What A Weekend!!

We had a wonderful, fabulous, and exhausting weekend here at the Rogers household!!!!!!!!

We started off our weekend on Friday since we were lucky enough to have Chris off after his crazy and busy work schedule for the past three weeks. Lucky for him, he got a few minutes of quiet time since we head to play group on Friday morning. Aiden was very anxious to get home to play with Daddy so we arrived home a little earlier than usual. The rest of the day was spent taking naps, playing outside, and enjoying a nice grilled dinner outside.

On Saturday, I headed off to do yoga in the park with a friend while Chris took the boys on a walk to see the train:) Aiden LOVES, LOVES, LOVES trains right now-good thing we live so close to the train station!!!! After every single one of us took a long nap, we spent another evening grilling out and playing outdoors.

We headed to church bright and early Sunday morning! There's nothing like getting these two kiddos fed, dressed, and ready for church (as well as ourselves) and out the door by 8:45 am! The good thing is that we arrive back home from church at 10 am:) We took another walk to town for some coffee, fresh bread, and another view of the choo-choo train!!!! During nap time, I headed to the mall and actually went shopping by myself! It was so strange to not have to push a stroller through the narrow stores, feed endless snacks to my children, or make a stop by the kid play area. It was fantastic, but I was anxious to get back home to see my boys:) After eating an early dinner, we headed to downtown for some ice cream. The red velvet shake was AMAZING at the local ice cream shop!

And this morning, we marched ourselves on over to the Memorial Day parade in town. Aiden was in heaven: fire trucks, ambulances, and candy galore! This afternoon, we took our first trip to the town pool. Aiden LOVED swimming, I think he could have been there all day! After two hours of swimming non-stop for our little guy, we headed home for some dinner, a little downtime, and bed.

We are SO thankful that Chris will be off this whole week so our extended weekend doesn't end there!!!! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy:

All bathed and ready to walk into town to get ice cream!!!

Brothers watching the parade together

Mesmerized by the parade

So happy

Our little fish!

So much fun at the pool

Loving the swings by the pool (So far, Andrew is not a fan of the cold pool water, but I have a feeling that he will get used to it!

Having fun with Daddy around

All this swimming and sunshine wears a little one out!

Someone's finding their voice!

And watch out big brother Aiden because I got you!!!

Rain Rain Go Away!

We have had SO many rainy days these past couple weeks!!! Even with playdates and exciting adventures out and about, we have played for many, many hours inside!!!!!!

Aiden with his favorite playmates, Cobi and Sheffield (And yes, he did ask to be in the kennel with the puppies!):

Look at me, Mommy! I'm getting good at this sitting up thing:
My little assistant chef:
And my other boy having fun in the kitchen:
Having fun around the house:
Scooting machine:
And FINALLY, a day of sunshine brought us to the park:

As much fun as we have had indoors, I am thankful that sun arrived today and the forecast looks awesome for the next several days!

Run Aiden Run!

About a month ago, I slowly started running again after having Andrew and the unfortunate broken ankle. This is the longest that I have gone without running since I was probably fourteen years old:) My ankle is not fully healed but I wear an ankle brace and have been only venturing out for short jogs a couple times a week to get my body back used to some exercise.

On a whim last weekend, I signed up for a 5k here in town. I don't even think that I have run three miles as the only times that I get to run is with the boys in the jogging stroller and the longest runs we have done are less than 30 minutes! But I knew I could do it and it didn't take much convincing from Chris before I signed up. Even better, they had a kids' race so I signed Aiden up for his VERY FIRST road race!

Fast forward to this past Sunday. I woke up after waking several times during the night with little bug, Andrew, and I was kicking myself for signing us up. I was exhausted and we had to get both kids fed and changed as well as ourselves and out the door by 8:30...not an easy feat! Somehow we did it and were on our way to the race at a park here in town.

Thankfully, I ran into another mom that I have met before at the park and it was perfect because once the race started, I knew that we would keep each other going! I finished the race in a time that I was VERY happy with and am SO excited about getting back into road races after not completing any for several years (between pregnancies and moving, it's been over four years!).

And Aiden was SO excited to run his first race, especially after watching Mommy run. We have been practicing during the week how to run a race. We would say, Ready, Set, Go and race to the swing or the porch or the slide in our backyard grass. Little did I know that he associated racing with running in grass. Chris stood with him at the start line trying to remind him to run towards the finish line where Mommy and Andrew were waiting. He kept telling Chris that he wanted to be on the grass. Well, lo and behold, when the race started...all the kids ran forward and little Aiden ran towards the grass! He was quite confused by the whole thing and ended the race about 20 seconds after the rest of the kids. (Video posted below!) But he didn't seem to notice and enjoyed the red ribbon that he got (which is now hanging from his doorknob) and the donuts afterwards!

All ready to go:

Daddy giving him some racing advice:

Our little racer, Aiden!

Check out the video! Aiden is on the far right, next to the grassy stretch.

Good Morning Andrew!

Isn't this just want everyone wants when they wake up from their morning nap?!?!

