Walk-a-thon

Luca's school recently had a walk-a-thon to raise money for the school. I was lucky to be able to go and watch him and it was so fun to see him at school having fun. His best bud Addie (we are friends with her parents) is in his class and he just loves her, and was looking forward to seeing her at the walk-a-thon. Luca leisurely walked the entire time. While Addie jogged a good part of it Luca told me he wanted to walk because "it was a walk-a-thon not a jogging one," point taken. After two potty breaks and a water break Luca finished with about 7 or 8 laps, not great but whatever he did it. Towards the end he and Addie were holding hands walking, they did it all on their own with out us telling them to and it was just precious! Here are pictures thankfully Jenny brought her camera, I had totally spaced it.

Very excited about his water bottle

The beginning of the walk-a-thon

The reward after

I had to guide him back to the course a few times :)

His buddy Addie

Not sure why this isn't bigger but so precious!

Luca's First Day of School

I am officially a mom of a pre schooler. Luca started school last week and although he still isn't really loving it, I can tell he is already growing so much from it. Being home with mom for the last 3.5 years has enabled him socially to be uncomfortable around a lot of kids. He takes a while to warm up and tends to just watch for a while which is what he is doing after his first two days of school. I am not worried, once he warms up he wont want to come home! He is growing so much and the things that come out of his mouth kill me. Every now and then I get flashes of him as a teenager and it scares me. Part of me wishes he could stay in pre school forever. On another note I am a stay at home mom again! I have quit my job at the Marriott, it wasn't the right fit, I missed my kids and knew in my gut I needed to be home with the kids. I feel so happy about my decision!

Viva La Spain

So we arrived back to the states Sunday night after a LONG day (24 hours) of traveling. At one point (when we were in Philly delayed and 30th in line for take off) I told Rob I felt like the mom in home alone who couldn't get back home fast enough, he told me I was insane. But that is what I felt like 10 days away from my kids was HARD but the trip was worth it! I want to give a HUGE thank you to my sister and brother in law Traci and Jordon for taking my kids and treating them as their own. I literally didn't have to worry at all because I knew they were having the time of their life in Lebanon. They are the only reason Rob and I were able to make the trip to Spain.

So back to Spain, it was amazing. There are too many stories and inside jokes to begin to explain. I will give you the main bullet points.

1. Staying up every night until at least 4am and sleeping until about 2pm each day

2. My husband getting mugged by tranny hookers, seriously they got 2oo euros

3. AHEEEE (inside joke)

4. Tapas, Tapas, Tapas.

5. A crazy train ride that started off on the WRONG foot but ended up being pretty laughable

6. nude beaches

7. One of the best weddings I have ever been a part of

that is the very very short version. Needless to say the trip was great, we traveled most of the time with Rob's cousin Steven from Louisiana and his gf Lynsi. They were great traveling companions and we miss them dearly! We spent most of our trip with Rob's siblings and parents and it was great to experience Spain with them. Rob's brother Dave and his wife Estef had an amazing wedding with breathtaking views from the castle they were wed in. The food alone was amazing. After the ceremony (very touching) we had a cocktail reception outside with amazing Spanish tapas and then went into the reception and literally had a feast! First course was an entire lobster, next monk fish and potatoes, then a palatte cleanser of a cava sorbet (delicious) then filet Mignon....of course dessert followed. Dinner was over around midnight and we danced the night away until about 5am when the shuttle took us all back to our hotel. It was a magical evening.

Here are some pictures, NOT in order....

The head table

Bride and groom cutting the cake (as fireworks went off)

Boys being boys

Jake and Maddie dancing (Maddie and Connor stayed up until 5am also)

Dave, Rob and Steven

Cathedral we visited

At the wedding

In Barcelona

Myself, Lynsi and Maddie

Pre Roman Bridge with our traveling buddies

Sisters

Our day trip on the train

Salvador Dali Museum

Our favorite crepe spot ( I had spinach, goat cheese, and honey...yum)

View from our apartment

Our street

The boys favorite Cerveza bar (they randomly had beer from Oregon)

Waiting for our flight to Oviedo

Some bar in Barcelona

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful parents. Today is their 36th wedding anniversary! I am so grateful to have such inspiring role models, your successful marriage has allowed me to see just how great a marriage can be. I can only wish for the same success in my marriage!

Family Pictures

We finally found some time to go get our family pictures taken. A great family friend of ours Sue Keith, who works out of Salem, took them and did a great job. If you are interested in having her take your photos her website address is www.suekeith.com