Egg-stra Special Easter!

Alright, I have to be honest. This year, I knew Cade wouldn't really be able to dye or hunt for eggs, or even remember whether he got an Easter basket or not...so I really didn't plan anything. I know, gasp. Come on, I'm in the middle of intensive birthday party planning, people! Cut me some slack. Luckily, my lack of planning will not scar Cade for life. He still received plenty of Easter goodies and many sweet moments were captured on camera. Our parents each sent gifts and our wonderful culdesac neighbors put candy-filled eggs in all the yards! I still don't know who the secret "Blake Street Bunny" is but I'm so glad they visited us! Cade really does like hunting for eggs and it was so fun watching him figure it all out.

My boys in pastel checking out all the eggs left in the yard!

What is going on?!

Don't worry, I get it. You pick up the egg...

and you put it in here.

Oh yeah, and then you clap!

No time for pictures, Mom, back to the eggs!

Waving at the neighbors. Too bad we don't have more traffic on our street, Cade LOVES to watch cars drive by and wave at people...or anything moving outside.

I know, I know...but I figure we're going to serve him up a big 'ole birthday cake next week so why not try some chocolate this week?

The good thing about Easter dinner with just the 3 of us? Sweatpants.

And sleeveless onesies. Classy.

So I didn't plan for Easter baskets but I did plan an Easter dinner! Nothing fancy...because if it was then my husband wouldn't eat it! (The kinda nasty looking blob is cheesy potatoes. His favorite!)


Feel free to check out the video evidence of Cade's egg hunting abilities. It's pretty sweet...even if I am an idiot and held the camera the wrong way for videoing! A slight head tilt is in order...my apologies.



Cade's reaction to the Easter bunny from Grandma Jan and Grandpa Mike


Matt and I eating the Easter candy while Cade gets violent with the eggs.


It was so sweet to celebrate with Cade and start some new fun traditions for our little family while we thank God for the reason we celebrate. HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

Youth Trumps Training & Experience

We had such a fun Easter weekend it will take two entries to recap it all!

Friday night--dance party upon checking into our hotel room. It was all Cade's idea. He's in love with clock radios.

Cade, dropping it like it's hot.

Bathtime after a dip in the swimming pool. (Forgot my camera in the room while at the pool). Look at my two little hams...

After dinner with the crew it was Easter basket time! Both my family and Matt's always go all out to make holidays special for Cade.

Everyone watches as Cade reads the book they all recorded for him.

G-Mom is great with Easter baskets! Cade actually got one from her last year too--yes, that was before he was actually born!

Now, what you've all been waiting for...the race. It was a bit chilly for spectators but overall good weather. I was just glad there wasn't any rain!

Gentry was a bit scared...

We're ready!

Heading to the start line...

Can you spot "Race Day Barbie?"

Here we are!

It was our goal to keep up with this guy who was wearing bunny ears...and actually ended up juggling during the whole race.

The start was very packed and slow...since the race was pretty much on a narrow bike path it was clogged with people for most of the race.

Matt photographed some of the people in front of us...like this really old guy. Thanks, Matt!

And...juggling bunny man...it ended up being a lofty goal to keep up with him...

Here we are at the 4K mark...having a chummy time! The race was only broken up by kilometers, not miles. Maybe that's the norm but I was annoyed. I was having to exert way too much brain power trying to figure out how far was left!

Cade was a very encouraging fan! He loves clapping so this was very entertaining for him!

And now...Race Day Barbie at the 7K mark

Shortly behind her, G-Dog

And shortly behind them...me...I gave Matt a look that says, "I know, I surrender"
They slowly pulled away at about the half-way mark. I tried to catch back up but just couldn't keep the faster pace, I worried about being able to finish!

Race Day Barbie heads to the finish line! She has what it takes!

About a minute later is Gentry. She looked strong the whole race! Way to go!

And pretty close after that...me. 55 minutes 34 seconds. I apparently have one pace whether I'm running a 10K or twice that! And while I did get last--I mean third--in our family, I promise I wasn't last in the whole race (it doesn't really look like there's people after me...but there are!)

