Shaun and Alex travel to Utah

Three is turning out to be a busy year for Alex. After his birthday he and Shaun headed west to visit Grandma and Grandpa C. They were gone for nearly a week, and o' how I missed my little boy (and the big one too). I've never been away from Alex for more than a night, so I had some withdrawals. But they had s great time, and I suppose if I'm going to have to share them, sharing them with grandma is the best thing. Plus it was Pat's birthday, so I know she really appreciated getting to spend time with her boys too. They went fishing with grandpa, to the zoo, picked strawberries in grandma's backyard, and had many other adventures. 

Shaun and Alex on an old tractor up at the family's property in Colville. I love this picture!

Carter and Alex riding in the back of grandpa's truck up at the property. 

Shaun with his parents and sister. 

Alex found Carter's dress up stuff. Arg!

Roar! The dinosaur costume was his favorite!

Picking strawberries 🍓 

Playing swords in Grandmas backyard.

The zoo with grandma and Carter

The elephants were his favorite 

You almost can't tell but there is a glass wall between my son and those sleeping lions. 

Riding the carousel 

And fishing with dad and grandpa 

He caught his first 🐟 

Look at that smile!

Shaun caught one too, but I think Alex's was bigger. 

And since grandma doesn't like to celebrate her birthday, they celebrated Alex's birthday a second time. Here he is with Aunt Stephanie (Annie), who he loved playing with, blowing out his candles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucky Number Three

I'm not sure how it happened, but my handsome little boy has just turned three! 

Nana and papa came over and we celebrated with a Backyardigans Cake with Orange frosting (by request), and superhero gifts were in abundance.

These two cuties are all mine and I count myself the luckiest girl around.

Alex got a sword and shield and a whole set of super hero costumes. Look at my very super sweet super heroes.

Happy Birthday handsome boy! We love you stinker!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

When Your Car Won't Start...

It's been over seven years since we came home with our swagger wagon! We have loved our Honda Odyssey. If anyone ever asks me if they should get a van I will always highly recommend it. It's the van I brought home my babies in, and Ella was only a baby when we bought it. I was eight months pregnant with Amelia, and I think I literally heard angels sing when we test drove it that hot summer day. But as of late said swagger wagon was losing her swagger. In fact, many mornings I couldn't count on her to start... kinda important in the whole driving process. We had the van in and out of the shop and even our trusted mechanic couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. More probing was going to mean more mullah, and at 130,000 miles I wasn't sure I was ready to put any more money into it. So we found ourselves car shopping, and while we weren't planning to actually buy a new car just yet, circumstances being what they were, we were excited to find something that would A. Start consistently and B. Be the car for a new stage of life. I've had my babies, and now they're becoming big kids. I want a car we can go on fun family vacations in, something to go create new memories in. While I loved my van, I was ready for a new look. I had narrowed my choices down to the Chevy Traverse and the Toyota Highlander. The Traverse won out because it felt a little roomier on the inside. So here it is... our new vehicle. 

And while I was a little sad to say goodbye to our van, I know good things are yet to come.

Goodbye my sweet dinged up scratched up swagger wagon. I have loved you!

The road ahead is going to be fun in this vehicle!

 

 

 

 

20 years...

This weekend I celebrated my 20 year high school reunion. Say what?!? I know what you're thinking, impossible! You're only 25, right? Wait, that's not what you were thinking? Well, whether it seems plausible or not the reality is that it's been 20 years since I dawned my red cap and gown and sat out on Falcon Field to get that diploma. You have to understand, I didn't love high school. I also didn't hate it. I had an amazing group of friends, most of whom did not attend my school because they either attended the other high school in the county, were older than me by a couple of years and had already graduated, or were homeschooled. My very best friend did attend Fauquier High with me, my Grace Face. You know the friend I'm talking about, the friend that is more like a sister than anything. The one you tell everything to and who knows you better than you know yourself in some ways. The friend who went with you on all your family vacations, and whose family is an extension of your own. That was my Grace. When I think of high school, I think first and foremost of her. We were both good students (really she was in the top ten and an exceptional student, I was merely decent). I don't remember feeling unpopular, but I also knew I was never part of the cool group at school. And I was okay with that, because I had amazing friends and found my value outside of school. But for Grace it always seemed to matter. She always cared more than me about high school. So twenty years later when she calls me from California to tell me she's flying out to our reunion and I HAVE to come too, I complied. More for her than any other reason, although I can say now I'm glad I went. There were a couple of people it was really nice to see. It is a big milestone I suppose. I'm pretty proud of the person I've become over the last twenty years. No major regrets, and a lot of life still to live. This is the face of 38 folks. Ready or not, reunion here I come!

The photo booth was fun! I loved seeing Margaret and Dale, and others too. 

Seriously I don't even know some of these people, but hey, it's okay.

Me and my Grace .. no matter how much time passes we always have our history that makes her feel like more of a sister.

Class Superlatives:

Grace: came the furthest 

Margaret: married the longest 

Dale: most degrees

Me: drives oldest minivan 😳. What an honor to win that one, especially when said minivan wouldn't even start that night and I had to get a ride in Grace's rental car. 
 
The next morning I met Grace for brunch before she flew back home. 

It was fun seeing everyone. Till next time, whenever that may be.