Phoenix wedding getaway

We had a fantastic little getaway last weekend and made our way to Arizona. Hunter stayed with my parents and Owen and Quinlin spent the weekend with my mother in law and sister in law. All the kids did so well- they didn't even miss us. Hunter enjoyed his time away. He's slightly grounded for his grades right now, so to be able to hang out with grandparents who spoil him was much preferred than hanging out with me.

We had a wedding in Phoenix of one of Sean's really good friend's Pat. They are like brothers and Sean had the honor of being the best man. We arrived Friday morning and Pat's dad greeted us at the airport and brought us to the hotel. We had lunch there with about 10 other people. It was great meeting new friends and spending time with Pat's family. That night, the rehearsal dinner was at their home and was a really good BBQ. My night ended early though as I didn't feel well. :(

The groomsmen gifts were customized cornhole boards. Aren't those awesome?

On saturday, Sean went golfing with Pat and his dad so I had the whole day to myself. I woke up, had breakfast with some of the groomsmen and their significant others and then went to the pool for a little while. My friend Jill was also in Phoenix, so she picked me up at the hotel and we went to lunch and did some shopping at Scottsdale Quarters. I made it back to the hotel in time to shower and get ready for the wedding.

The wedding was fantastic. They had it at the Aldea and Lisa and Pat truly thought of everything. They are an incredibly sweet couple and we had a blast!

Thank you Pat and Lisa for letting us share this day with you. And for Sean to be able to take such an important role!

We flew home the next morning after a quick breakfast with Pat's family and couldn't wait to get home to our kids. It was nice to get away, but even better to get home!

Summer Goals 2012

With Memorial Day fast approaching, I wanted to make sure I had goals of everything I wanted to do with the family this summer. It's hard as we work full time to try and squeeze everything in, but we'll do the best we can. It will be fun at the end of summer to see what we were able to accomplish!

Wordless Wednesday- Owen...aka Batman

The daycare is having "dress as your favorite Superhero" day at the end of May. Wouldn't you think by now with Halloween we would own superhero costumes? Nope- we were a football player last year, an elephant the 2 years prior and a turkey the first Halloween. Though- I guess, even if we did own costumes, they probably wouldn't fit him.

So- I went and purchased (and learned that it was a good time to buy. The costume was about $23 and I had a $20 Amazon gift card... so out of pocket $3.97- woo hoo). I didn't know it would be such a hit!

Batman- as soon as it was "ripped from the packaging"

The next night...and our neighbor Adam quickly ran in to get changed as well. 

Muscles

 He works out...

 Quinlin had to get in the mix as well... she is so powerful and tough, she only needed the cape.

Nothing wrong with Batman in May I have learned either... crime doesn't take a holiday.

Bubbles For Ainsley and Evelyn

A beautiful video for two very beautiful girls. If you have time, you should watch . It's amazing to see the outpouring of support from all over for two very loved little girls. Owen is in it- about the 52 second mark. We never got to enjoy Evelyn, as she was gone too soon. But many of us got to watch Ainsley for the last 16 months and are heartbroken over her loss. The last little girl in the video that is featured is Ainsley and Evelyn's big sister Olivia. Get your kleenex.

I will resume blogging about my dudes and diva next week.

Remembering Ainsley and Evelyn

It's supposed to be wordless wednesday, but words must be posted.

As I mentioned previously, On Saturday, my friend Jennifer and her husband Mark lost her 16 month daughter after a lifelong battle in the NICU. I will always remember her goofy grin and the joy she gave to her family, and by extension to all of us. Tonight, from 5-8pm the Knepper family will be having a memorial service for Ainsley. During that time, I will not be posting anywhere on the internet, but instead be honoring her too short life by spending time with my own family and thinking of them. Bubbles will also be blown to show Ainsley and Evelyn our love for them. I encourage anyone who can to honor Ainsley and her family tomorrow evening in a similar fashion. No one should have to lose a child. Losing two in less than two years is unimaginable. Hug your loved ones and remember that life is fragile and tomorrow is never a guarantee.


If you want to read more about the Knepper family, you can find their blog linked below. If you want to do something else to help them, there are many things in the works. Please email knepperfamilydonations@gmail.com for more information.

http://www.jennepper.com/
 
Here are our bubbles being sent up to Ainsley and Evelyn.
 

Mother's Day and Sweet Sweet Ainsley

Overall we had a nice mother's day weekend. We were pretty low key, hung out with the neighbors and their kids quite a bit and stayed around the house mostly. My parents came over on Saturday and that was nice. Owen didn't quite warm up and was kind of a bear from waking up from his nap, but Quinlin was sweet as pie and loved the visit. She is at an absolutely adorable age right now.

