Family Fun

This past week, we headed to Gatlinburg for a few days with my family. We had a beautiful cabin (thanks, Mom & Dad), did a little shopping and had a blast playing cards. We laughed, swam, shopped, laughed some more.. you get the picture, right?

We haven't been able to make this trip in the last couple of years, so it was nice to be back with my family. I enjoyed hanging out and just being together! Good times!! A highlight for me was going through the "Ripley's Believe it Or Not!" museum with Bryan. He loved it, and it was great to hang out together. Jeff took Bryan to ride go-carts one day as well. And of course, I LOVE hanging with my niece. Kristin, if you are reading this... you crack me up and I love ya! Just beware of bad melons, girl! okay??? (inside joke)

We got back into town on Saturday, but Jeff was off yesterday as well which is a rare treat. So, Jeff, Bryan and I headed up to Kings Island for some roller coasters. Have you heard that they changed the name of Kings Island? It's now "Jerry Springerville". Seriously... I saw more folks that looked and acted as if they were on the Jerry Springer show than I ever care to see again! But the 3 of us had a great time together.

We rode all of the big rides... well, I didn't ride the Beast since I am not into torture. But I think we hit the rest of them. I think Bryan rode the Vortex 4 times! The weather was perfect... a little cloudy and overcast...so there were hardly any lines! One thing I will say is that I am NEVER getting on Firehawk again. I was still shaking when we left the park last night from that experience! No thanks!!

I love my family. I love spending time together, making memories. We've made a lot of them this week. This is the only life we get, and I want to make it count!

I took the day off today as well to recuperate. Jeff is also off, so we are enjoying a relaxing day at home. They are installing carpet in our media room in the basement as I write this. We will probably paint some trim this afternoon, and I guess I will go to the grocery at some point today. Nothing major though.. just enjoying being at home with my family.

What's the best thing you have done to celebrate your family lately??

The Birthday Bash

Yesterday, we had Bryan's party here at the house. This is our traditional "family" party, and it was fun as always. Bryan had a great time. I will just let pictures speak for it.

This is Bryan's cake. I picked this 'design' after he broke his board in two last week. It was a surprise (it was the ONLY surprise since he opened our gifts up early, the little stinker!)


This one is for Uncle Chris. He had to work, so they couldn't be here with us. But he still managed to crack us all up with what he sent to Bryan! (it's a long story) Thanks Chris!!

opening the gifts... lots of fun. lots of cash!

It's pretty obvious what is going on here.

Bryan & Papa... quite a pair!

He might be 12 now, but he still loves his Momma! I love you too Bryan. Hope your birthday was all you hoped for. I can't wait to celebrate every day this year with you!

What happened?

Twelve years ago tomorrow, Bryan was wearing this.

That is the exact t-shirt that was put on Bryan just minutes after birth. I remember unwrapping his blanket and seeing him in that shirt. He was so tiny, it seemed to swallow him. I remember pulling him tiny little hands from under the sleeves and counting those precious fingers. I remember unwrapping him over and over again just to look at him.

Time flies, and babies grow. My 'baby' turns 12 tomorrow. What a great 12 years it has been! Bryan has brought so much joy and laughter to our lives. There are countless stories that we tell over and over in this house about his humor and antics. There is never a dull day with Bryan, that is for sure!

Sometimes I look at how he is growing, and I get a glimpse of the man he will be. It's really an incredible site to behold. I see more and more of his dad in him every day. He is sensitive and loving like Jeff, a real "people person". Bryan is truly one of the most compassionate people I know. He genuinely cares for others, and I am so proud of that! He's also one of the most fun and hilarious people I know. He has been from the very beginning!

Tomorrow night we will take Bryan out to the restaurant of his choice (family tradition around here for birthdays). On Saturday we have friends and family coming to party in celebration of Bryan's life. Should be a great birthday weekend! Oh... and to give you a little perspective on how he's grown, check this out....

LET THE PARTIES BEGIN

Around our house, we don't just celebrate birthdays for one day. That's not enough celebrating! I mean, the celebration of life is worth far more than one afternoon of partying, don't ya think?
On Friday, my boy will be 3. Yes, I said 3. He's a genius you know. He's almost 3 and in the 7th grade already! How, you ask??? Well, Friday is the 29th, otherwise known as Leap Day. Jeff explained it pretty well here if you need more info.The point is, he has a "real" birthday every 4 years. It's a pretty neat thing actually. One website I found says that for every 1,461 births, only 1 will be on Leap Day. In the U.S. there are approximately 200,000 people who celebrate this birthday, and 4 million world-wide. We have one of those 4 million in our home!


Bryan has completely rocked our world. From the day we first finally got to meet him, he has brought more joy to our lives than we could ever explain. He makes me laugh more than anyone else I know. And he loves like no other kid I have ever known. He is truly amazing!


So... here's to your life, Bryan. I look forward to celebrating all week long!

Are you serious??

The other day, I was at a check-out paying for something, and the (very young) cashier said to me "I love your purse". Here's how the conversation went:

Her: I love your purse. Too cute. (while chewing her gum very loudly)

Me: Thanks. I've had it forever.

Her: No way! It looks brand new.

Me: Yeah, I've had it since I was in high school (that's true).

Her: I love vintage purses!

Me: Vintage? Are you calling me vintage? Seriously?

Her: (giggle). Have a nice day, ma'am.

Me: (gag)

Apparently I laugh too loud

Last night was our last night of ballroom dance lessons. Basically, it was an overview of all the things we have learned thus far. We reviewed the foxtrot, complete with a promenade (we still stink at this one). We reviewed the rumba with a slow turn and a "rock step" (my personal favorite). And then we reviewed the swing dance (insert loud, snorting laugh here). The instructor taught a few new moves to go with our basic swing step. Really, I feel a little silly doing that dance. And well, I CANNOT swing dance with Jeff without laughing. Honestly, I wasn't making fun of him! He is just funny! His face does this strange goofy grin when he swings (see my previous dance post for more on this), and it completely cracks me up. After class, some of the senior adults commented that we "sure have a lot of fun together". They must not have heard Jeff telling me to be quiet, that I was too loud with my laugh! I can't help it; I just laugh loudly.



I know I have said it before, but this class has been a total blast! We HAVE laughed a lot with each other and with the others in the class. We have gotten to know some people better from our church. And you know... we really aren't that bad.

Girls Night Out

Last night was "girls night out" at the opera... the Phantom of the Opera, to be exact. For my birthday last month, my mother-in-law gave me tickets to see Phantom with her and my sister-in-law (and several other ladies). I was excited before going; now I can barely contain myself. I had a BLAST!!

The costumes, orchestra, singing, atmosphere... it was all perfect! I felt a little like Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman" since I actually got teary-eyed during one of the songs. I must be getting soft in my middle age!!

If you ever get the chance to go, take it. It's well worth your time. I will definitely see this again!