June .. Here Comes Summer

June.. Here comes Summer...

June brings warmer weather.. outdoor playdates.. and parties.

~

Below Uncle Zoran sits on his horse while chatting with Tamara.

Katie Birthday party.. The kids play.

Tamara had a blast with the giant beach balls.

Action shot.. Smile Katie..lol

So much fun.. Weeee......

Nicky.. want to trade?

~~

Another beautiful day at the playground. It's the preschool picnic.. Tamara had a great time playing with her friends.

Weeeee......

Hi Mama

She loves to play..

~~

More to come.. hang on..

~~~

Straightening Daddy's Hair

Straightening Daddy's Hair

From day one I have always encouraged Bruce to take a fairly active role in his daughter's life. Encouraging bonding from that 1st day in Tbilisi. It was important to me that they thrive and not just survive should any thing ever happen to me. I also know from first hand experience that it will effect her life as an adult. It will effect her relationships throughout her life and it was important that I know she will make wise choices. Having a positive male role model is important. Pretty heavy stuff for a 4 year old huh?

Ok.. enough serious stuff I just wanted to bring this point up.. well you'll see what daddy is willing to put up with. ;o)

~~

Hi Mama.. We're watering the driveway.

We'll need some water...


And some more water.



Hey.. whatcha doin?

Relaxing on the front porch in Mommy's lap.

So sweet!

~

A visit to my parents house.

Tea time

Tea with Deedee

With Baba

Some of you may remember this outfit from our trip to Tbilisi.

"See spots run" the day we spent at the passport office. She's wearing this sitting in the car in my lap. I mention this as some seem to be under the impression that she never wears the same thing twice? See she does.

Love those curls

Being cute with Deedee. My father just adores her. It's really sweet.

OK.. if there was ever a question as to if Tamara and her Dada have bonded..

well watch this.. and you tell me.

~~~

Mommy needed a Time Out

Mommy needed a Time OUT.

Sorry for the delay. We'll try and catch up before the year is out.

I'll post a bunch of pictures with a brief description and then I'll explain why Mommy needed a Time Out!

~~

Below Tamara's 1st preschool class trip happen to land on Mommy's Birthday.

Perfect .. I get to pretend I'm 4 again. What could be better?

Bruce took the day off to spend it with his girls.

Tamara and Zach hit the roller coaster. Weeeee

Tamara waves. She loves rides... think we may have a bit of a dare devil?

Even then she wanted nothing to do with the Jolly fat guy?

~~~

Oops I almost forgot

Oops I almost forgot...

Happy Anniversary Bruce.

Yes 15 years ago Bruce and I dragged my family to Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin for our wedding and to meet his family.

In so many ways it seems like just yesterday that I planned our wedding. Flying back on forth several times to check on details. Emptying UPS trucks at his parents water front resort. I remember staying in one of the cottages and the entire length of the cottage was floor to ceiling boxes. Boxes that needed to be opened, checked, sorted and fluffed.

There were favors for each of the Bridal luncheons, dinners, a Wisconsin style Fish Boil, rehearsal dinner and of course the reception. 3 full days of events to keep us all busy. There were boxes and boxes of gift baskets that needed to be delivered to hotels, motels and B&B's before our guests arrived. There were center pieces, flowers, head pieces, bridal party gifts... the list just went on and on. I remember using 900 yards of tulle for decorating.

And I remember doing 99% of the work. I quit my job in April to be able to do this. Seems a little crazy now but back then it seemed to make sense?

So I stayed up late for pretty much 3 months. Making things.. wrapping.. making bow after bow.

I think that's what actually got me started on being able to stay up late.. which I'm doing now.

I remember it rained like crazy all week and cleared up for Fridays festivities. The weather was picture perfect Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Our 3 party days. Come Monday morning the skies opened up again and it continued to rain all week. We really lucked out with the weather that weekend.

Anyway... I sort of forgot about our anniversary this year. :o(

I actually remembered because our best man John and his wife Judy sent us an e-card today. When I got the email I thought.. Huh? Wonder why they sent a card?

Yeah it was a jaw dropping moment.

Bruce and I actually forgot about our 5th. We were busy helping Zoran and Olga with their wedding prep that year and after we got home we stood on our deck. Looking out towards the woods. Listening to the wildlife and I asked

"What's today's date?"

"The 2nd.. Why" he replied

"Ah...Happy Anniversary" I said and we both laughed

Our 10th we celebrated and now the 15th looks like it will be some what mellow.

That's OK... right Dear?

At least now I have an excuse. Can I use Tamara as an excuse? LOL

~

Happy Anniversary Bruce

It's been a fun 15 years and I look forward to the next ..hum? 50? With you and our beautiful daughter.

I love you both very much!

~~

Below are a few pictures for your enjoyment.

A special Thanks to our bridal party.. especially John and Judy for reminding me this year..lol.

But seriously Thank You and I hope to get you all together again some day.. perhaps for our 25th? ;o)

~

Below

On my way to the church

Leaving the Land Mark resort with my parents and the girls. We were late the resort miss placed a case of champagne for the bridal parties limo ride.

Bruce and I after the ceremony in front of the church.

Zoran and Carlos wasted no time popping the corks.

Amanda and Jonathan.. so cute

Our bridal party

Left to right.. top to bottom

Mindy, Zoran, Christine, Wesley, Yvonne, Carlos, Jay, John, Me ;o) Bruce

Johnathon, Amanda, Joseph, Jennifer, Darren and Angie.

The Happy Couple

Our Team

We had a lot of laughs that day.

All the girls were wearing sneakers under their gowns for these photos as it did require a bit of climbing the cliffs at Cave Point.

At the reception

And they lived happily ever after.

