Blessed Easter!

Spring Break!

This past week, we enjoyed Spring Break.  We started out by hanging in LA a few days.  (That's "Local Area."  Crack me up!  Gracie told me that.)  We spent the second half in Charleston, SC where our nephew, Mason was married.  Lily Grace had the honor of being a Junior Bridesmaid.  
This spring break was definitely an eventful one.  

We started by taking in Beauty and the Beast at the movies. 

Gracie Cakes and I whipped up a cheesecake to celebrate Matt making the Purdue Dean's List. 

Lily Grace got an unexpected treat over Spring Break.  She wants a new bike for her birthday at the end of April since she has outgrown her old one.  We took her to the bike shop on Monday and let her get her bike early.  To get it home we had to let the seats down and she had to ride in the front on the way home.  By law she is allowed to do this, but her parents don't allow it so she took total advantage of it.  She was so excited and asked if I could swing through the Chick-fil-A drive through of course.  

Her new Trek 26"  out for her first ride

She even beat me up one morning and surprised me with breakfast.

And here is where the crazy starts.  Our flight from Indiana started off slow as we sat on the tarmac for an hour as snow poured and required the de-icing trucks.  We then made it to Atlanta with a little time before our next flight to Charleston, only to play the waiting game.  Delta canceled over 300 flights due to weather the day before and the airport was a zoo filled with tired and upset travelers.  Out flight was delayed about 6 times and we spent almost five hours in the Atlanta airport.

We spent a ton of time in the Sky Club entertaining ourselves.

And we aggravated Matt as he tried to get a little work done.

And finally, after having gotten up at 3:00 a.m. to catch our first flight and being delayed numerous times and eventually canceled, Gracie could take no more and fell asleep reading. 

That's also the point when frustrated and tired, we hired a new pilot.  We rented a car and then drove five hours from Atlanta to Charleston.  We finally got to bed around midnight and I don't think any of us had a hard time going to sleep.

A view of downtown Charleston from our hotel balcony.

The next day after our loooong travel from IN to SC, I realized I left my shoes that I wanted to wear with my rehearsal dinner dress and Matt realized that he left his beard trimmer.  So, after sleeping in we went for shoes and and a trimmer.  We returned with enough time for lunch and an hour by the pool before having to get dressed for the rehearsal.  Gracie took full advantage.

Lily Grace was so excited to hold Owen.  She and Lydia were all smiles and Owen just seemed unsure about it all. 

We hit King Street the morning of the wedding to get Gracie's hair done, a pedicure and a little looking around. 

Thanks for the great pic Gracie Cakes!

LG and Sarah in the bridal suite getting dressed.

Gracie looked beautiful and was thrilled to be wearing a blush pink dress.

Her hair turned out amazing!

Gracie did a wonderful job as junior bridesmaid.

Lydia the flower girl was smitten with Lily Grace.  Lily Grace enjoyed keeping her entertained.  

Lily Grace with Aunt Vel.

The wedding was beautiful.

From the rehearsal to the reception, these two could be found together.

Gracie couldn't wait to get a slice of this cake and loved the gold bottom tier.  

With her cousins Zachary and Owen- People think Zachary looks a lot like his Uncle Matt.

Gracie with her cousin Mason and Sarah.  Thank you both so much for including her in your special day. 

One of Gracie's favorite things to do at a wedding is dance.  Her daddy didn't hesitate to join her so she could be first on the dance floor.  They are too cute!

Era Day! Totally 80's

Each year, Lily Grace's school holds Era Day.  The 5th-8th graders are allowed to come to school dressed in the era.  They trade classes learning about the time and have a fun activity to end the day.  
This year, it's all about the 80's.  Of course, I was beside myself with excitement being a child of this time.  Gracie had to reign me in.  I had millions of ideas and of course, so did she. 
It was so much fun seeing flashes of neon and big teased hair when I dropped her off this morning.  According to Gracie, she still doesn't get the whole big hair thing and just rolls her eyes when she looks at old pictures of me. Needless to say, it was a little out of her comfort zone to wear her big high pony off center this morning, so teasing it was definitely out of the question.  
We rode to school listening to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and I Love Rock'n' Roll.  
It was "like totally" so much fun! 

