Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Brrrr

For this month of May there were SEVERAL times that the heat went on one day and the AC the next.  Here we just used the fire to warm up after a chilly night at baseball.  
Love this cozy new couch that fits the whole family.  Thankful that during transpo we lost the main cushion at the base of OUR street and not a street far far away - in a matter of 24 hours I sold the green one (and delivered it) and picked up this one - bigger sectional - MUCH easier to move!

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

kids being kids

I honestly say this WAY too much - mostly because its true.  Life goes by WAY too fast.  its these moments I want to capture.  Drew ran over here to grab these flowers and blow the seeds away - it is exactly what he should do!!
And there are moments that I get to work beside a chicken TV
And, if you put a dog crate by the door and the boys have 2 minutes before they get on the bus - yes, getting into this crate is exactly what they should be doing - together.  


Saturday, May 6, 2017

pitching videos

Shane was happy to play ANY position in baseball - the more action the better.  Matter of fact, we spent some time trying to find him a catchers glove on Ebay as he wanted to try his hand at catcher -

Well here is our little 'up for anything' kind of guy!

https://youtu.be/CbCE9rNcQpk

Nick was also intersted in pitching - when the team started playing they had a pitching challenge for the starting position - since we were going to be in Vancouver I kind of hoped Nick wouldn't be selected - but he was!!  he won out!  as God would have it, his game was rained out so he saved his debut for a game in burlington

https://youtu.be/p2jHY6eIBwg

Its games like these and coaches like these guys that make me really appreciate the small town.  Thankful they have chance and opportunities like this.



Time to Re-new - I earned this Retreat!!


Yes, I am part of Shannon's 800 person Team better life and she put out and incentive and I wanted to earn it!!  I did!!  So excited for a weekend away and SUPER excited for time with some amazing ladies doing mazing things with R+F.  I headed out there Friday morning with every intention of driving straight on threw.
I made it in time for our training session with Mary Hoff!!
Love this cozy learning session and completely epitomizes how we learn with R+F
Dinner all together and time for us all to connect - swap some stories too.
snuggled up at night too - 
Right here is one of the many reason why I wanted to come - to be with these women  Becky is from Des Moines IA and Jana from Wheaton Minnesota - both VERY small towns and both doing SO awesome with R+F and using it as a vehicle for the lifestyle they intend to live!
Real women and real stuff. - I often see them all virtually, but getting to have time with them was so much more valuable - talking about focus, family, jobs, finances.  So real and so instant.
Shannon hooked us up with a Barre class and the weather held out so we could do it in her folks yard!!  Perfect team raining
Loved snapping photos in the beautiful lawn - too many great places to capture!
All the small muscle groups form Barre = totally exhausted =)
Time to pretty it up and head out for a night on the town.  A great mini bus picked us all up and took us to a favorite restaurant of Shannon's in Annapolis - 
But first a photo in front of the team trophy - this car (that you can hardly see behind us all - represents the fact that Shannon built a sustainable team with a very fabulous income truly demonstrating she made it - and for her - onto the next level!
During ride in we were showing each other photos of our families - so amazing to know these ladies from different parts of the USA with a very similar common goal!
 
Of course there were lots of photos to be taken 
Sunday morning made for a lazy morning as some packed up to leave.  It also marked my 3rd year anniversary - I couldn't think of a more fitting place to spend it.
As everyone left I got a simple few moments with my sister-in-law
And a photo of inspiration 
From here I headed onto Amy's to give a quick hug and deliver a celebratory bottle of Champagne as Elise graduates this year and they start a family adventure out to Utah!  

Than I was able to pop over and spend some time with the Leadbetters and enjoy a cup of tea before headed on a quick shopping trip to Ikea and than the famous farrah shift store

Landed at the McCulloughs for the evening. They had just been to a family show in D.C.  the Guardian's of the Galaxy music.  Love how these guys do family.  Enjoyed a delicious meal as Brian was making sure to keep us reminded of his amazing cooking (stocking it up before the separation is just too long!)  We stayed up chatting about his mission and the year ahead.
I want to always remember how important and focus they make you feel.  I know the McCulloughs had a million things going on and their minds were surely everywhere - but yet we got to have an evening truly together and that was wonderful - no pictures or phones needed.
Monday morning its right back home - door to door (yes, one quick gas stop!)



Thursday, May 4, 2017

Field Tripping to the Bronx Zoo

Nick asked me to join him and his class to the Bronx zoo for their field trip.  It was so nice to get asked, that I put my name in the lottery for a seat on the bus and scored!!  (you know my knack for directions!) So many parents opted to join the crew that i got to chaperone just Nick and Ryan.  They went straight to the sea lions (that they had been mimicking for a while.
Which one is the sea lion?!?  I can't tell.
https://youtu.be/scjTD8UY2JM

Yes boys the tiger is MUCH bigger than you are
These 2 were awesome to travel with if you can imagine.  Very inquisitive and loved exploring - different than the lazy bear back there.  It was a beautiful day so clearly he was just sunning himself.
He came out long enough to realize it wasn't chilly out
For lunch we saw lots of groups strewn out along the benches.  We opted for lunch among the bamboo
We had some zoo visitors too
My boys were ready to move on before the rest were finished so off we went.
Elegant foot bigger than head - yes!
There he is
When it was all said and done - these 2 shopped for a souvenir and as we like to said, friends that head to the bronx together - like to buy tigers together.

Thanks for a great day you too!!  I personally had a blast paling around with you.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Mom's birthday

The woman who makes us all feel so very special!!  Its her birthday today and she is hosting my dad's colin and her husband - she just hosted the Klubas too - and did it all so seamlessly.  The best thing my mother does is gives you her attention!  She looks passed everything else and values the time WITH YOU!  which I just love.  She brought these flowers to me but I wanted to post them here as I think of HER for her birthday!
Hope you truly felt the love on your birthday!


Tuesday, May 2, 2017

A day in the life

I want more of this - outside on my back deck having a snack with Roxy - Sure - sometimes she does get a little close.
Than Drew takes me down to where they built houses for their monster trucks!  Who needs fairy houses when you have Monster Truck houses - they did this for hours =) all together too - treasure moments like this.
Very involved track
Teacher appreciation week and the goal was to where the teachers favorite colors - teal and crimson - pretty darn close with these 2 best buddies!
A little Stem training for Nick after school too - learning how to program robotics!