If I Just Would Start...

I need to blog about the month of March, Spring Break, pictures of my kids, CJ and the rockstar that he is at school, Zac and his now being potty trained and then of course there is the big-phat trip to Vegas. 

I just need to start!

The pictures are off the camera and on the computer...that is a wee little start at least.

Now I am going to nap.

Or watch TV.

My baby is napping.

I will catch up with you later.

I promise.

Vegas!

I have known since Christmas that this weekend was coming.  I have been anticipating my first trip to Vegas forever!  It was one of the most memorable trips; a true trip of a lifetime.

There are so many memories, pictures, good times and laughs to remember.  Heather and her dad secretly planned the most perfect weekend.  Packed with excitement, shows, fine dining, private pool and a luxury accommodations at the MGM Mansion. 

Thursday we left bright and early; meeting at the Toth at 6:00 am!  We headed to the airport and after check in, Starbucks, pictures of bfast we learned of our action packed itinerary. It started off with some fun on the airport.  Heather, Jamie and I were just a bit too loud on the plane and the stewardess yelled at us...Ladies!  Ladies!  Ladies!!!  After laughing a bit too hard and being a bit too obnoxious, we were off to Vegas! 

The plane ride was awesome and fun.  We never stopped talking and all was perfect...even the landing was not too bad.  We made our way through the airport (bathrooms and people watching while talking, talking and talking) and finally outside to our waiting Rolls Royce!  Yep, we were riding in style!  There was a limo also because we had such a large party.  We drove to the hotel and I was instantly in awe of Vegas! 

The people.
The size of the hotels.
The people.

We arrived at the mansion.  The backdoor of the MGM and a very private, A-list experience.  We had a 3-bedroom with our own pool and hot tub.  We had steam showers.  We had buter service.  We had our own private dining room.  We had it all.  Did I really need to leave the mansion?

We did leave...to go to Cirque O, Studio 54, New York, New York Piano Bar and Celine Dion.
We did leave..to go eat some fabulous food, Italian, seafood and Japanese.  Yum-yum!

The whole weekend was completely 100% about fun, entertainment and enjoying each other's company.  It was about talking, sharing, laughing and exploring the lights and sounds of Vegas.

It was all about Les Vegas and all that for turning 40 with wonderful friends Heather, Jamie and Kari.

Viva Les Vegas!

Spring Break

One word...potty training. (OK, that was two words)

That was my whole, entire, week-long vacation.  Zac and I spent every waking hour, every day talking, walking and discussing bathroom behavior. 

He was a trooper. 

It was hard, but as we all know in the end it is all worth it. 

No more diapers!

Freedom for Zac and freedom for us. 

We still are working on keeping the Pull-Up dry at naptime and at night, but that is a work in progress.  For the daytime routine he loves going on his own and even when accidents do occur he takes it in stride...and so do we. 

My mom turned 64 this  year!  Happy Birthday Mom!

SIP

Anna and I pour for Viento Wines at our local wine festival every March.  It is a blast to catch up with people, sell fabulous wine and hang out with my sister for three days! 

(I wish we had a picture or two but not this year!)

Rowland Road Run

I have run a few 5K's this past year and one 8K, but Audrey and Beth never have had the opportunity to walk or run in a race.  I was just a week post-surgury and thought that a walk/run with some friends out in the country would be a blast and a great way to spend the morning.

Happy 40th Birthday Heather and Jamie

You know you have those friends that you have literally known since you were a kid? These are the types of friends that make your life fun and interesting.  These are the friends that you love to have around, trust their advice and are your history keepers. 

I have known Heather since pre-school.  We have attended elementary, junior and senior high school together and then OSU.  We have seen, done, said, shared, laughed, cried and stayed up too late too many nights doing all of the above and more.  She is one of my dearest and greatest friends.  I trust her with my secrets and so much more. 

Jamie and I became friends in the 4th grade...Gunny Sak dresses, good and bad teachers, laughter and treating each other like sisters since the day we met makes me never want to know what this earth would be without my Jamie.  Her inner strength and no-nonsense look at life reminds me that the rose-colored glasses I like to wear need to taken off at times.  She is a Mighty Mouse and Care Bear wrapped up in one.  Volleyball, Turkey Rama and train trips really would not have been the same without her!

Happy Birthday Ladies.  I love ya!

Happy 40th Heather

Trouble...since 1990!

Kim, Shannon, Paige, Mark and Jen

Dave, Heather,Jamie, Paige and Gary.

OOOOOOOO-SSSSSSSSSS-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Oregon State...fight, fight, fight. 

SNOW!

It was and will be our one-and-only snow day of the year.  It was a great day.  I was one day post-operation (see previous post) and didn't have to use a sick day! Yeah!  School was cancelled on account of the 4-6 inches of snow (or something like that...I am not really sure).  The last time Zac saw snow he was just four months old and we had 18 inches of snow!  So, these little inches at 2-half years old is a big difference.  Less snow, but older and much more able to appreciate it...plus big brother and nephew were there to show him the ropes...how to make a snowball, how to make a snow angel, how to run and jump in the snow, how to do it all in the snow!  It was great fun! 

I called Melissa who was about ready to give birth any day (her due date was 2/28) and she enjoyed getting out for a bit and helping me with the boys.  Funny times, a pregnant lady and a bum-wrist lady out with three kids in the snow. 

Zac and CJ right outside our house.  CJ showed his little brother right from the start how to make and throw a snowball! 

They had a blast!

The gloves were soaked in about 3 minutes with the only kind of snow Oregon gets...super wet! The hat pretty much stayed that way all day!

CJ...the snow angel!

Zac...the little snow angel!

Perfectly done!

"Mom!  I am going to get you!"

He loved walking all the way across the field.  So cute.

My favorite picture.

Melissa was quite the trooper!

Baby Gwyneth Louise was born 3-3-11. 

CJ and Cole are all smiles...Zac, not so much.

He was just not happy posing.  He wanted to play.

Oh, those eyes!  Mr. Handsome!

HUH?  That is pretty much my nephew Cole.  Love that kid!

Perfect timing on this picture.  Zac is face down with Cole.

Now they are heads up and CJ is the king of the heap!

Another one of my favorites! 

And of course they had to make a snowman.

Cole and Zac literally flew off the slide.  What I didn't catch on film was that Zac landed right on his buns!

A great day in the snow!