Aislinn's celebration, Phase 3!

Today, we celebrated with Daddy for Aislinn's birthday, we even brought Ethan along to spend the day. As you can see, we had a blast!

They ate some cotton candy and played in the sand.

They rode slides together, floated in the lazy river and even rested for a little.


Ethan has been one of Brennan's best buddies for years, but Ethan is moving to Wyoming next month, so this was part of our farewell time with him. He and the rest of his family will surely be missed.

After we got back from Typhoon Lagoon, Grandma came over with birthday cake and we ordered pizza.
The party finally ended.

Aislinn is 6!

I can not believe it, but it finally arrived! We've literally been counting down the days for about 3 months! But, it's here and she is 6! My baby... :(

She wanted to go to Typhoon Lagoon for a while and then to Disney Quest. We granted her wishes. The day was all about her! The only person missing was Daddy, but we will do something special with him on Saturday.

It was a fun, (but very tiring for Mom) day.

An extra day

Holly left with her boys yesterday afternoon, but my kids did some smooth talking and convinced me to stay another night. So, we did, and left Tally about 10 or 11 this morning.

After stopping at Zaxby's for lunch in Lake City and stopping a few times for the bathroom, we arrived back in Sorrento safely.

I headed to work and then the gym for some much needed sweat therapy.

Back to the grind...

Now this is fun!

Fun is 13 people getting ready at once for church with 2 bathrooms! Now, THAT is fun!

It was a nice visit to Tallahassee First ward today. Following church, we came home and made lunch with the kids played. Kenney and I were preparing lunch together and she said the that the kids were like locusts when the food was ready. It was pretty true and really funny. We make the food, they swarm in and devour it, then they leave. Yep, that was them. Do you think we need some seagulls?

Tallahassee Get Away

The kids had a great day today and hence, so did I! They drove and rode in the golf cart and did a lot of swimming! I didn't even leave the house today. It was super hot, but a great day.

Up to Tally!

After working some in the morning, I loaded up all the kids, minus Brennan, and headed to Tallahassee just to get away and spend some time with family. Holly was coming down from Ft. Benning with her boys, and we were planning on some fun.

What I didn't plan on was being lucky enough to see Daddy! But, we certainly got lucky because we met him at the Flying J for about a 5 minute visit. The kids were beyond excited to see Papa in his big truck and give him a hug!

Last Day of school

All of the kids had their last day today. They had good school years overall. I now have a high school student! How in the world did that happen? Brennan will go into 9th, Kerstyn into 7th, Lauklan 4th, Greyson 2nd and Aislinn in 1st! Oh boy...

Lauklan's Awards Day

I went to Lauklan's Award's Ceremony today. It was a great end to a great year! He did really well all year because of a great teacher and a wonderful tutor!

Way to go LJ! Bring on 4th grade!

Because we must

Mom and I flew home this morning and then I drove home. Back to reality for us, but we sure had a great time while it lasted! Thanks Mom for a great time and even better memories together!

New York City, Day 4

Mom wanted to take everyone to Sarabeth's for breakfast this morning and we had a wonderful time!

Following breakfast, we went and walked around for a while and then relaxed until we met Jeffrey and Jay at SD26.

Tasty food and great company!

Tomorrow morning we leave for the airport. New York City is always such fun!

New York City, Day 3

This morning, after dragging ourselves out of bed, Mom and I headed over to Jeffrey's to visit with him, Gail and David. We also had lunch reservations at Kefi, a very neat little Greek restaurant about a block and a half from Jeffrey's apartment on the upper west side of the city. We were pleasantly surprised to be joined by Caroline and we all had a wonderful lunch!

Following lunch, we went back to Jeffrey's apartment for a little and then Mom, David, Gail and I headed to the hotel for David and Gail to check in and for them to rest for a bit. However, we needed to have some Jamba Juice too, so Gail and I walked a few blocks and got our fix for all four of us.

