Blessed

Today I felt like this - all day for no other reason than where we are all at right now.

I felt this way, and Pauli went ahead and demonstrated this feeling in our back yard.

Feels good doesn't it.  Love what you are blessed with.

My mom has the BEST Flowers

 Teach appreciation week - DONE in Oma Sue's flower garden!

Look at these cuties!

I can smell this from here!!  Lilacs and their fragrance is AMAZING.  Throw in some red poppies - this is spring! 

This is what C&H does!

What Does C & H Fire Sprinkler do?  They design fire suppression systems and install them in warehouses, apartment buildings, hospitals, and C-130 Hangers.

This particular project is the first one that Chris actually bid on and WON the bid (which means C & H is in charge of the design and install and success of the system).  This particular job was a Government contract - translation - LOTS OF RED TAPE.  

Chris coming from a Government contracting background was happy to fill out the paperwork.

  Les Carlson was happy to make it work.  

C & H was happy to knock it out.

Yesterday May 12 they conducted their first foam test.

What the heck does that look like - well read on.

Their task is to have 90% coverage in under 1 minute -

Here are 3 foam generators pumping out foam (water and foam solution - much like soap) to suffocate the fire.

Here is the C- 130 Hanger at about 50 seconds.

Just about covered.

Next - the foam needs to be 3ft deep within 4 minutes (they actually had to turn it off early)

Hey guys - 

love this photo as it shows a bit of the prep that had to go into the foam test.  

Plastic wrap around the whole perimeter.

Done - 

Filled

Fire out - Test complete

That is the C & H mission.

Happy Mothers Day

I love Mother's day for so many reasons.  Here are 3 of the biggest ones.  Hugs from these guys all day long.  The fact that my life now means more, enriched, enhanced, with this family that we are blessed to nurture in the best way we know how.

This spoke to me - whether it made me think of myself or my own mother and the years she grew

pampering, presents aside.  This is hands down the best gift - their own work!  Chris put a garden together while we were in North Attleboro with my sister.  100% impressive.

Guess it was hard work too.  Have I told you before that I love how this kid sleeps?

Well I love how this kid sleeps = clear conscious 100%!

These are the special things about mothers day that I hope to treasure for years.  The thought behind all of this - The teachers guidance.  Love it all.

But I gotta admit - the coolest thing about mother's day is holding that trump card -

No fighting - its mother's day

I'm not cooking - its mothers day

I actually did the laundry on Mothers day AND LOVED IT!

Recital Weekend

On Friday and Saturday we stole away for a quick trip to North Attleboro to see our cousins and stay with my sister.  We rolled in on Friday just in time for some wonderful pizza and back yard hang out.  The cousins are at such a great age to really enjoy each others company.  Nick was thrilled to be able to drive this jeep in the back yard.  Let it Go blaring from the radio and all!

Saturday morning we woke up and chilled at the hotel pool while they had swim lessons and I even managed to squeeze in a link up with an old high school friend of mine at the part.  Amazing how that can work out.  Thanks Allison for making the time.

Now for a little girl time.

Boys trying to do girl time

They sat still the WHOLE time - totally impressed 

Look at sweet Maddie

can you see the instructor up there showing them the moves - you really can't miss her.  Dad wasn't supposed to take photos so these were the only ones we managed to snag.  I will say some girls froze up there on stage - but not my neices - the shook it, danced it and really performed!!

Both girls had 2 dances and it was all a Disney theme - lots of princess stuff - which meant Nick;s favorite performance was the 'bones' from a Halloween movie - shocking right?

Look at these beauties!

Look at all these lovely ladies and gents

Thanks Maddie and Riley for inviting us to your performance!  (can you see behind that Nick is clearly done with the photo op?)

So glad we are only 2 hours away to be able to share in stuff like this - this is real life!  Love it

Happy Birthday Oma Sue

Oh how I love my mom - let me count the ways - 

she is always smiling,

 always social, 

always thinking of others and a true joy to be around.  

I could go on and on.  I love that she is my mom and friend and that she is my boys Oma Sue.  

They feel her love every day.

On Sunday we just wanted her to feel loved.  We aren't perfect (my pie was VERY soft) but she enjoyed it no matter what (I think!)

Full of energy this crew - we are in charge of keeping you young!

1 year old

Drew even painted her a gift.  We loved his expression as she opened it

I am impressed he kept it a secret for a week.

LOVE YOU MOM and Happy birthday!  Next year I will get the pie right (maybe!)

Thomas the train - why we went

Thomas the train is coming to Essex - its about an hour away and we have never seen Thomas (execpt on TV of course)  Nick liked Thomas, Shane saw a little bit and Drew recently fell in love with the train.  So when tickets came up, I decided to treat just Drew.

I spend a lot of time with Drew - but so much of it isn't quality - its quantity.  

This was Quality.  He was excited. he was happy to hold me hand and he knew this was special for just him.

And you know what - he was the cutest kid there - not just becuase he was my kid - but he wasn't annoying. he didn't demand to get closer to Thomas (see, happy to take the photo in front of the fence)

Even excited to pose with mom. 

Look - there is Percy!  (Don't you just love the pants??)

Percy was talking at the time - scary right??

He did ask that I take his photo here (geesh)  

This was AFTER planning in the imagination station among a bunch of grabby not enjoyable to be around kinda kids...  Of course I will take your picture!

Our final stop was the carnival rides are part of the Thomas excitement.  Drew got to ride each one.

Even with kids he didn't know =)

I loved how each time when he finally picked me out of the small crowd I got a smile - each time.

And scored a Fried Dough at the end of it all (we called it a big Donut)

Slept the entire way home and even proceeded to curl up with me on the couch for a bit once we got home.  Drew - I just want you to know, I just enjoyed that time with you.  

You are a good kid, happy to be my only one and enjoy that time.  You had good manners, waited in line, didn't wine and were grateful for what you received and asking for no more.  

I love you.