Caleb's hockey banquet

Caleb's Squirt hockey team held its end-of-season banquet today at the ice arena. We had an hour of ice time for the boys to play a game of family hockey against the coaches and others. Afterward, we had pizza, cake, and a slide show of the season. Here's Caleb (in orange) digging into the first of his FOUR slices of pizza. They were BIG slices, too!


The cake even had an edible picture of the team! Yum!


The food line.


Coach Else presents Caleb with his team award. Caleb was named "Best Hustler." Way to go, Caleb! He also received a commemorative puck.


Sarah scored a door prize, too! She was given one of the two balloon bouqets after the banquet!

Go fly a kite!

Today was the perfect day for Sarah to take Daddy with her and fly her new kite ... her first-ever solo effort at aviation! It was windy and not too cold, so we bundled up and walked over to the Edinbrook soccer fields. Sarah was very patient as Daddy worked out some knots in the string (do manufacturers send them out that way now?), and flew her kite all by herself for about 10 minutes.


"Hee-hee-hee!"


The kite flies high!

Random shots

Erin put Sarah's hair up in rollers a few days ago ... but Princess Sarah didn't like the curls in her eyes and promptly messed them up! Mommy wasn't too hurt.


I'm surprised Fuddrucker's Restaurant even let us in the place with these bozos!


On the way somewhere.

Four-way birthday party!

With Aunt Ellaina in town for a week-long visit, we decided to celebrate all four March birthdays in the family on Thursday: Sarah and Grandpa G (March 18), Ellaina (March 19) and Rich (March 27). Here's mommy fixing up Sarah's hair for the big party. Sarah turns 3 pretty soon. Everyone else? You'll have to guess!



We've been talking up Sarah's birthday party for weeks, and she has said all along she wanted "a princess cake" for her birthday. So mommy made a trip to a craft store and bought all the stuff for a truly wonderful cake for Sarah.


The princess cake! Looks like mommy has some real talent ... could there be a side business in her future? Only time will tell.


Sarah loved her princess cake. Nice job, mommy! It tasted just as good as it looked, too.


Sarah and Caleb worked together in the kitchen.

Pictures with ... everybody!

While we sat and chatted in the living room, Daddy took Sarah's picture with Grandma G. How cute! Then Sarah decided to have her picture taken with everyone else, including ...


Grandpa G ...


Aunt Ellaina ...


Mommy and Lucas ...


... and Daddy. What a camera queen!

Taco supper and birthday gifts

Erin made everyone a great taco supper, followed by the princess cake and some cupcakes made by Grandma G.


Then we opened presents! Sarah opens a gift from Grandma and Grandpa G.


Sarah is playing a little pink piano given to her by mommy and daddy.


Aunt Ellaina even got in on the piano playing!


Ellaina and Erin ... seestahs-in-law!

A little TV

After all the partying, the fans of "Grey's Anatomy" headed down to the family room to watch tonight's episode of the show.


Grandma G and Sarah watched the show, too!

Our new ride

Erin and Lucas got their wish this past week when we traded in our 2004 Toyota Sienna with 80,000 miles for a lightly used Ford Flex Limited (not to be confused with a flex-fuel vehicle). It came to us with 5,500 dealer miles on it, and a great rebate. We like it! It has seating for seven, a sunroof or roof skylight for every occupant, and Rich likes the Sync radio that allows you to talk to the car to make or answer phone calls and play your music ... hands-free functionality that lets you keep your eyes on the road instead of your phone or iPod. It will be our car for the next 8 to 10 years, God willing.

Look out, Lance Armstrong!

Sarah got her birthday present a little bit early today ... her first bike! She saw it yesterday with mommy, and today daddy went back with her to buy it. She can pedal a little bit and steer a little bit, just not both at the same time! Give her a week or two...


Sarah's bike is a blue Trek, the same brand as Daddy's bike!



Sarah and mommy. Sarah's great-grandma Myrtle contributed money toward Sarah's new bike. Thanks, Nanny. We love you!


Mommy had a rotten day at work today, so helping Sarah learn how to ride her bike was a good thing...

The Three Amigos!

Sarah, mommy and that silly kitty, Moby, were all watching one of Sarah's videos together, so daddy had to take a picture.



Erin nuzzles up to Moby. That crazy cat LOVES to sit in Sarah's old high chair!


Messy-face (can you see the greasy chin from her buttered noodles?)

Go, Caleb, go!

Caleb only has about two more weeks of hockey left this season, and tonight we went to all went to his game at Osseo (except for Lucas, who stayed home feeling a little sick). Caleb's Pirates team lost 8-2, but it wasn't for a lack of cheering from Sarah, who brought her pom-poms.


The two best-looking cheerleaders in the building!


Sarah and her friend Isabella hollered through the plexiglass at Caleb. (Yep, that's him over there on the left, we think.)


Sarah takes a timeout for a bite of candy.


Go, Caleb, go!

A couple more ...

"Daddy, let go!!" Sarah got her arm "stuck" in the popcorn box!


Hockey mom and dad.