Settling into Spring...

We have started our summer season early with family events seemingly scheduled every weekend with no end in sight... what fun! The last two weekends we had our first triathlons of the year. The first was a nice local sprint called John Tanner that in spite of the rain, was a fun course and a good way to start the season. Ann, Steve and Donovan represented the Stien Mountain Triathlon team. Ann had another good race finishing 3rd overall masters, beating Donovan by 3 seconds and Steve by 15 seconds! Then we spent the last weekend in Hiawassee with the McGee's and did a team triathlon due to lack of a sitter to watch the kids. Ann swam, Donovan biked and Steve ran. Team Stien Mountain is now 6 for 7 in team triathlons as we took first again. This one was kind of a hollow victory as we were the only team!!!

Ann before her big swim. She was the first swimmer out of the water!

It was tough racing against no one, but we managed to pull it off. Team Stien Mountain proudly accepting our awards.

Jackson was excited to have a sleepover at the cabin with his buddy Matthew and brother Connor. He and Catie loved showing their friends the triple bunk beds, the creek and especially FUN WORLD! They had the "best" time riding the go carts, putt putt golf, video games, skeet ball and ice cream... does it get any better?

Abby loves her PJs, so we let her enjoy them all day, even at the beach.

After the "race", we took everyone out on Lake Chatuge for the afternoon. Even though the sun only showed up for about 10 minutes, everyone had a blast goofing around on the boat. Everyone even got a turn driving the vessel.

Catie happy to receive her $1 bribe for getting into the cool spring waters of lake Chatuge.


Abster and mom munching goldfish...

The boys went on a nice hike through the deep forest and thick brush near the cabin. Look closely, Jackson is wearing a cool hunting hat complete with a camouflage veil.

Everyone loves the stuffed bear.


Oak Grove CDC had their annual ballet recital this week. The girls spent the better part of the winter practicing for the big day.

Catie really hammed it up for the big show and loved being on stage.

Happy Easter!

We had a busy weekend with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sandye visiting for Easter. Grandma and Grandpa were tired of sitting around the house on their visits and decided take the bull by the horns and purchased tickets for the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Easter Egg Hunt. They had three separate egg hunts for three different age groups and other cool activities for the children.

The egg hunt for Abigail consisted of 100 other 0-2 year olds and 3oo parents and grandparents elbow to elbow picking up eggs. The eggs were filled with candy and after picking up two eggs, Abby was distracted trying to get the candy out.

Our three Amish children waiting in line to meet the Easter Bunny.

"Jackson, Easter is really the celebration of Jesus' resurrection." "Yeah, I know that is wonderful, but you need to focus on the eggs over there!"

Nothing says Easter like face painting a cat on your cheek!

The pillow pets are such a big hit that each of the kids now have two. Why can't we invent something so simple?

We spent part of Saturday swatting our carpenter bees with tennis rackets...one of Stiv's favorite pastimes...Catie got a new habitat for Easter and decided to capture the maimed bees as pets.


Catie enjoyed the kiddie Sky Hike, especially the zip line!

Father and son time on the Sky Hike ropes course at Stone Mountain. It's kind of difficult to look cool when your harness fits like a massive wedgie....

At the top of Stone Mountain.... Below, the girls in the neighborhood playing dress up.

ING Fun Run

The kids all participated in the ING fun run on the Saturday before the half marathon and marathon. Jackson and Catie were very excited about the race and practiced the night before by running sprints thru the house. Jax and Catie were enamored with a chinchilla prior to their big races.

Catie is currently BIG time into lions and wanted to keep the lion balloon as a decoration. Just in case you are wondering, the fun run took place next to the zoo... hence the animal theme.

Abby warming up before her big 0.1 mile sprint.

Abster was very proud of the medal that she won (for having Ann carry her the 0.1 mile!)

Catie was all decked out in her lion outfit ready to take on the stacked field of 5 & 6 year old runners. Catie is kind of heavy-footed, so we did not know how she would take to the 0.25 mile run. It turns out she is quite the competitor and finished near the front with most of the 6 year olds.



Jax was excited for his 1/2 mile run with the 8 & 9 year olds. He started at the front and planned to go out fast and hold the lead....

He's looking strong with a couple hundred yards to go....

Ooops we spoke too soon! The wheels came off with about 75 yards to go and Jax had to dig down deep to hold on! He remarked after the finish, "My heart was about to explode!"

Everyone was proud of the effort they put into their race and loved showing off their medals.

Last week, we celebrated Stiv's birthday with a delicious ice cream cake that he tried to hoard from the rest of the family by handing out tiny pieces to everyone else!

It was a big weekend as Jackson was tested in Taekwondo by Master Taylor for his green belt. He had to demonstrate his forms, kicks and punches, and sparring. He also had to break a wood board (see below). He passed with flying colors....

Abby is 2 years old!

Welcome to the wonderful world of peanut butter... obviously Abster thinks it was worth the wait!

We decided to celebrate Abster's birthday with the immediate family at the old homestead. Of course, an Elmo theme was the only choice for the cake decorations.

It seems that every child in America has to have their picture taken in a laundry basket! So here you go Abby.

Jackson is learning about Dr. Suess at school. He has to create a poster with a time line of the author's life and present to his class. Of course, he is going to wear The Cat in the Hat outfit for his presentation.

Snow was forecasted for Atlanta the night before it arrived. We quickly ran over to Publix and bought out all the bread and milk to prepare for the winter storm. All you can eat french toast at the Schwartzes!!! All the schools and roads were closed the night before the storm just in case... Of course daycare closed in anticipation of the snow.... I wonder if they will give us our money back for the day???

Once the snow starting falling, the kids had a great time playing outside and throwing snowballs at Stiv! They even taught Abster how to eat snow (see the video below).




Notice how unprepared we are for this type of weather. Catie does not have a true winter coat to protect her from the elements, nor does she know any better.


Jackson looks like he is up to no good with his huge snowball....

Catie Cooper turns 5!!!

Once again, Catie and Bella had a joint birthday party. This year it was at 2 Crafty Chicks where they worked on a craft project. Due to space limitations, we had limit the party to a few friends from school. Sorry neighbors, hope no one is angry with the Schwartzes.

Ms. High Maintenance insisted on wearing a Chuck E Cheese crown and medal at the party.

Abster got her first haircut. No tears... she sat down and got right to business. She even talked the hairdresser into giving her a lollipop before the haircut instead of after!

Jackson sported his new shirt and tie for the mid-year academic awards. He got 2 awards... one for straight A's and the other for perfect attendance.

Catie enjoyed midnight bowling for a friend's birthday party... Thank goodness they had the gutter guards up!

We went to the Children's Museum and the kids loved it. They had a few new things since we were there last. Painting was a real hit. Below, Catie's picture of a lion.