April 2015

 

And now I'm up to April!

 

We had a fun Easter with friends, dogs, our annual 400+ egg Easter egg hunt, lots of great food, and the Easter bunny of course.

Headed into church for Easter service

My flower-of-the-month club flowers arrived just in time for a beautiful centerpiece for our Easter dinner table.

Bailey loves it when friends and other puppies come over to play.

Mike was a big hit because he knows just how to massage a shaggy puppy's neck.

 

 

Brennan's 7th grade band did an awesome job at the state meet!  There is our percussionist standing in the back left.

We went to Tri-State Artisans for a fun night of painting.

Here's mine about 90% done.  The painting for the night was called

"Waterfalls"

David and Brennan built a fenced in area for Bailey.  It's been expanded since this photo and that dead apple tree is gone (thanks guys!).  Bailey used to go out front but runs after walkers/runners too often.  So now he has his own spot behind the house and this area is finally getting some use!

And unfortunately it was time for a serious haircut.

Bailey's "cotton candy fine" hair gets so many mats right near his skin.  I keep the top brushed, but it's not enough.  I think a couple of times a year, this is what he'll look like in the "after" shot.

He loved Brennan's "stick your nose in a book day" nose.

I got serious about the upcoming Mini Marathon in Indy and started walking some long walks on the weekends.  Here I am after my first 8 mile walk.  

 

 

Dobby the House Elf and his sock 

 

 

Thomas's Destination Imagination team competed at the regional tournament and did a great job. 

Their skit got lots of laughs.  Thomas had a great mentor and team.

The annual Youth Sunday program was so well done.  Thomas and Brennan helped write the skits, acted, sang, and made scenery.  It was a great service.

I had to get off the mower one day to capture this beautiful dogwood flower.

Our push mower finally quit on us so we replaced it with a new one.

David took the opportunity to take the old one apart with the boys and explain how it worked.

Pretty cool, Dad.



March 2015

 

Last year's Spring Break was really different for us.  We usually travel somewhere as a family, our big trip of the year like California, or San Francisco-Grand Canyon-Utah, or Germany-Austria, but this year the boys had two different Spring Breaks so we decided to split up.

 

I took the boys to the beach, and David took the boys to Chicago.  In March.  Who got the better deal?

 

Even though I took the boys to different places, they both had similar experiences.  Very early wake up calls to get to the airport for pre-dawn flights, getting to practice their Spanish from the moment we landed, check-in virgin daiquiris, lots of amazing food, beaches, pools, sleeping in, dress-up dinners with Mom, and lots of reading and relaxing.

 

Brennan's break was first and we headed to the Dominican Republic.  I can't say enough about how great this trip was.  I would highly recommend a DR trip.  The resort was amazing.

 

Brennan loves, loves, loves the beach.

 

I let the boys choose dinner each night.  Here we are enjoying the flamingos and traditional Dominican food.

Neither of the boys wanted to do any excursions, they just wanted to rest and relax.  This pool was fantastic.

"Walking on water" Game

Our last night and our fanciest dinner - Brennan chose the 7 course Japanese meal.

 

 

I loved the resort layout.  Seriously, I would go back here in a heartbeat. 

 

 

 

 

Thomas and I went to Cancun!

We had a great time despite the fact that someone accidentally took my bag from the airport.  Southwest took care of me though and I got it back the next day.  It gave us a chance to do some shopping!

 

Thomas is a little quieter than Brennan in new situations so he hung with me a little more.  But I didn't complain!  We spent a lot of time exploring the resort, the beach, and walking the strip.  It has changed a lot since David and I were there in 1999.

 

Our last night in Cancun.  We had dinner at a Japanese/French fusion restaurant.  It was terrific!

David took the boys to Chicago for 2 days each.  They relaxed in the city and visited two museums each.  We love how close Chicago is (less than 4 hours) and we love their museums.

 

Both boys chose the Museum of Science & Industry (also David's favorite).

 

Brennan chose the Art Institute of Chicago as well (my favorite).

Here he is with American Gothic.

 

 

In addition to Science & Industry, Thomas chose the Field Museum of Natural History.  He's always loved Natural History museums the best.  They all had a great time on their trips with Dad.

 

 

When not vacationing with my sons or walking a lot to prepare for the half-marathon, I had other activities in March.

 

I attended four!! 40th birthday parties.

Toyi's was so well decorated - this is just one of the many tables of food.

 

Kari, Poonam, and me.

 

The Visitor's Center hosted the very awesome Tony Costello, architect, professor, and friend of Columbus.  He did a class on Napkin Sketches, for which he is well-known.  I got to try my hand and I have to say, I wasn't that bad!!  I didn't win a Tony Award though :)

Our wine club went to Taku for dinner where we got to try the sake :)

 

 

Once a month a group from the community has Chaos I by Jean Tinguely running.  I had to take the boys to see the kinetic sculpture running.  We love this sculpture in the Commons!

And of course, I find a ton of Bailey pictures to share with you!

 

This is "why does this family get up so early?"

 

This is "yes I'll go with you to pick up Brennan, but I'm exhausted and will have to sleep on the way."

 

This is "Dad, I like your new car."

Dad probably said, "Great, now get out."

This is how he fell asleep on Thomas's lap.

And here he is with his BFF Abbie during one of their afternoon playdates.

And a video.  Wow, my voice is high.

 



February 2015

Continuing with our photos from last year, I'm up to February!

 

Bailey is pretty chill...

 

 

 

 

Our wine club went to Mulligan Grille - great table for 16.  We had a great night - fish is their specialty.

I went out with girlfriends for my birthday (starting on the left and going around - Violet, Renee, me, Robin, Ginger, Susan, Edie, Mary, and Gina).  Great night at my favorite restaurant - Tre Bicchieri.

 

 

My birthday - 44!

 

 

 

 

We were so happy for Daniel and Tracy who got married in February.  We hated that we couldn't be in Mississippi for the wedding.

 

 

 

Snow, snow, snow.  We had a lot of snow in February and a very mild November, December, and January.

 

 

 

 

I always "measure" the inches on the deck railing looking over the pool.

Our pretty neighborhood on a snowy morning

Bailey LOVES the snow.  Probably because he doesn't have to shovel it!

 

Thomas and Bailey

Bailey steals gloves

 

 

And you have to watch this video if you haven't already seen it.  Bailey made use of our shoveled path to create a treadmill for himself.  He loves snow!