Family Vacation Time!

We had an amazing time this summer for our family vacation!!  Our trip started out in Las Vegas where we swam in the pool everyday, went to the Desert Preserve (Vegas's version of the zoo), spent time with my parents, and we swam in the pool some more.  Oh, Drake lost a tooth while we were there~ Grandpa Steve said the Tooth Fairy must be a high roller  because she left him $20!  :)  We also drove to San Diego to visit my best friend Tiffany and her family.  Kirsten was especially excited because she got to see her Godmother.  While we were there, we went to the beach and Seaworld!  The time went by so fast and we enjoyed every minute!!

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3 little cuties

It is so hard to get all 3 kids to sit still and smile for the camera, but this picture was close to perfect so I had to post it!  We spent Father's Day weekend in Minocqua, WI at Gordon's parents house and enjoyed a wonderful lunch outside by the lake.  I wanted to capture the moment, so we wrangled the kiddos together for a photo.  They are all growing up so fast... I love all of my little cuties!!

Turning 35 never felt this good!

Gordon and I are only 9 days a part, same year!  To celebrate the both of us turning 35, we got some of our best friends together for a night of celebration.  We played it smart and had a shuttle with a driver take us around for the night, which included cocktails, a great dinner, and a reserved table at an establishment in downtown Des Moines. Here is a fun slide show of our activities!

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Gordon's 35th Birthday!

Saturday, June 1st was Gordon's 35th birthday~ Per his request, we celebrated by going to Ledges National Park which is only an hour or so away from our home.  Everyone enjoyed a nice walk around the park and we topped the morning off with a picnic lunch.  The day was completed with a family bowling game... and Gordon won! 

Mother's Day 2013

What a wonderful Mother's Day I had yesterday!  I had the biggest smile on my face the whole day.  I truly feel so blessed to be a Mom.  Since the kids are so young, it's really Gordon who helped make my day so special.

Gordon woke up early with the girls, made me breakfast in bed where I opened a few cards and received a beautiful pair of shoes that I've had my eye on for the past year or two (see top left).  Then we went to church and enjoyed a great service with impactful sermon.  Afterwards the family went for lunch at our favorite bar & grill near the house.  Then I had some Mommy time with a massage and shopping.  What-a-great-day... WOW!  I loved every minute. :)

 

Montreal ~ annual girl's trip 2013

Another year, another wonderful Annual Girl's Trip weekend!  This year we went International to Montreal, Canada and oh, boy (or shall I say "eh")... it was amazing!

We kicked off our first night with FREE Gipsy Kings tickets with backstage passes AND danced on stage in front of 5,000 + people to "Bambaleo, Bambeleo".  It was amazing!!  Our vacation only got better from there with fabulous dinners and dancing, plus shopping (of course!).

I couldn't imagine having a better time with these four classy ladies.  No matter how much time and distance may keep us apart, I know they have my back.

Our Little Princesses

Last weekend, the girls were invited to a birthday party for a friend's daughter (Charlotte) who lives down the street.  Charlotte turned 3 years old and celebrated in style with a Princess Party with "real" princesses!  This was Kirsten's 2nd princess party and Alexa's 1st, both girls were so excited!  Saturday morning started off as usual with some breakfast and a few cartoons, but as soon as I said it was bath time, Kirsten and Alexa ran up stairs in preparation for their princess pampering!  While trying on princess dresses to see if we had one to fit Alexa, Kirsten proudly offered her favorite dress from her Godmother Tiffany.  Knowing she had worn this dress at her first princess party, Kirsten said "this is the dress Lexi should wear, it's from my Godmother Tiffany."  My heart filled with pride, I love my little ladies!

 

One Love ~ Jamaica 2013

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn't exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”

― Bob Marley

Jamaica, Jamaica

Here is our Jamaican vacation album~ enjoy!

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Happy Easter 2013

Easter was a blessed filled day with family and we were fortunate to have Gordon's parents join us from Minocqua, WI too!  The kids loved their Easter baskets and searching for eggs throughout the house (cold weather prevents the Easter Bunny from hiding the eggs outside).

I thought this photo was hilarious!  Drake and Kirsten were still waking up and when I asked for everyone to smile at the camera... they didn't even open their eyes!

Here are the kiddos looking for Easter eggs!  Alexa was running around loving every minute.  Drake and Kirsten were being good and left all the eggs on the ground for their little sister.

Everyone say CHEESE!  

Here are Kirsten, Drake and Alexa taking inventory of their candy and goodies!  We had to watch Alexa closely because she started to eat the candy through the wrapper, oh Lexi!