It seems like it was me... just yesterday!!!

Wasn't it just yesterday... that I was leaving 8th grade, promoting to Highschool? On Wednesday we attended the promotion ceremony for our oldest, Justin. He now stands 3 or 4 inches taller than me, and when I hear his voice in the other room... I have to remind myself that it's just my son... not some strange man. How does this happen?

Congratulations Justin! What an amazing young man you are! Thank you for reminding me what being a parent means. I continue to be impressed with the person you are becoming... although it seems like it was just yesterday that you were a chubby little 2 year old, with an amazing ability to memorize everything... and make me laugh everyday!

Justin with my parents... Pompy and Mams

Isn't he handsome!! :)

Thanks Aunt Stacy for joining us!! You rock!

Disneyland in May!

We took a quick trip to my favorite place.... Disneyland!!! It was a fast weekend, but we had a great time!! Mitchell and Megan were SO excited to go.... they were asking me everyday... a couple times a day if it was Disneyland yet. So... in an effort to help, I created a count down chain. They had so much fun removing a link and counting down the days to go.

Here's Megan counting the days left.....

Finally the day arrived! We loaded the kids up and started the drive on a Thursday after school. Megan and Mitchell were not very happy when we arrived at a hotel at 10 oclock at night, and they were told that we weren't really going to Disneyland until tomorrow! Mitchell was quite upset... but thought it was going to be fun to sleep in a bedroom with 3 of his other siblings. The morning of... we all put on our Bright Orange Tshirts and headed for Disneyland! I did pick orange on purpose... and it totally worked! I didn't lose a single child the whole trip!!!

After entering the park... we were lucky to find Mickey waiting to give Megan and Mitchell a big hug!!

Dad and Megan on splash mountain!!! She LOVED it!!!

All five smiling with our favorite character... Mickey!!

And below... our crazy nuts! :)

While the big kids went on Soaring with Dad... we hung out with Lightning McQueen and Mater. We didn't realize the kids were going to be less than a 1/2 an inch to small to ride quite a few rides... what a bummer! Luckily we didn't realize they were too short and we got on Splash Mountain, because it truly was Megan's favorite!

In Bugs Land

My brother Marc and his wife Stacy and their cute Montana, joined us for the day on Saturday! My mom and Dad were also there at the same time, and it was fun seeing them for a few hours on both days! Just looking at the pictures makes me want to go back!!! I love Disneyland!

Pledging to change

Maryn and Meg... best buddies!

I do try to avoid being up on my soapbox... BUT... I feel this is worthy of a post! Those of you that know me have probably heard me once or twice cringe and grimace at the use of the word "retard" in an offensive manner. So here it is... an opportunity to be made aware! Why don't we stop and think before we speak? Wouldn't our world be a little nicer, if we thought about how our words and actions would affect others before we decide to speak?



My Megan has truly taught me to be aware of others around me. She may not be able to speak as clear as your 6 year old... but she can sure try! As parents, we also have an opportunity to teach our children about the harmful affects of our words. Sometimes we are not even aware of the things our kids say... so, ask them what they know... you may be surprised. I don't think "kids are just mean" I think they just haven't been educated! Be a part of the moving force... click on the pledge button on the right and sign your name... pledge to change... or just to make others aware.

I Love you LOTS!!!

Valentine's Day... a day of Love! I love thinking about past Valentine's Days! When I was little my mom always made heart shaped, pink pancakes. My parent's had a small gift for us to open. I remember one year, my Dad creating a scavanger hunt around the house with small gifts for my Mom. I was so excited about helping set the clues... and her finding them. I am so grateful for the great example of sharing and kindness my parent's set for me. I love having traditions to pass on to my own kids. So... I still make pink, heart shaped pancakes. This year, with Shane's crazy work schedule, we actually went out to Brunch with some friends at Boulevard Bistro in town! LOVE this place! And brunch was AWESOME!!! So yummy! So, for dinner, I set the table, used our "finer" table settings and made a yummy dinner of steak, baked potatoes, home made rolls, and green beans. I cut out heart shaped brownies for dessert. Then I wrote little love notes on hearts for all of the kids and placed them all around the table. It was a fun night. Shane even managed to come home long enough to have dinner with us. It was a memory that I hope my kids will remember... just like all of the fun memories I have from my parents!

Mike with his heart shaped brownie and ice cream

My cute Maddy Boo

Justin! Is this teenager really mine?

Shane and I enjoying brunch at Boulevard Bistro! YUMMO!!!

Our friends, the Leger's enjoying brunch with us!

Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday... so long ago! I'm just getting around posting pics of the day. We had dinner and had a few friends over. The guys watched the game. The girls played a board game. The kids had the best time with each other. It was a fun evening in enjoying time with family and friends!

What are these 3 up to? Who knows! But they were having so much fun!

Yep... Commercial time... Got to love those 3-D commercials!

Did I tell you...

We are OPEN!!!!!

I know this may be a little self - indulgent, but we are so excited to have the doors of Dream Xtreme be open to the public! We have been running adds on the radio (heard one myself today), at the movie theatres, and even had a few spots on tv (Fox 40) and coming soon... Channel 10 and Channel 31. The kids, of course, are loving it! Justin loves to work to earn a chance to surf! Shane LIVES down at Dream Xtreme. I leave for work at 7:45... he leaves shortly after... and then makes it home around 11:30 - 12 every night after it closes at 11. He works alot of hours... and is excited to see the Dream become a reality.


Here are a few pics of the kids trying it out... before it opened to the public on friends and family day!
Megan may look a little fearful... but don't let it full you.. she was actually in the middle of yelling out a "whoo... hoo!" check her out in her very own you tube video... "Flowrider is for everyone"

Mike has since mastered a head stand on the body board... while in motion... just like his Dad, this one is!

Maddy is all smiles on the body board!

Justin has quickly picked up the Flowboarder skills.

Is there anything blog-worthy?

I'm sure there is plenty! But of course... I am entering the world of tax season, and seem to be busy these days... just like everyone else. But we are still alive. We just celebrated Shane's bday a few days ago. We went out to our favorite place to eat for dinner... Bandera's. My mom and dad joined us for the celebration. We are waiting patiently for the opening of Dream Xtreme... o.k. who am I kidding... not so patiently. We are hoping to be open by next week. It has been a process... as you all know, but we are excited that it is almost here!

Here we are passing the evening away... playing

I just love those little cheeks!