Sunday, July 15, 2012

Cabin Weekend

This past weekend we went to my friend's cabin.  (Click here to see last years visit)  The weather was perfect for swimming, boating and relaxing.  I didn't take as many photos as last year, but you can see we enjoyed ourselves.  I even was persuaded to go tubing!






Saturday, July 7, 2012

Wow!


David and I had a double-date that I will NEVER forget.  So when coming up with ideas of what to do, I said "surprise me"......little did I know how surprised I would be.  

First we had a very nice dinner (thanks C&D for treating us!) and then it was on to the surprise.  David had told Chris and Dominick ahead of time, so I was the only one in the dark.  



Imagine my "surprise" when we pulled into the parking lot and I saw this sign.  I was speechless.  





This is my "really?" face.  David looks rather pleased with himself - clearly he hadn't thought about the potential of sleeping on the couch at this point.  :)

Unfortunately, they only sold beer and soda.  I really needed a drink, but I quickly realized I would have to watch wrestling while completely sober.


I then decided to take the "When in Rome" attitude.  During half-time / intermission or what ever the heck it's called, the wrestlers came out to take photos and sign autographs.  I didn't care about autographs, but I thought it would be a fun/good way to document the evening.  And yes, I know I look ridiculous (and possibly Asian), but I couldn't get over the fact that I was posing with a nearly naked man (that wasn't my husband!) and had less body hair than me.


I kinda got over the nearly naked thing.  Actually, this guy actually put shorts on over his wrestling undies.  Thank goodness!


I don't know what this is about, but Chris and I were enjoying ourselves at this point.  Or maybe someone asked to see my tonsils, I can't remember.



Group shot.  David had the camera and cut his own face out.  We always have fun with C&D, even if the fun is at my expense!



Not a great photo of us, but it was better than the first of us taken at the event!  At least I'm smiling!  :)




But once we got outside, I let David know how I felt about the surprise date!  Just kidding.  Yes it was a surprise and one that I would have never guessed.  But we still had fun - and I can cross attending a pro-wrestling event off of my bucket list!  Oh wait, it was NEVER on the list!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

4th of July


Since the 4th of July falls in the middle of the week, we're not doing anything big.  We're not even seeing fireworks!  What party-poopers!  Here are the 2011 , 2010,  and 2009 posts.  It's fun to see how the kids have changed over the years.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Grad Party





Today was Amanda's Hawaiian themed grad party.  Here are Judy and the kids before everyone started to arrive.  And really this is pretty much when the photos ended.  I decided to spend more time visiting with family than taking photos.  


Grandpa and the kids. 


Gianna and Libby.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Last Day of VBS

Gianna had a great week at VBS.  Each day she would come home telling me about the lesson of the day.  She would also bring home a cute craft.  But the high-light was "The Coconut Cafe".  Everyday the children would meet in the cafeteria and have a snack.

For the final day, the children performed several songs.  However, Gianna just stood with the group.  She didn't look scared, but she didn't really seem to want to be in front of everyone.  I was just proud that she didn't come running to me!  I did video the first song, but after I realized she wasn't participating, I figured there was no point in recording more.



After the group performed we were invited for an ice cream social.  I'm so glad Gianna's first experience at VBS was a good one!

I should note, Spencer was with us, but as usual he refuses photos.  : (

Monday, June 25, 2012

Vacation Bible School

It seems like only yesterday when I typed this post.  But it was really three years ago when I dropped Gemma and Spencer off for VBS.  Today was Gianna's turn, and she was very excited.  Gemma was disappointed that she was too young to volunteer, but that is our plan for next summer.

Here's hoping my baby girl enjoys her week of VBS.

Lessons


After getting a guitar for Christmas and having it collect dust in her room, Gemma finally started guitar lessons today!  She was really excited about the lesson, but really annoyed with me that I had the camera.  I told her she would appreciate this photo someday.  : )

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day


Not only is David a wonderful husband, but he is also an amazing daddy!

I love you, sweetie!!!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Coffee House



This evening, we went to a local coffee house to watch David's niece, Jackie perform.  She's an extremely talented singer and songwriter.  


While we were listening to Jackie and her guitar teacher play, Gianna and I took pictures.

Spencer and Gemma decided to play chess.  


David and I pretended we were on a date while the kids were entertaining themselves.

The cool thing about the evening...ever since Gemma saw Taylor Swift in concert, she's talked about playing guitar.  She even got one for Christmas.  Well, we talked to Jackie's teacher about lessons and we're going to see him in a few days!  Gemma's really excited. 

As we were walking out of the coffee shop, I saw this bench and thought it would be a cute for a photo.  After the children rolled their eyes at me, they agreed to hope on for a photo.  : )

Friday, June 8, 2012

Gianna's First Bike


While Gemma and Spencer were celebrating their last day of school, Gianna spent time riding her new bike.  Daddy put on the training wheels and then she was ready for the sidewalk.


Looks like I know what we'll be doing lots of this summer!

Last Day of School


And here we are....the last day of school.  Gianna is still in pj's because her last day was in May.  My last day of having a 4th and 5th grader.  But before we know it, the kids will be back in that same spot getting ready for pre-k, 5th and 6th grade!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Talent Show

Gemma and Spencer performed their kung-fu form in the talent show for school.  They did a great job!