Post-race, my body was angry with my lack of training. Super sore and tired...and very upset...tummy. Enough said.
After showers at the hotel and lunch at Jason's Deli we headed to the "Bachelorette Pad" aka Gentry's place

Cade made himself at home...

We had a great time using the monster-themed egg dyeing kit!

Not bad huh?

I love decorating eggs and part of me is a little sad we didn't get to hide them.


So there you have it. Youth edges out the properly trained and the experienced & cocky! Anyone for a re-match?

Who Will Prevail?

Three training days remain. It's going to be a memorable weekend, I just know it. We've decided to commemorate Easter 2011, wait for it, by running a 10K together in Wichita. The Fabulous Sauder Sister Trio. (No one has ever called us that). Running. Together.

I realize this is not the greatest photographic evidence of our obvious beauty...but Cade is in this pic. And (although not really here in the pic) he is so cute and fun.


Only time will tell if this will be a competitive race, a chummy jaunt, or just a down-right hilarious time. So, Internet Patrons, choose now who you will root for. I'll give you some background info, just to make it fair.

Myself

I would say I'm the most logical choice. I run. (Although not really since this pic I guess). My approach for this race has pretty much just been to "wing it." The weather has been all sorts of crazy lately (hot, cold, windy, rainy) and I've seen no need to battle the elements for 10K preparation...I ran 5 miles on Sunday and didn't die so I'm hoping that a little race day adrenaline (and a Gu packet) can surely carry me through on Saturday.

The Kid

Now she's been having quite the festive week with Prom last week...huge training distraction. But she's in high school, currently out for the swim team and a former cross country runner--so I'm going to just assume she's the most fit of the 3 of us. She too, is planning to wing it and just rely on her youthfulness to help pull her through. However, this just in...a text from MaKenzie saying, "First day of training went great. :) Not only did I run 3 and a half miles but I nearly pooped my pants in the process :) i am so ready for Saturday."

There you have it.

G-Dawg

Now don't write Gentry off too quickly...although she has been known to shy away from physical fitness in the past, she has turned over a new leaf. She's been working out with a personal trainer for quite some time now and has had to practically get a whole new wardrobe because of it. (It's not like she's ever been big or super out of shape or anything...just a little like a "cream puff" as Dad used to call her!). But she's actually been following a training plan for the race. She complains of "injuries" plaguing her currently, but I think she's just trying to play it cool. She really has turned into quite the athlete. She's the reason we all signed up for the race!

So whether there will be a winner, a loser, a three-way tie, or some soiled underwear by the end of this...who knows. I'm sure it will be a heck of a time. Memories in the making for sure.

Hammer Time!

We've been having tons of fun around here as Cade has progressed to actually playing with his toys rather than just putting everything in his mouth. If you have 4 minutes to spare (and especially those of you who are at work...I think you do) check out the video at the bottom capturing the thought process of a nearly one-year-old with a hammer (and think of my annoying voice doing some "behind the camera" parenting as an added bonus). Recently we've been having all sorts of "dance parties" per Cade's request. The CD that Peggy made him is his favorite.
Now the thing with shooting video of your child is that you never really know when you should stop. Because you don't want to miss anything cool...but then it ends up a four minute video like this...I know.

Reorganizing...

Cade has become the master reorganizer lately. I didn't realize we had so many cabinets needing reorganized!

I knew I needed to make time to put all my recipes in a binder instead of a flimsy folder...and this is why...


Apparently he felt like I had this all wrong...

Although it looks like he might be getting ready to take a nose dive down the stairs, this is his new favorite perch to watch TV from.
We don't watch much TV, only when I'm trying to distract him so I can pump in the evening. (It's an eventful time). And while this is quite far from the TV, he doesn't have to crane his neck so much. Cutest genius ever.

And we're out...we've been able to sport some spring and summer clothes with the nice weather. And thanks to Aud's boys we have some spring and summer clothes!


Don't take your eyes off this kid for a second!