We enjoyed visiting for a few hours, Mom enjoyed her nap and then we headed to Joyce Theater to watch Jeffrey perform. We really loved his performance and dinner that followed!

New York City, Day 2

This morning was a slow start so Mom and I headed to Stage Deli for a late breakfast. While eating, we decided that we wanted to do the horse carriage ride through Central Park again because last time, I didn't get to really enjoy it due to happenings at home. So, after eating, we started walking the way towards the park. We were stopped by a fella that sold us on a discounted, yet wonderful (he said) toured bike ride through the park that would take us way further into it and also be an hour. We decided to do it and we really enjoyed it. Except I am sure that Mom permanently bent the metal frame from her bracing herself while on the streets. It was quite funny.

Above is by Bethesda Fountain. Across the street they were filming something which was neat to watch.

Mom really enjoyed talking with our tour guide who was from Senegal. He did a great job and we had a great time. We were dropped off at 5th avenue and did some walking around the shops and through FAO Schwartz.

For dinner, we had reservations at Dos Caminos and we sat outside. The weather was very nice, even cool at times. The food was wonderful!

We had tickets to Chicago at 8 and it was about one block south and 5 blocks west. We were sure we would be able to get a cab, but nope. We ended up walking the whole way.

Our seats were center and third row. They were great!

We had to wait a while to get a cab back to the hotel, but we were finally successful. Mom was told by her doctor to not walk much because she is having trouble with her foot. We did the best we could.

New York City, Day 1

It was early, as usual, but we were all smiles and we were off!

After landing at JFK and arriving at the hotel in record time (because the cab driver drove AT LEAST 80), we rested for a little and then decided to head to Serendipity III for an early dinner. It never disappoints us. We had tasty food and a great time.

We were even educated by our half Italian cab driver as to how we were tourists because we didn't get in the taxi at the right place. We learned that you don't get in going a certain way because you can't turn left onto Lexington Avenue from 10 - 6 during the week.

Okay. Now we know. We always have a blast though.

Quick

It was back to school and work today. But for me, I had to do a lot. I leave tonight to go to Mom and Dad's so that I can fly out tomorrow morning to spend 4 nights in NYC!

So, I stocked up on groceries and made sure all my ducks were in a row. Of course, I worked my butt off at the gym and after Chris got home, around 8:30, I drove over to Mom and Dad's.

Whew!

Last Disney Day

We had a great time at Fort Wilderness! The only negative is that it was really to small for our family. We need at least 2 bathrooms, that is for sure! However, it certainly didn't stop us from having a great time.

After leaving the cabin, we headed to the Downtown Disney area and ate breakfast at a Perkins. We needed to tank up for the big day ahead.

After breakfast, we headed to Downtown Disney and the boys did some shopping at the LEGO store while the girls and I went to the Disney store and did some shopping for ourselves. Each of us got a new t-shirt to remember our trip by and we were all happy.

Since Brennan went to Disney Quest for the first time a few days earlier with the 8th graders at his school and he loved it so much, we all got passes to go there and we all played games for hours. Literally, hours. It was a lot of fun and we look forward to going back. I'm going to continue to work on my Dance, Dance Revolution skills...

The shot below was after we went to the 'best movie theater ever' according to the kids. We watched Kung Fu Panda 2 at a theater where they serve you food and drinks. The kids absolutely loved it!

Fort Wilderness, Day 2

We spent all day today with Kenney, Alyssa and their family to celebrate Alyssa's birthday. We ate breakfast as a family, then some of us went our separate ways for a while. Chris, the boys, Aislinn and I went to Hollywood Studios for a little while but it was REALLY HOT, so we headed bacy to swim at the Wilderness Lodge pool with some of Kenney's family. We had a lot of fun. Following a nice afternoon, we ate dinner at Kenney's family's cabin and went back to the lake and watched the fireworks. It was a long day, but it was a lot of fun.

Don't we look like we are having fun?

