X-Mas With Friends

Last Saturday we had friends over for our annual friends x-mas celebration with arts and crafts, cookie decorating and gifts for the kids, white elephant gift exchange for the adults and every family had family photos taken. The kids loved their gifts and the white elephant exchange was pretty fun.

Vacation: Riviera Maya, Mexico

Last week I went on vacation with Tiffany, Leah, Wade and Kelicia, who was the common denominator.  Tiffany, Leah and I were all bridesmaids in Kelicia's wedding.  Kelicia and I have been friends since 2002 when she started at E&Y and we were on the same client.  Kelicia and Leah have been best friends since elementary school.  Kelicia met Wade & Tiffany in grad school and they worked for E&Y as well; one in Atlanta, the other in New York.  But it was as if all of us had been friends all our lives and we had a BLAST.

I'm very thankful for Carl holding down the fort while I was away; not that I ever had a doubt but he did a great job with the boys AND cleaning the house, even doing some laundry.  Maybe I need to go away more often.  I'm already thinking about my next vacay sans kids and husband!!!!!

Tulum Ruins

Resort Waterfall

Our last day in Mexico

Snorkeling in cenotes

Getting ready to zipline

Fun times at the beach

Our last night in Mexico

KJ's 1st B-Day Party

The boys had a blast at KJ's Dr. Seuss themed b-day party which definitely confirmed the fact that we need to enroll J in gymnastics/tumbling classes ASAP.  As always Kelicia did a great job with the theme and their shirts were too cute.  I may have to steal that idea for Nate's 5th b-day party.

X-Mas with Friends

Saturday we had friends over for our annual friends x-mas celebration with arts & crafts for the kids, a kids gift exchange, white elephant gift exchange for the adults and we took family photos. The kids loved their gifts and the white elephant exchange was pretty fun. 

 

 



Princesses, Pirates & Cowboys

Here are some pictures from Zoey's Princess & Pirate and Donne's cowboy themed birthday parties. 

Justin is 4: Ann Arbor Hands on Museum

In lieu of a birthday party this year we invited friends to join us at the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum on Sunday. 

Today we sent cupcakes to school with Justin so he could share with his classmates.

And this evening the 4 of us celebrated Justin's birthday. It was so cute seeing J get excited about his birthday cake. When he got in his seat he knew exactly what to do and started trying to blow out the candles before Carl could even finish lighting them and we could sing to him.

Crossroads Village

Carl and I took the boys trick or treating at Crossroads Village. We joined my friend and her family who take their kids every year.  The boys had a blast so it looks like this will be our new family tradition as well. 

The boys' Yo Gabba Gabba costumes were a hit; Justin was perfect as DJ Lance Rock and Nathan was perfect as Brobee. You can view the pictures here if the slideshow below doesn't work.

Click here to view these pictures larger

1 Month Down, 3 More to Go

A month into Carl's deployment and I finally got some much needed me time. Yesterday Carl's aunt watched the boys while I got my hair done and then a friend picked them up and kept them overnight so I could go to my brother in law's wedding reception. And although this is not my first time away from the boys I was much more emotional and started crying this morning while I was waiting for them to come home.

Perhaps it's because this deployment is vastly different from the last. Last time around I was pregnant with Nathan, and although still dealing with morning/all day sickness, I only had to take care of one child. Fortunately I was on leave from work for the majority of the deployment so I didn't have to worry about working full time and taking care of J. And I was very fortunate that Lalla & Richard were able to keep J every weekend to give me a break.

Timing wise this deployment worked in our favor since Carlene has moved in, so at least I'm not alone. But, this time around I'm working full time and taking care of 2 boys. And since Ariana's arrival I've lost my designated baby sitter(s). Add on top of that not being able to drive and it makes for a less than ideal situation; one that's actually become quite stressful. Of course my family, friends and co-workers have really stepped up to the plate, offering rides to and from work, to dr's appointments and running errands. But I feel like such a burden. And even though I got some alone time this weekend, not being able to drive made it a logistical nightmare.

So 1 month down, 3 more to go (that's assuming Carl's deployment isn't extended).

Happy Halloween

The boys and I spent Halloween with my friends Sunshine and Jaime and their husbands and kids. Although a little cheesy, Justin was a soldier in honor of his dad's deployment and Nathan was the cutest spider ever. But we all had fun; especially J who kept running into people's homes rather than standing at the door and waiting for his candy.

This picture collage made with Smilebox

"It's Friday...

waitin on 5, lol"

My BFF Ambyr sent me the above text message yesterday evening. It's nice to know that I have loyal readers so I really try to keep the blog up to date. But as I'm sure you can imagine, life with 2 little ones gets a little hectic sometimes. So I thank all of you for hanging in there with us and following faithfully.

I Want a Baby

Yesterday I got the cutest e-mail from my friend Kelicia whose son was born 2 weeks after Justin's due date. Donne couldn't get enough of Nathan when we visited a few weeks ago.

"So on Friday Donne says to me I want a baby. Im like huh? And said what baby? He said Jayla. I say Jayla is not a baby. Then he says Nathan. I said awwwwwwww ok. LOL."

Visitors

Last weekend Shona & Kyndal came over to meet Nathan. Justin had a ball watching Kyndal play with the helium balloon.



Today Ron, Danielle & Zoey and Donald, Kelicia & Donne visited. It was fun seeing the kids play together. We hope to get together more often for play dates once Spring arrives.

Erwin Orchards

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Sunday's trip to the orchard & cider mill. I'm sure we would've had more fun if Carl had been there (31 days and counting until his return home) and if they hadn't given Justin such a hard time about riding the pony. I know he's small but I was a little offended when he was accused of not even being a year old.

Click HERE to see the rest.

Happy B-day Kyndal

Justin attended his first birthday party yesterday. Although he couldn't fully enjoy the clown and train he was still pretty worn out at the end of the party.