I'm hoping to catch my own morning, afternoon, AND evening nap this weekend! We are in complete exhaustion in the Rogers household today. Chris has been working some crazy, crazy hours this week and we haven't seen him ALL week! We are doing the best to make it through, but let's just say that I am looking forward to having two extra hands around this weekend. This rainy weather has made us stuck inside for many hours, but we have stayed busy with several playdates, a trip to the mall, trips to two different libraries, and finally...we enjoyed a day outside yesterday on our rain-free day! Off to start the day: Andrew has been up since 5:30, so let's just say that he is about ready for his morning nap and it's not even 7!

Loving some spring days...

Just wanted to share some pictures of our two little ones:

Andrew snatching up toys as he scoots!

Someone wants to test out all the baby equipment!

Look at me stand, Mama!

Decorating our kitchen door:)

Loving some sunshine outside

Go Chicago Cubs!

Learning how to use a sippy (Now if we could only figure out how to use a bottle...)

Grandpa, you really should have get me the John Deere tractor?!?! I love my CAT!

Playing outside in my big exersaucer

All this play wears me out!

Our little scooting machine...

Just over five months and he is our scooting machine!!! Andrew is SO crazy active...I just can't believe it! As soon as you put him on the floor, he rolls over to his tummy and takes off!

Andrew loves to move, move, move! When he is in the Baby Bjorn, he kicks and kicks. When you hold Andrew, he wiggles and wiggles. He rolls over and over and over. I guess I better get ready for two kids to be moving around because it is going to be happening in no time at all!!!

Here's a video of Andrew scooting across his room! Aiden hops down from his crib to join and show off his impressive scooting skills. Later, Aiden and Andrew make a special phone call to Grandpa. You can't go anywhere without Aiden having his cell phones close by:)

Becoming A Little Boy...

Aiden went in for a haircut last week! We said good-bye to his long, shaggy hair and he got transformed into such a handsome little boy:

What else is going on in Aiden's world?

• Obsessed with school buses
• Loves singing the alphabet and counting objects
• Potty training! No more diapers for this guy:)
• Loves watching some Sesame Street
• And this little one could spend ALL DAY outside!!! He loves, loves, loves being outdoors!

Sunshine on Saturday

While I was washing dishes on Saturday morning, I saw this beautiful sight. Aiden had carried over his golf set to Andrew and was showing him how it works. This view made me so excited because I can't wait to watch these two boys grow and love one another!

I have to say that I did question my husband's sanity when he told me on Friday afternoon that he ordered a truckload of dirt that was going to be delivered. Seriously, dirt?!?! If you haven't noticed, Chris has spent many of the past weekends working on the lawn between growing grass, planting shrubs and flowers, and laying down bricks. When he told me that he ordered dirt, I really wondered if this was becoming an unhealthy obsession. But, I do have to say that the dirt did it's magic. He used the dirt to elevate the shrubs a few inches higher so it was above the landscape bricks. After moving all of the dirt and replanting all of the shrubs, I have to say that I think it looks fantastic. Thanks Chris for all of your hard work!

And I have to thank Chris for allowing our 2 year old to help him most of the day (as much as toddlers help). Aiden loved digging in the dirt and spraying the leftover dirt off the driveway:) It made for one very messy son by the end of the day!

We spent almost the whole day outside on Saturday. Aiden LOVES to be outside, just like his mama. Andrew doesn't really have a choice as he goes where the rest of us go!

We also enjoyed a nice walk to downtown where we discovered some wonderful shops in town. We picked up a fresh baguette from the bread store, delicious cookies from the bakery, and in true Jersey style, we picked up some cold cuts and steak from the butcher! We were all set for a wonderful barbecue for dinner!!!!!

Loving my boys on Mother's Day!

Two years ago, Mother's Day took on a whole new meaning when I became a mother myself! I can't even fathom how my mom took care of four kids without losing her sanity because motherhood brings on a whole new meaning to life: sleepless nights, irrational toddler speak, a never-ending pile of laundry, errands that always need to be run, and so much more. But motherhood also brings a huge amount of love, laughs, and joy to one's life which makes all of the craziness so, so worth it! I am so thankful for my two boys, two doggies, and an amazing husband. I was blessed with breakfast in bed, an afternoon nap, time to exercise, brats on the grill, and some great time with my family!

Me and my boys

Andrew and Mommy

Aiden and Daddy

And a failed attempt at our two little loves:)

Happy Mother's Day to all the other wonderful lovely ladies in our life that we call Mom, MeMe, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Aunts, and Sisters!!! We love you!!!

Ready for Summer!

We are ready for summer at the Rogers household! Ready to head out for some runs with Mommy...

Ready for some water play...

Ready for some summer time smiles...

Ready for some early morning outdoor play in our pajamas...

Ready for some swinging...

Ready for some walks with the doggies (although I think Aiden is confused about this warm weather when he chose to wear one snow boot and one Croc)

And ready to play, play, play!!! Please come summer because we are ready for you!