In May of 2011, I helped Chaperone Alex's 3rd grade field trip to the Brookfield Zoo. I love the zoo and the kids had a great time!
In June of 2011 we took a trip to Mexico. We had a blast seeing some old ruins,
Swimming in a cenote,
and going on ziplines!
When we returned, Alan had a business trip to New York, so Alex and I went with him. Abby had a trip to New York a few years earlier, so this time it was Alex's turn. He loved it!
In July, of course there is the 4th of July which we spent at Starved Rock. We even took Gilligan with us. He loved hiking the trails. This picture is in French Canyon.
Later that month, Abby and I went to Girls' Camp. I was cooking the food, and Abby was practicing her "owling" with her bud, Corinne. You never know what will happen at Girls Camp!
In August, school started. Abby started her last year of middle school (8th grade), but we will get to that in a bit. Alex went into the 4th grade and had a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Shafron. She was so wonderful, and Alex had her wrapped around his little finger. He never got in trouble when she caught him reading when he should have been listening. ;)
In October, I flew out to Utah to be a part of my big sister's wedding to her awesome new husband, Will. It was so great to be there and see my family. Even my big brother, Jim, and his family were there. The three of us hadn't been together for a few years, so it was very SWEET!
I finally got Alan to do family photos again. It's a little easier now, as he is getting sentimental in his old age. (He turned 40 that year. snicker....)
2012 started off on a very sad note. We lost Alan's mother to alzheimer's in January. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter mother-in-law. Marion was a wonderful woman who was loved by everyone who knew her. We still miss her very much, but look forward to when we will see her again.
In April of 4th grade, Alex did his very first science fair. He and Alan worked on a project about aerodynamics. He had a great time. (Alex, and Alan too. LOL)
Also in April, the kids had their Spring Break. We decided to do a stay-cation in Chicago since we had a busy summer to look forward to. It was the first time we had gone up to the Skydeck. Very Cool!
At the very end of Spring break we took the kids to see CATS at the Cadillac Palace in Chicago. They were singing the songs for a month. I guess they liked it. :)
During 8th grade, Abby had decided to spread her wings a little and give the school choir a try. It took her the entire school year, but in May she finally got the courage to ask for a solo. I tried uploading the recording, but can't get it to work. I will have Alan help me make it work! :) Check back later for the debut!
Later in May, Abby graduated from 8th grade and left middle school behind. I can't believe how grown up she is, and how beautiful a young woman she has become!
She looked beautiful for her 8th grade graduation dance. She had a great time too!
July was a fun month. For Alan's birthday, Abby and I decided to put on a show. Really, we were just in one of our silly moods and decided to dress up.
The real fun was when Alan and I went to New York again, just the two of us. He had to be there on business, so we just made a fun weekend out of it. We saw Evita (amazing) and Spiderman (bomb) on Broadway.
We went to the USS Intrepid, which was incredible. Especially the Lego scale model!
We also went and saw several exhibits we had never seen, including the wax museum. My favorite was Cirque du Soleil's Zarkana! :)
After we got back, it was Abby's turn to travel. For the first time... Alone. Well, not exactly alone. She had two friends with her. It was her first time going to EFY. She and her friends went to Provo. Does she look nervous to be away from home by herself? I think not!
She made friends so easily and had such a great time!
A couple of weeks later, while Abby and I were at Girls' Camp again,
Alan had our new upstairs carpet and stair runner installed. I was so happy to come back to it being done. As well as our master bedroom closet being completely redone!
Summer of 2012 was definitely our time to travel (which I LOVE!!) In August, we went back to Mexico for another week of fun in the hot sun.
We had such a great time. When we first arrived, we were experiencing some pretty cool storms from Hurricane Earnesto as it passed about 100 miles South of where we were. It didn't stop us from enjoying our vacation though, we still had a great time swimming with dolphins,
flirting with parrots,
and just having a good time being silly!
I have always wanted a tattoo, but know I will never get one. The next best thing is a henna tattoo. You can have one for just a few days and then it wears off. I decided to go for it!
Our final experience was an amazing show with excellent authentic food.
