Puerto Rico

My 40th Birthday present from Dennis was a five day trip to Puerto Rico without the girls. It was a wonderful time to get away, relax, read, sleep in, eat good food and NOT COOK! My mom stayed with the girls and my in-laws and my aunt helped out while we were gone.


This is the view from our room.


This is the archway from the pool area to the beach.



One afternoon we rented a scooter and drove to Old San Juan. It was a beautiful ride along the ocean to a quaint little town.
You can't tell from this picture but our faces got really burnt.

We don't gamble, but had fun trying to win a fortune. I think we gambled away $10....
Strangely, cockfights are legal in Puerto Rico.

Turning 40

I've never been concerned about my age. It's just a number in my book. But this year the number got much bigger. I think having small kids made turning 40 easier to swallow. What also made it easier is having awesome friends. My good friend, Mary, took the time to organize a card giving extravaganza. She contacted most of my family and most (or all) of my facebook friends and asked them to send me a birthday card (but to her house). And so starting forty days before my birthday (Dec. 20th, which is Mary's birthday) I received a card everyday. It was the biggest blessing. I got cards from friends that I haven't been in contact with since middle school or high school. I got cards from friends I did Young Life with 20 years ago. Wow! I love getting cards anyway, so to get over 40 was amazing. Thank you, Mary, for organizing such a special gift.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house!

Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
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Catherine (age 3): Natalie, you're a big girl now.

Natalie (age 5): Yes, because I have big, big feet?

Catherine: And big shoulders
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Dennis was outside with the girls. He overheard Jenna talking but wasn't looking at her.

Jenna (7): Life is good.

Dad: What's the best part of life?

Jenna: I think the cinnamon.

What Dennis didn't realize was that Jenna was eating Cinnamon Life cereal.


For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Catherine's Birthday part 2

We decided to combine Easter and Catherine's birthday this year.

Natalie, Catherine and my Aunt Kathy.

Proud Grandma.

Catherine's Birthday Party

I knew that April was going to be a busy month, so we decided to celebrate Catherine's third birthday a week early. We celebrated one day with the DiMaggio's and combined it with her Uncle Michael's birthday. Since we were going to my sister's for Easter we opted to do a birthday party there too.

Catherine with her Poppy.

Aunt Rhiannon, who is moving to Japan this month.

Aunt Sybil

Aunt Ashley

Happy Birthday Uncle Michael!

Happy Easter- 2010

My mom loves to buy the girls matching dresses. I think they love it too. We spent the afternoon at my sister's house. Everyone had a great time.



The girls with their cousins.
Catherine was more interested in looking inside her eggs then she was in finding more.

Karate- New Belts

Watch out, Jenna and Natalie passed their most recent belt test. They now have yellow belts with an orange stripe. They were so happy. Just a couple of months ago they were ready to quit. But we changed classes and now they are in with children their age and seem to like it alot.

Resurrection Rolls

As we have reflected on the death and resurrection of Jesus this week I found this cool way to clearly illustrate the story of Jesus.



http://shinefmafternoons.blogspot.com/2010/03/resurrection-rolls-easy-way-to-tell.html