What's in a name?

With 10 weeks to go, the highest priority has become a name for this sweet little boy.
We have a few, but can't quite find 'the right one'.
So we've been asking around for suggestions:

ummmmmm....think we're gonna pass on that suggestion; but I GUARANTEE he'd be the only "Vampire" at Kindergarten round-up!!

Now...who can top that?

A dear friend

 

Today I celebrate the birthday of a dear friend.

She's that friend that it doesn't matter if it's been 2 days, 2 months or 2 years, we just transition right back into where we left off.

She has the kindest heart and I love her fiercely.

She amazes me as a parent and never lets me down as a friend.

She's just the perfect combo of rational, calm and emotional exactly when I need it.

She is raising thoughtful, kind and accountable children.

Happy Birthday my sweet friend.  You deserve the world today and always.



2013 Christmas...in 2014!

With the craziness of the holiday season, and the fact that we were in Vegas for a week, my family didn't celebrate 'Christmas' together until January 4th.

Personally, I like that the past few years we have celebrated well after 12/25.  It allows some of the holiday madness to subside, and gives us more time to just be together, and not have to worry about running off to the next gathering.

We all gathered at the Lodge, at the lake.  We ate, chatted, ate, played cards, ate, played in the snow, ate some more and just enjoyed each other.  It was relaxing and perfect.
The pictures aren't great (or nearly enough), but they'll have to do.
Total fail on my part......at NEITHER of our Christmases did I capture a picture of Grandpa/Grandma and their grandchildren.  Shame on me.  MUST make that a priority!!!
I also need some picture of me and Ed with our kids.  2014 Priority #238.
The list is getting long.

Ok..regardless of my fails on the photo-end
fun was had by all!




The girls kicked uncle Jason's butt in UNO

Aunt Abby totally photo-bombed this one!!

Who would have thought that a huge chunk of prime rib would make him so happy!  So cute and funny!

The kids getting ready to start the present craziness!  I just noticed that I don't have on single picture of EIV!  Another fail!

Aunt Angie gearing up for her ugly sweater party!

A Very Vegas Christmas!

We were so lucky this year to spend a week, including Christmas, in Vegas with our family!
We've been back to Vegas several times since we moved in 2008, but never for a holiday. (shame on us!).
The next best thing to seeing our family and friends was the WEATHER!!!  it was 60-65* every day.  Pretty sure the average temp in Omaha during the same time period was at best 20*.

We did the perfect combination of relaxing (aka sitting on our arses and eating) and vacationing (aka going, going going, chase, chase, chase).

We spent good quality time with Ed's parents and his brother Mike's family (including our 2 adorable nieces!!).  Unfortunately for us, (Awesome for her!!) our other niece headed home to Dallas to be with her mom and dad.  We were so bummed; but will catch up in June! yay!!!

Kr is a beautiful 20-something year old(didn't think she'd appreciate me sharing her age), cheerleader at UNLV, who has the kindest, sweetest heart on the planet.  Ky is a super adorable 9 year old, who is gentle and tolerant and just amazing.  We soaked up every single minute with them.

We went to the Christmas village, Bellagio's fountains and botanical gardens (my FAVE in all of Vegas), Saw the Grinch made 100% out of chocolate; Ed golfed with his dad and brother, ate amazing food (Capriotti's, In N Out, Ethel M, tamales), caught up with tons of family/friends at the Christmas Eve Soup Kitchen, were surprised that Santa found us in Vegas, Enjoyed the beautiful luminaries, laughed our butts off playing games on Christmas (can we make Penny go EVERY TIME!!); Ed had a night out with friends, I got to see not one, but TWO of my besties, the kids reconnected with TnT (which is always just so natural and PERFECT!); went to the Container Park (COOL!), saw Frozen, caught a UNLV BB game (which my daughters watched from a suite! -- Thanks Uncle Mike!), etc etc etc. 
A whole lot of fun wrapped into one week!
Simply put....it was AWESOME!
Thanks Mom and Dad, Mike, Penny, Kristy, Jeff and Kylea for everything.  We loved every single minute!

p.s.  Can't you see that EIV is in picture-stinker mode!?!?!?  Hilarious.

 

 

 

One final shout out:  This week wouldn't have been possible if not for Tatum staying at the house and watching our other baby.  Our big, fat, furry baby, who needs a lot of attention!  Thanks sugar.

 

 



 

Cookies for Dad

Ed loves molasses cookies.
EIV and I decided to surprise him one night and make a few dozen.

After watching me roll the dough into tiny spheres, EIV decided he wanted to give it a try.

 

Here's my cookies (obviously after they baked):

 



 

And here are EIV's:

 

 

Yes, I totally baked them this way!

Yes, I was crying because I was laughing so hard!

Yes, note to self....make sugar cookies next time EIV helps.



A Review....of 2013

Whew!

2013 was exhilarating,  full of blessings and of course….exhausting!

