Trying out the new swing set

So, after the swing set was installed and ready to go on Saturday, I couldn't WAIT for the next free nice day to try it out! That opportunity came yesterday when I had the day off and the weather totally cooperated! I started the day by driving to Kasson to pick up two swings that Robin had found on craigslist! They were in need of a good scrubbing but Robin and Miles took care of that, see video below:-) After I got back from Kasson; Robin, Miles and Henry headed over as well as Kristin, Jocelyn and Sophia. We had a FAB-ulous time and a picture perfect day!! The boys L-O-V-E-D the new sand box and swings!! The girls and little Henry enjoyed being outdoors and soaking in the fresh air. Here are some pictures from the day as well as three videos to enjoy:-)

All 5 kiddos in one shot, not the greatest but the only shot of the day that contains all of them...not an easy task with an almost 2 year old (Miles), almost 2 year old (Josiah), 2 rolling 5-1/2 month olds (Jocelyn and Sophia) and a teething almost 4 month old (Henry) but we did our best! The four littlest ones enjoying the fresh air...Miles was running around and couldn't be slowed down long enough to appear in the picture:-)

"Hmm, I wonder if these helicopter things are any good to eat?" Side note: he thought they were great along with grass, a leaf and sand...all dee-licious apparently because I couldn't keep anything out of his mouth all day! Heading toward the sandbox!! First touch of sand, will he take after his daddy who spent HOURS and HOURS in his sandbox as a little boy with Steve and Mark??

Despite his look in the picture, he LOVED the sandbox...this look of despair was only because I kept saying his name to get him to look up and he was annoyed that I was interrupting his fun!

Enjoying the sandbox and a BIG thank you to the Wilson's!!

Miles and Robin scrubbing up the swings!

"Look Mommy, no hands!!"

Priceless smiles from two happy boys!!

The swings were a HUGE hit!!

New Swingset!!

We got a new swing set!! Well, it's really more than just a swing set, it's a whole swing/sandbox/elevated fort "system":-) We have been on the lookout for one since the one that used to be in the backyard was sent to the recycling center when it became too wobbly. We weren't finding much when my aunt and uncle's neighbor said that we could have theirs if we moved it...and by "we", I mean Seth because I was of no help in that department! Luckily, we have FANTASTICALLY skilled and generous friends and family members who helped out tremendously! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for borrowing his impact wrench (I think that's what it's called anyway, like I said, not my department) to the project. Also a HUGE thank you to Kyle, Gary, Joe and Alex without who this would not have been possible and certainly wouldn't have been completed in a day and a half!! You guys are the greatest and Josiah, Seth and I appreciate it more than you know!!!! And of course, another BIG BIG thank you to the Wilson family for passing on this great toy to us, it will be put to good use, I promise!! I did not get any pictures of the actual moving/reconstructing process, I failed there but here are a few cute shots from the weekend and a shot of the complete set...

Olivia and Josiah supervised

Miles is all packed up and ready to go after his daddy spent a LONG day helping out!

Part of the crew at the celebratory "We're done!" pizza party!! Malkin checking out the completed project (he also christened the tree on the way for extra protection...thanks buddy!)

This is a shot of the unit in the Wilson's yard before being disassembled and reassembled but it's the best shot I have of it so far...pretty fancy, no?!

A plug for the photographer!!

This is one of Josiah's professional pictures taken by our wonderful photographer, Sara Blixt from Fotobugz. Check out more of her stuff on fotobugz.com She is amazing to work with and gets great shots! Thanks Sara!!

Defiance or compliance?

Seth and I belong to a small group through our church, excuse me, the COOLEST small group (sorry Jamie, forgot to add that:-)) through our church and lately we have been discussing parenting and discipline. One series was a Focus on the Family by Dr. Dobson and we studied the difference between a defiant child and a compliant one and how to deal with willful defiance. What do you think he'd say about Josiah in this video? Be sure to note the gesture he gives around the 0:58 second mark:-) Also, note the lovely screams intermixed through the video...welcome to our world:-)

Go together?

Do these photos and videos all go together? Not exactly but I wanted to post them anyway, a little random but here goes:

Spring has sprung!! This tree is so beautiful when it flowers

in the spring and it smells lovely to boot:-)

The most common view of Josiah these days...crawling away from us

most likely toward a power cord or cable!

"Let's see, the "S" goes between the "O" and "I" they tell me..." "Is that how it goes Mom??"

Josiah LOVES buttons and anything that lights up or plays music and he's pretty good with his little pointer fingers...check it out!

Future Dancing With the Stars contestant?? I feel like he could already beat some of the current contestants, yes I'm talking to you Kate!