On Sunday, Sean had the kids color me a card and then we went to the mall for lunch and to do a little mother's day shopping. He got me 2 pairs of earrings, a necklace, 2 tops and a pair of crop pants. It was nice to shop, though next time will leave the kids at home (well Hunter can still come). Owen got a little mini door style basketball hoop and was so funny about it. He said the mall gave it to him and when we asked him who, he said the mallers. hilarious. We stopped briefly at Sean's mom's to give her a card and then were on our way. We hung around the house and ordered take out for dinner and then I settled in for my Desperate Housewives finale. Not sure how I feel about it. Sad it's ending- was a staple to my Sunday evenings.

Also this weekend I saw some sad news. One of the mom's on one of my local mommy's boards has been through what no other mother should ever have to go through. Jen is one of the strongest people I have ever met. She was pregnant with twins and the day before the scheduled c- section, lost baby Evelyn. She was delivered sleeping and Ainsley was delivered at a fighting 2 pounds, 3 ounces. She spent her entire life in the nicu/picu and on Saturday at almost 17 months, passed away. She had gotten sick earlier in the week and couldn't fight the infection and was too weak to keep going and died in Jen's arms, with Mark right beside them. It was such a heartbreaking story to hear. We were driving to the grocery store and I checked on facebook and all of a sudden started seeing status updates from friends posting the sadness. I quickly went to the mommy board and read of her passing. and then I cried. It hit me so hard. I've met Jen and Mark once and they are the nicest people. I cannot imagine what they are going through. Words cannot express. But I will say, Ainsley touched me, as I followed her story from before she was born. I looked forward to Jen's facebook posts and pictures she would post. Her smile was infectious and I always found myself smiling whenever I saw new pictures or Jen would say new funny things she would do. Rest in peace, sweet sweet Ainsley. You will be forever missed.

I hugged my children tighter this weekend and counted my blessings.

From Jen's blog: Maybe if You Just Relax

Please keep the Knepper family in your thoughts.

Happy Mothers Day!

Muffins with Mom

Owen had a fantastic little mother's day program at school on Wednesday. It was the sweetest thing to get there and right when we entered see the beautiful portraits that they drew of us.

Aren't I beautiful? My friends pointed out that I have amazing model like legs...and very red lips and big brown eyes I love it!

 It was a very interactive program. we were told to dress comfortably- no skirts or heels. and they were right. I had no idea we would be so active (and can I add I felt sick to my stomach right when it started- not so fun for me).  The pictures are totally out of order and I can't seem to fix it, so this will have to do. We sang songs, read stories and at the end were presented with wonderful folders about our children. I loved it!

They really did such a nice job. It was a very nice way to kick off the start of Mothers Day weekend!

Wordless Wednesday- Popsicles???

Quinlin "Owen you want a Popsicle?"

Owen "Quinny those aren't Popsicles... Those are what mommy puts up her butt when she has diarrhea"

My kids are frickin hilarious

Owen's first movie= FAIL

Sean so badly wanted to take Owen to see the Avengers. I was a little worried that he was too young and maybe it would be too violent, until some friends reminded me it was just super hero violence and that's totally different. So, we dropped Quinlin off at my MIL's for the afternoon and packed Owen up, with Iron Man action figure in hand and headed for the mall (I should add that Hunter was pissed we were going without him as he had a birthday party to go to for one of his cousins).

Owen was so excited- kept telling Quinlin he was going to the movie theater (after we kept telling him to be quiet- we didn't want her to get jealous). He went on and on- wouldn't stop! We talked about how he had to be quiet in the theater, how he had to whisper if he had questions, how it was like a huge tv to watch in the dark.

We got our tickets and went straight to the concessions.... Owen was amazed at all the choices

We walked excitedly to the theater

We sat with our popcorn thrilled it was about to start

And then the lights went down, the previews started and I should have known- first bathroom break. Sean ran him out of the theater (I should add that the theater was packed and we couldn't get a decent end seat, so we had to walk over about 6 people to get out of our row). They made it back with one more preview to spare. The movie started, he ate his popcorn, sat on Sean's lap, sat on my lap, sat in his chair, and about 15 minutes later decided he had to go to the bathroom again. So this time, I ran him out of the theater, rushed him to the bathroom where he proceeded to pee maybe a drop and decided he was done. Back to the theater we went and 10 minutes later, he said he didn't want to be there anymore. It was as if he suddenly was "over it". Great. Have you seen the prices for movies these days? Ugh

So, we left Sean at the theater, did some shopping at Target (I went in for 2 things and came out $104 poorer- that always happens there for some reason). And Owen had to have a new Avengers shirt and short set...not sure why, it's not like he liked the movie. tee hee hee. We went back to Sean's mom's to get Quinlin and then back to get Sean once the movie finished.

I hear the movie was great. It looks like I have a date with Hunter one night this week to go see it. And- he may be the best date of all...