Ritter's Critters Carnival

On August 12, 2011, we had a backyard carnival for all of the Critters. Some of them have not seen one another is a very long time, so it was great to have everyone together. They had a blast being reunited. We had pin the nose on the clown, bowling, can toss, bean bag toss, a pinata, darts, sack races, sno cones, pizza, and lots of laughs! I think they had more fun just running around together rather than playing the games.

It was great having all of the parents there too! It's crazy that C.J. & Nevaeh are starting kindergarten this year. Avery, Chance & Cailyn all turned 4 and Evan turned 2. Ms. Elisabear is turning one this month! I love looking back at pictures from when they were tiny tykes. Makes you realize how quickly this stage goes by.

Although it was a night full of laughs and fun times, leave it to Cailyn to bring a tear to my eye. Kristy was telling me that when she tells Cailyn that I am moving, Cailyn says "I know, Danielle is moving on". When I asked Cailyn if she knew that I was moving, she said, "yes, and that makes me sad." Break my heart kid.

Regardless of the sadness of that moment, everyone left on a happy note. Brandon, Nolan and I plan to visit Columbus often & hope that our Columbus friends come and see us whenever they want!

Good Times!

CARNIVAL

Look at these little adults.

Nice roll Evan!

I think Evan's got an advantage.

Lining up for Pin the Nose on the Clown.

Dominique makes all the babies smile. She is a sweet young lady and such a good helper.

Big girl Elisabeth eating some watermelon.

The Dads

The kids made balloon crafts by putting funny face stickers onto their balloons. Cailyn's popped and this made her very sad. Sweet Nevaeh ran up and said she could have her balloon, and all was good again.

Watching the final pinata destruction from a safe place.

Going nuts for the pinata prizes!

Group shot

Whistle lips

Their treat bags contained mini flashlight keychains, so of course they had to gather round for some scary stories! What a way to end the night.

Nolan's Neighbors

I Love When Blogger Works!

I love this picture. Nolan and his "Big Sis".
Just helping Dad with the mulch!

Lawn Mowers That Don't Work in the Grass?

TheDistractedRunner

Big Girl Elisabeth

Avery Feeding Eli...Cai being a jumping bean.

Why I Love Mommy & Daddy

Just a video from a normal day. These kids are so sweet.

I Love The Critters

As most of you are aware, Brandon got a new job with JPMorgan that will move us to Indianapolis. We've already been house hunting, and had the first showing of our house last night. It's all very exciting, but of course we are sad to leave our Blacklick Family.

Ritter's Critters came to somewhat of an ubrupt end on July 1. It's a bit heartbreaking to walk down to the basement and not hear little feet running (I mean WALKING :) or laughter echoing throughout the room. On a positive note, it's the cleanest it's every been in a few years!

Our main computer is packed away, but I plan on posting some recent photos that are on my laptop. There just aren't many from actual Ritter's Critters days.

Many people have asked if Ritter's Critters will move to Indy. We'll be putting that on hold, but I'll let you know if we open those doors anytime soon!

Hope you are all staying cool on these hot summer days. Hey Brandon, maybe we should find a house with a pool??!! Just kidding; makes me too nervous! We'd be happy to find some friends with one though (:

Keep checking back for some sweet pictures of some sweet kiddos!

Nolan & Nana

Nolan helping Brandon push Nana to lunch. I attempted to upload a video of him pushing her, but after 60 minutes of "loading", I gave up.

Nana must have told a funny joke for Nolan to be so giggly!

Nolan & The Raab's on Easter

Nolan, Daddy, Mimi & Poppi

I think Nolan is going to grow up and be an extreme adventurer. He loves climbing tall things and going down slides when I'm not looking. You know, the big slides at the park. He also loves electrical cords. He enjoys walking around with a trail of them. Perhaps he'll be an electrician?

Evan just hanging out on a beautiful morning...or is Cailyn in control?!

Chex Mix all over the floor, courtesy of the boys. Good thing I mopped recently since I'm letting them eat their mess right up!

Bath Time Fun with the Suver's

The Suver's had Nolan and I over for dinner one evening in March, and all three kids were due for a bath. They had a blast, and literally soaked the entire bathroom with their splashing.

This was a ring around the sun in Florida, which I believe indicates rain is coming. We had never seen this before. It was very pretty. And, rain never came!

Says Elisabeth to the Big Girls, "Someone please help me."

Painting with our "popsicle paints".

So Many Pictures, So Little Time

The boys were giving "fist bumps" to one another.
We LOVE giving our babies baths.

These two are something else. Best Buds who love to pick on each other. Everyday they are pushing, grabbing, clawing, smacking....but at the end of the day, hugs all around!

Tea anyone?

And again, Happy Easter

Sometimes I don't know how we'd all get fed if it weren't for the big girls helping out!

I could only preview these last few pictures in a small frame, so I didn't realize they were blurry. They are from my phone so they aren't awesome quality anyhow.

Happy Easter some more

Ok, so these pictures are not Easter inspired shots, but Easter is in a few days, so I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. The above pictures are from the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium (the #1 zoo in the nation!). While Brandon was frolicking, or I mean, working, in Europe, Cailyn and Elisabeth took Nolan and I to the zoo for some Saturday fun.

Below is a recent shot of the Suver family. I think they could stand one more kid!!! Just looks right (:

or maybe two is just fine (:

Nolan was throwing a tantrum and threw himself on the floor and while scooting around, his little head scooted right into Brandon's hat!