March Fun

March has been a busy month - I don't know why I even say that because every month seems to be busy. We started with the huge snow in Memphis and that was fun, but I was so glad to see the last part of that melt. Spring is in the air (along with pollen) and it's so nice. The kids are loving playing outside as much as they can and are shopping for a playground for our yard, compliments of Pa and Ro Ro. I ran my second half marathon last weekend. I was a little nervous because I was running by myself - last time I had a girlfriend from church run with me. But this was a small race and there were no rules against ipods, so luckily I was able to have that get me through. I finished 10 minutes faster than my time in December and that was after Mark had given me strep throat the week before, so I was pleased. I've got one more in April in Nashville and I think I'll be done until the Peachtree in July.

This past Wednesday, I packed up and headed to Chicago with my friend Mitzi Baker, her Mom, Vicky and friend Angie. They have a friend that is a producer at Oprah, and he got us tickets for a taping. They have been several times before - Mitzi's Mom and Dad were there for the red show with Bono. How cool! We got up early and took a taxi to the studio. There were 2 tapings that day and we were the afternoon taping, but we had to be at the studio no later than 11:30. We were there at 10:15. Once we got inside, they took our phones and cameras and we went upstairs to a holding room. Finally they started calling groups down to the studio to seat people. The studio is, of course, incredibly nice and actually large. We had great seats and saw ourselves on one of the monitors several times, so we'll see if we made editing! Once we were in the studio, there were staff members making sure everything was perfect before Oprah arrived. They were playing loud, energizing music to get the audience going. Finally they started talking to us and told us that it was going to be a great show - Dr. Oz and Michael J Fox were the guests. We were all excited - how can you not love Michael J Fox?!?! Of course, we would have loved to have been the recipients of a new car....but we were given something that was intangible and it was fabulous! All of a sudden the music got quieter and everyone was running around saying she's on her way...and out she came. It was really exciting to see her in person. I've watched her show off and on - not a huge fan or anything, but it was fun to see her and see the show being taped. Of course when Michael came out everyone went crazy - but it different because it was emotional too. Anyways, the show was great! Right now it's scheduled to air March 31st.

That night we had tickets to Mary Poppins - another great show! The theater was gorgeous and the play was fabulous! By the time we got back to the hotel, we were exhausted! Friday morning we got up and got dressed and hit Michigan Avenue - which was half a block from our hotel. We literally shopped all day long. It was a lot of fun though. Our weather was perfect - locals kept saying it was a heat wave...it was in the high 40s and low 50s during the day. By the time we left Saturday, our coats were not needed at all.

Mark had the kids while I was gone and did a wonderful job, of course. They went to the park, played outside, Chick fil-A with Mark Baker and the kids. He cooked dinner and I even came home to a completely clean house! Yes, I've got it good and I know it! Now, when I got home around 1:30 Sunday morning, Ethan was up waiting on me! Well, he was actually waiting on his presents. It was rather funny, but nice to have him excited to see me. We had the best time and it was so nice to get away for a few days but wonderful to come home! The snow fort that Mark and Ethan made with Jackson and his cousin - this was day 3 of the snow too...I can't imagine what they would have made the first day!
Finally it was warmer outside but Nina wanted to wear her hat

A few things I did for a lady at church to give at a baby shower

Cute appliques on onesies that I did for the same shower

Nina and Ethan watching a little tv

Ethan and Nina after church

Arriving in ChicagoThis is Jenna, a friend from Auburn. She now lives in Chicago and is a pilot for the Wrigley Company. She met us for dinner our first night in town. It was good to catch up with her!!! Mitzi and Miss Vicky outside Oprah's studio

The 4 of us before Mary PoppinsInside of the Cadillac Palace Theatre - it was gorgeous!
This was inside each bathroom stall in the American Girl store

This church was in the middle of all the tall buildings on Michigan Ave and it was so pretty

So cheesy - but Mitzi made me pose....Matt (my boss) gave me a Tiffany's gift card for Christmas, so I went shopping!

The Wrigley Building - this was our view across the river from our hotel

Snow update

We ended up with anywhere from 8 inches to a foot of snow. In some places in our yard, it was so deep it went past my knee and up my leg. It was crazy! We went over to Donnie and Cathy's and played outside for a little while. Now we're home, fed, warm and dry and heading for naptime! What a way to say Spring is around the corner!

