Mother's Day... Good Times! :-)

If not for the cold, rainy, windy weather, Mother's Day would have been nearly perfect!  (We were missing Connor, so that would have mended the gap!)

The boys gave me a ton of flowers (4 1/2 dozen pink, lavender, and peach long-stemmed).  They filled up two big vases - holy cow!  And, Mike and Grandma Rose sent a beautiful arrangement with red Gerber daisies and purple irises.  Yup, I'm one lucky girl; blessed in many ways.  :-)

I am thankful for my loving family; my sweet boys (big AND little) who I adore beyond belief.  I treasure each kiss, hug, and each thoughtful word given.
I am thankful for my wonderful loving Mom, who raised me to be a strong and independent woman, letting me fall sometimes in order to learn, spoiling me with love since the day she first held me.
I am thankful for my grandmothers who loved me dearly, teaching me their wise lessons on life and love and the most valuable things to hold close to the heart.
I am thankful for my extended family who have always supported me and taught me lessons of their own on how to be the best I can be.
I am thankful for my wonderful cherished friends who take me as I am; perfectly imperfect.  

And, though I am perfectly imperfect, I love being a mother and I hope that my best is good enough to help guide my little darlings.  I love you boys!

And, by the way,....

And for my wonderful mother friends (and family),

7th Grade Spring Concert

Last Thursday was Connor's Spring concert at school for the 7th and 8th graders.

The orchestra played first.   To our pleasure, they played Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles (one of my top 3 all-time favorite bands of course!), some Cold Play, and they played a little ditty that Ramsey knew well; Danny Boy (one of his favorite sleepy songs).

The vocal crew belted out some fun songs in GLEE fashion and all three verses of the Star Spangled Banner.

After that, Connor was up with the band.

The members who had participated in solos or duets at the recent band festival were asked to stand for acknowledgment.

They started out with an upbeat song called Flight of the Thunderbird.  We were honestly shocked at how well they sounded, being such a young band.

They went on to play At Twilight, Grenade (Bruno Mars), and The Thunderer (a very recognizable song).

Afterwards, we had to find Connor to give him hugs and our accolades!

Celebrating Spring Birthdays

We loaded up the truck on Saturday morning and headed North to Nana and Bumpa's.  Spring birthdays were in dire need of celebration!

Sadie's birthday was in March.  Bumpa, Cory, and Sarah all had birthdays in April.  The boys hadn't gotten to see Troy, Sarah, and the kids, so they got awesome presents from them too!

The kids played and played, both inside and out, everyone had a great time visiting, and of course, we all pigged out on some darn tasty food!

I wish this picture would have turned out a bit more clear.  The moment was precious; Isaac picked up Ramsey and gave him the biggest hug!

Connor wanted to arm wrestle.  He wrestled me first, but he knew I was tough from a previous match-up.  (Those are his words.  ha!)  The rest of the kids needed to see who the toughest cousin was!

Connor's tough competition!

Miss Sadie's got some serious pipes!  Isaac was a fierce competitor.

Ramsey couldn't be left out.  Auntie Sarah gave him some help.

Even though the kids played with Riggsy outside for hours (he was in "dog heaven"!), he was still so wound up that he had to stay outside while the rest of us hung out inside.   

The kids were goofballs while enjoying their birthday cake!

Big Brubby's showing Little Brubby his games on the Kindle.  Awwww....

Ramsey got some nice lap and snuggle time with Nana.

Connor thought he should get to stay with Nana and Bumpa.... and forget the rest of the school year!  (That was Bumpa's idea!)