 1 picture of Nolan and Ilya turned out--see prior post of the boys)
Up until now, he has held a low profile on this blog...but...(drum roll please) herrrre'ssss Uncle Kevin.
Not only did Indiana have more trains than Ilya could ever dream of---it also had a ton of cousins!!!
Another exciting...no wait...fabulously entertaining item was Papa's room of trains!!!
We went to the Oregon to celebrate my birthday. Eric and Ilya had been keeping a pretty tight lid on a birthday surprise. My parents joined us! We had a great time.
From stopping for a picture by the water...
..to lunch at Mo's....
...to making sand castles at night...
...to beautiful sunsets (while laughing at the wind in our face)...
...to playing in the water (some call it the ocean, we call it a big pool)...
...we all had a great weekend!!!
So after filling a toddler up with sugar, giving him a balloon (big hit) and letting him run around for hours with his cousins a multi-generational picture (where he has to sit still without a balloon)--might not be his idea of fun. Eric says he might hate me years later for posting this but I think it's cute. We'll try for a picture again someday...
A good game of soccer played by cousin Kylee, a comfortable seat in Grandma Souders' lap and a snack of Cheerios and milk---who could ask for more?
