Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 50th birthday!!!

I have the best mom. I mean really, she is the best. I have always wanted to grow up to be like her, I am falling a little short, but I'm still trying. She is the most giving and generous woman I know, almost to a fault. And always optimistic. But, maybe the most important thing I have learned from her example, is to love. She LOVES my dad, her children, her parents, and siblings. She will do anything for them. I love her and I appreciate the example she has set for me. I am a better mother, daughter, sister, and friend because of it.

Thank you Mom and Happy Birthday!

Happy Easter and our visit with Shay

This weekend has been great and crazy. Shaylyn came to visit for a few days and we had the greatest time. The boys loved her!!! And she spoiled them, I don't think Jacks been held that much since he was born. It had been almost a year and a half since I'd seen her, but it felt like no time at all. Crazy that we've been friends for 16 years now. I love her.

With my Granny passing away on Wednesday, my parents flew into town the same day as Shaylyn. So my kids have been extra happy!

On Saturday morning, Shaylyn and I took Wesley and Jack to an easter egg hunt at Thanksgiving Point. As soon as we arrived I realized I must be the worst mother because my son was the only one who didn't have his own easter basket. Luckily, they supplied Costco bags for the kids who were stuck with forgetful mothers. Pretty gheto though. Check out the picture below, he is literally the only one carrying one.

There were thousands of eggs and Wesley had a great time. Afterwards we took a wagon ride around the park and the worker said Wesley gets the "Most Excited of the Day Award". He really was having so much fun.

So Easter morning arrives and Wesley got his Little Einstein figures he had been waiting for. He saw me buy them earlier in the week and was NOT happy when I explained I had given them to the Easter Bunny. But all is well now, he hasn't let them go in the last 24 hours since he got them.

So a great weekend was had by all, even Brad, who got a basketball bunny. Nice. Happy Easter!

We love you Granny

My Granny passed away this morning, I'm sure more than happy to be reunited with her husband after forty years. I'm very grateful for the time I had with her. I'm thankful my boys were able to know her, if only for a short time. And I still find a lot of humor in remembering the night she met Brad, disapointed he wasn't a doctor who could help out with her long list of medications, really a great story. She had amazing strength and an infectious smile. She did a great job raising my dad and his sisters and I can't begin to say how much I love her. Thank you Granny. We Love You!

A Great Weekend!

This vacation couldn't have been better. The MGM was really nice and our room was awesome. I was more than happy to escape the snow and relax by the pool everyday. We were even given free admission to the exclusive pool, not bad for a bunch of girls in thier late twenties and we weren't even wearing skimpy bikinis like the youngins. Other than soaking in the sun, we spent most of our days shopping, or at least window shopping. My favorite place was the Christian Louboutin shoe boutique, I could have died, they were all so beautiful! We even got our makeup done at Sephora by the lead Smashbox makeup artist for New York Fashion Week. We at delicious meals and really just had a wonderful time. And to top it all off, I was able to get a full night's rest (thanks again Brad for keeping the boys!!!). Every girl needs a getaway like this once in a while.

Melissa, Michele, and Me

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Emily and I

Wesley and Claire

Anyone who knows me well probably knows I have the bug to travel and that means girls trips! (Brad's not much of a traveler.) So, I couldn't be more excited about the upcoming months because I've got plans galore. It started with a visit from Emily a couple weeks ago and we had a great time, although it ended with everyone getting the flu. We took our kids to Jumpin' Jacks and the aquarium, but mostly it was just great to hang out with my dear friend. In just the few weeks since then I was able to plan some more great trips.

Tomorrow, my friend Michele and I will be going to Las Vegas for the weekend. A friend of hers has a free suite at the MGM Grand, so we're going to live it up.

Michele and Ava

In two weeks, Shaylyn, my dearest friend since the sixth grade, is coming to visit! WooHoo! We only get to see eachother once every year or so and she hasn't been able to meet either of my boys yet, so I am super excited for her visit!Shaylyn, Me, and our moms

And just last night I booked my ticket for a great girls weekend in San Francisco. July 23-26 I will be spending the weekend with my friends of forever, Brit, Lauren, and Emily. The four of us haven't been all together in a while (this picture was taken almost two years ago at Lauren's baby shower), so this is especially exciting! I love these girls and can't wait to see them!
Brit, Me, Lauren, and Emily

So, life is good. I have the best friends! And hooray for independent woman and the men who support our travels!

Cutest Shirts Ever!

Ok, maybe not the cutest ever, but super cute on these two brothers. My friend Michele gave them to us when Jack was born. Wesley's shirt reads

"Big Bro...Honor and Defend" and Jack's reads "Lil Bro...Search and Destroy". So appropriate.

all about Wesley

Wesley

almost 2.5 years old

nickname: Bubba

favorite cartoon: The Backyardigans

favorite movie: Toy Story (or anything Pixar)

favorite song: I Love to See the Temple

favorite food: pop tarts

favorite saying: "ARRRR" (like a pirate)

He loves his brother, I think they really will be best friends. But for now Ava is his best friend, he would play with her all day every day if it were up to him. He has always been a daddy's boy. I'm pretty much chopped liver when Brad is around. He's an early riser and I mean really early; he's up by 6:15 every morning! He has the darkest brown eyes courtesy of his mom and great-grandfather. He loves play dough. He thinks walking around talking on the phone is work...he learned that from his dad. And believe me he can talk. Talk, talk, talk, all day long. He is a seriously funny kid. His smile is to die for. He has hit the terrible two's, but he's too cute to care most of the time. Just when I want to kill him, he makes me laugh...lucky for him. He's truly adorable and the past two years have been so fun for Brad and I. What more can I say?

I love him.

Green Eggs and Ham

It is so appropriate that this has become Wesley's favorite book in the past week. In fact he can almost recite the whole thing. And as today is the official day of GREEN, we've read it a few times already. I know I'm not really Irish, but today we tried to celebrate like it...no we didn't throw back a few drinks, but we did dress appropriately and went to a special lunch where we were highly anticipating their famous sugar cookies (shaped liked shamrocks for the occasion). Unfortuately, the cookies were sold out. That's right sold out by our 11:30 lunch! Oh well, a great time was had by all.

Wesley and Ava

A fun morning, but I guess it can't all be smiles.

And yes... I am clearly now a blogger mom. Good times!