Let's Go Racing, Boys!

As has become  tradition, the boys and I along with some of our best friends headed over to the track after the last day of school festivities for Community Day.  It was hot but we had a blast checking out the inflatables, climbing into a helicopter, driving remote control race cars, walking through the garages and pit lane, touring the Hulman suite, enjoying track dogs and fries for lunch and, of course, being on constant lookout for Firehawk! 
We went with the Matelics and DeLisle's and ran into several other friends while at the track.  It was a fantastic day and a great way to kick of summer break and Memorial Day Weekend.

Tommy, Ben, Nathan and Macy

Madelynn, Alex, Tommy, Nathan, Ben, Cameron and Joe

Nathan, Ben and Joe

So Long First Grade

I cannot believe how fast this school year has flown by.  Ben and I were reflecting yesterday afternoon (over bowls of frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf...we definitely have our best talks while indulging in sweet treats) about what a fantastic year it has been.  A year that started in tears when Ben was heartbroken last August to find out that he did not get the teacher he wanted and also did not have Nathan in his class.  His tears quickly dried though when he realized how much he loved his teacher, Miss Raikes.  He absolutley adores her and we feel so blessed that Ben was placed with her.  First grade has provided a great life lesson, that you don't always get what you want (but sometimes the thing you didn't think you wanted ends up being the best thing ever!) and also that everything happens for a reason. 

Ben is a wonderful student and finished the year with straight As.  He got a 100% on his math assessment and is reading at a level far above that expected of a 1st grader.

Joey and I attended an end-of-year awards ceremony in Ben's class and were proud to see him receive the "Milky Way" Award for work that is out of this world! Way to go Benny!  Ben's teacher was a bit misty eyed as she said goodbye to her first group of student in her first year teaching. She said she knew this class would always hold a special place in her heart since they "taught" her how to be a teacher but I just hope she buckles up and holds on tight as she prepares for Joey in another year or two :)

Zach, Ben and Abigail

Nath and Ben

Ben and his outstanding teacher, Miss Raikes

Gold Swagger

We have been continuing to cheer our Pacers on in the Playoffs.  Game 4 was a heartbreaker but we managed to have fun despite the loss.

mal mal and nana

maybe one of my favorite pictures of all time.  Bampaw and his buddy, Joe.

Joey was a towel-waving fool all  night long

Nervous Brookie...she was super into the whole game.

Ben, Joe and Landon

Awesome Cousin Benny with sweet baby Connor

Beautiful Kirin, Benny and Connor

Landon was happy to see Uncle Dean but still ready to go

Joe Wraps It Up

This little cutie patootie, scabby nose and all, was fired up for his last day of school last Wednesday. He was all smiles as he hitched a ride with Trey to school (I was stuck home waiting for the Orkin man). I am amazed by how much Joey has grown and changed this year.  Case in point:


First Day of School, Fall 2011

Last Day of School, Spring 2012

He just looks so much bigger  to me!  We are fired up for summer and ready to swim, play, relax, eat ice cream, go hiking and just spend our days loving each other.  Summer rocks!

Bye-Bye 3's class, hello 4s!

Party Rock

The boys sang with the children's choir at church on Sunday for Mother's Day.  I asked Joey that morning if he knew what they were singing.  He said "Yes," cleared his throat and sweetly sang "party rock is in the house tonight...."  Um, no.  Nice try, Joe Joe! 

Incidently, I had the best Mother's Day ever.  I am a lucky lady.

Spring Break 2012

I realize this month's posts are horribly out of order but I can't figure out how to fix this so oh well, we'll deal with it.  Dean was working an Indy Car race in Birmingham, Alabama the first weekend of our spring break and the boys and I decided to join him.  I will admit, I was not overly enthusiastic about this trip and had very low expectations regarding its success.  I was so pleasantly surprised. We had a great time!  The drive down was about 9 hours but the boys were wonderful and even I didn't get too antsy! 

Dean had to work most of the day Saturday.  Despite his best efforts to be quiet, we heard him leave at 6:15 a.m. and were up for the day!  The boys and I laid in bed and watched some TV for a bit before showering and heading to the Starbucks that was attached to our hotel for some breakfast.  We then explored the mall (also attached to our hotel) before deciding to head to a movie.  The awesome bell-boy staff at the hotel gave us a ride to the movie theater where we saw The Lorax in 3D. We loved it. 

After arriving back at the hotel/mall, we grabbed some lunch, played games at the arcade for a bit, did some window shopping, had some ice cream and then went back to the room to relax and wait for daddy to get back. 

Sunday we joined Dean at the track bright and early.  This was the first race either of the boys had attended and I was a little worried that the length of the day would be too  much for them.  I was wrong.  They did great.  The Birmingham track was awesome.  Beautiful grounds with trees and lakes all around.  There were several trams that went around the circular property surrounding the road course so we took a ride and explored.  We also had garage passes and were able to spend some time walking around with Dean.

After we left Dean for the day we headed to the kiddie area where the boys played several games.

Joey and I even rode the ferris wheel!  I haven't been on a ferris wheel in probably over 20 years and I forgot how scary they were.  Joey was a champ though and loved every minute!

Ben and Joe were THRILLED to see Firehawk and so surprised when we ran into neighbors from home!!

We attempted to watch some of the race from the stands but ended up joining our neighbors to watch the race, which was so nice as they had a tent that provided some relief from the heat.

After the race we watched the victory lane celebration, which was cool and a first for all of us. 

We had a great weekend getaway and I am quite confident this will be the first of many, many raises my boys and I enjoy.

Two Peas In A Pod

Joey had a run in with the toy box in our backyard last week and scraped the skin off his nose.  A few days later one of his very best friends, Macy, fell off a diving board and got an even worse boo-boo on her face.  These two are a mess but I just adore them.

Easter 2012

Spring Break for the boys fell the week before Easter this year.  We kidnapped Landon and Brookie for a few days to help us celebrate the week off of school.  Of course we couldn't resist decorating some eggs while they were with us.

We were able to spend Easter with both my family and Dean's but, unfortunately, I only broke out the camera at my mom's house.  Those cute little nephews and niece of mine just beg to be photographed. 

This is the closest I could get to a group shot :)

My sweet little Godson and I.  I just love this little crazy boy.