I always like doing a quick year in review.

It allows me to cherish the memories made during the past year and actually helps me to remember a few of them  J

So, here’s my best go:

(Disclaimer – you totally know that I’m going to forget SOMETHING or SOMEONE.  I apologize in advance!)

Jan – Started the 2013 Joy Jar to collect memories throughout the year; Had a hard time getting back into the routine after a long Christmas break;  Had a week long work trip to Vegas; really enjoyed time with my 2 nieces in Vegas; ice fishing at Papa’s lake;

Feb – The kids made an adorable ‘love’ sign for Valentine ’s Day; Celebrated CHD Awareness week selling suckers for Heart Heroes; Work trip to Vegas and Cali; got to spend the week with my dear friend—what memories made!  (Remember watching the helicopter rescue)

Mar – Ed celebrated his 46^th; our niece celebrated her 4^th and we had the BEST egg rolls to eat thanks to my father and mother in law visiting; surprised the girls with Taylor Swift Tickets (that was awesome); concert with sister and friends was so much fun!

Apr – My big brother turned 40!  Holy crap!; I forgot to take Easter pictures and didn’t color eggs; EIV loved saying ‘fire truck’…or something like that; Hosted the first (of many to come) Family Events for Heart Heroes – was a huge success at the Children Museum; fully committed to Heart Heroes (love my heart mama friends!);  Bon Jovi!

May- had stinkin SNOW on May 1^st!  YUCK!!!; E fell in LOVE with Track (high jump in particular); H started her spring soccer season.  Go Pink Cheetahs!; Got to spend time with our dear friend Ralph; Bob, the gnome was welcomed into our family; Memorial Day included catching tons of Master Angle fish at the lake

Jun – H mastered her bike riding skills; Boys Town debuted the billboard with the kids on it; We had our annual 4^th of July block party (EARLY!); our sweet friends moved away L boo….;  E jumped her personal best 3’4” in the last meet of the season , and scored the gold; we got to play on the huge slides downtown; we fell in love with the best nanny in the WORLD!! Love you T!

Jul – Heart Heroes was featured on the NBC Nightly News; Ed and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a fun, relaxing weekend in NE City!  Spent lots of time at the lake; Spent the 4^th with my brother and his family; EIV got a really bad case of ecoli;

Aug – H turned 7!! No way!!  We had a spectacular summer birthday bash at grandpa’s lake!!  We devoured 2 HUGE Eileen’s cookies. YUM! School starting with a 2^nd and 3^rd grader.  EIV injured his sister with a toy to her head (resulting in a scar she will have for life!); we discovered (and were SHOCKED) that #4 was on his way; trip to North Platte for a wedding and searching for our faces on billboards along the way! 

Sept -- EIV celebrated his 2^nd Heartiversary (Praise the Lord);  E gave cross country a try; We volunteered at the Omaha Marathon;

Oct – Finally shared our baby news with the kids (they were stoked!);  Dierks/Miranda concert with my sis!; My baby turned 9!  9…..last year of single digits; our first girls birthday shopping trip was a success! We traveled to Eastern Iowa for good food and GREAT FRIENDS;  Got to see Ed SO HAPPY when we went to Antique Archaeology (too cute!); Halloween saw a witch, black cat and pumpkin; Heart Heroes SUPER RUN!!!  AWESOME!! 

Nov—God blessed me with another year and my dad 60; had a family dinner sans the littles…it was really nice!!  Watched my brother get the high score on a punching bag game during that dinner celebration was the highlight!! Our kitty found a new home L AMAZING finish to a HUSKER game with a bestie!  Tank tops in Nov and Doozy’s J; Gender reveal party was a BLAST!!!!!!  P!NK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec—my little man turned 3 and moved into a big boy bed; Our Christmas trip to Vegas; New Year’s Eve with family and good friends; reading all the memories from the Joy Jar

 

I'm stilling hoping to put together a 2013 collage, but will see what time allows.

Hope as you reflect on the past year, it warms your heart!

All the best from our family to yours for an amazing 2014!

Partying like a 3 y/o Rock Star!

Ok...I've been on hiatus the past few weeks.  Between birthday parties, illnesses (strep and croup), a trip to the hospital, a week vacation in Vegas, Christmas, New Year's Eve, another Christmas, being prego, and just everything else in between....I decided to take a blog-vacation I guess. 
Now with less than 13 weeks before baby arrives, I need to do some major catching up.
Let's start with the Rock Star 3 year old's birthday.

The Anibal tradition continues.
Donuts are the staple Birthday Breakfast.

See the joy in their eyes (and their mouths)....That's why donuts are the best for birthday breakfast!!

Then we had a Team Umizoomi style party.

Complete with a 'Bot' photobooth for all to enjoy:

What an enjoyable evening with family.
Great memories made.
Happy 3rd little man! 
We love you!