Fort Wilderness, Day 1

We arrived at Fort Wilderness around noon today. We got our cabin and rented our golf cart and then spent some time at the pool before going to the Hoop-Dee-Doo for the dinner show.

We all absolutely loved the show and the dinner.

Time to have a great weekend!

Date at Magic Kindgom

Chris and I headed to the Magic Kingdom tonight for dinner with Holly, her kids and Mom. We ate dinner at the Crystal Palace, one of our favorites and then did some rides with them. We all watched the fireworks together too and then Chris and I stayed a little longer and did the Jungle Cruise and Pirates.

Tomorrow begins family weekend at Disney! We can't wait to escape for a little.

Kindergarten Dual Language Performance

The Dual Language program for Kindergarten was tonight they treated us with wonderful music and dancing!

Below she is talking to her friend while they wait to get handed their reading recognition certificate and their Kindergarted completion certificate.
The students had been practicing for a while and it looked like they really had a good time.

It is hard to believe that my baby will be in first grade. (At least I hope she'll be in first grade. It all depends on if she felt like telling the teacher what she knows...)

I love

Chris got home from work today before dark and jumped in the pool with the 3 youngest kids.

It made me smile to stand and watch.

I shall have joy in my posterity.

I'm planning

I have a surprise getting worked up for all the kids and Chris for this upcoming weekend. We need to have a nice time and forget about all the stresses at home. I hope it will all fall in to place...

No better, but no worse

Unfortunately, Aislinn had to have some more Motrin today during church. Her teacher and Primary President brought her to me during Sunday School and said that she felt hot. I gave her the Motrin and like I thought, she perked up and was happy after it kicked in.

I am still concerned that she is not right. I can't wait for this to pass.

Kerstyn's First Piano Recital

She played beautifully and I know I was the proudest Mama in the room!

Kerstyn has really taken to playing the piano and I know she has a lot of potential.

Her teacher's name is Terry Sullivan and she has quite a crew of students. We all enjoyed listening to each student play.

The whole family!

Pirates

Since we have a job as parents to preview entertainment, Chris and I went to see the new Pirates movie tonight. ;)

We had a nice nap in the beginning. Luckily the movie picked up towards the middle. We enjoyed it and are glad that we went, but I didn't think it was the best one.

However, it was nice to have a date with my best friend.

Baby shower turned GNO

We were going to have a surprise baby shower for our friend Kristen at Chili's tonight. But she went off and had the baby the day before, so we changed the shower to a GNO.

We had a great group and a wonderful time. It is wonderful to have such great friends. I feel really blessed.

Off

We took up a whole middle row today during sacrament meeting. It was really nice. However, Aislinn was sitting next to me and she was just 'off'. I ended up having to give her Motrin during the meeting and when that kicked in, she perked up, like always. However, it's not looking good. :(

After church, I crawled in the bed myself, since I woke up not feeling too well. I'm going to keep an eye on Aislinn and keep trying to get myself to not get sick. No time for that...

Surprise Party!

Holly and I started planning about 6 months ago for this special day. Mom turned 70 on Friday, May 13 and we knew that we needed to celebrate. Today, we did. She was blessed to have all 4 of her children here today and her only brother.

I believe that she was surprised and I hope that everyone had a good time. We ate and swam and visited all day long!

Family, it is what it's all about!

Getting ready to celebrate!

Holly and her family left Ft. Benning this morning around 9:30 and arrived at our house around 4:30. I was over at a birthday party with the 3 youngest children when they got here, but I met them in the driveway and I was so glad to see them. Holly is not only my sister in law, but a great friend, and I was glad to have the opportunity to spend some time with her.

Around 6, Janie arrived and I got back from picking up Lauklan from his party. We gave Janie the instructions and left her with 7 kids... If anyone can handle it, she can.

Holly, Dane, Ammon and I went up to the office to pick up Chris then we all headed down to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. We had a wait, like always, and the boys headed to Brookstone. When I got there, for checking out some other stores, this is how I found them...

