Something New

As most of you know Mark has left Jackalope Ranch and has moved on to another job. Yes, he was only there 3 months but it's safe to say, it was the worst 3 months of our lives. No exaggeration I promise. He has now moved on to a country club that has been the best thing we could have asked for. It's 2 miles from our house, he has time off and is usually home by 8:00 on the weekends not to mention 5:00 on the weekdays. Life is getting back to normal and we're so excited. They are so welcoming and really thrive on working together as a family and making sure your family gets to participate in the club activities. We've already gone to 5 different events at the club in the last 3 weeks.

Drew at the country club Easter party. They had Pony rides, jumpy houses and a HUGE egg hunt. 800 eggs that were gone in 7 minutes.

The Dinah Shore Golf Tournament which I can only find this pic. When we were leaving we decided to take some Monsters with us.

Mark had a 4 course wine pairing dinner and we got to bring home some of the wine. It was delicious but the next day I didn't feel so hot.

It's so nice that life is starting to feel normal again.

Hershberger Easter Party

Another annual Easter tradition is the Hershberger Easter party that consists of several families getting together for a traditional dinner of Carne Asada, an egg hunt for the kids and a lot of happy kids once the annual pictures are over. This is the 4th year that I can remember and I think the best yet. All the little ones knew exactly what to do and although they are slower than the older ones, they get all 10 eggs that are waiting for them. Mark was able to join us but he was the one behind the camera so unfortunately, he didn't make it in any pics.

Drew very excitely blowing bubbles.

Peyton going through his loot.

Easter Eggs

It's become a tradition that each year we get together with the Douheret's and dye our Easter eggs. This year we did a TON, thanks to Mark continuously boiling more and more. Thankfully, us adults have as much fun dying them as the kids. Egg dying has come a long way from when we were kids. You can take a wax crayon to them, tatoo them, glitter them, tye dye them or even make then look like Sponge Bob. Gone are the days of simple food coloring.

Blackjack

A few weeks ago Mark had some time off, which is a rarity these days, so what better way than to spend it than with good friends and a friendly game of Blackjack. We decided to make it fun and have everyone wear hats. The only one I could come up with was Peyton's beanie, but, it worked. We also each take turns dealing so with that comes the "official" dealer's visor. A Hot Commodity.

Jen and Christophe taking that scary shot! Eeekkk

Danielle was the big winner of the night! We'll get you next time Halloway.

Our group shot. Good times!

The Happiest Place on Earth

Disneyland! We finally felt Drew was old enough to enjoy it and she totally did. She loved It's a Small World, hated the Snow White ride and was head over heels to see Tink. Did anyone ever realize how dark the Snow White ride is and how they never show Snow White until the very end? Peyton was big enough to ride Indiana Jones and that was his first time on big kid ride. I think it may be a while before he does it again. It rained a bit during the day which was perfect because it meant an empty park, no lines and a happy family. It doesn't get any better than that. By the way, yes, we are the dorky family that gets decked out in the Mickey gear to visit the happiest place on earth.

Drew meeting Rosetta and Tink. They both had to feel her hair. Drew wanted them to know how old she was.

A pic before the Tea Cups and After.....

2 tuckered out kids. What a fun day.

Drew's Off to Preschool

The time finally came. Drew wanted to go to school. She was ready but I didn't know how to let go of the comfort of Desiree. Desiree came into our lives 7 years ago. One afternoon when I was pregnant with Peyton, she opened her door to us as we stopped by to interview her. Only, when we left we felt she was interviewing us. We loved that about her. She took Peyton into her home and she loved him, cared for him and cared for us as a family. I could call her with any motherly question and she always had an answer. Many times she would diagnose Peyton with an illness and I'd smile and say okay but 2 days later I'd be at the pediatrician and sure enough, Desiree was spot on.

Then came Drew. I never looked back with her because I knew what good hands she was in. I didn't cry dropping her off at daycare the way I did Peyton. I didn't have too. Desiree was family now. But then Drew got a taste of preschool and she was smitten. She loved it. Of course all kids grow up and eventually go to school but it's hard to say goodbye to someone that you've cared so dearly about. Someone who was not only a second mother to my kids but to Mark and I as well.

Desiree, thank you for all that you did for us. We love you and could never thank you enough. I wish I had a picture of you and both kids but I know how much you hate goodbyes and we were never able to get one. We love you.

Peyton Turns 7

This adorable green eyed boy turned 7 on us. Each year they get older gets harder for me to grasp how fast time flies. For the 3rd year in a row Peyton chose to have a bowling party. This year an Army themed. I'm perfectly happy that he choses this because it's so easy! We had 5 of his friends and they had a blast.

Lots of green icing makes for lots of green teeth.

A huge hit. The skateboard from Uncle Randy and Katie

Army Drew

Uncle Randy and Drew

Student of the Month

Back in September Peyton had his first awards assembly and saw that there was a Student of the Month. He couldn't believe the certificates and nick nacks the kids got if they got that award. From that point on he made it a goal to get Student of the Month. As each month passed he'd just try harder rather than getting discouraged he didn't get it. I loved his determination. This was his month and in his own words, he couldn't be more proud. Not only did he get the famous bumper sticker but he also got a key chain, a free pizza and a school pennant. His hard work paid off.

Baby Shower

My cousin Connie moved into gorgeous new house about a year ago. Sadly it's taken me that long to see but Saturday the kids and I drove down and spent the whole day. We went to a baby shower for another cousin then back to her palace to relax and watch the kids run around.

At the shower they had a table set up with a lot of t-shirts, onesies and iron on's. We were able to customize something for the baby which I think it such a cool idea. My cousin sings in a band so I had to go with the saying I usually yelled whenever we'd watch him play. This way, whenever the baby wore the onesie, they'd always know who made it.

Jackalope Ranch

We made our way to Jackalope Ranch to see Mark and to check out the place. I brought my camara thinking I'd snap a few shots but it was a little crazy and eye opening to see what exactly Mark was always talking about. Of course, when your daughter excitedly screams "DAD!" from across the restaurant it doesn't make for a relaxing time. The place is huge, beautiful, has an awesome patio and the best happy hour prices. That being said, on a gorgeous day like yesterday, it's jammed packed and easy to see why he's so exhausted. It's only been open a week but hopefully everyone has a good enough experience to come back again.