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!)

Senior Chief


While David was in Italy, he found out was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer, (E-8).  So for his first drill weekend back home, we attended his pinning ceremony.  I am so proud of all his has accomplished in his Navy career and I am so glad the children are able to attend these special events.

Mom came too and they had someone taking the "official" photos, so hopefully I'll be getting those soon.

Love you sweetie!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Gianna's Graduation

First day of pre-school, Sept 2011.

Today, my baby girl "graduated" from pre-school.  Here she is just before we left the house.
Bamma came for the occasion too.
Here is Gianna with her class.  The children performed several songs and were adorable.
After singing, the children were given certificates by their teachers.  I was able to catch this moment just perfectly!
Mommy, daddy and the graduate!  

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Go Twins!

Tonight Gemma and I attended a Twins games.  She earned tickets as a junior-coach for Playworks.  (you can click on the link to read more.) 



The big event for the evening was all of the junior coaches would be walking onto the field just before the game.  The kids were really excited.  

We attended the game with two of Gemma's friends and their chaperone's.  Here we are with the kids coach from school.
Once we arrived, the kids stayed with their coach and we found our seats....can't say I hated the view!

See, I look happy.  I may not be a true baseball fan, but I enjoyed my spring evening in the sun!  By the way, the first 5,000 fans (i don't remember the exact number) received free ball caps....I was very appreciative while sitting in the direct sun!
Here are the kids walking onto the field.  Gemma is the second one from the right.  You can see her purse hanging across her chest.
The kids saw us in our seats.  They knew what section we were in and I may have be standing and waving like a wild woman.....  : )
After the big event, the girls returned to our seats and enjoyed the evening.  Watching the game, eating and just having fun.
Me and my girl.  It was a great night and I can't wait for our next game!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Dance Recital - 2012

Tonight was the big night -  show time for the girls!

Here they are before we left the house.


The girls with their teacher, Miss Holly before the show.
Grandpa came to watch his favorite girls.
Gemma and grandpa.
Bamma always likes to visit backstage.
Bamma with her first ballerina.



After the recital, the stage gets a little crazy with the girls collecting their awards from Miss Holly and flowers from their families.
Here are my two favorite ballerinas and thier adorable brother who puts up with the 2 hour recitals every spring!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Nutella

Gianna loves Nutella.  She eats two pieces of bread with Nutella almost everyday for breakfast.  She'd eat it for lunch and dinner too if I let her.

While David was in Naples, he found a ginormous container of Nutella and knew he had to bring it home for Gianna.  It reall was the perfect gift.

 I love her reaction!
That's 5 kilograms of Nutella!  It should last a few weeks!  ; )

Friday, May 4, 2012

He's Home!

After three weeks in Italy, David is home - safe and sound!  : )




Here he is in Tocco with his aunts and uncles after eating a delicious meal.  

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Dance Pictures

Tonight we had dance photos.  I was able to get Gianna at home, but Gemma wasn't cooperating.  
 I love her pose!!
 This is Gianna with all the girls in her class.  (3 and 4 year olds)
Here is Gemma with only a few girls from her class.  She wasn't so interested in me taking her photo - it must be the age!