Happy Father's Day 2012!

Finally, it arrived. The ultimate grill/ smoker that Todd has always dreamed of "The Big Green Egg" is living right here on our deck. Within 2 hours of it's arrival yesterday, Todd was already smoking up a "boston butt" for some delicious pulled pork. And I must say, the green egg living up to it's legendary smoking skills today, the pulled pork was seriously delicious. Tender, moist, smoked pulled pork, I think Todd was in heaven. Someone else in our house was just excited.. Drew who's favorite foods consists of pulled pork, ribs and steak was yelling in to kitchen "mmmmm this is awesome,  I love pork" as he was eating handfuls of it. So Happy Father's Day to Todd today!!!  He only waited a few years for this grill, living here in Atlanta, this seemed like a staple in most of our neighbors and friends houses, we had to indulge. I can't wait for many many more meals from the green egg, and definitely can't wait for thanksgiving, everyone tells us the smoked turkey is an Atlanta thanksgiving tradition. Might be time for us to host a Turkey day!

While I wasn't able to get a picture of Todd and both kids today, I did seem to sneak on of Todd and Drew at the pool today.   We had a nice time relaxing in the sun, letting the kids swim and chat with neighbors.

And here is Hannah, wanted her picture by herself.

Thank you Todd for being an amazing father. Who always makes the kids laugh, play a good game of hide and seek, teaches them everything from riding bikes to swinging the baseball bat all with patience. I couldn't ask for better husband and father. Thank you, and I love you so much.

Mother's Day Celebration Weekend!

After a long yet enjoyable work week in San Diego, this weekend I was able to enjoy my mother's day gift that Todd, Zach and Bo pulled together for Holly, Carolyn and myself. It was most definitely worth the wait! The boys were so incredibly sweet and thoughtful and planned a night full day and night for us at the St Regis Hotel in Buckhead, which was quite fancy and a beautiful hotel. We checked in around 3pm Saturday and headed straight to the pool.   The pool area felt more like a tropical resort and you definitely did not feel like you were in Atlanta anymore. Tons of relaxing pool side and drinking wine for the afternoon was on our agenda. Half way into our afternoon, I look up at the pool to find the president of home depot.com poolside as well, always fun to run into your boss's boss in a swim suit after a few glasses of wine. We chatted, laughed, then did a good job of ignoring each other the rest of the afternoon :)

After the pool, we cleaned up and attended to the dinner reservation the boys made for us at a tapas restaurant in Buckhead, it was great food and fun atmosphere!  Afterwards we headed back to the hotel, visited the wine bar then went back to room and fell asleep to a movie. It was as relaxing as it gets and just the perfect afternoon. No kids, no responsibilities, just quiet girl time. I think we already determined this might be an annual event, not sure how they could top it for next year?

 When we arrived in the room, the had a bouquet for flowers for each of us, chocolate covered strawberries, champagne and lot of sweet and salty snacks for us to indulge in, and of  course we did :)

We couldn't ask for better husbands that were so thoughtful to do this for us. The perfect vacation right here in town. We loved it!  Thank you for the quiet time, the relaxation and treating us so well!!

Drew Field - In progress

It's about time little Drew gets a decorated room of his own. Drew has yet to really have a decorated room, and even his nursery was pretty plain and simple. Since living in Atlanta he went from crib to toddler bed which lasted 2 weeks at best, to having a queen size mattress pushed against a wall with a Thomas the train blanket. So finally, Drew got his "big boy" room today. Todd spent all day assembling his bed, and a night strand, as well as putting things on the wall. We still have a few things to go, but all in all, Drew is a happy little guy. And finally, tonight was the easiest he has even gone to sleep, with a big smile on his face. 

We will get some room shots soon once all the pictures are up, but here is Drew standing on his new bed, under his score board that Todd made for him. We still need to fill in the "game score" but mostly finished. Todd worked pretty hard on this, and I think he had fun doing it. Drew thinks is is pretty cool!

