Cruisin'

(Beware, lots of pics)

Whew, it's been a whirlwind the last 3 weeks. We had Sonny & Carly out to visit, Peyton's graduation, Vegas, Mark's 32nd birthday and then the cruise. Not to mention that fathers day is this weekend. Eeekkk.

So, now onto the wonderful cruise. Holy moly, what a good time. This was my 5th curise and I forgot how much fun it was go to. The last one was 7 years ago and unbeknownst to me, little Peyton was growing in my belly. We were lucky enough to have Alec and Erica join us this time around. We played Bingo, they sang karaoke while we cheered them on from the audience, danced to music that made me feel horribly old and kind of grumpy because I knew like 2 songs, gambled and won a bit and ATE lots of food. This was just the first night. We went to Ensenada and saw the Buffadora better known as the sleeping dragon that is mad and will get you wet for waking him up! Well, not really but it was a good story to tell Peyton. It's just the mexican word for the blow hole. It was freezing down there. Thank you Alec for being gentlemanly and letting me wear your sweatshirt. I was a bit afraid I'd have to bargain with the vendors and end up with a USC poncho. I'm shuddering at the thought.

We did stop by Papas and Beer and had a few laughs at all the drunk people. Yes, I've been there in the past but I'm almost 30 now. I've matured a bit. Not much, but definitely some, hence the butt crack picture from vegas.

On the way back to the ship we decided to be adventurous and walk. We ended up in the local fish market which was very smelly but so cool. All the fresh fish that had been caught and was for sale.

Thank you to Alec and Erica who changed their plans to go to New York and vacation with us instead. It was such a fun time to be with family and I can't wait until our trip next year. The guys are pushing for Lake Powell but us girls have a different plan.

Mark realizing he got ripped off by the vendors.

Mark's 32nd birthday. It was one of my favorite shots.

Viva Mexico!!

The Vegas

We got the chance to go to Vegas to celebrate Jen and Christophes 10 year anniversary. A special occasion and a very special time. It was one of the most relaxing trips I've ever had to Vegas. We went to this WONDERFUL restaurant at the Wynn one night that I would highly, highly recommend if you have the chance. If you're lucky like us, you can sit outside next to a beautiful pond filled with koi. You have your own cabana so beautifully decorated you fill completly alone. The service is impecable where not one this is missed and the employees seem so proud to give an incredible experience. It was awesome. I'm no foodie but even I was able to appreciate every aspect along with the food as well. That's the one thing I love being married to a chef and having Christophe as a friend. They make me stray from my mexican food to try something new. Not easy coming for a girl who loves her top ramen. The pictures unfortunatley don't do it justice.

We spent the day in the pool and to everyone's suprise I got in. Not my favorite thing to do but I couldn't take the heat anymore, and another night at our favorite restaurant Nobu. It's the best sushi ever. But beware of this guy. Yes, as immature as it may be, I always find it funny when the plummers crack is hanging out. It's just wrong.

Graduation pics

Finally, some of the graduation pictures!

Peyton with his good friends Griffen and Zach. They are all going to the same first grade class at a new school next year. Thank goodness they get to still be together.








Grandma Ann

Randy, Katie and Peyton.




















The proud sister. She wanted to have her turn on the stage.

and of course, some of the loot! Thanks everybody for remembering his special day.

Yet another step.....

No more diapers. Holy moly. She woke up one Saturday morning, asked to go on the potty and hasn't looked back. I didn't expect it to be so easy this time around. Peyton took FOREVER, but from what I'm told that's the way it is with boys. She had 3 accidents the first week at Desiree's. Sorry Desiree! But, since then, she's what I would call "potty trained". I of course put her in a diaper at night and at nap but even then, it's not always wet. Yes, we're making progress!! As sad as I am that the kids seem to be growing, I'm not sad to say goodbye to the diaper isle at Target.

On a different note. When Randy and Katie came for Peyton's graduations they brought Drew these adorable duck slippers. She wears them quite often and wants to sleep in them. Yes, she does have pj's but it's just warm so we let her sleep in her diaper. Probably weird but she's content so at them moment that's all that matters. Especially when you wake up to her in your bed. I love that. I get up early, take a shower and come out and find her like this.

That is the best!

