one year later

 the difference a year can make

 May 2011 and 2012

with Jared this time

 I got to go with Jared and the 5th grade on their 5 day trip to Williamsburg, VA.  Like my trip with Carter, it was great.  I loved this time to spend with Jared and watch him with his friends.  Jared's favorite thing was going on the USS Wisconsin.  Here he is in front of it with his best friend.

 In Jamestown Jared was picked to scrape fur off the hide and he took the job seriously.  When he had to stop he told me, "man, I just figured out the best way to get it off".  If they would let him, I'm sure he would have happily done all the jobs in camp.

People have asked me if I will go on this same trip with Claire.  I say of course.  I can't pass up time to be with my kids.  Plus, I would worry too much if I wasn't there.  Plus, Claire would never forgive me if I didn't go with her.  Plus, time is going too fast.  Memories, it's all about making memories.

40

 I turned 40 awhile ago.  It was great. I mean it.  When people asked my feelings about turning 40, I said I was happy.  I have lived 40 years! How awesome is that!  I have 3 great, healthy kids.  I am married to my best friend (will be 19 years this June!).  Life is good.  I have no complaints.

 My big gift from Allen was that he planned a get away for me and my mom and sisters at Barnsely Gardens Resort.  It was perfect.  We ate well, we got mani/pedi's, we took walks around the beautiful grounds and snuggled up in our robes and talked and talked.

favorite easter pictures

Claire was sure she was ready to do an Easter egg hunt in heels; she wasn't
the kids enjoyed another one of Grand dad's games

Lisa just narrowed down where the unfound $5 egg was for the kids

me and my girl

last picture I took, I said "hug Carter!" It was the best one of the bunch

NYC with kids

After going twice without them, we felt the time was right to take our kids to NYC. What a great idea! They were perfect...even Claire, who I expected a little whining from with all the walking, was an angel. They loved NYC as much as we do. It was one of our best vacations to date. Here are a few of the things we did....

Central Park

F. A. Schwartz

Dylan's Candy Bar had Carter's name!! (only second time, he was very happy)

9/11 memorial

We got lucky that Carlo's Bakery didn't have a 2 hour wait when we went over....

so Jared got to try the famous cannoli and lobster tail he had been dreaming about. He found out he doesn't like Italian cream. Oh well, we ate plenty of sweets elsewhere.

Empire State Building (our hotel was a few blocks from it)

Time Square

Thanks to Yelp, we didn't miss trying all the hot spots for treats, burgers, ice cream and fries. They even have cup cake carts now! I still like Magnolia's cupcakes the best. Jared liked Butter Lane the best.

We got the subway thing down pat. We are ready to buy a place here. If only we had won that lottery.

eagle scout

Carter had his Eagle Scout Project last month. He decided he wanted to do something at his old elementary school, Tate's. They have a school garden and the planter boxes were falling apart. So, they cleared the space to make room for Carter to make 8 new boxes, a huge compost bin, a gravel walk way lined with rail road ties, and mulch for the shed. The next week we went back to fill the boxes with dirt. We had great weather and a great turn out. The school wanted him to put his name, date, troop and hand prints in some cement. Pretty cool day.

cyst

We found out the pain and loss of mobility Jared had been experiencing in his right wrist off and on for the past 6-8 months was due to a ganglion cyst. To avoid further pain and missed activities, we decided to have it removed. Friday we got to the surgery center at 5:45am for a 20 minute surgery at 7am. He was quite nervous, as were Allen and I, but it all went well.

He asked the nurse why he needed a wheelchair for a wrist surgery. She said it was for his head. He was a still a little out of it as we headed home. Allen even asked him questions in the car with the camera rolling, but no great youtube footage was produced.

Jared has enjoyed relaxing and watching a lot of TV while he recovers.