June 2010 - Someone's 30!

So we ate cake...

... got a babysitter, and Derek and I went to the A's game, by ourselves.

He says it's horrible. He feels so old. I don't believe it, he still looks 17 to me.

June 2010 - On to the First!

We thought we were ready. Bubbles for blowing, gifts for giving, hands for waving, camera for photos. We were ready to see our baby graduate kindergarten... or so we thought. We did not bring Kleenex for crying!

Neither did his fabulous teacher!

We treated him to the celebratory frozen yogurt.

Now he's on to the first grade.

MAY 2010 - Playing House

Derek's Dad and his Fiance took a trip and asked us to housesit. Of course we could not refuse! They live in a beautiful, cabin home, up in the woods, in the town where we grew up.

The used to catch the school bus right by this building.

The local grocery store carries Tapioca Buns, which are gluten, soy, and dairy free! So Jack had a hotdog with the rest of us.

Then we sat by the fire-pit, roasting marshmallows and making smores.

We drove by my childhood home. This was my backyard.

This was our home.

This is Jack, being zany.

This is the patio that I relaxed on, for days!

This is Dominick, showing me something he collected.

This is the pizza that we grilled on the BBQ.

This is me writing to Grandpa Dennis, "please go out of town again, I can't get enough of your house."

May 2010 - 9 YEARS!

It's official, 9 years today!

My gift was a super fancy hair-do and a nice dinner out on the town!

I got a great cut in the city, cute bangs, reddish hair with some fantastic purple highlights!

I am turning 30 in 2 months, so this is just what I needed.

I love my sweet husband, I couldn't ask for better!

MAY 2010 - Jacky Turns 4

Jack chose a fish party. He has absolutely been in love with fish since birth.

We fished for prizes.

We had a Jack friendly, fishy cake.

He even got 2 fish from great friends who came to celebrate with him.

Your favorite show is Dora.

Your favorite food is chicken.

You love plants, you kiss them and call them your "babies".

You love to be independent.

You play well with your brother.

You have patience and are kind.

Happy fourth Jack! You are such a big boy, but still my baby!

MAY 2010 - Katrina Pays Us a Visit

Trina was due for a visit. We couldn't wait to have her!

We went to the city. Shopped Haight Street, which was amazing, because we found so many fantastic tees for Trina.

Then the girls met us for dinner in North Beach.

We saw this crazy painting and just couldn't get over it!

We ate LOADS of garlic at The Stinking Rose - a garlic restaurant.

I wish she could have stayed forever, but she had work to get back to.

Love you Tree.

MAY 2010 - Mother's Day

I had my brothers Zeb and Vinny kidnap my Mom. I arranged dinner from Pasta Pomodoro, to be eaten on the beach. We found the beach, set up our screen tent, played all day and then enjoyed a fabulous dinner.

Mom,

I admit, I have hated you. I've also had times when I thought you could do no wrong. I have taught you. I have learned from you. I now realize all of the magnificent qualities you I have inherited from you. I now realize all that you went through to raise me the best you knew how. I now realize that 5 kids is more work than I can imagine. I now realize that one kid with special needs can take all of your energy and more, I don't know how you did it. I don't know how you survived, sanity in tact. I don't think I could be that strong. I don't know if I could hang on as long as you did. You are an awesome grandma to my boys and I have really enjoyed the development of our relationship. I love you Mom, for all you have done for my brothers and I.

APRIL 2010 - Uncle Bo Home from the War

My baby brother Bo was home for a short time. We got our chance to visit, it was sort of surreal. He had become a man. He drove up in his Jeep, top down, no shirt, smelling of booze. He was living it up as he knew he would soon return to Afghanistan.

Jack had accidently taken a drink from Derek's smoothie. He was laying on the floor, puking most of the time, so I don't really have any photos. But the ones that I got are priceless!

APRIL 2010 - Family Vacation

We finally had our first "real" family vacation!

We planned two days ahead, researched beach front cabins, booked the night, researched dining options, found a restaurant that would cater to Jacky, map out the trip, found things to do on the way, packed our bags, cleaned our place and off we went.

We drove over the Bay Bridge, through San Francisco, over the Golden Gate bridge and then stopped in, as planned, at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. We had a superb time, operating a fishing boat, playing in the Grotto, digging for treasure, and making waves!

Once we were tired out and ready for a meal, we left. We drove to the north, on the Shoreline Highway. We made it through the twisty, turny road and then came the view... the ocean!

We made it to our cozy beach cabin. It was better than we could have imagined!

We walked to the local restaurant, it was DELICIOUS!

After dinner, we walked to the beach and played until the sun went down.

Even though we were an hour from home, we felt like we were on another planet. The view was breathtaking. The crisp sea air filled our lungs and made our hearts beat wildly.

We could taste the salty air, it was wonderful.