The weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. My family did not get together this year - I think the first time in history. I'm not sure why. It could be because my dad just had surgery on his foot - so he wasn't feeling too well. Either way, the kids are getting older, and might not enjoy it. Although, I think they still would. I know my girls were disappointed that they didn't get to color eggs. The Easter bunny did still visit our house - they are never too old for some things.

Anyway, it was just Tayler and myself at home until Sunday afternoon. We had a good weekend. I had a friend bring over her 2 daughters on Friday night. 1 daughter is Tayler's age, and the other is about 15 months old. They both stayed here while she went and had dinner, so we had them for a few hours. It was fun to chase Baylee around the house as she discovered the fish tanks, the dog, the cat, the fireplace.....you get the idea. On Saturday, they picked Tayler up and they all went to the movies and the mall. I was home alone....with Harley....so we vegged out and watched a movie.

That night Tayler and I went to a friends house for a get together. Janelle and Nigel are a great couple who live on our street. They have 3 sons at home, 2 with Asperber's Syndrome (a form of Autism) and 1 with full blown Autism. The oldest is Tayler's age, and the youngest is 8. Nigel also has 2 sons from a previous marriage who are in town from California. Nigel is from England - and they are moving back May 15th. So, we are all trying to hang out as much as we can before they leave. On the plus side, Bryan and I now have a place to stay when we go visit England!! (I'm trying to find the bright side in my friend leaving)

Here are some random pics from Sat night....

Are we cool or what? Cameron and Tayler

I'm beautiful - I know

Me and Wendy

David trying to ruin our picture

Happy Easter!

Janelle and another neighbor/friend Al

And we are sober.....

Tayler, me, Wendy and David


Dave and Wendy

Amy (David's wife)

Dog sitting

My parents went to Colorado to see my little brother. So, we have taken their 2 dogs for the week. Nicky and Harley are so excited to have so much time together to play. Purdy just sleeps and eats. And, I'm cursing my parents right now for their early bird wake up routine. Every single morning so far Purdy has woken up at 5:30am. She sits in our room and cries until we let her out of the kennel to go outside. Consequently, all 3 dogs wake up and think it's time to start the day. So much for sleeping in this weekend.
They play so well together....they wear each other out....

2 Exhausted little boys

Mom...your lap belongs to me....make him move

Patiently waiting....

I wish they'd hurry up and finish setting the table

A boy could starve in this house

Kati

The same day as my dad's retirement party - Kati had a solo & ensemble competition for band. She played her trumpet in a solo - and an ensemble with her best friend Krystin - who plays the French Horn.

She received a 1 on her solo!!! She got a nice medal - of which I don't have a picture. Her and Krystin played their duet (which they only practiced together 3 times) - and received a 2.

I'm very proud of her!

My Old Man

My dad finally retired. It's hard to imagine him being old enough to actually retire, I guess that makes me feel older too. We had a surprise party for him the day after his last day of work. Below are some random pictures from the event....

Don't look at me like that - I'm not that old

2 men who have it figured out - they don't work -but their wives do

Trouble x 2

He won't be doing any of these things - he'll be at the casino

Only a few more months before she retires - and we have another cake!


And we'll invite John to the next party - he makes wonderful cakes!!

My Birthday dinner.....

The finished product

My Spoiled boys and their jacuzzi bath

There are no words

Hey mom....how come you don't bathe me like this?

Can you please pass the loofah

(there were pictures of Harley laying up against Bryan's chest enjoying the jacuzzi jets - but since this is a family blog - I opted not to post those)

Finally painting

We've been here for 16 months, and finally got around to painting in the living room. We were only going to do 1 accent wall - however - we chose the wall that is 20ft tall. Bryan was real happy on top of the ladder!!

Not finished yet - but at least it's red!

We decided to also paint a 2nd accent wall - it's in the entry way - and is the half wall to the staircase. It isn't finished yet - it is the same red (even though it doesn't appear to be)

Old friends...

Most of you know Michelle. She and I met the summer before our 2nd grade year in school. We lived about 3 houses down from each other. I would like to say we became instant best friends - but I'm not sure that's accurate (can you really be best friends with someone your mom hates? Her mom hated me). However, we did become friends, I did win her mom over, and we became inseparable. I was the good one of course, and she was the bad influence (this statement changes depending on who you are talking to). Anyway, best friends. When we moved to Texas when I was 13 I was so afraid of losing my best friend. We did discover - that distance just can't change some things. Beating the odds (horribly expensive long distance prices in the 80's - and parents who wouldn't let us call each other) our friendship remained. Luckily for us, our parents helped that out by allowing us a little phone time, and visits with each other in the summers. Unfortunately, internet and email did not exist back then - so we were strapped with writing letters and snail mail. And here it is, some *cough27cough* years later - and I still have my best friend. She may be in another state, and we may only talk every few months - but she is there. Bryan thinks it's amazing, we can go several months without talking, and when we do talk, it's like it was only yesterday. That my friends is the sign of a strong friendship. And, you know Michelle must be a saint - she has put up with me for...we'll just say several years. Who else could stand me for that long? :)

And in true best friend fashion, she had 2 boys to go with my 2 girls. We have high hopes of marrying them off to each other - so that Michelle and I can have our lifelong dream of actually being related to each other (the plan to marry her mom to my dad failed miserably...luckily for me and my mom).

Anyway, Michelle finally got herself a digital camera - so I can see pictures of her family again! You know she's sick of seeing mine, it's time she shares!! She sent me pictures this week, probably not knowing they would end up here for all the world to see. But then again, she knows me well enough to know they would. Below is my best friend and her family...

Cameron - who is just about 4 months younger than Tayler - he's almost 14

Tyler - who is 1 month older than Kati - he's 12

Opa

We received our first pictures this morning of Dad/Opa in Iraq. Hopefully we'll get more soon and we will post them. He is looking good!! Words can't express how much he is loved and missed in our home.

Opa

Our Opa is in Iraq right now - and we miss him. We are hoping he will check in so he can see our messages to him....

We miss you Opa (and Dad) - stay safe and we love you!!!!

Kati's new room

On the 27th, we decided to remodel Kati's room. She had gotten new (to her) bedroom furniture from a friend of ours. We decided before we moved it in, we should finally paint one of her walls. Below is the result.....

Taking over...

Harley is such a part of our family - he has now taken his place at the table...

Hmm...those wings and pizza sure look good. Too bad they forgot to set my plate....

Mommmm....Tayler isn't sharing.....

Ok...I'm coming over to get my own.

And now it's time to play....

On the 27th, we took the girls (and Harley) down to the park to try out their new RC toys. Kaylin had fun trying to keep her truck out of the water. Tayler had fun chasing Harley with hers. Kati and Bryan concentrated on the boat and the water - it was by far the most fun to watch. Here are some random shots....