Happy Belated 30th Birthday Bub!

So my little brother turned 30 this last May 9th. His fiance Corrine threw a surprise birthday party to celebrate. We were not able to make it to the "Big Birthday Bash" due to a prior commitment I had. But I promised him that I would make a trip out to Virginia for a proper celebration in the summer. I made it there (by myself) at the end of July. I really thought I would have a hard time going solo (without the boys), this would be my first overnight(s) without Sam. It went better than I thought - I missed them both. Anyway, it gave my bro and I some long overdue "brother/sister bonding time." Some of the highlights from the extended weekend were rummaging through closets, purging and organizing ... and of course a Tim McGraw concert. We had a nice time. I really do enjoy the time I get with my brother. I wish we lived closer to each other. Here are some of the pictures of the weekend.

Our visit to the dump. We filled his truck full of junk for the dump and also made a couple of runs to the Goodwill trailer ... nice work letting go of "stuff" bub.
I took this picture for Sam, he is so into trucks lately.

On the lawn - Waiting for the concert to start.

People watching on Virginia Beach ... makes for an interesting afternoon. It was hotter than blue blazes.

Found some shade.

Big Day = 6/5/2011

Jay.T and Corrine will get married here next year.

Jay.T was able to get me into the house to take a tour, the place is breathtaking and humongous.

"Leroy Brown"

The boys of VA Beach.

We went to PF Changs for dinner, I think we called this his official birthday dinner. We got our grub on :)

Happy Birthday Bub!

Our family is getting bigger ...

My brother has been on Cloud-9 since he reconnected with Corrine, his high school sweetheart. We are excited that Corrine will be joining our family officially when they get married next June. Here are a few snap shots of the happy couple.

St. Patricks Day in Chicago. Corrine lives in Chicago, but will be moving to Virginia Beach in the next month or so.
The Happy Little Leprechauns

Don't they look so happy. We could not be happier for the happy couple - WOW, that was a lot of HAPPYS. You get the point!
Rewind 13 years ago ... Sr. Prom! Look at the lovebirds then.

We can't wait to have you part of the family Corrine. Congratulations to you both.

T is for Trained (potty)

Well I think he did it. Sam is only wearing pull ups overnight now, he has been waking up from his afternoon nap dry for the last couple of weeks, he is about 50/50 for his overnight, but getting very close. This little boy is determined, I think I have said that all along. He wanted to stop peeing and pooping in his diaper and look at him now ... a big boy who pees in the potty. He is so cute, every now and then he reminds me that when you poopy in the potty you get 2 chocolate candies, and of course I give them to him - who could deny that precious little face.


As Sam is getting older and talking a bit more (at least words I can understand) in sentences, the stories I share with friends and family get more funny. A month or so ago I was sharing a story about "body parts" and every time I told it brought me to tears (laughing). When Sam starting sitting on the potty I was telling him that pee pee comes out of his penis ... so one morning I sat down to go to the bathroom while he was going on his little potty, he looked up at me with his big blue eyes and said "mommy no no penis" I said "that's right Sam, mommy's don't have penis's, mommy's have vagina's. So later that week when we were going through the same routine, he looked up at me and said "mommy no no penis, mommy giiiiina (emphasis on the i)" I think of those big blue eyes in all seriousness telling me this and it just warms my heart. I love this kid.


I still need to get some potty pictures of him, I will try to take a few and post.

Soaking up the Sunshine

I feel like I am always playing catch up. There is not enough time in the day ... maybe there is, but I just shut down early. Anyway, here are some pictures of some of the things we have doing so far this summer. Check out the videos at the bottom of the post.

Off to the zoo. My friend Jen and I took the kids to the Franklin Park Zoo. We had a great time checking out all of the animals. We had lunch with a peacock, a pesty one at that, he just wouldn't leave us alone - the kids loved it.

Sam, Katie and Ava ... looks like we lost Ryan.
This picture was actually taken on the ride home, in an attempt to keep the kids awake on the car ride home, Jen put in a DVD (A Bugs Life), needless to say they were all out cold before we hit the first stop light - all except for big brother Ryan in the back, he kept Jen and I company.

Katie

Ava

Ryan

Katie and Sam get up close and personal with the ROARRRRRING LION. They thought it was pretty cool to see him walk around and roar in his cage.

Monkey time. The zoo has a great gorilla exhibit. Personally, I could have watched them all day.

Ava and Sam get ready for the 2nd part of our day at the zoo. Hold on tight.

Sam is such a ladies man, the girls took turns riding in the wagon. Jen pulled him around all day in "their" wagon.

It looks like we had a little fun at the zoo!

In early July we went to Will's 3rd birthday party at My Gym ... Sam has attended his birthday party every year so far and he has a ball at My Gym. He was such a big boy this year, he waited patiently in line for his turn to ride the train. Good manners Sam.

Finally his turn, he really was patient.

Sam gets busy going down the slide - a favorite pastime.

Bubbles!

Waiting for the Birthday Boy.

This year, Will celebrates his 3rd birthday with his baby brother August (who will be one in August).

A few weeks later, we attended the baby naming of Eliana. Sam had fun with his friends.

Baby Ellie. So sweet!

Push me fast mommy ... higher. He loves to swing too.

Summer Solstice Picnic in the park. I didn't realize it was summer solstice until 3PM that day, so I rushed home and through together a picnic. We had fun!

The boys are enjoying the beautiful summer evening.

Fun in the SUN ... from Duxbury to Cape Cod

We spent Memorial Day weekend on the Cape. We had so much fun. It is always nice to get away from home on the weekend. You can leave dishes, laundry, and other projects behind, and have a guilt free weekend. There is nothing worse that feeling like you have to get and do this or that, when all you really want to do is play with Sam the Man ... Anyway, Dan's parents are wonderful, and we have a great time when we are there.

Sam helps Grandpa load up the bikes for the bike ride ... we are off to the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT). This is my favorite place to bike, the trail is paved and has minimal hills. I think we went 12 miles that day.
Dan and Sam have a pillow fight after the long bike ride.

My son is obsessed with horses. Here is one he can actually ride.

Sam, Grandpa and I played in the sprinklers.

Sam and Luke ... Sam wants Luke to play in the sprinklers too.

Nothing better that a milk shake after a long day of swimming, biking, kayaking or just lying on the beach. I think we accomplished all of the above that weekend.

Milkshake Mustache

Earlier this summer, we packed up and headed to Duxbury Beach. Our first of many trips this summer. As you can see, I was the crazy mom that packed up the water table for the day. Thank goodness Dan trust me and my opinions, because he was the one lugging the gear onto the beach. Next year we will get the beach sticker to drive on.

Really, can he get any cuter?

Enjoying a snack before he tackles the waves.

And there is the water table, let me tell you, it kept him busy from 10 - 2 and made a lot of friends on the beach because of it.

We love the beach!