Cousin's Weekend

We've tried to get together with Mark's cousins and do a trip. Last year a cruise, this year Vegas and next year a trip to San Luis Obispo. With everyone busy with life, raising kids or finishing school, it's good to know we have a weekend set aside so we can all catch up.

We stayed at the NYNY Hotel which I really liked. They have so much going on and so many little places to eat, you never have to leave. Chelsea just turned 21 and was able to join us. She was a blast and we've learned that age has definately set in. We cannot keep up with the younger kids thats for sure!

**The four cousins***

A night at the Planet Hollywood dancing, listening to some really good people sing karaoke, losing my purse and crying but thankfully having Chelsea go to each and every table till she found the honest person who turned it into the bartender. I was so grateful. I assumed someone just took it. There are honest people in Vegas. Who knew?

The Excalibur hotel has beer pong. Mark and I had never played and although we lost I'd like to think we gave them a run for there money. Katelyn and Erica were for sure the champions beating Chelsea and Alec. Don't mess with them.

33 Years

Mark turned 33. A mellow birthday with just the four of us. We were going to Vegas the next weekend and planned on celebrating more over there. He chose dinner at El Mirasol,(do we ever eat anywhere else) then home for dessert and presents. Simple, easy and a lot of fun. The kids were so excited to give him his gifts. Thankfully the weather has been beautiful and we're able to spend most evenings outside. Still though, a candle doesn't hold up very well in ice cream.

Little Ladybug

Drew's dance season ended with a spring recital of the teachers version of Alice in Wonderland. Her age group were ladybugs and were the cutest little bugs ever. The girls had to wear their hair in buns and I was a little nervous how she'd react but she loved them. She's been wearing her hair like that ever sense. The teachers at school have a hard time looking for her on the playground without her little afro.

The Little Things

After hearing me complain how my necklaces would end up in one big knot or how the kids liked to use them as lassos and rope each other, Mark made me hooks in the closet to hang everything individually. Now I can see my scarfs and necklaces and the kids can't get into them. Very excited. It kind of reminds me of shopping at a store. It's the little things in life that make me happy.

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.