We had a very nice dinner and got home around 9:30. We needed a good night sleep because some serious partying is planned for tomorrow.

Girls are fun

You can't really tell, because I didn't get a good picture, but we had a great time at Chili's tonight. It was a really nice group of us consisting of Frances, Maria, Donna, Jennifer, Delia and me. We laughed and ate and laughed some more. It was just what we needed!

We're excited

President and Sister Carter and heading out in about a month and a half. Their name was on the missionary plaque in the building yesterday and I snapped a picture for them, and me. Man, I'm going to miss them more than you can imagine!

If our boys get a mission president and mission president's wife like Doug and Debbie, they will surely be blessed! I cry about every time I think about them being gone. But, now I focus on the visit that we will make to Argentina while they are there.

I kind of made them my second set of parents. They are people who have forever imprinted our lives. So many lives will be blessed and have been blessed by their service. Their testimonies and faith are an example to many.

Mother's Day 2011

Chris woke up bright and early this morning and he and the kids made me a wonderful breakfast. It was way more than I could eat, especially because I don't usually even eat breakfast. But, what I did eat was delicious and the thought was super sweet.

Chris had also bought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and had them in a vase. Mom (Grandma) had delivered a sweet bouquet of flowers to me on Friday. I'm feeling pretty loved...

Church was very nice and the afternoon and evening weren't full of too much bickering. ;)

Happy Mother's Day 2011!

Thor Date

Chris and I went to see Thor tonight. We didn't get to have dinner before because I was running around like crazy getting Greyson to a birthday party and then Brennan to the Garrett's for a sleepover.

I sent Lauklan and Aislinn to EDEP and I picked up Greyson when school was over and took him to the party. I wasn't thinking clearly, because the party was until 6 in Tavares and I obviously couldn't get back to Round Lake to get Lauklan and Aislinn by 6. So, Grandma came to the rescue and picked them up for us and took them home.

Janie arrived about 6 and Grandma left. I got home with Greyson about 6:20 and dropped him off and then ran Brennan to Eustis for the sleepover.

I think I finally arrived at the office about 6:50 and Chris and I hustled to Apopka to get the movie. We had buttered popcorn for dinner. Tasty! ;)

Uncomfortable

Chris and I attended a Customer Appreciation Dinner for USB bank tonight. We get invited every year to this even which the banks hosts to give appreciation to the attorneys and CPA's and a few realtors that refer business to them.

They always have a comedian and this year was no different. However, what was different was that he got a group of 5 attorneys and 5 CPA's and they played a game like Family Feud. Chris was picked to be on the attorney team and I think that he was bright red from the moment they called his name to the moment he sat back down next to me at the table.

I knew how uncomfortable he was up there and I thought he did great. I do know though, that the whole time, he was counting down to the second he could sit back down outside of the spotlight. How cute!

Chris is great in his element. He can talk and talk and talk. But, put him in a different situation, and he is shy. I think it's cute. I love that man.

I can't even express...

How upset, disappointed, overwhelmed, frustrated and sad I am right now.

I called the surgery coordinator this afternoon around 1:30 and she told me that Monday, May 9 would not happen for Aislinn. Apparently sufficient time was not available.

She scheduled Aislinn for, are you ready? .................................. J U L Y 21!

Yes, you read it right, July 21. That would be over 11 weeks away. She did put us on the cancel list, but said that something 'big' would have to cancel, given that Aislinn has a 'big' surgery.

I cried. I don't have anything else to say.

Surprise visit

Dad sent me a text this morning to see what we were doing today after church. I told him nothing except hanging out at home. So, they came over and we hung out together! It was absolutely wonderful to have them with us, the only bad thing was that Chris wasn't there until about an hour before they had to leave. But, we'll take what we can get. Family time is certainly precious.

These parents of mine are absolutely amazing! I'm so thankful for them. The kids thing they're pretty darn great too! Happy Sabbath, for sure!