Settling In

We are still adjusting to our new arrival. Riley is very easy going, very loving and very playful. Unfortunately, she also is still learning to potty outside. And yes, I know...that comes with having a puppy. But today our day began with Roger going downstairs, getting Riley so excited that she ended up flinging her poop all over the family room. Not so fun to deal with at 6:45 in the morning. Roger cleaning it up, me outside with her freezing in the cold, the kids running around yelling about poop. UGH. All I wanted was some coffee! :-)

Here are some pics and a video of everyone outside enjoying the warmish weather.

 For some reason Beckett didn't want his picture taken. Very unlike our little poser.

 Riley loves our loriape grass. Might be a battle this summer when we are actually trying to get it to grow.

 Grant playing 3rd base in the local baseball game.

 This is her favorite ball. Looks like we are going to have to buy another one.

 Beckett giving hugs.

Today when I was putting Beckett down for his nap:

He wraps my arms around him...

B: Mom, you not let me fall?

M: No, I won't let you fall.

B: You got me mom?

M: I got you Beck.

B: Thanks Mom.

 Riley has decided that she likes this corner and that she likes to lay on Roger's slippers.

Our New Arrival!

Today we welcomed our newest family member

  Riley Angel Simmons

(Grant came up with the whole name...Roger and I liked the name Riley. :-)

She's an 11 week old goldendoodle. We adopted her from a rescue shelter in Ohio. Roger made the big drive over there today while I surprised the kids with the news and took them shopping for supplies and toys.

She's absolutely adorable and we couldn't be happier or more excited. Grant especially is overjoyed. He has promised to do all the work involved with a puppy...time will tell.

Beckett just loves her and calls her Wawy. Grant's pronunciation is similar.

Video of the kids waiting for Roger to come inside with Riley and then playing outside.

Super Bowl Extravaganza!

 As many of you know, Indianapolis hosted the Super Bowl this year. The news stations have had a countdown to the big day for probably the last 6 months and it is always the first story on the news. In the week leading up to it, I had to wait about 15 minutes into the newscast to get a story other than how Indy was ready for the big game.

Several streets were closed downtown and a Super Bowl Village was created. We planned to go down on Friday (Roger's birthday) to check it all out. Unfortunately Beckett came down with the stomach flu, so he and I stayed behind and Roger and Grant braved the crowds.

Grant was also fighting a cold and so he fell asleep on the way downtown...of course with only about 15 minutes left in the ride. When Roger woke him up he sleepily said, "Can I bring my pillow? Maybe I can just lay down somewhere for a little while." Roger was a little worried. :-) But in true Grant style, he rallied.

Along the outside wall of the convention center, helmets representing each of the teams were posted. GO SAINTS! GO DREW BREES!

On the streets were lots of venders. The big attraction was a zip line that went the length of the street...about 100 feet in the air. I heard people began waiting in line at 9 am (it didn't even open until 3). CRAZY!

 The big attraction was the NFL Experience. Most of the new convention center was taken over for this "come be a football player" event. Roger said there was lots of memorabilia in the beginning. Wax hand prints of some big players (I can't remember who now). Roger's big news was that his hands were bigger than all of them...not surprising if you have ever measured your hands with his. Players giving interviews to ESPN and several news desks. The good stuff was in the back.

 You can kind of see an ESPN newscaster behind the scaffolding.

ESPN interviewing players.

NFL Play 60 set up several obstacle courses, punting stations, hiking stations, and passing stations. Grant LOVED it.

Players were helping with most of the stations. Grant met Sterling Sharpe and could have met Cam Newton but decided he didn't want to do the course again. The big disappointment was when someone complimented Grant's Brees jersey and then said, "did you meet him?" WHAT? Turns out that when they got in line for one of the courses, Roger chose the shorter of the 2 lines. Who wouldn't? Well, Brees was helping at the longer line. By the time they made it over to the other line he was gone. DOH!

 He looks like he is going to punch out the tackling dummy.

Future player....needs to grow a little though.

Sure sign of a truly great day:

Goofy Kids

My kids are pretty cute and goofy sometimes. These are the times that I need to picture to when I am ready to leave them on the corner. :-)

Every week at school, Grant's class has a letter of the week. This past week it was "P" week, so his teachers decided that it would be "pirates and princesses." On the first day I picked him up and he was sporting his pirate bandana and eye patch. :-)

AARRR!!!

We are searching for a newish minivan to replace the Tahoe. Beckett and I went to test drive one the other day. As we were leaving, I turned around and thought he looked so cute I just wanted a quick pic of him. When I said, Beck let me take your picture. He said, with his index finger indicating 1, "One minute." Beckett then walked over to the sportiest car he could find and struck this pose while saying "Cheese!"

Unbelievable! Looks like we have a future model on our hands. :-)