Crusing the Carribean!

After about 3 years of dreaming, Andy and I finally got to take our long awaited 10th anniversary trip. We went on a 5 day cruise just the two of us - no kids and I must say it was so nice. We got to talk, read, relax, sleep and be waited on hand and foot. No noses to wipe, home work to check, meals to cook, fights to break up. It was a little piece of heaven. Here are some of the highlights.

Nothing like a good book on a cruise.

Time for some lobster on formal night.

Get ready, get set, go - on our mini jeep tour on the beach.

Love the view from the lighthouse in Cozumel.The ship behind me in Progreso, Mexico.

My dream - riding horseback on the beach.

Relaxing on the beach in Progreso!Enjoying a drink on the last day at sea.Our cute towel animals that greeting us everyday!

Happy 11th Birthday Brittany!

It is hard to believe but it has been 11 years since my first born child was born. Where does the time go? I guess the answer to that would be the raising of 5 children!

I started the tradition of taking lunch for my kids to the elementary school on their birthday when Brittany was in kindergarten. I have to admit, I was so not feeling it today. I waited in line for an hour to register Garrett for preschool next year, Brandon was fussy and I have so much to do before Andy and I leave on Saturday. Part of me was just cursing this tradition that I started so many years ago.

Then it hit me. This was going to be my LAST Birthday lunch with Brittany at Benfer. Last time I checked, middle school kids were not to hip on their momma's having lunch with the them at school. So, I decided to not worry about what was not getting done and how grumpy Brandon was and enjoy my moment with Brittany. I must say it was hectic but the best birthday lunch ever. So, happy birthday to my precious Brittany Marie. Thanks for having lunch with me.

The new 11 year old!

Brittany and Mom at lunch

My New Dishwasher

I have been without a dishwasher for over a week now. I will be honest, I DO NOT like washing dishes by hand. My philosophy is that EVERYTHING goes into the dishwasher. Okay, I will admit I do wash my crystal by hand but that is it everything else goes in. If it doesn't survive, then it doesn't belong in my house.

So, you can imagine that the past week has been quite difficult. The kids have all been helping out. Tonight, we just had a few dishes so I thought I would let just Caitlyn and Garrett do them. Well, in the end, I had more water on the floor than in the sink. It is probably a very good thing, my real new dishwasher will be arriving this week.

My dishwashers

Mommy's helpers?

Where's God?

We had to go to 7:30 Mass this morning because Allison was playing in a soccer tournament. We had a pretty good view of the altar and Garrett was actually paying a little attention. The altar server then got in front of Father Norbert so Fr. Norbert could read from the book.

Garrett very sweetly tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I can't see God anymore."

Ahhh, 3 year olds - aren't they the cutest.