Berry Much Love: March 2013

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Overcoming fears...

So months ago my husband purchased a 4-wheeler for Carly. He was so excited to find this beast of machinery on good ole Craigslist. Bragging about what deal he had found in this red & black beauty, he promptly went out and bought a matching helmet, gloves and goggles for our girl to rock out while she wheeled around our yard.

But in true Carly fashion, she did not arise to the occasion. She was not overwhelmed with excitement to jump on and ride as my husband had so hoped. It has been months of coxing , and encouraging, and overenthusiastically prompting ... And FINALLY! we have progress...

I heard the motor running and I knew my girl was overcoming her fears!

And I was so proud of her!

Now, let me just be honest, I was in no way happy about my oldest riding around on some un-enclosed 4 wheeled monstrosity of a machine (and while some of you may say I'm over-reacting. Those of you with children will understand my apprehension). But who can argue with this smile??

She was so proud of herself, and despite my anxiety of the 4 wheeled beast, and I was so proud of my girl overcoming her fears!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Happy St. Patty's Day

So my heritage is true Irish!

I love that...

And I was hoping for a repeat of last years St. Patty's Day. Sunny. 70's. Fresh breath of spring. But no. It doesn't appear to be happening.

All there is, is the remance of a teasingly nice week.

I still keep the hope that spring is near by!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Oh the Places We Have Gone...

I love to travel, visit new places, re-visit favorite spots! I love long vacations and quick weekend get aways. Looking through my pictures from the last few months, I've realized that we've been on a few adventures.

OSCODA/LAKE HURON/AU SABLE RIVER
First up was a nice weekend up north to the cabin. Chris and I got away without the kids (only the second time I have ever gone away without the kids). We met up with some friends and had a great time!

This little beauty was the only decent fish I caught all weekend.

Now this trip was a memorable one, as it was the first and ONLY time I have been or ever will be canoeing. Let's just say the short 4 hour canoe trip turned into a 7 hour paddling trip from HELL that involved every canoe flipping over at least once, me getting clothes-lined out of my canoe by a tree branch - a loss of a flip flop and Oakley sunglasses - a mad rescue of some paddles and shoes rapidly flying down river and the over turn of a cooler full of beer cans. We left that river crabby, hungry, sun-burned, scraped, bruised and the muscles on my arms were sore for a week after. We laugh now, but at the time I seriously considered knocking out one of the people floating down the river on the inner-tubes just to get out of my canoe and stop paddling!

TENNESSE ~ UP A VERY BIG MOUNTAIN
Next up was our girls trip (plus one happy little boy) to meet up with my aunt, cousin and her lovable girls in Tennessee! It was a happy reunion 6 years over due for my Mom and her Sister! And a wonderful time for my cousin's girls to reconnect with my girl! It took all of two minutes for the little lovies to become inseparable for the whole weekend!

Our gorgeous view from our condo we stayed in! It was well worth the terrifying drive up the moutain!

I loved watching the girls play like they haven't had 300 miles separating them all their little lives. My cousin and I stayed up most the night chatting and catching up like we used to when we were little! We left that weekend determined to make this trip an annual one!

HOCKEY WEEKEND!
Our last mini getaway was to see my brother play hockey on his home ice! Destination: Youngstown Ohio, home of the Youngstown Phantoms!

Go #13!!

Unfortunately I have no more pictures than these ones because after I took these I was too busy screaming and yelling for my brother who played an awesome game that weekend. Taking pictures took a backseat to cheering on the Phantoms!

I am looking forward to our next trip (oh yes, it is being planned already)! In fact, I think a repeat of all these trips are a complete MUST for the family and me!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Winter Fun

So I have lived in Michigan my whole life. I have never been one to complain about the winter. I've never particuarly cared for it, but it's just a fact of life if you live here. It's Michigan; the winters are long, bitterly cold, snowy, icy ... did I mention long? For some reason though, this year, I have absolutely NO patience for winter! None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Zero patience. I want it over with, done, gone, and I want spring & summer to just come right on in!

That being said, I am trying not to let my Grinch like attitude towards this weather rub off on my kiddos. Soooo.... I have been a sport about it (at least I feel like I have). I've pulled my winter gear out of the back of the closet. Bundled the kids up and we've all trekked outside for a little winter fun.

This is Carly's "It's freezing but I'll try to smile" smile!

My son LOVES being outside, warm or sub-zero temps!

Christopher was bundled up like the kid from The Christmas Story, and when he attempted to bend over and grab his soccer ball, he basically did a forward face plant on the ground. The poor boy caught himself with his nose.

He's such a trooper though!

It never ceases to amaze me how different my children are. Their personalities change and grow every day. In terms of weather though, Christopher takes after my husband and pretty much would rather be outdoors regardless of temperature! While I think Carly will follow in my footsteps and hibernate indoors through most of the winter. Our winter fun will be admiring the beautiful view of the white snow from inside our cozy warm house, patiently (or in my case, impatiently) waiting for spring to arrive!