Sporting her fringed puffy paint slouch shirt that read, "Like Totally," along with her neon pink leggings, purple converse, denim skirt, neon fingerless gloves, jelly bracelets and of course a pink hair scrunchie

Couple of cuties from the 80's after school

According to Lily Grace they had a lot of fun today.  One of their activities was making and exchanging friendship pins for their shoes.  Totally remember these!  Cute!

Peter Pan- 5th Grade Musical

Being in the fifth grade, Lily Grace got to try out for the school musical.  She got the part of Iridessa, one of the fairies. 
She has been so excited and loving every minute of it.  Practices started in late January.  Through weekly practices twice a week until 5:30, she has been a real trooper.  She continued to maintain high honors and keep up with her homework, chores and violin. 
This past weekend, she had three performances.  She was ADORABLE!  She even opened the show with a small solo.  Melt my heart!
Lily Grace, daddy and I are so proud of you.  You did an awesome job!  We were honored to sit and watch you perform both nights.  

You are AMAZING Grace! 

She was so proud and excited to wear her cast shirt to school on Friday to promote the weekend performance.

Having you best friend come to your first performance makes it even better!

All smiles after the last performance

Family Day! 10 Years

Off to deliver diapers, wipes and formula to babies in need

LG decorated our ice cream bar for us.

There are no words...she took full advantage of this special day to pile up her bowl with toppings.

Have you ever tried to play Twister with a 70 lb Golden Retriever in the mix?

We each took turns taking one another on. I must say, Matt came out the victor most often.  May I also just say, that while you may not feel your age, play Twister and it will certainly put things into perspective for you. ha! ha!

It wouldn't be family day without a picture that includes Molly according to Lily Grace.

We celebrated our Family Day anniversary today.  10 years ago today, Gracie was placed in our arms and we became a family.  
She is one of the greatest blessings we have ever received.  She is a testament to prayers answered.  Our family is is a testament to God's mercy and grace.  
We've had a wonderful day!  Matt took off work, Gracie stayed home from school and we spent the day together having fun and enjoying one another. We started our day at morning mass and being reminded that when God answers our prayers, whatever they may be, that we do take rest, but instead take action and share His love and what He has done for us with others. God is most certainly good and loving! Always!!
We then went shopping for babies in need and delivered cases of diapers, wipes and formula to Catholic Charities in hopes of helping other babies.  
After making our delivery, we enjoyed lunch out and spent the afternoon at home playing games and laughing.  At the request of Gracie Cakes, we also enjoyed an ice cream bar.  
Ten years has certainly flown by, but it has left us with a ton of special memories and above all hearts filled with love and peace.  Thanks be to God!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Year of the Rooster 2017

Christmas Day!

After a wonderful Christmas mass last night, we woke early this morning....ok, I woke at 4:00 and excitement kept me from going back to sleep so we all got up at about 4:45.  
We've enjoyed opening gifts and playing with our new gadgets and toys throughout the day.  We've also spent the day in our pj's enjoying the yummy treats found in our stockings,  playing games and watching a video of Gracie's first Christmas home.  Oh the memories!  
Gracie has learned some truths of Christmas this year and it has truly deepened our family and faith Christmas experience.  
We know that the greatest gift we have or will ever receive is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  
Blessed Christmas everyone!

She came running.

so excited to see some things from her list

We have certainly been entertained today.  

A new bone...We let Molly get into her stocking first so we could all enjoy the morning. 

Lily Grace has been about to burst for weeks.  She couldn't wait for me to open my gift from her and Matt first thing this morning. I love my new Apple watch!

Matt and I were pretty excited for Gracie to open a gift as well.  We had our own surprise.

She got an Apple watch also!  Her squeal and excitement were adorable. 

Daddy with a new reel...ready for Montana.

Everyone got in on the karaoke today.

I unwrapped a gift from Gracie to find this very sweet message underneath the wrap.  

All in the mix

two excited girls

It didn't take long before Molly was played out.

Apparently Matt played himself into a late morning nap too.

This afternoon Gracie Cakes is trying out her Pottery Wheel.  (after we wrapped the entire island with plastic wrap as I could just see the clay flying)  Her daddy offered to be her assistant.  

Remember the movie Ghost from 1990? (It was the first movie Matt and I saw together.) Well, Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze there are not.

He did put up her hair for her to keep it out of the clay.  I love watching him with her in such a gentle way.  

Can't wait to see her first creation. (and how long she keeps her assistant who's full of suggestions)