Mother’s Day

Brian and the kids gave me a wonderful Mother’s Day this year. Brian let me sleep in (that was rare and fabulous!) and him and the kids make me breakfast in bed. Since the kids thought they would be dining with me in my bed, I decided to move breakfast back to the kitchen!

We went out for an early dinner at Lucciano’s with my parents, Brian’s parents, and his sister. It was great not having to prep, cook, or clean anything up!

Then we all came back to the house for dessert.

Jack enjoyed the day as well.

The weather was great and the company was superb. I couldn’t have asked for a better day!

 

Two Wedding Weekend

Brian and I had a busy wedding weekend.  First off, on Friday night, we went to Erin and Brendan’s beautiful wedding.  Erin and I became friends because her daughter, Arianna, and Sara just love each other!  It was a nice clear day out and the ceremony was on the deck of the Andover Country Club, just as the sun was beginning to set.

Arianna looked just like a princess

The beautiful bride and her proud father

There was a really sweet part of the ceremony that included Ari

Erin and Brendan took dance lessons and their first dance was great!  They danced to Dave Matthews, one of my favorites:)

The sweetheart table for Erin, Brendan and Arianna

She is so darn cute

We had a really fun time at the wedding.  We were able to share in a wonderful night, have a nice meal, and not have to cut up anybody’s food.  We danced all night and didn’t leave until they kicked everyone out.  I had the headache the whole next day to prove it.

Saturday night we went to the next wedding at Searles School and Chapel for Lisa and Stephen’s wedding.  Brian and Lisa became friends several years ago through work.  Lisa and Stephen actually had a weekend wedding extravaganza.  Friday night was a murder mystery  rehearsal dinner, which we didn’t go to.  The wedding was a casino style wedding.  The Chapel is small and cozy, and the ceremony was really nice.  Lisa’s son walked her down the aisle.  Music erupted as soon as they kissed and the party began!

The room adjacent to the chapel was converted into a mini casino.  There were slot machines, black jack tables, you name it.  Each guest was given a $500 chip to start and we gambled the night away.  Whatever money you won for the night was used to “bid” on prizes they had.  The grand prize was 2 Patriots tickets.  It was a lot of fun, I won $4,400.  I can see how easy it is to get sucked into a game!

Brian was contemplating his next move, very intently

There was even an appearance from the king himself.

They had a photo station for the guests to have their pictures taken.  They were superimposed in front of the Las Vegas strip.  Brian and I had a nice picture taken together, and I got one with Elvis too.  Why not?

Dollar Bill was there

Yummy cupcakes

I figured a casino wedding warranted a red dress

Canobie and a wake-up call

 

Samantha, Arianna, Sara and Morgan

 

We had a birthday party for Sara on Saturday at the house.  Mem and Jiddo, Nana and Papa, Aunty Tracey, Aunty Rita and Sara’s friends Arianna and Morgan all came over to play, eat pizza and of course have cake!  Sam, Sara and the girls all played well together.  I didn’t even lose it when I went into the girls’ room to tell them it was time for cake and Sara was painting Arianna’s toes…on her carpet.  She painted her toenails and about half of her foot I think!

Pizza!

 

 

We ended the night with fireworks.  They put on a really good show!  It was set to music and the first song was Firework by Katy Perry.  Well the girls knew the song, especially Sara who belted out all the words!

It was a late night, we weren’t home until after 11, but it was well worth it.  The best part: everyone slept until 9:20 the next morning:)  Even Luke, who went to bed at his normal 7:30 bedtime!

Blowing out the candles of her Barbie cake.

Sunday was a pretty lazy day, with a little shopping in the afternoon.  I love the weekends!

Oh, the wake-up call.  Between the heat and my poor eating habits, lately I feel like a big puffy balloon.  So I am off the sodium (as much as possible).  Hopefully typing this will keep me straight;)

 

Summer living

If all days could be like today, I would be one happy lady.  The whole family slept in (it was after 8, that’s sleeping in).  We had a nice breakfast on the deck.  It was one of those mornings where you could tell it was going to be a beautiful day – blue sky, a few puffy clouds, bright sunshine.  Then I took the kids out to practice riding their bikes while I pushed Luke in his car.  I knew the day would finally come – there were virtually NO tears during the bike ride!!!

When we got back the kids were ready for a snack.  They spread out their picnic blanket in the backyard and set out all their picnic ware.  They had a nice snack or apples, cheez-its and lemonade.  I think any snack served picnic-style is a hit!

Then we headed up to the beach after lunch.  Uncle Steve and Aunty Chris had their place at Salisbury for the week and we were all excited to visit.  Mem and Jiddo were there, as well as Uncle Roger and Ellen with Ben, Jess with Tyler and Kayla, and the new homeowners Jason and Kelly.  Brian met us out there later in the afternoon. 

Ben in the hole he dug.

It was a great beach day!  All the kids played well together.  They dug a big hole, made a little swimming pool for Luke and Kayla, and of course splashed in the waves.  Sam is very adventurous and would stay in the water all day if we let her.  Uncle steve let her use his boogy board to ride some waves. 

Mem and Sara

 

 

 

Brian and Luke.

Even Jiddo came to the beach. Sam got some snuggle time with him.

 

Kayla LOVED the beach!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended the night with dinner at Marky’s and Brian took the girls for slushes.  Quite possibly a perfect summer day!

Let’s give it a try

I’ve been struggling with keeping my brain organized when it comes to all the little (and not so little) things that my kids and our family do that I want to remember… at some point…. down the road.  Maybe the kids will want to look back at a preview of their life once they are grown.  Or maybe I just need a place to have everything written down to free up some brain cells.  Whatever the reason, I’m going to give this a try and hopefully remain semi faithful to keeping it updated.