Memorial Weekend

Well, I'm a little behind but that's pretty typical for me. We were lucky enough to have Carly, Sonny and beautiful baby Reese come and spend the holiday weekend with us. We decided to host a bbq to have our friends come and see the baby. Perfect weather, wonderful company, excellent food, what more can you ask for. The evening ended up turning into a fun filled night of blackjack. Of course we let Sonny win because we couldn't take our guests money, that would be bad manners. It was cute to see Danielle and Al with Reese. They are hoping for a baby in the near future and having a precious baby in their arms only confirmed it. I myself LOVED having a baby around again except she cried every time I held her. I think I may have lost my touch. Drew and Peyton couldn't get enough of Reese. They were always checking on her, maybe a little too much, and wanted to hug, kiss and hold her. It's crazy how fast time goes. Drew seems so little to me and looks like a complete giant next to baby Reese. **sigh** I don't want my babies to grow up.

The Graduate

My baby has graduated kindergarden. His school put on a little performance last night where they sing, hand out awards and receive a dipolma. It was very cute and he did so well. He even received the math award which made us even more proud. Thanks to the Douherets, Randy & Katie and Grandma Ann for helping us celebrate. He was so excited to open his gifts when he got home.

A lot of my picures came out horrible so once a get some from our friends I'll post more. I need a new camera.

In need.....

Of some good book selections. Going on some back to back trips these next 2 weeks and I need some good light reading.

Some have suggested this but I'm thinking it might be a little too intense while listening to the steel drum band on a cruise or the loud party music in Vegas. I could be wrong though.

Now, I've read a lot of Sofia Kinsella books and have enjoyed them. Quick, witty, funny..... kind of like me :) I think I might need a new author to try out though.

So, if you have some reading material you're in love with, let me know. I'll be hitting up Barnes and Noble this weekend.

Not a goodbye....

More of a "see you soon." Courtney's wonderful nanny Emily has finished her job of helping raise 2 adorable twin boys. It's now her time to move on and start her life with Iven, her great fiance. Doesn't he look ecstatic? A few weeks back we hosted a brunch as a early farewell and they had us over for dinner last night for a good quality visit. She's leaving next week to go back to Northern Cal, better known as Nor Cal as I learned last night, to set up house and finish up in school. A hot desert night, a pool to stick your feet in and friends to laugh with, is a good way to spend a Friday night.

Cheers! It's milk time.

Drew loves the Hershberger boys and since they're identical, she doesn't mind who she gets to snuggle with.

Ty and Peyton relaxing playing Leapster. They are getting to the age they don't want to play with the "babies".

The hosts.....

Atrial Septal Defect

Last year during Peyton's yearly examine with his pediatrician, the doctor said he heard something weird and wanted us to see a cardiologist right away. Excuse me? Have you seen my son? He's huge for one thing, totally active and he's five. The words "five" and "cardiologist" just don't mesh. So, off we went and met with the only pediatric cardiologist in the desert, Dr. Hashmi, who is great by the way. It turned out that Peyton had Atrial Septal Defect, better known as, hole in the heart. No, not a heart murmur but an actual hole, apparently 2 completely different things. If you have the time, click on the link. It's about 30 seconds and its a great description. It made me at ease to understand what was going on with my little boy. The only major symptom that he showed was that he sweated like nobody's business. Apparently the heart needs to work a little harder which made him sweatier when he'd be running around.

Anyhoo, we had our annual check up and the good news is, is that the hole is almost fully closed. At this point we're in the clear for surgery. He won't have to have it. What a relief. The bad news, they now want to see Drew. Apparently the chances for ASD with a second child are greater if your first had it. I'm not too worried though. She's just as active and doesn't sweat :)

The pics are from last week when he had his EKG and Echo cardiogram......things 6 year old boys shouldn't be having!

Graduation's approaching...

Peyton's school is nursury, pre-school and kindergarden only. It's absolutely wonderful and I'd recommend to anyone in a heart beat. They have an adorable kindergarden graduation at the end of may where each class performs then the kindergardners come out in their cap and gown for the actual graduation. It's really cute and I can't wait! Before this happens they have pictures taken in the caps and gown and they request that the boys wear a shirt and tie. Being the ultra casual family Peyton didn't own one so we had fun shopping and he felt so cool wearing it. Too cute. I can't believe my baby's going to first grade. *sigh* That just means the mirror is telling the truth. I'm gettin' old. By the way, don't mind Peyton's "sponge bob" teeth. He'll the poster child for orthodonics!