~~~

OK.. We'll be back soon with more of what you really want to see. ;o)

~~~

Mama's Day.. Week

Mama's Day.. Week

Mama's Day 2009 was really more like a week. My first ever Mother's Day and a few days later my Birthday. Yes.. I'm still 29 ;o)

I love.. love this week. Every year the weather is usually wonderful. It NEVER rains on my Birthday.. seriously. I've had friends marry on this day at my recommendation and have had several couples publicly toast me for it.

I also love this week as it's usually the week my garden comes to life. The scent of Lilac and Wisteria gently floats about with a gentle Spring breeze. The Peonies open and it's the week after our last frost so it's safe to plant. Yay!

~

Below the Wisteria drips off our back deck.

~~

The Thursday before Mother's Day I was invited to a Mother's Day Tea at Preschool.

The children sang, gave their Mommies gifts and served refreshment.

Very touching.. very sweet.

~

Below.. Tamara and two of her little friends prepare to sing.

It amazes me every time they do one of these shows how much the children have changed.

Some.. are more outgoing and some get stage fright. Often times it's the child who's Mom brags before the show "My son / daughter has been practicing for weeks.. they know ALL the words" that clams up? They are cute and funny to watch. I thought I'd share a few clips.

Tamara enjoyed participating although she was tired that day.. just getting over a 24 hr bug and she did sing a little bitty bit.

We're getting there.

This was a song that they encouraged the kids to "get a little crazy" as her teacher put it.

Tamara made this cute little flower pot for me. Prettiest flower I ever got!

Friday

I had to run out during nap time to run some errands. This is what Daddy did with Tamara while I was gone.

They wrote Happy Mother's Day in the driveway with sidewalk chalk. A nice surprise when I got home.

Below Tamara then sweeps the driveway?

Hide your brooms.. this little Diva likes to clean?

Another view before Mommy gets home.

OK.. so I come home see my Mother's Day message look at my little girl who is now covered in blue, pink and green chalk. Although very appreciative.. it's time to clean my little girl up.
Below... Tamara shows off her artwork while Mommy does a photo shoot.

I'm sure anyone who's ever attempted to get their kid to sit still for a picture will appreciate this clip.




Weeee

As you can see.. the message was HUGE

Back in the house... Dancing with Daddy

Like this Dada. Tamara teaches Daddy

Breaks over.. "UP Dada"

A very sweet video.

Tamara & Dada being silly.




My little Angel being just that!

~~

Saturday the 9th was cousin Katie's First Holy Communion.
Below.. Aunt Olga and Katie show Tamara their bunny.

IT was time to change Tamara. Her cousins... out already slipped out of their church clothes.

It was time to play.

I love this picture... Tamara and Katie head towards the play set.

It was a pretty warm day and yet Tamara still prefers to wear layers? I'm thinking it may have something to do with the bundling up they do at the baby houses. I recently found out from UNICEF that the baby house in Tbilisi didn't have ANY heat or running water for the first year and a half of Tamara's life. It's amazing what these little ones can endure.

One strong little girl.

Cousins Alan & Katie play with Tamara

Cousin Nicky pushes her swing.

Picture time.. Katie puts her Communion dress back on.

The girls .. together.. so cute!

Hugs

OK... we've had enough..

Katie so pretty.

Katie.. so sleepy...

And she's out!

Nicky and Tamara playing soccer. Tamara is getting pretty good at this and Nicky has been really great with Tamara. Kind and patient. Thank You Nicky!

Too Pooped to party... the girls take a tea break and watch a movie.

Congratulations Katie... loved your dress. The party was FUN!

~~

Mama's Day!

My first Mother's Day was a nice calm day spent with "my daughter" and Hubby.

They took me out for dinner and the best gift by far was Tamara sitting in an adult restaurant like a perfect little lady. Winding her pasta with her spoon and fork. Fettuccine Alfredo and she ate the whole thing. No fussing at all she drank her milk and Mama her Merlot.

Could Mother's Day have ended on a better note?

~

Below Tamara enjoying the weather before we left.

She loves to garden and was happy to see this years annuals waiting.

Trying to count them.

She notices every detail.

Um...

Ready... Mama?

Up and down the steps she goes... no problem with balance here.

Gotcha!

Tamara and Mama.. Mama's Day 2009

~

So that was Mother's Day weekend. Fun.. busy and unforgettable.

More fun to follow.. stay tuned.

~~~