End of the Year

We're rounding out the school year and with that comes the final awards assembly for Peyton and Drew's school puts on a graduation where all the classes perform before the kindergardners receive their diplomas. We arrived at the same time as the adorable Hershbergers and of course had to get a picture. Then, well, this was the best shot I got. Drew was even standing next to Zoe Posa and the picture came out incredibly blurry. Bummer!

Then two days later it was off to Peyton's school for the final awards assembly of the year. I have to be the proud parent and document that during the year he received the Reading, Writing, Student of the Month and now the Math award. Of course the picture came out completely dark but had to post it to mark the occassion.

11 Years Later

Last Friday we got to celebrate something special. Ernie graduated from USC.....11 Years after his accident. 11 Years ago he was 6 weeks from a USC graduation and instead spent that 6 weeks in a coma. He went from not being able to talk, walk, eat without a feeding tube, breathe without a trach, and constantly being told that his brain injury was to severe that this was his new way of life. Something that none of us wanted to believe but tried to be prepared for. Well, he proved everyone wrong and with such determination he eventually achieved his dream. He graduated. Congrats Ernie. We are so proud of you!


It was a LONG day but the kids held up and we celebrated with drinks and lunch afterwards at the Yardhouse in Shoreline Village. Ann rented a limo to drive us all around and the kids loved it. I on the other hand rode backwards all day and got a little carsick. I was so excited everytime we got out of the car!



























The night before the graduation we were able to see Carly and Reese. In this picture she was exactly 1 week from her due date although she looks pretty tiny. She's one of those annoying people who lose weight during pregnancy rather than gain. Sigh...so lucky. Reese was absolutly adorable walking around and giving hugs and kisses to Peyton and Drew. You would think she saw them everyday.

Mothers Day

I've never been a Mothers day person. Or, a Valentines person or any other "hallmark" holiday person. I love my birhday, Thanksgiving and our wedding anniversary. But..............Today...... was by far the best mothers day I've ever had. Possibly because I had zero expectations or possibly because Mark completly went out of his way. I guess it depends on how you look at it.

The Country Club had a huge brunch so the kids and I hung out until Mark got home. We then went to El Mirasol, my favorite, for delicious margaritas and food. We rounded out the night with a family game of Yahtzee and ICarly on Nickelodeon. I got awesome cards, great gifts and loving time with my family. Cards will forever be my favorite. The fact that someone takes the time to write something means the world to me. But......besides the cards I got some priceless gifts. Peyton's class made an adorable cook book that I will use even though he's afraid I won't. Drew made me a beautiful key chain and card demanding that I make her pancakes with syrup. That was awesome! She's a girl who knows what she wants. Mark gave me a gift certificate to the spa. Maybe it's a subtle hint he's tired of rubbing my back but I'm okay with that. I'm super excited to go! It's been a wonderful day enjoying being together as a family and seeing our kids be so excited to celebrate. Being a mom is so rewarding but nothing compares to that look or kiss from a child that just seals the deal.

Lunchtime Surprise

Just about everyday my coworkers and I sit and have lunch together in the office. As we're very happily eating our healthy french fries we here a loud rumble followed by a huge crash. Everyone freezes and looks at one another. Are we having an earthquake? Do we need to run? Then someone across the hall yells that Bills office is caving in. We all take off running, and honestly for two reasons. Is the building crumbling down and we're going to be smashed and of course, is Bill in his office and is he okay. Well, as the dust settles we realize that a car has just drove through the building, directly into Bills office and just about out into our hallway.

OH...........MY.............GOSH............

Panic starts. I grabbed the phone and called 911 while everyone else is trying to break into Bills office and make sure he wasn't in there. A scary time. Thankfully he left 10 minutes prior. It's amazing that even though I had nothing to do with it, I'm completely shaky and teary eyed as I'm talking to the dispatcher. I've lost my appetite and the fries go into the trash. Probably a good thing. :)

So, as it turns out the poor woman was actually across the parking lot at the bank and got flustered with the gas and break pedal. When she went to park she floored the gas instead of the break, and there you have it. She drove perfectly through our big glass window and didn't hit any of the outside structure. Thankfully, no serious injuries for anyone. Oddly enough she didn't seem to have a scratch although I did hear her say she thought she had glass in her mouth. I felt so bad for her knowing is was a huge accident. She was very shaken up.

In this picture it looks like a reflection but its the actual car sitting inside the office. The window shattered and fell out. She came from the direction the cop car is then did a sharp left into a different window. The rest is history. It was the kind of day that makes you remember how fast things can happen. I was so happy to come home and kiss my family.

Sunday

We have been lucky enough to start enjoying Sunday's as a family again. Marks new job has been better than we could have imagined. Today we got to visit with "Uncle" Scott and Rosa from San Pedro. I forgot my camera but we took some shots with my phone at the River. The kids were quite excited to pose w/ their new sunglasses we bought them and Rosa and I were happy to pose as Ben and Jerry. Drew is becoming quite the fashionista and doesn't hesitate to tell me if she feels a shirt is too boring or a dress has too many flowers. I'm really getting scared for her to grow up. She for sure thought she was hot stuff with those white sunglasses she picked out!It's so nice to have friends that you don't have to see all the time but know you can always pick up where you left off. We always have such a nice time visiting. Not to mention that the kids were so excited that Uncle Scott bought them ice cream after lunch at the Yard House. He knows how to win them over!

A Special Treat

Cookies. These aren't just any cookies, they are my favorite cookies. When I was a kid I was a junk food junkie. Now, I can do without any of it. It usually gives me a nausous sick feeling. But these, they are my fav. They come from Arvin, CA. A tiny town between Bakersfield and Tehachapi and you have to special order them. Usually these are the Valentines ones, that's why they are hearts. I have to give a special, loving, heartfelt THANK YOU to "Auntie Lori"! She knows how much I love these and she sent her husband, in the snow, uphill both ways,to pick them up for me and send them with my mom.... just because. Friends like that don't come often. Thank you Lori. We, (I), LOVE the cookies and Mark has to keep reminding me that they are for the whole family, like the box says. Really though....I know they are just for me. :)

Yum! So happy right now. It's the little things in life.

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!