As you can see, we clearly went with a baseball theme. Still need to put a picture int he frame, but we hung up a red shelf for his baseball caps and as Drew calls him " baseball bat guy" statue is on top of the shelf.   More to come, but we are excited the kids are finally getting their rooms completed, even if it is a year later. Good things come to those who wait right? :)

Other than that, it was a bit if a rainy day today which made a good day for house projects. Yesterday Todd went to Jimmy Buffet, and I unfortunately forfeited my ticket to one of his friends so I didn't have to stand on my broken toes all night. I took the kids to see Madagascar III, and went for ice cream, we had a good time.

The next two weeks are busy for this house. I am off to San Diego this week for work, then celebrating my mother's day gift next Sat night with my girlfriends in downtown Atlanta, then off to NY the next week but only for one night. Poor Todd might need a few cold beers by the time I am back in town. Wish him luck.

Atlanta Style - Match Point

I quickly learned that Tennis in Atlanta is what Hockey is to Minnesotans. It's a sport here yet, but also a social scene as well. It amazes me how the talk of the pool revolves around Tennis, the leagues, the parties, the fancy food, the wine that is brought to eat and drink after tennis. Definitely a lifestyle here in the south. I also love that the neighborhood women's league plays at 9:30am on Thursday, apparently tennis is not for working moms?! Maybe one day I'll get to join :)

At any rate, Hannah has seemed to be really interested in tennis lately and wanted to take lessons, as some of her little friends at school have taken lessons. She has been practicing every night and had her first lesson today. She loved it! We have the help of a nanny on Mondays so the kids can stay home and have some fun and go swimming and play tennis. They loved their day today, I was so happy to see them have fun!!

Goofing around sunday night fun

Here is my lil' slugger. Drew LOVES baseball these days. Each night he sets up his little tee, balls, and bat and starts swinging. Now he wants Todd or I to throw the ball at him so he can hit it "like a real big boy" as Drew would say. He hits the ball about 40% of the time, not bad for starters.  I am learning quickly Drew is one determined little boy. He practices and practices something until he figures it out. He cracks me up, he will miss a ball and hit the bat on the ground and shake his head and make the "awwe"sound. And then says, " again, again, I going to hit the ball this time". It is pretty funny.

And on the sidelines, is really our little precious Hannah, right? Not so much... making moose ears, being silly and having her own fun. Hannah was playing baseball too, and is really into tennis these days.  More than anything, her favorite outside activity, throwing the frisbee!

I just liked this photo, he's cute huh? I can't resist him.  As wild and crazy and stubborn as Drew is, he tugs at my heart every day. So full of personality, I pinch myself every day to remind myself he is only 2. God only knows what is in store for us, but he is going to make the next 16 yrs under this roof pretty darn entertaining.

Hannah thought it would be really funny to get her picture this way.

And finally, time for clean up, dinner, bath time and a little Sunday evening before bed tv show.

We spend a lot of time on our driveway, we seem to come home at night, and immediately they are begging to play some type of sport, spray the hose, or find our neighbors to play with. Love these summer nights! Our weekends are full of driveway time or pool time. Thank goodness we bought those  adirondak chairs last summer, I think they have already paid for themselves!

Happy Memorial Day 2012!

Happy Memorial Day Everyone! The weekend kinda got away from us this year. I realized at about 7pm Sunday night we didn't take one photo all weekend, which is so not like us?!   We relaxed, yet stayed busy the entire weekend. I managed to hobble around all weekend on a broken toe, I didn't get anywhere real fast, but I did manage to get to where I needed to be.    We spent the majority of the weekend cleaning the house, organizing toys, cleaning out the garage, cleaning out closets, and playing with the kids at the pool and the front yard.   The kids had fun doing all the above believe it or not. Hannah was even quite the little helper cleaning out toys, yet show broke my heart a few times too. We were going through her closet getting rid of old toys, organizing her things and I quickly realized she is growing up a little faster that I thought :( Out with disney princess, out with abby cadabby, out with dora and many other little friends from her toddler years. She would make comments through the day "mom, that's for babies" hmmm. Sad, sniff, sniff. 

We did manage to finally finish Hannah's room! It only takes us over a year to finish one room? Time is not on our side for house projects. Between work and kids, we are thankful for online ordering and UPS shipping :)   Hannah has her very pink room, fit for our little princess. She tells us she loves having her own space and Drew is not invited :)

Not but least, the highlight of our family's weekend....

                                                          Meet Harry and Elizabeth!!