Saturday, June 2, 2012

Date Night



David and I attened a fundraiser with our good friends Chris and Dominick.  We had a great time and I enjoyed far too much free wine....I think you can tell from my expression.  : )


Another 5K

David and I ran another 5k this weekend.  It was free! and the Y gave us free t-shirts to wear (we were running as a group).  Next time, I'm only wearing the shirt for the photo and then will wear my own - that cotton T was too hot!



Again - no records were broken.  I did shave a few minutes off my run from the previous week.  And I ran the whole race...no walking breaks for me!

Mom came with us and stayed with the kids at the park while we ran.  It was a beautiful morning.  The kids didn't actually see us running, but I'm glad they are able to see us doing fun/healthy things.  I only wish it didn't take me 30+ years to get started! 

Thursday, May 31, 2012

15 Years


Today David and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.  :)

We didn't have a romantic dinner/date or even exchange gifts - only cards.  However, David surprised me (I was volunteering at school) by attempting to recreate our wedding cake (flavor not by looks.  Our cake was almond poppy-seed and was DELICIOUS!!!).  

He made the cake in the photo and then a smaller heart shaped cake for he and I to share.  It wasn't our wedding cake, but it was pretty tasty!

This photo was taken just before we left the house for the gym.  We took a Zumba class with Gemma and Spencer while Gianna was in the daycare. 

I really can't think of a better way to spend our anniversary!

Happy 15th, Sweetie!  I love you!  xoxo


Sunday, May 27, 2012

My First 5K

So a few months ago, David asked if I'd be interested in running a 5k in May.  I had been working out regularly for over a year and thought that adding running would be a nice way to mix things up.  (Though I still think running is only for when one is being chased.)

Well, the time came for the race.  Since it was bright and early on the other side of town from us, my bff Hoa and her family invited us to spend the night at their house and keep the kids for us.  



 Look what we saw as we walked into the house!  What a great welcome!  I should note we arrived early in the day so we could spend the day relaxing and enjoying their pool.  The kids had a great time. Instead of taking pictures, I enjoyed our time together.  We had a great day of swimming and sun.

David and I woke up around 6:30 to a quiet house and got ourselves ready.  I was a nervous wreck!  You would have thought I was running in a real race!  As we were pulling into the parking lot, I was quickly trying to come up with excuses so I didn't have to run....what a wimp!!!!



Well, here we are after the race!  Clearly I didn't come up with a good excuse!  : )  I ran the whole race - NOT in record time, but I never walked.  David ran with me the whole time, which was difficult since I run at a much slower pace than he.  It was also nice to have a cheerleader with me.  The best part though - free dilly bars from Dairy Queen after we crossed the finish line!  (DQ was one of the race sponsors.)


And here is the sign that greeted us upon our return from the run!  I have a feeling I may have found a new hobby.  : )

Thursday, May 24, 2012

10

My baby boy turns 10 today!

We had his favorite - chocolate cake.  I love that he is holding his "blankie" in this photo.  When we were expecting Spencer, we chose not to find out the sex of the baby.  I had girl things from Gemma and a few gender neutral things to get us through the first few weeks.  However, shortly after we came home from the hospital, David went shopping to get a few "boy" things.  One of his purchases was a soft, velvety, baby-blue blanket.  Little did we know how attached our baby boy would become to the blankie!  It's a well traveled and well loved blankie.

Gemma was our photographer for the evening!

No surprise - it's Legos!!!
10 years ago I wondered how I was going to be able to love another child as much as I already loved Gemma...little did I know how much love my heart was able to have once I saw my beautiful baby boy. 

Monday, May 21, 2012

Official Dance Photos

This will be the last dance post for a while!  Here are the girls professional dance photos.  Enjoy!






Saturday, May 19, 2012

Van Halen!

It seems that we've started a tradition for the 10th birthday.  Last year, we bought Taylor Swift tickets for Gemma's 10th b-day and this year we bought Van Halen tickets for David and Spencer.  (David's favorite band)  Even though Spencer is 10, he has his daddy's taste for rock music.  Red Hot Chili Peppers is another one of his favorite bands!


Here are the boys ready for thier evening out.  David is wearing a t-shirt he bought at the last VH concert in 2007.  Spencer is wearing a "vintage" (OLD) t-shirt I bought for David a few years ago as a birthday gift.



For a true "boys night out", my nephew Christopher and our good friend Chris went too.  They went to a bar/restaurant not too far from the concert venue and met up with some of David's Navy friends.  David said everyone thought it was so fun that he brought Spencer.  Several people told him (Spencer) they liked his t-shirt too!  Someone random even offered David earplugs for him, but David was already prepared.
Finally it was show time!  The opening act was Kool and The Gang.  Apparently Spencer was a little bored during thier show.
So they walked around and found mini-doughnuts.  I think a perfect way to pass the time!


Now for the main event!  David said that David Lee Roth's voice was NOT 100%, but he had so much fun taking Spencer to his first concert that he didn't care too much.  Plus, he was just excited that the band didn't break up before making it to town for the show!  

It was a very late night for the boys, but I'm sure it's a night not to be soon forgotten.  Besides, how cool is it for Spencer's first concert to be Van Halen with his dad!!!!  (I think my first concert was Roger Whitaker - thanks mom and dad!)