When summer was over (sadly), it was time to go back to school. Abby started 9th grade, which means HIGH SCHOOL! I can't believe my baby only has 4 more years til she leaves for college! Time goes by too fast and I really need to enjoy this time with her.
As a freshman, Abby decided to develop her art skills. I think she is very talented.
Of course, with Abby as a freshman that means that Alex is also on his last year of elementary school and he will go into middle school next year! I am not that old!! But my little man is growing up too, and he is awesome! He was fortunate to get an excellent teacher, Mrs. Prorok, who challenges him and expects excellence. Something Alex needs. He is very bright, but will be lazy unless someone gives him some expectations.
With 5th grade, came the opportunity to try out a new instrument in the school band. My guy? He chose the tuba baby!
Sometimes, when I leave my cell phone lying around, I never know what I am going to find on it the next time I pick it up. Usually Abby has photo bombed my phone and left a weird picture of her, but this time it was her and Alan. Aren't they sweet?!
October was an exciting month. We love Halloween! I was even fortunate enough to be invited to an all ladies costume party. Me and my peeps rocked it dressed as some of our favorite women in history.
Of course, you have to love the girls who don't take Halloween too seriously.
Sadly, part of the excitement was also from me breaking my finger catching a football on my first day of work at the YMCA. :(
Oh did I forget to mention that I got a job at the YMCA? I am now a personal trainer. I also got certified to teach a dance fitness class called WERQ! So much fun! My friend, Angie, and I went to Chicago for the master class in November. This is us after some serious booty shaking!
Then the next day, Abby and I did the 5K Hot Chocolate run in Chicago. This was our second race together, but it had been several years. We had a great time! Abby only beat me by a few seconds because she bate and switched me!
A couple weeks later, I got to go out to Utah again to witness my sweet niece, Micquelle, get sealed to her wonderful husband and darling son. My cute little grand-nephew is soooo sweet.
But I can't believe I didn't get any pics with my sister JoDeann! What's up with that?? I did however, get a few with my amazing nieces. Miss you gals!
And my little sister, Becca. Hey gal!
Thanksgiving was a lovely affair. We spent it with some wonderful families, the Tanners and Hallidays. The sister missionaries made a stop by for dessert too. Brittany was the star, though, when she ate an entire turkey leg!! Way to go!
On November 30, we took the kids back downtown for a little more culture and saw Les Miserable. It was the first time for me and the kids, but Alan had seen it before. It was absolutely incredible!! The cast was amazing for the most part. Jean Valjean was stellar!!
December was great for us. Alex had his first band concert playing the tuba. It was so much fun to watch him. :)
Christmas was great, with presents and all. However, what our family most loved this year were the 4 days after Christmas. We spent them up in Bowler, WI chillin' at a lovely cabin. What a great trip!
We really didn't do much but chill in the cabin and play in the snow. We took a couple of drives to local towns to eat great food, but just hanging out together was the best part.
Which finally brings us to 2013. New Year's Eve was totally laid back, but it was great to bring in the new year with good friends. Of course, none of us were smart enough to take pictures, so on to Alex's birthday. He turned 11! He only got one thing for his birthday, but he LOVED it and still does. :)
Something we are so very proud of Alex for doing is earning his Arrow of Light while in Webelos. Most of the requirements were easy for him to do because he does them anyway day-to-day. But he still worked hard and did it!! Congratulations Alex!!
On January 21, Alex had his very last gymnastics meet. He has come so far and worked very hard, but it is time for him to move on to new and exciting things. 4 years of gymnastics was a lot. I am so proud of him. Here is his final competition floor routine!
Our most recent bit of fun was the Super Bowl party at the Collingwood's. We were so excited that the 49ers were in, we have been loyal fans ever since we moved from California. We had so much fun even though our team didn't come through for us. Maybe next year guys!
Looking back over the last two years, it is easy to see how full our lives are and how blessed we are. We are so greatful for our beautiful children and our wonderful friends and family. We miss those we do not live near and cherish all of you. Thank you for helping to make our lives so wonderful!
