Testing 1 ,2, 3...

So I still haven't figured out how to work my camera completely.  But in my trial and error learning, I've have captured these!

Nothing says tough guy like a cowboy hat and a baby bottle...

Look out GQ...up and coming model right here!

Happy Easter!

Yeah Yeah I know I'm late on this...  Happy Easter!
Another holiday of fun!

Miss Carly was up EARLY Easter morning, ready to find some eggs and her basket!!

My boy was late in the game, but the first to find his basket!

Love his bed head!

My girl did finally find her basket!

Then it was time for Easter outfits and church!! I love my kids, and I love pictures like these!  These kind of pictures make me smile every time I see them!

My little super model!

My handsome boy!

So, I would have to say that my girl lucked out big time at the church Easter egg hunt!!  She was a girl on a mission.

 

 

Happy Easter!!

 

Hockey, Hockey and...wait for it.....more Hockey!

So growing up - in terms of sports- I remember baseball; Alan Trammell, Cecil Fielder... I remember basketball; Michael Jordan, Shaq... (Yes, I realize I am showing my age here) I remember hockey; Wayne Gretzky , Steve Yzerman...

And now - in terms of hockey - I add to that list...  #13 Ryan Lowney!

Starting line up!

So my brother merely nudge this poor sap, and set him promptly on his A$$! Don't mess with #13!

So proud of this team!  They put up a great fight and had a great season!

The kids and I spent the better part of April screaming, yelling, and cheering on the Phantoms!  Some truly exceptional hockey games were seen in these weekends!  And I have never seen a 2 year old completely and totally engrossed in any sport, like my son was in hockey!

Truly it was a great month!  I met some fantastic people from half way around the world! And another great hockey player Nate Walker! 

Love this pic!  I'm sure Nate will love me for posting this!

Ceri & Nate!  My wonderful Australian friends!

I also made friends with a great family that took care of my brother this past year!



Thank you Beck's!

So proud of my brother!  He is a great Uncle and fantastic hockey player, can't wait to see what the next years hold for him!!

 

Love you Arnie!

Overcoming fears...

So months ago my husband purchased a 4-wheeler for Carly.  He was so excited to find this beast of machinery on good ole Craigslist.  Bragging about what deal he had found in this red & black beauty, he promptly went out and bought a matching helmet, gloves and goggles for our girl to rock out while she wheeled around our yard.

But in true Carly fashion, she did not arise to the occasion.  She was not overwhelmed with excitement to jump on and ride as my husband had so hoped.  It has been months of coxing , and encouraging, and overenthusiastically prompting ...  And FINALLY! we have progress...

I heard the motor running and I knew my girl was overcoming her fears!

And I was so proud of her!

Now, let me just be honest, I was in no way happy about my oldest riding around on some un-enclosed 4 wheeled monstrosity of a machine (and while some of you may say I'm over-reacting.  Those of you with children will understand my apprehension).  But who can argue with this smile??

She was so proud of herself, and despite my anxiety of the 4 wheeled beast, and I was so proud of my girl overcoming her fears!

Happy St. Patty's Day

So my heritage is true Irish!

I love that...

And I was hoping for a repeat of last years St. Patty's Day.  Sunny.  70's.  Fresh breath of spring.  But no.  It doesn't appear to be happening. 

All there is, is the remance of a teasingly nice week. 

I still keep the hope that spring is near by!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Oh the Places We Have Gone...

I love to travel, visit new places, re-visit favorite spots!  I love long vacations and quick weekend get aways.  Looking through my pictures from the last few months, I've realized that we've been on a few adventures.

OSCODA/LAKE HURON/AU SABLE RIVER
First up was a nice weekend up north to the cabin.  Chris and I got away without the kids (only the second time I have ever gone away without the kids).  We met up with some friends and had a great time!

This little beauty was the only decent fish I caught all weekend.

Now this trip was a memorable one, as it was the first and ONLY time I have been or ever will be canoeing.  Let's just say the short 4 hour canoe trip turned into a 7 hour paddling trip from HELL that involved every canoe flipping over at least once, me getting clothes-lined out of my canoe by a tree branch - a loss of a flip flop and Oakley sunglasses - a mad rescue of some paddles and shoes rapidly flying down river and the over turn of a cooler full of beer cans.  We left that river crabby, hungry, sun-burned, scraped, bruised and the muscles on my arms were sore for a week after.  We laugh now, but at the time I seriously considered knocking out one of the people floating down the river on the inner-tubes just to get out of my canoe and stop paddling!


TENNESSE ~ UP A VERY BIG MOUNTAIN
Next up was our girls trip (plus one happy little boy) to meet up with my aunt, cousin and her lovable girls in Tennessee!  It was a happy reunion 6 years over due for my Mom and her Sister!  And a wonderful time for my cousin's girls to reconnect with my girl!  It took all of two minutes for the little lovies to become inseparable for the whole weekend!

Our gorgeous view from our condo we stayed in!  It was well worth the terrifying drive up the moutain!

I loved watching the girls play like they haven't had 300 miles separating them all their little lives.  My cousin and I stayed up most the night chatting and catching up like we used to when we were little!  We left that weekend determined to make this trip an annual one!


HOCKEY WEEKEND!
Our last mini getaway was to see my brother play hockey on his home ice!  Destination: Youngstown Ohio, home of the Youngstown Phantoms!

 Go #13!!

Unfortunately I have no more pictures than these ones because after I took these I was too busy screaming and yelling for my brother who played an awesome game that weekend.  Taking pictures took a backseat to cheering on the Phantoms!

I am looking forward to our next trip (oh yes, it is being planned already)!  In fact, I think a repeat of all these trips are a complete MUST for the family and me!