Mom & Sarah's BD Celebration

It's been a rough few mos for my mom...lot's of procedures for her heart and LONG recovery times...but we all enjoyed a Friday celebration to celebrate the 2 Sarah's bd's...grilling, laughs and fun are always on the menu...

2015 Memorial Day

A different twist this yr...we kept it more low key, no BIG party, but still had a great time...bbqing, swimming at Loretta's, hanging late night with the fam...

May 9th - Ashlee's 10th BD Bash...

Here's some pics from the fun day...I failed to get pics of the cotton candy machine, the huge inflatable obstacle course, nor any pics of Ash blowing out her bd candles...grrr...but I did manage to snap a few of these...

Test of the Times...Worst of Times...

Sorry for my lack of updating this blog...I swear I'm such a slacker anymore!  I truly have lost my ability to take pics and post them.  As of this yr, I didn't take any pics of my kids first day of school...nor any pics of them in softball...and I haven't taken many pics of recent parties (just a few of Ash's 10th bd bash)...UGH...I'm just beside myself with disappointment...I need to get a grip and get back on the cycle of life and keep up with stuff...it's going way too fast...but I promise to keep on trying...so here's some random pics...

Haylee and Bella having fun on the Riverfront on Mother's Day

ah, to be young again...

Bruiser

Ash somehow hurt her foot while running outside at the aftercare yesterday. ..it was tender and swollen, so a quick visit to the med ctr revealed a sprain...she has to wear a boot for a week and see how she feels then.

Snowsister's

A blast of snow means going outside and having a blast...:)

Wine Tasting @ the Milyos

A fun night of wine and good friends...you can't go wrong with that combo! We were able to sample many wonderful new wines...and then we were able to buy them at a HUGE discount! I of course bought 12 bottles...that should last me a few weeks...:)

NYC 2 (1/31)

Our 2nd annual NYC family trip was a huge success! It was certainly COLD that day we arrived but we all made sure to bundle up warm and we trooped thru just fine! We stayed at the RITZY NY Palace and it was stunning-we even ordered room service to munch on Margarhita Pizza! We visited Sony Muesum; brunched at Alice's Tea Cup; hit Time Square and Toys R Us (many floors of fascinating stuff); And went to Dylan's famous candy store (again, floors of candy-my kids were in heaven)! But the favorite visit was the American Girl Cafe/Store! We had an awesome dinner there and the girls got the star treatment with their dolls in attendance; and then the girls loved taking their 'girls' to the spa! I know it may seem silly to others to spend $ on dolls...but this is what memories are made of...my kids loved it and I'm so happy we were able to make this a childhood memory!!! Now they can give their dolls to their kids, and so on...:) Unfortunately we had a couple of unexpected hiccups...#1 was Ashlee awoke the day of the trip crying and had a bad cough...after some good meds, she felt well enough to make the trek to NY...then again Sunday she felt awful again so we left a bit earlier, which was fine as they snow was predicted and I was ready to get home. THEN dummy ME...I wore my very very very OLD ducky boots which I've had for years and never wear...only to find out that they don't fit right and I was in excrutiating pain for hours (we walked alot in NY)....normally I wear sneaks but bc I thought there was alot of snow there from a previous snow storm, I decided to bring the boots...and after an entire day of wearing them, I couldn't bear it any longer so I had to wear my dress boot with a big heel....well, they are not walking shoes either but felt better than the ducky boots...and I didn't want to ruin it for everyone else so I sucked.it.up! LESSON LEARNED!

dolls getting pampered at American Girl Salon

Lego

dinner at American Girl

lunch at Alice's Tea Cup

The Many Moves of Patrick...

One of the funniest people I know...PAT! Not only will you have a ton of laughs being around him, you'll be entertained with his classic 'air guitar' moves...

Lucky 13

Erin turns 13...the fun begins

Weekend Antics (1/17)

After being sick for my bd, it was time to MAKE UP that time with some happy hours and Sundayfundays! A fun time had by all, but my body is still off whack bc I certainly can't hang like I used to (never good to go to bed when you have a house full of guests)!

Padua 60 Year Anniversary

Me, Sarah, Francine and Jody (who wants to send Ry there for HS) all went to Padua's 60th anniversary party on Saturday...they had fantastic h'dorves and plenty of wine...it was great to run into old classmates and even better to roam the halls...I hadn't been in that school since I graduated in 1986...very nostalgic!

Francine, Nicole (Patty's classmate), Sarah and Me (the giant)

2015

A nice gathering at Rob & Jody's to ring in the New Year!!

14 Years...and counting...

Hard to believe it's been 14 yrs since I married the best thing that ever happened to me! We often reminice about that 'chance' mtg...and how we have two wonderful friends that if it weren't for their persistance to inviting Jim to a limo bd party for Staci, we'd probably never be together now...those are the ones you are forever grateful to!! Now, 14 years later, 2 amazing little girls have blessed our lives, making our family complete! As I like to say...life is good when you are surrounded by good people...and that I am!

Sista Luv

Patty's shortest visit yet...a whopping 2 day visit...but we'll take what we can get. It was short but sweet...we made sure to take advantage of it by visiting a slew of Aunt's and Uncle's that have a hard time getting around...gotta make those visits count...so, after 3 stops to visit different family, we had a quick lunch at Mexican Post, followed by Grotto's, followed by Harry's...always a fun time when I'm with my sister's!!!

Scared of Santa...

I have to chuckle when I see this pic of Ashlee wanting NO parts of sitting on or near SANTA...this was in 2006 when she was 14 mos old @ Tutor Time. At first I thought to myself, why torture this poor child...why force her to get a pic with someone she clearly wants nothing to do with? She was traumatized for the next couple yrs but thankfully fell out of the phase as she would watch her cousins and her sister all sit happily on Santa's lap and tell of her Christmas wishes.

DANCE

The girl's get ready for a dance session...did their own hair and all...

Ashlee, Haylee and Ryleigh ready to DANCE!

Riverfront Skate

Girls had a blast ice skating along the Wilmington Riverfront Saturday with their cousin, Collin and Aunt Sarah!