Ready to go play!

Mark had to leave his car out last night because I had left the Jeep and all the toys out....he might had difficulties getting to work like this!

Snow

The weatherman in Memphis said it was going to snow....but I didn't believe it. Today around 2pm (of course, right at naptime) it started snowing. The flakes were huge and I didn't think they would stick. About 30 minutes later the ground was covered. I got the kids all bundled up and we went outside for a little while before their nap. Once they woke up we went out again before Mark got home from work. It's supposed to be 70 degrees in a couple of days!

This was our first trip outside. Ethan loved riding his motorcycle around. The second time he got his Jeep out and that was funny.

This was the second time out and we were about to go back inside but I thought I could get a picture of them together. It didn't work out so well.

Mark came home from work and made waffles, eggs and bacon....Ethan was digging into a waffle with Nutella and strawberries! Yummy!

Ethan's 4th Birthday

My Mom was on Winter break last week, so she was here all week long. It was fabulous! Mark and I had Valentine's Day date night with a free babysitter! That Monday evening, we had a Paris Party at a friend's house. There are 12 of us here from Memphis going to Paris with a group from Georgia (well, actually just a few from GA now and some from Nashville and Chattanooga). So we got together to discuss the trip and eat some wonderful food. Mark started baking and making his pastry dough on Sunday. Monday morning he started in the kitchen and didn't turn the oven off until we walked out the door at 6pm to go to the party. His class at Viking paid off!

Thursday (the 19th) was Ethan's 4th birthday. I know people say this all the time, but seriously, where does the time go? It seems just like yesterday Mark and I were at the hospital when Allie was born....now she's 5 1/2 (Ethan's birthday is her half birthday). Anyways, he's such a fun and loving child and Mark and I enjoy being around him. He loves preschool and has quite the imagination. We are so blessed with an extremely healthy and happy little boy! Mom read to his preschool class that day - "Drummer Hoff", one of his favorites. That evening, we picked Ro Ro up at the airport. Mark was at work that night, but we started celebrating Ethan's birthday.

Friday morning we met some of his friends at Chuck E Cheese! It's so nice going there during the week when no one is there. The kids had a great time - and so did Mark and Ben. They had so much fun that Mark missed Ethan blowing out the candles on his cake.....well, he missed the first couple of times....Nona and Ro Ro left a little early to get the cake and run a few errands. I called them and asked them to pick up candles too - Ro Ro ran in a store and grabbed some. Well, she grabbed the trick candles, but we didn't know it until they kept relighting. It was seriously the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Ethan did not know what to think. We had a great time!

It's always so nice to have Nona and Ro Ro here with us - it's even nicer when they're here at the same time! Happy Birthday to our Ethan!

Chocolate Eclairs filled with vanilla pastry creamProsciutto and Parmesan palmieres (puff pastry dough)Almond palmieresThis is an outfit I made Nina for Valentine's Day - she was showing it off.Ethan playing in preschool Nona reading to Ethan's class Ethan showing Nina the birthday chair that he got to sit in Ethan showing off his birthday hat and shirt (Ro Ro had the shirt made for him)

Happy Birthday to you!
Can you tell I couldn't find my candles....thus the tea lites!
Nona and Ro Ro with Ethan and Nina
The kiddos enjoying pizza at Chuck E Cheese
Any excuse for Mommy to get a Cookie Cake! Although, they didn't quite follow all of my instructions - I asked for more chocolate icing. Oh well, still incredibly good!
Ethan blowing his candles out
He literally took a huge step back as they re-lit. It was hysterical! Having cake with Gracie and Macie
Nina and Sydney are serious about their cake
Playing some skeeball!
Ethan and Macie Mae loved playing air hockey together

Ethan loved the Monster Truck, but Gracie wasn't so sure about it

Trying to get a group shot....after 4 hours at Chuck E Cheese wasn't the best time...Sydney wasn't happy when the Mouse started talking behind her. Gracie wouldn't sit on the stage because of the Mouse.
Ethan loves playing with Ro Ro's glasses
This is the shawl that Ro Ro made for Nina - it's gorgeous and she had so many oohs and aahs over it this past week

Another BIG truck in the house
Lots of dollars for the birthday boy