This Biker Girl Rocks!

It is official, Kjersti can now ride her bike all by herself! She took out a few trees, bushes and plants that were located on the perimeter of our driveway and even did the splits at one point as she was thrown from her bike. But, all in all, she is none the worse for wear after an intense bike instruction session. She is even learning how to dodge Eli as he comes after her with the three-wheeler and a maniacal sounding, "Ha, ha, ha!"

Watch Out!

As if Eli wasn't a daredevil already, Cody is teaching him the fun of BMX racing and catching a little air time! Yes, I know he is on Kjersti's old, pink princess bike but it didn't seem to take away from the thrill. Tomorrow, when Eli expects me to be able to hurl him in the air like this and I can't, I will only reinforce his opinion that Daddy is the coolest person in the world. Which, is precisely what little boys should think.

A Beautiful Day in Ottawa, Canada!

Ottawa, Canada's National Capital, is about a two hour drive from our home in Watertown, NY. Saturday we decided to take advantage of an absolutely spectacular day. We spent our time checking out Parliament as well as some of the other sites near by. We enjoyed wandering around the statues surrounding Parliament, watching boats come in and out of the locks of the Rideau Canal (above picture, middle left side) and visiting some of Canada's National Memorials. Parliament Hill is nestled on the banks of the Ottawa River and as you can see it's really quite a view.

Sir Elias Chubbs, Duke of Smirky Grin (Eli's British name) moments before going in to address Parliament.


Kjersti and Eli had a pretty good time. They especially enjoyed posing/harassing some Canadian women fighting for equal rights. Eli attempted at least one pull up on the outstretched arm of a kind old woman.


Oh, then there was that time that Kjersti and Cody were chased through the streets of Ottawa by a giant man eating spider... Too bad we received zero cooperation from the local citizenry in making this a more believable photo.

Despite all the adventure, the kids still needed to take a break from time to time.

Yippee!

It was an exciting day for Chubs. He tossed a stick into the Black River and couldn't have been happier about it. This happened after he had managed to throw the majority of rocks on the bank into the river. Its all about the simple pleasures!

Celebrating Good Times in New York!

So, life is really good here in New York. We definitely like the place better now that spring has come and we can get outside and enjoy our beautiful surroundings. All of us love to go for walks along the Black River Trail which runs behind our house. Kjersti loves to run and make dadelion crowns. Eli enjoys throwing rocks in the river, blowing dadelion seeds and running with his sister. Cody and I just love being together with our cute and crazy kids.