Welcome back to us

We've just returned from two weeks in California. We spent the majority of the time at my parents house in Palm Springs and a few days in LA seeing Disneyland & California Adventure. It was the boys first time in the parks and there were definite highlights. Zach liked California Adventure because he recognized more of the themes. Parts of Disneyland were closed down for various reasons & that was a tad disappointing. Overall, the boys did great & we had a great time. Darren was able to squeeze in a few rounds of golf and rather enjoyed that. Larry even came over from San Diego to join us all for dinner & a round of golf with Darren & PaPa Randy. My Step Mom & I were able to grab a yummy lunch and then we were able to watch a current movie for $1.25. Overall, we ate great food, explored the air museum, a dinosaur theme park & the living dessert, played in the pool, visited a nearby park several times, and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine.

We had a great time. Sure there were bumps, but there were many smooth moments that outweighed those. I am thankful for the time and that I was healthy & strong enough to enjoy it.

Enjoy the pictures!

Blessings.

I've been wishing for one of these since I was in the hospital and I was finally able to enjoy it.  Thanks Sarah!

Palm Springs Air Museum

They LOVE the pool!

Enjoying a moment together... I think the boys were temporarily distracted by Grandma & PaPa

Dinosaur Park  - Cabazon

Feeding young to TRex

Darren getting friendly with TRex

Disneyland

Waiting for a ride

Waiting for a ride 

Bug's Life Ride

Bug's Life Ride

Buggin' Out

CARSland

Yummy

Chocolate Face

 

Meeting a lizard at The Living Desert

Giraffe at The Living Dessert

The Living Desert - Palm Springs

 

Lizard wranglin' with the boys

Goofball

Grandma & PaPa

Plane ride home

What I've been up to....

It's hard to believe that it has been a month since my last entry, but it has.  I'm confident that no one has been holding their breath or sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for what I'll say next, right?

I've been busy and since I'm still busy trying to get dinner on the table and organized for a big event in the days to come, I decided to share some photo's of things that have happened the last few weeks.

I do hope you are all well and I plan on sharing more in the next weeks.

Blessings!

Kadin was sick again - getting to be such a big boy and hold his own nebulizer mask

Got away for a girls weekend with my Mom & sister, Jaime - while gone the boys' weren't far from my mind & neither was a LEGO store :0)

Dad took the boys to Zach's first hockey practice while I was out of town ... for being so good they got Baskin Robbins

Picture of my little men that Darren sent to me while I was gone... gotta love technology

Zach is loving hockey and he is getting better every time

Cheeseheads.... they had crazy hat day at Zach's school and I dug my cheesehead out of my closet and told the boys that their relatives (Darren's side) are die hard Wisconsin fans

My oldest sister turned 40 and I had fun helping with party planning & of course cupcakes

More cupcakes from Wendy's party

Wendy's party was island themed and the food was fantastic!

I think he's done it! Potty Trained! GOOOOOOO Kadin

Our newest love is Superhero's.... here's some of the boys paying homage to them....

I recently heard Zach say as he was playing,,,, "Optimus (Transformers) is alive, PRAISE THE LORD!"

I've been sewing too... Working on baby gifts, Christmas baskets, and got to work on Zach's Ninja costume for Halloween

Halloween 2012 - Ninja Zach and Lion Kadin - costume trial run

Brain cupcakes I made for my physical therapist's birthday.  Even though I'm not in PT anymore, I still stay in contact, cause I'm blessed to have had such incredible people helping me get well!

More costume pictures

Trick or Treat Town 2012

Halloween Extravaganza 2012 with the Kragt's & the Campbell's

Such a great time!

Sunday brunch at Grandma's house - Z, K & L playing some tunes

Shiver me timbers

Ahoy Mateys! Capt'n Zachary is 5!

Despite a second bout of stomach flu, we still had a small shindig to celebrate!

Treasure Map Cake

Capt'n Zachary & Pirate C (Piracy)

Capt'n Zachary & First Mate Kadin

Pirate Booty 

Grub:

Meatballs & Octopus dogs

Shrimp Cocktail

Watermelon

Jello with fruit treasure

Veggies & dip

Salmon spread & Crackers

Punch with skull & cross bone ice cubes

Treasure Map Cake

Pirate Flag cupcakes

Jar O' Cookie Eyeballs

Jar O' Cookie Eyeballs

Pirate Pennant

Pirate Pinata

Happy Birthday Banner - Thanks my friend Sarah @ Peanut Button - Etsy

Pirate Booty Gift Bags

Balloons

Capt'n Zachary, First Mate Kadin & Me

I have the best treasure! 

Capt'n Zachary, First Mate Kadin & Daddy

As time passes and more momentous events come forward, I'm reminded of life and how truly valuable it is. I shudder to think about the possibility of me not being here for this, but I AM.  Let God be glorified for that!

Blessings.