Camping Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great time camping this weekend at New Harmonie State Park. We went with the Blankenberger's, Zach, Sarah & Landon, Brock and Cassie, Dannie and Connie Koester, and LeAnn and Donnie Seibert. Dena, Nathan, Amber, Dad, Eileen, Kay and Tony visited throughout the weekend. The boys loved camping and Andy and I enjoyed having some time away with the boys. We arrived on Friday afternoon and stayed until after lunch on Monday, so it was a long weekend.

Lucas enjoyed helping Daddy cook and playing on the playground. Adam loved being outside and playing with his chalk. The boys make mud pies with Landon's Mud Pie Maker. They splashed in the baby pool, had water balloon and super soaker fights, and played with ball, trucks, and helicopters. We went through several pairs of clothes each day. We went swimming at the pool and Lucas went down the water slide with Daddy several times. Adam loved being in the water and kicking. We celebrated Aunt Dena's 30th Birthday. Several times a day the boys got to go for a stroller ride around the camp ground. This put Adam to sleep several times and Lucas just couldn't get enough. We also watched movies before bed in the camper. It was a manageable struggle to get the boys to go to sleep, but once they were down they both slept through the night until about 6:30, which is 30 minutes later than normal. As you can tell we did a lot and had a great time. We can't wait for our next camping trip.

Congratulations, Sara & Emily!

We celebrated graduations again this weekend. Sara Blankenberger graduated from Mater Dei High School and Emily Blankenberger graduated from St. Wendel Grade School. Andy fried fish for the girls' party. So on Saturday Lucas, Andy & I went over to the Blankenberger's to catch fish for the next day. Lucas wasn't interested in fishing but loved playing with the worms. I think there were about 15 people fishing and we caught about 100-150 fish.

Lucas playing with worms

Sara fishing

Emily fishing

On Sunday, I put the boys in their swimming gear since it was so warm and the beach is so fun. This was Adam's first time playing in the lake and he loved it. Lucas enjoyed this sand much more this year. We had a wonderful time at the party and are very proud of Sara and Emily!

Fun at the Waterpark!

Lucas on baby boat slide

Adam on the baby Boat Slide

Daddy and Lucas at the end of the big water slide

Adam doing the back float

They are worn out

Droopy drawers playing the Popcorn arcade game

We made an impromptu decision this morning to go to the indoor water park in French Lick. We left shortly after lunch and got home at 9. It was a blast! The boys napped in the truck on the way. Then they played from 2- 5 in the water and loved it! Lucas was very independent going down the baby slide head first into the water. I'd estimate he went down nearly 50 times. Adam started loving the slide too, once he figured out how much fun it was.

Lucas's favorite thing was going down the big water slides with Mommy & Daddy. He loved it and wore us both out so we had to trade off. Adam wanted to wear his life jacket and back float in the deep pool. He just closed his eyes and laid there with a little smirk on his face, like "look at me" :) After the water park, we played in the arcade for a little while. The boys won enough tickets to get some Smarties.

Then we ate supper at the restaurant in the hotel. For dessert, we got ice cream at Dairy Queen. On the way home, the boys were pleasantly surprised to find out that Daddy's truck has DVD player. We had been keeping that a secret to avoid fighting the battle of watching DVD's every morning on the way to the sitter :)

We had great time and can't wait to go back. I booked a new vacation destination for our first beach trip and if this was any indication of the little fishes my boys are, we should be in for a great time on Lake Michigan. I'll post a slide show soon, the progression of some of the pictures is just too cute to pass on.

Mother's Day 2010

Mommy and the boys in the rose garden.

Lucas blowing out his Mother's Day candle. You know every special occasion needs a candle to blow out :)

Family, everyone say cheese.

Daddy & Lucas looking at the swans

Mommy & Adam looking at ducks

The boys hitched a ride back to the car.

Knocking on Great Granny's door. Lucas yelling, "Great Granny, it's us and we have cookies for you. "

The boys playing in the rocks.

I had a fantastic Mother's Days with my boys. We started the day making sprinkle cookies in our PJs. Then we got all dressed up and went to New Harmony for brunch. Aunt Carrie even had a candle for Lucas to blow out at dessert time. After our delicious meal, we took a walk around the lake. Lucas is very into nature walks these days asking about all the trees, weeds, and flowers. Adam loves to pick up leaves, bark, and anything else he can find to carry with him. We saw swans, ducks, a waterfall and a bridge. We took some photos in the rose garden too. The boys were worn out after their walk so they got to ride back on the guy's shoulders to the car.

We then headed to the cementary and to drop some gifts off at Great Granny's. The boys crashed in the car and we all 4 got to take a nice afternoon nap. After we woke up, we headed outside for some playtime on the play ground. I planted my Mother's Day gift, a hydrangea. (Lucas calls it a Hydrandelion). We enjoyed pasta and red sauce for super, baths, and playtime in the basement. It was a full day, but I had a wonderful time with my boys and Andy. I am so blessed.

Congratulations, Aunt Carrie!

Carrie and Brandon

Carrie with one of her awards

We celebrated Carrie receiving her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy this weekend. She received 3 awards: two for her field work and one voted on by her classmates. The Distinguished Speaker Award came with the responsibility of giving a speech on behalf of her class at the dinner following the hooding ceremony. Carrie gave a touching yet humorous and articulate speech which earned her many accolades. We are so proud of Carrie and all of her accomplishments.

Playtime and Bath

I got some cute photos of the boys just playing outside and then taking their bath.

Prom Queen

Congrats to Sara on getting Mater Dei Prom Queen 2010. She looked so beautiful and we are so proud of her. Jacob's pretty cute too :)

Enjoying Spring

Gardener Lucas with his bucket and boots

Lumberjack Lucas here to save the day

Adam wearing his Rhino gear and enjoying the breeze

Adam and Angel coming down the hill

This weekend we spent some time with the Grandparents. Lucas and Adam stayed with Grandma Eileen and Grandpa Jim from Saturday morning until Sunday morning. Friday night the storms blew down a very large tree in their yard. Lucas was ready to save the day. Here's what he said seconds after he arrived, "Papaw Jim that tree fall down, and I will fix it with my chainsaw." Sunday afternoon we went for a Rhino ride and visited Grandma Kay and Grandpa Tony. Adam enjoyed riding a skateboard down the drive way with Angel and Lucas put his boots on to go help Paps in the garden. The boys are very lucky to have such great grandparents.

It's been awhile since I've given an update on the boys. Adam is growing too fast. He is walking and nearly running everywhere he goes. He is eating all table food and is no longer eating any bottles. Yeah the Rudolph house is bottle and passy free for the first time in 2 years. Adam is following directions and is starting to talk more. He says, "Hi", "I got it", "I did it", "Stuck", "Go", and some other random words on occasion. He is sleeping through the night more nights, but gets up at 4 AM for the day about once a week. He continues to be a happy smiley guy who loves to follow his brother everywhere.

Lucas is acting more and more like a little boy. He is still talking up a storm and is very observant. His new favorite words/phrases are "This is wonderful", "beautiful", and "the best in the world." He still loves helping Daddy cook and makes his own scrambled eggs each morning for breakfast. He loves his playground and is sliding down and climbing on it every all by himself. His new favorite game is hide and seek. We are starting to work on potty training just a little bit, but no real progress is being made.

We have really enjoyed this spring with the boys. We play outside every evening and frequently get to play with Jacob and Eli (our neighbors). We have enjoyed some family rides on the Rhino and some family trips to Walmart and Rural King. We are preparing the camper for the summer and are ready to celebrate some very special occasions with family in May. We are so blessed to have these two little boys in our life.