Field Trip to Greenhouse at COD

Mason and I met up with Ms. Kathie and the kids for a field trip to the College of DuPage. We visited their GreenHouse and then each child planted a flower. Mason had a lot of fun looking at the different ponds and getting his hands dirty while planting his flower. They had some really cute ideas for different things to use as planters. One idea was to use the back of a Tonka dumptruck as a bed for flowers or use a cute watering can. We're going to use the dumptruck idea and get Mason a watering can so he can help care for the flowers. It was a fun morning.

Nice surprise

This weekend, we went over to Tim's parents to celebrate his 32nd birthday (which is actually tomorrow). When we got there, we were surprised by his sister, Jen. We haven't seen her in quite some time and we're very happy that she made the trip. This would be the last time we would all be together in their parents' house (if you don't remember, they sold their house and are moving back down to Florida in June). We enjoyed a nice dinner and nice weather. Mason has grown so much since the last time Aunt Jenny came home. She enjoyed seeing him and he enjoyed getting reacquainted with her. It was a very nice day.

How many times will bad luck strike?

Bad luck seems to be a part of our life. We moved here back in May of 2005 and since then Tim has lost 3, yes 3 jobs. Yesterday, Tim found out that his company is eliminating 8 of its 10 branches. We know the market SUCKS (sorry if you don't like the use of that word, but it fits), but unfortunately we can't get a break. Fortunately, the company that he's been working for does, at least, take care of their employees (12 weeks pay, time off for job searches, help with resumes), as long as he stays put until June 15th. We are in a position, this time, where we may come out ahead (I'll believe it when it happens). Tim has already been offered another position, the catch being that we would have to move further north. He would actually work in Wisconsin, but we would probably still look to live in the northern suburbs. We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks. Please keep Tim and our family in your thoughts and prayers. This has been one heck of a year.

Another year has flown by

Well, another year has just flown by for me. Yesterday I turned 31. I remember when that used to seem 'old,' but not any more. I still feel quite young. Each year seems to go by faster and faster, where does the time go?

It was a typical April day, overcast and chilly (a bit too cold for my likings). Tim let me sleep in, which was a real treat. We didn't do much throughout the day, just took it easy. After Mason's nap, Nana and Grandpa took us to dinner. We went to Potters (a Mexican restaurant) in downtown Naperville and tried to go shopping. There was something that I wanted from Pottery Barn, for the house, but I guess they don't carry it at the stores. The last couple of years, we have just gotten something we wanted for our house, for our birthdays and anniversary. As you get older, the gifts are not important anymore.

Well, another year for me has gone by. Tim is next, his birthday is the 24th.

More Easter Pictures

HAPPY EASTER!

Hope everyone had a very blessed Easter. For us, things didn't go quite as planned. We were supposed to go to an Easter egg hunt in Naperville, Saturday morning, and dye eggs that evening. We were supposed to get up and go to church Sunday morning and go with Nana and Grandpa to brunch Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, Mason had been suffering from a terrible cough and had a fever both Friday and Saturday night, so we had to cancel all of those plans. Good thing we did because I took him to the doctor today and found out that he has the start of pneumonia and an ear infection in his right ear. Poor guy. Anyhow, Nana and Grandpa brought dinner over Sunday afternoon. It was very nice. I did dress Mason in his Easter clothes and he was able to find his eggs and the basket that the Easter bunny had hidden. It was full of Diego stuff (a video, a book, and a toothbrush), bubbles, bath markers, some change, and of course a little candy. Nana and Grandpa brought over a Lightning McQueen basket also full of goodies. I have included a bunch of pictures from our day.

Visit with cousins

We had such a nice visit with Aunt Dawn and the kids. Mason loved having his cousins, Kiara and Cavan, here to visit. They all got along so well. Mason and Cavan are both old enough now to play well together.

Aunt Dawn took some really cute Easter pictures of the 3 kids. After she gets them proofed, I will include some for all to see. She is so talented and I am so lucky to have her take Mason's pictures for me. Here is a link to her photography website: http://www.detailsportraitart.com/.

Other than that, Mason has enjoyed a couple of Easter egg hunts with friends. He is pretty good at collecting as many eggs as possible. I will attach a collection of Easter pictures with my next post. Hope everyone has a blessed Easter weekend. Stay warm.