Father & Sons 2009

24 hours free of belches, ESPN, Parker's nightmares, Transformers and anything else male related.

I am really digging this whole Father & Sons thing!

Preschool Graduation 2009

Our little man has graduated from Preschool! We will really miss all the poems and songs he has learned and is teaching Mom and Gracie. He has learned so much and was the best cleaner in the whole Preschool (he will jump through hoops to get a gold star at the end of the day).

Kindergarten here we come!

What Parker is thankful for... (what he told his teachers verbatim)
Indiana Jones
playing baseball
Transformers show
water balloons
Mcdonald's
getting myself dressed
my whole bed
break the ice game
my mom making me chicken nuggets
digging holes
going to grandma and grandpas

Speaking of learning...
Parker overheard me tell Kirk I wanted to make Zuchini bread. So the P-man decided to surprise me and made it himself (as you can see above). Love watching how his little mind works!

VIVA LA MEXICO

We spent Spring Break with a little fun in the sun. FUN being the key word! Hands down best trip with our kids - I don't think they ever fussed and they played so hard that they were putting themselves to sleep at night. Santo Tomas you did us good!

One evening millions of fish were spawning all over the shore line (pretty rare thing to see). A little boys dream come true.

The Pad

Mad and I showed up with the same new suit from The Rack. Think she might be my twin...just born 6 years late.

Parker and Asher proving their manhood by picking up the spawning fish.

My Girls

BFF's for over 15 years. Big 10 year Reunion in May - YIKES!

Kayaking with the Fam. Kirk and Parker were able to Kayak with dolphins playing all around them later that day. It was the boys' highlight.

Parker and Grandpa patroled the beaches finding crashed airplanes, beached seals, eels and whales along the way. Parker couldn't get enough!

Parker and his bud Asher flying a kite. The boys were inseparable.

Piglet and I searching the tide pools for shells.

Beach Golf

Grace and her Uncle J chillin

Bub bye Santo Tomas. Miss you already.....

At last!

It has been 18 months in the making, but we have finally eaten at Pizzeria Bianco. So does this world famous joint really stand up to the claim by the Big O and Gayle as the Nations best Pizza? You betcha! Must be something in the dough because I have been craving it ever since. Note to self: make reservations tomorrow to get in before the end of the year.

Grazie Chef Bianco!

Reunited, and it feels so good!

Sam Beano has returned! He got home late Wednesday night and for his first meal he requested Buffalo Wings (duh)! It has been a great weekend with friends and family coming over for a Homecoming Dinner on Saturday and Sam giving an amazing talk on Sunday. I have so missed his wit, his intensity, his passion for things he loves, watching him play with my kids and just shooting the breeze with him. He is a big guy with an even bigger presence.
So good to have you back!

Our whole Fam is very proud of Sam for the devout service and faith he put into his mission. Sam jokes, "I've heard that if I work hard on my mission my family and I may be blessed for my service, but I never would of guessed my favorite NFL team would reap such great blessings."

Still fit, nice tan and very polite...the Marshall Islands has done him good.



The Fab Five - together again!

Who would of thunk? Parker seems to have remembered Sam and has quickly embraced having him back. Gracie is still working the system - Sam better have potato chips or candy if she is going to give him the time of day.

He really is the best! He brought me home this beautiful handmade Kili bag that is only made on the Marshall Islands. Jackie Kennedy made them popular in the late 60's when she started carrying one around. Other celebrities have joined the trend and all the President's wives since Jackie O have been gifted with one. Watch out Michelle Obama; you don't have anything on me!

WELCOME HOME SAM!

Holiday Bliss

We may not of had a "White Christmas" but spending part of the Holiday in shorts on a beautiful day hiking South Mountain ain't too bad of a consolation prize.



We hiked clear up to Fat Man's Pass. Gracie and I were able to squeeze through, but we did witness one lady who wasn't quite so lucky!

Gracie and Grandma take a breather.

Later on the trail a woman stopped my mom and I and said, "you two must be sisters, you look just alike." Great for my mom, not so good for me. Come on lady, I am still in my 20's!

Parker held his own leading the pack on the way up...coming down was a different story...the kids rode mules named Grandpa and Dad.

FYI: Sam built this fence at the trailhead for his eagle project 4 yrs ago. Big Sammy is coming home from his mish in just 8 days!


Maddie and Jack vying for some attention. Some things never change.

Christmas 2008

Do you ever feel like Christmas just isn't as great as you used to remember it? Then you most certainly do not have a 2 and 4 year old whose favorite movie is Polar Express, read Olive the Other Reindeer very night, can't leave the tree ornaments alone, obey at the very mention of Santa, sing rudolph and jingle bells at the top of their lungs, and eat candy canes, fudge, gingerbread, hot cocoa and cookies like they are the 5 food groups. Thanks Parker and Gracie for making these past couple of Christmases the best I have ever had!







The best gift of all!...Gracie had a break-through week in toilet-training! (notice the new undies, she conveniently lost her pants).