CJ's 5th Grade Graduation

His slide he created for the presentation.  Go Beavs!

His favorite teacher, Ms. Robbins.

This was a hard picture to take.  They have known each other since they were 4 years old, but are still shy about taking their picture together.

One of his best buddies, Broen.

It is official!

CJ did a lot of growing up this year.  He also was fiercely independent!  He got excellent grades and enjoyed school very much, but he is very much ready for middle school.  We are so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. 

CJ Turns 11 in 2011

I love that he was born in 2000, it makes his birthday years easy to remember!

Happy 11^th Birthday to CJ! He is an amazing person who is super smart, loves to read, jumping on the trampoline, helping in the garden, watching movies and “his” shows on TV, playing with his friends, drawing and cooking.  He is at the tail end of his 5^th grade year and will be entering middle school far sooner than I ever expected.

This year we made a Scavenger Hunt.  It was really amazing to see him walk around and hunt for items, do things and have fun with his friends.  The Scavenger Hunt was a huge success! 

Easter

Coloring Easter eggs with the Ryan family has become not only a tradition but, quite the ordeal! I like to think we consider ourselves professionals. We take the task very seriously…as you can tell by our faces. Lots of deep concentration, faces close to the eggs to pay attention to detail and many art supplies are used: various colored dyes, Sharpie markers, stickers, plastic wraps and more. Another year and another fun time spent with our very close friends.


This year we went to the Lyon’s Easter Egg Hunt at Wortman Park. We have not been for quite a few years due to CJ as a 2 and 3-year old hating the crowds and every part of hunting for eggs in a roped off area with close to 200 other kids , parents and their extended families. It is very crowded and busy morning. We thought Zac would like it. He digs that sort of scene…busy and lots going on. We were wrong. Up to 3 seconds before the hunt began he was great. As soon as it started he began to cry and refused to go look for eggs. Carlos entered into the “arena” and helped him out…just like he did years ago with CJ. Guess we can cross that off our list and just keep the egg hunts to Mimi’s house.

Easter morning starts off with the egg hunt at Mimi’s house (rain or shine, drizzle or heavy showers) it does not matter. Auntie Anna is the official “Egg Hider” and this year she hid over 80 eggs! The kids had a blast finding eggs up high, down low and everywhere in between in Mimi’s Magical Garden.

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!)