Happy 30th Birthday Aaron!

Our birthday's usually signify some pont of the year. Mine, March, means it's Spring Break. Jeffrey's, May, means that school is almost out. Alexis', July, means that summer is almost over. Aaron's, January, means the beginning of second semester aka end of Winter Break.

Aaron didn't want a big party, he's not the center of attention kind of guy. He wanted to keep in low key and have it at home. This is the first time I'd really hosted a dinner party for say. We had our parents and sisters over.

We had it catered by Dave's BBQ - one of Aaron's favorites. I made desserts to commemorate the occasion.

Aaron's dad brought over the Beatles Rock Band. It was right up our alley. We all took turns, some of us even giving shoutouts to Lancaster : >

Dinner was great, dessert was just as great. Aaron enjoyed hid pie and opened his gifts. My favorite part of the gifts was when Aaron opened my card. I think it suited his tastes quite well.

We had a great time and LOVED having our families over.

Welcome to your 30's Aaron ~ I know it'll be great. Love you!

Up for debate

Many relatives say that Alexis looks a lot like me. I'm not quite convinced.

I found a picture of me at 17 mos.

and her at 17 mos.

Any thoughts?

Jeffrey goes Ice Skating 01/01/10

Aaron played Hockey as a kid, and truly enjoys the ice. The only purpose ice serves in my life is to chill my beer. Aaron really wanted to take Jeffrey ice skating. There are certain things I do not enjoy... rollercoasters and skating are the tip of the iceberg... but I do not want to project these fears onto my children. It's a fine line and I hope I am able to let them do what scares me.

I did not ice skate with them. I truly think a dog wearing high heels (think Bowfinger) looks more natural than me on skates.

My two boysStanding up for the first time

Look Mommy - no hands

Going out on the ice for the first time

Going around the rink

Beginning to let go

New Year's Eve 2009

A little late, yes, but I've been a little busy.

We went back to work this week, and I've been um... playing Super Mario Bros.

New Year's Eve 2009 was fun. Aaron made it for part of the time as he was watching his Tennessee play their bowl game. The onlybowl my Sun Devils saw was the toilet bowl.

New Year's Eve was pretty much the same. One crowd doing singing and another crowd doing all they can to avoid taking part or hearing the singing.

We had the usual suspects there..Some showed up in their best...

Others showed their true selves...

We played Just Dance. I had never played that, but we had a blast. I am convinced I would've done better had they told me to hold down the button.

We dropped the kids off at my in-laws, and Aaron and I came home to play Family Game Night. We had a blast, and almost didn't make the midnight countdown. We had a great time. Here's to a healthy and happy 2010!

What a difference a year makes

Jeffrey & Alexis 2008/early 09

Jeffrey & Alexis Christmas 2009

Bye-bye High Chair

There are certain things I need to understand ... #1 my children will grow up and #2 there is nothing I can do stop it.

Alexis has always been strong willed, and now we're finding that she's also independent. She wants things when she wants them, and will not take no for an answer. Case in point the high chair.

Jeffrey left his high chair a little early. just about 16 months. It was more of a gradual process. Alexis is almost a year and a half, and she quit cold turkey. It was a Hell No situation for her.

*sigh* she wins. She's growing up and she's being quite fiesty about it. My high chair that I've had since before Jeffrey was born, the one that my Daddy put together, is now officially retired.

Christmas Day 2009

Christmas was a blast! The kids got the hang of it, and Jeffrey really loved it.

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents house. The tamales we slaved over were great. As usual there was great food and great company.

We played the usual games - Santa Bingo, Gingerbread Houses, and the game that's bound to cause fights... "How well do you know your family?"

We did well at Santa Bingo & a Kavanagh actually won the Gingerbread House game!!! Keep in mind Aaron had been a judge for 3 years. We won the "How well do you know your family?" That game was quite interesting... some spouses answered questions incorrectly about each other, others did not know the answers to their own questions, and some... well some don't know their family at all : )

Christmas day - it was our turn to spend the night at my parents house. The kids woke up and were a little shocked to not have cookies and milk in bed with their Gampy. They woke up and saw their stockings. Jeffrey was excited, and Alexis wasn't quite sure to do.

They opened their presents... and Santa was very generous, so were Grandpa & Gampy. Jeffrey loved opening his gifts, and after a while, Alexis was over it. She decided to eat instead.

They had a blast. Alexis and Kristina enjoyed their tea set. Aly, my Godchild, gave Jeff a zshu-zshu pet. If you've never seen one, they're interesting. I have a 3 year old, a 2 year old poodle, and a 1 year old... and now a zshu-zshu pet. Great... another thing running around my house making noise : )

We went over to Aaron's parents house to open yet, more gifts. The kids enjoyed their gifts and loved playing. I got an unexpected surprise... Super Mario Bros. for the Wii!!! I played right away and my in-laws saw a side of me that they'd never seen.

All in all, it was a great day. We're very thankful for all our family and friends for their thoughtful gifts and the memories we made : >