Music and Flowers

Maggie had her piano recital in early April and played two pieces. She surprised me the morning of the recital with a fully memorized piece "Wish Upon A Star." I was really proud of her and she nailed both of them in the recital.

Maggie, sitting at the Steinway in the recital hall

Last weekend we headed to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. The flowers were breathtaking and the evening was so warm and mild that it felt like summer, even the bugs were out.

The kids had a day off of school on Monday and so we headed to see the Spring animals at Wheeler Farm. It was the hottest day of the year, 86 degrees, but it felt more like 100. Sadie enjoyed feeding the ducks and chasing the geese. Maggie and Sam happened upon a mother goose protecting her eggs. They snapped dozens of photos of the white eggs.

feeding the ducks and geese...

The infamous eggs...

and the geese

The belly is getting bigger

Samuel's #7 Birthday

My boy is growing up and celebrated his 7th birthday a few weeks ago. He chose to go to Momentum Climbing Gym for his party with his school friends. Sam enjoyed climbing and being with his friends. They celebrated after climbing with pizza, soda, and Sam's special request brownies (he doesn't like cake). It was fun to watch him climb, reach the top, and then repel back down. Maggie had a great time too and Sadie wasn't so sure of the height of things, but seemed to enjoy watching for the most part. Happy Birthday Samuel, my big 7-year-old!

At Momentum Climbing Gym

My 7-year-old climber

What happened to you Sam?

Making a birthday wish... or two

Easter Celebrations

This has been one beautiful Spring. I don't remember seeing the trees and flowers blossom this magnificently since we've lived here. How grateful I am for renewal, growth, warmth and the promise of a resurrection!

She was into the egg hunt and insisted on the ears

Showing off a full bucket

Easter Morning

Sunday afternoon

The LeadmanTri and My Own Kind of Race

Brian took a weekend trip down to Henderson/Boulder City, Nevada to compete in the LeadmanTri...the race began late Saturday morning and went into the evening. The race course, as well as the entire western united states, was plagued with a windstorm that made the course and conditions less than desirable, to say the least. The swim was difficult as wave after wave slapped across the water, the bike was insane as it blew riders off their bikes and slowed their speeds, the run was exhausting, uphill into the mountains, but through it all, the sweat, the grit, the fatigue and muscle cramps, Brian finished the race and crossed the finish line with a smile on his face! He is amazing...he said it was mind over matter (mind over body)! but I think it was much more than that...he is one tough guy. We are so proud of you. So, the countdown begins, Ironman St. George on May 5, here we come!

Brian was 225 as you can see displayed on his calf, he has quite the suntan lines now.

They call the race the Leadman because lead is heavier than iron. They say the course, although shorter distances, is actually harder then the Ironman. With the nasty conditions the athletes battled through, I am sure this will be the case.

I've been running my own kind of race the last five months, that of growing another Ramos baby inside my belly. Yes, we are expecting Baby Number 5 in August! As Brian has been dropping the weight, I have been putting it on. On Monday, we found out that Maggie, Samuel, and Sadie will welcome another Baby Boy into our family! We are thrilled, especially Sam, as he will finally have another brother.

Here's the little guy...he had his legs crossed and his hands over his face for most of the ultrasound. He moved at the very end, long enough for us to see his boy anatomy and his cute little face.