Look closely, they are Hannah's new pet frogs! She named them all by herself, trust me, we did not come up with the names Harry and Elizabeth for frogs ourselves. Hannah was "green" the entire school year at school, meaning she never got in trouble, so we told her she could pick out something she wanted or do something special. We didn't know gaining pet frogs were on her list, but they were, so we obliged.   At least they are low maintenance, for now.

Drew kept his little self busy all weekend too. Both the kids had so much fun at the neighborhood pool, we are so lucky they have little friends to play with, and some of the older kids in the neighborhood just love playing with them, and they love it too. Our neighbor was being the "dolphin" while Drew rode on this back like at sea wold. Drew had the biggest smile and giggles you have ever seen. Hannah was jumping off the shoulders into the pool of one of your teenage boy neighbors, Hannah thought she was pretty cool.  All the while, their favorite neighbor, Bill, who is about 70 yrs old, cheers them on from the sidelines at the pool while going they go off the diving board. They are totally obsessed with Bill, I think he loves that they get such a kick out of him. It is pretty cute.

And so, back to work this weekend, at least it is only 4 days! At least I get better rest for my little toe sitting at a desk than chasing after kids at home, I am ready for some rest!

Hope everyone had great memorial day weekends!!

Hannah's Pre-School Graduation

I am a little late on my updates after an eventful weekend, but Hannah graduated from pre-school on Friday night. It was super cute. The school had an adorable little graduation ceremony that the kids had been working on for months. It started with a little slide show of pictures of the kids throughout the year, and then the kids walked the red carpet, sang songs, and went on to get their diploma and celebrate with chicken nuggets and cake. What could be better.   We are so proud of our little Hannah. The teachers use the "red, yellow, green" discipline method at school, Hannah was one of the few kids in the class to be on "green" the entire year, she never once got even a "yellow warning" for bad behavior.

Here is a picture of our graduate all smiles during the ceremony. She was so excited, yet super shy and nervous too :)

And.. I asked Hannah if she wanted her picture taken with any of her friends, her immediate response was "Matthew Zupo". Hannah loves this little guy, and they are also in swimming lessons together. Matthew is often compared to Drew, by his own mom and other parents. Moms often look at Matthew and say, well, that will be Drew in a few years. And lets just say that Matthew was not "green" all year.

I couldn't resist a picture with my little Hannah. She is growing up and getting so big. Her personality just keeps changing so fast, on a daily basis I am readily reminded she is not a toddler anymore, definitely a little girl full of opinion. She is full of silly and says some really funny things.   I can't wait to see what is ahead of us going into kindergarten this fall. I hope she loves it and makes lot of new little friends.

The rest of our weekend was full of activity. Saturday Hannah started gymnastics, and then we headed to a pool party. Sat night Todd and I actually got out of the house and went on a date to a fun restaurant in Buckhead, and finally Sunday we were taking turns getting some work done and taking the kids to the pool in between. I managed to try to clean the upstairs of our house and while doing that, rammed my foot into the corner of Drew's train table and break a few toes while I was at it. Not fun at all. Crutches, a few painkillers, and wrapped toes later all I have to say is - ugh, this hurts. Just a toe = a lot of pain.  I won't be walking for a little while, wish me luck around the house with the kids. Not a fun start to the summer. Hoping for a speedy recovery.

Hannah's Dance Recital

Our beautiful little ballerina had a dance recital on Saturday. It was super cute to watch all the little girls. They had fun, and of course, the parents and grandparents all loves watching. Our little Hannah got real quite during the car ride to the recital and looked like she was about to cry. I asked her what was wrong and she said her tummy hurt and that she was real nervous about all the people watching. We told her not to worry, the only people watching her was her mommy, daddy, brother and grandma and grandpa because everyone else was going to be watching their own kids :) She was so nervous, but the minute she walked in and got to dress up with her little friends she was all smiles and giggles.

And look above who drove all the way down to Atlanta to watch her recital? Grandma and Grandpa made the long drive to see their little Hannah dance. Hannah and Drew had been looking forward to their visit for a long time. We are so happy they came!

Here is Hannah and her little friends before the recital, Sarah, Hannah and Addison.

Here is Hannah our graceful little ballerina on stage. She did a greg job, and we were so proud of her.

