One long catch up post

We spent this past weekend at Lionsgate. We went swimmimg and Kevin and Andrew enjoyed their first round of member golf :D Looking forward to a great summer at the pool and on the course. The kids all did wonderful on the EOG test... looks like in August we will have an 8th grader, 5th grader, adn 3rd grader!






May 5th - Andrew started his orthodontic treatments. He will have braces on for the next 2 years. They sure are a lot diffrent than when we were teens. he can change the colors on his every time he has a recall visit. He has not even had them on for a month and i can already see a huge diffrence. He has gotten use to them and has not complained(that much) Alyssa had a recorder concert tonight at the school. They don't start band till 6th grade, so this is a great (and cheaper) way to find out if your children will love music and being in a band.











We returned from Spring Break and have not stopped for a minute to breath! As always a lot of exciting things going on around here.

On Saturday April 25th both of the girls performed at the local Strawberry Fest. Aryn did Butterbean and her duet with Allyson. Alyssa performed in the Rescue Me company dance. Boy was it hot! Sure hope they put some awnings over the stage next year. Alyssa said she could feel the heat thru the bottom of her shoes. At the same time the girls were on stage Andrew was in a roller hockey tournament in Apex. They had 4 games over 2 days (3 on Saturday ) He finally got a jeresy with his name on it! He was thrilled!

Home from our week in paradise

a picture of our ship at night, docked in St Thomas



the best rum, is tax free rum :D love that!


St martin, Coconut Grove- french side - can you say Oh la la!


Andrew in front of a sign in Phillipsburg St Martin(dutch side capitol) Says Evanston Illinois is 2189 miles :D


Aryn w/ a steel drum!



St Thomas, Maegan bay , voted one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world by the travel channel


St Thomas, view from the mountain top (cruise ships)



St thomas view from the mountian top



another shot of Maegans Bay



need i say more ???


nassau, you go throw a 'ship cemetary " on the way to the beach , this was near there



Blackbeards Cay beach



my snorkelers :D


Aryn found a few shells and a starfish

We spent a fun filled week aboard the Carnival Glory. Our ports of calls included Nassau, St. Thomas, St Martin and on the way home a stop at Nasa, in Port Canveral .

Just a few photos :D

Crazy thing called life ...

well i will be honest here , life has been pretty crazy! We have had dance competitions, end of quarter at school, i returned to work, the upcoming vacation, household projects, and upcoming visitors. No time to do anything creative !
Just thought i would share some dance competiton photos. These are from this weekends Southeast Dance Power, Smithfield North Carolina!



Alyssa's Dance team performed to Rescue me, the recieved a gold.





Aryn performed to Shake your tailfeather , with her duet partner Allyson. They recieved a high gold and 2nd place overall.

Busy dance week

Last weekend was Aryns first Dance competition. She performed her Duet w/ Allsyon to 'Shake your tailfeather" They were adorable. They got 2nd place overall duet in their age division and got a gold metal.

This weekend Aryns clogging company performed on Saturday. They got an Elite Gold, they performed to "Butterbean" super cute routine. They did a great job! Sunday Aryn and Alli performed (at 7 am , yikes!) and they got a gold medal and a special award for "beautiful bright smiles" which is a huge honor. (the girls are both 1st year competition dancers and they were competing against girls who have been dancing for a long time.

Alyssa got her first taste of dance competition this weekend as well.Her dance troop performed to "rescue me" It was a jazz routine and they earned a gold medal as well. The girls are really enjoying dance and are looking foward to all the possibilities for next season!

on stage at starquest last weekend


Girls w/ Miss brenda, the choreographer and instructor. (love her!)


Aryn w/ her gold medal!



That famous smile!



the dynamic duo



Aryn getting ready to perform "Butterbean"


Girls ready for Sunday's performances


My girls w/ Ms. Kim the director of the studio


Alyssa , striking a "jazzy pose"


Alyssa, ready to perform

Scrapping fun!

Gosh, can't believe the month is almost over. Crazy! Well, the competition dance season is about to begin. Aryn has her first duet performance next weekend. She is so stoked! Alyssa's company and Aryns company are performing for the first time March 7th. The next few weeks are going to be crazy!

In household news. We have decided to paint the bonus room and move my scrapbook room upstairs. We are going to finally have a dining room ! Can't wait. It is going to be a real pain in the bottom . There is alot of stuff in the bonus room that will need to be moved out(and thrown out) and alot of stuff in the scraproom that will be the same.

Lastly, just found out that my sister Nicole is expecting. This will be her 3rd. She has a 3 year old and a 1 year old.(plus she is a full time nurse) She is going to be busy! (not that i am being biased but her kids are adorable and i think she should have a ton more !)

I did get to do some scrapbooking this week. I am participating in an online crop at Scrap attack .There are a ton of inspirational challenges, games, a great gallery and an awesome online store.Take a peak when you have a chance, you won't regret it!



The girls love helping in the kitchen.Now, if i could just teach them how to fold the laundry or do the dishes i would be set!

From the 80's dance at the girls school. They brought their friends Abby and Rachel.



When we returned to Illinois we had a big birthday party. My mom and all the grandkids have 'summer"birthdays.


alyssa' valentine party. The challenge was to use up some old stuff!