After the show, Hannah wanted to say good-bye and give hugs to her favorite teacher Miss Kaitlyn.

As ballet comes to an end, and her pre-school graduation this this week ( sniff sniff), Hannah is starting tennis and gymnastics for the summer. Hannah loves gymnastics and has been asking to go for a long time, we finally found a saturday morning class for her. And we signed her up for tennis lessons on Mondays with the help of a summer part time nanny so Hananh and Drew can have a little more home time. Since just about everyone we know plays tennis in Atlanta, we thought it was in Hannah's best interest to give it a try and join the club.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for coming to Atlanta to see Hannah dance! We all had a great time!

Go Braves!

As you can see, last night we went to our first Braves game since living here. If you ask Todd if he misses Mpls at all, he would reply with "I miss going to the Twins games in the summer and all that fun". The Twins stadium downtown did make for some fun summer nights, and I can't say the Braves is nearly as fun with all the traffic to get there, but it was  a great stadium, atmosphere and an absolutely gorgeous perfect night. 80 degree, clear sunny skies evening game.

Hannah had her own fun at the game with a hot dog, cotton candy and working on balancing the program on her head. She was entertained, so it all worked out.

And Drew, well I would say he had a good time, and did not want to leave. He watched the players and would talk about how baseball works. I would ask him, " Drew, how do you play baseball"  He would reply with "you throw the ball, the batter hits it,and you catch the ball with a glove"  He clearly has the hang of the game and will be in the all star league by next season I am sure :)

And as we were leaving, we got a quick family photo!  And as somehow Atlanta as worked out for me, I managed to see a guy I work with on the Jumb trom waving to the camera in the third inning,  leaving I ran into someone yelling "Erin, Erin". Of course I don't pay attention as I don't think I know anyone that would be yelling my name at a Braves game, until my arm gets grabbed with a hello and it was the VP of Paint for Home Depot. I have no idea in a year's time how I have managed to run into someone I know seemingly every where I go in Atlanta, but I do. Todd just shakes his head and laughs at me.

It ended up being a great night, the kids had a lot of fun and hopefully we will make it back to another game before it heats up this summer, or mayyybbbeee we just wait for a fall game :)

Vacation wasn't over just yet...

On our way home from Siesta Key we made a few fun stops along the way. The first stop was Tampa where we had lunch with Aunt Andrea, Uncle Cash, and Drake so we could have one last visit together before we left Florida. As always Hannah and Drew had so much fun seeing them and again, Cash got Drew all kinds of wound up. We are so happy it all worked out that we could see them again!

After that, we headed to the Villages another hour along the route to see the Renick Family. Hannah and Drew looked forward to this for the entire week, and I think they would say it was worth the wait as they had a ton of fun. The got to play on the new playset in the back yard and swim in their pool!

Todd, Drew and Gracie wer enjoying some time in the hot tub

While Hannah and Lauren were diving for rings and jumping in the pool.

After lots of dancing, screaming, giggles and running around, it was finally time for the slumber party. Hannah got a little scared the more tired she got, so about 9pm she headed to the guest room to sleep with mom and dad for the night. Before her departure though, they were full of giggles and had a full case of the sillies in there! It was pretty cute.

Drew spent a lot of his timing trying to decide if he liked, loved, or was scared of the dogs Lovie and Layla. They are super sweet Boxers and great dogs. I think at the end Drew decided he was a big fan of the dogs as he loved their kisses.

One final shot of the kids before we left. We had so much fun and thank the Renick's for their hospitality. We hope to see them again soon!!

And.. that was not the end to our trip home. It worked out that we hit Gainesville right around lunch time on the way home. We stopped on campus and showed the kids the football stadium then ate lunch there before we got on the road again.

And finally, we are home, getting unpacked, and laundry done. We have a busy week ahead as I head to Chicago this week for work and then Vegas next week. Both quick trips but make for busy weeks at the tail end of being out of the office already for a week. Wish me luck catching up! :)

On the way home we started making our summer bucket list of things we want to do. We will be lucky if we accomplish even one of them as busy as life seems to get, but we are going to try to fit in a few fun things and hope to get back to the beach in Destin this summer.  

Thanks to the Wikstrom's, Steinemann's and Renick's for all the best parts of our vacation!