Annapolis Eggstravaganza

Checking out all the new baby animals at the farm. Harrison was quite impressed with the momma pig that had 15 baby piglets.

Watching the Naval Academy Parade. It gave me goosebumps.

Lillian had a serious 'tude at the park. Anytime someone came near her and her snack she shouted, "NO, my doldfish!"

Thursday we headed over the bridge to my cousins house. Harrison had never ridden a bike without training wheels. This is him on his first attempt. I was so proud. RAAM 2040

Kate, Julie, Tracy

Nona is an awesome chalk outliner. It was wonderful to sit outside in the sun all enjoying each others company.

By golly, I think they are starting to really like each other!

Lills and Aunt Milly

Getting ready for the great Pirate Adventure

off they go to find Pirate Pete

Bed time stories with Papa

Friday we went out for seafood at Mike's. Annapolis is not complete without some crab and a Corona.

Easter brunch

Hunting for eggs

Attempting to capture all the kids...mission impossible

The Easter Bunny came!

Easter Brunch. I need to find the recipe for my baked french toast that I made. It was really, really good.

Before we left on Sunday, we walked around the city docks and fed the ducks.

9 years ago, Joe and I said our vows here at the USNA Alumni House. I threw my bouquet from that balcony. I am so thankful that I get to visit a place that holds such a special place in my heart regularly. We could not have picked a better wedding location.

The kids and I headed to Annapolis, Maryland for Spring Break and Easter. It was a really great visit. On Sunday I was not really ready to come home. My parents were such wonderful hosts. We had lots of fun activities planned and all sorts of games, crafts, and toys. I loved having us all together. Joe and Em came Thursday night. We spent the weekend with all our extended family and the food was incredible as always (was shocked I was down .6 pounds today at Weight Watchers after the homemade cinnamon rolls and deviled eggs).
Annapolis is one of favorite cities and it was fun to be there a few days before our wedding anniversary. I love you mom and dad, thanks for a really memorable visit.

Go ahead and make fun...

Well, we bit the bullet and bought a mini van today. With the rising gas prices and several upcoming long road trips, I was kinda over my big Sequoia. The Honda Odyssey is the car of choice at our pre-school and several of my hip friends have also made the cross over recently. Lillian is too little to hold the DVD player or iPad without dropping it and I really wanted a built in DVD player (with wireless headsets, hello!). So here she is...

One of the other big factors was carting around lots of kids. I like to help out friends and neighbors when I can, and my old car was a pain with latched in car seats. Harrison was so excited when I pulled up to carpool today and the door magically opened.

Not that I have an X-Box, but if we ever do you can play it in the car.

I struggled a bit with my loss of coolness, but I promise that just because I now drive the dreaded mini van-I WILL NOT START WEARING MOM JEANS!
Pinky swear.

Morgan and Ian's Wedding Weekend in Arizona

We left the house at 4am and here we are landing in Pheonix. I had never been to Arizona before. It reminded me of El Paso, Texas. It had been in the 90's (imagine me by the pool sipping cocktails), but a cold front came through and it was in the 50's brrrrrrrrrrrr.

My hottie husband admiring the view from our resort

Let the vacation begin...Skinny Girl Margaritas and a cold one

The view overlooking our resort

This was our little piece of stucco heaven

I needed Maureen to answer all my curious cactus questions. Interesting plants

Friday night we had some serious cousin fun at Ian's house. Joe has an awesome group of fun, young cousins and we all get along so well. Good times!

Joe, Ian (groom), Mike, Jesse, John III

I love me some Kelly Pennell. She is my soul sista. If we ever join forces, I am certain we could conquer the world.

Saturday morning Kelly and I headed to the spa. It was probably the nicest spa I have ever been to. I really did not want to leave the whisper room, but our husbands were out buying tacky shoes and drinking beer at 10am so we had to call it a day. Here is a link if you are ever in the area:
http://www.icmontelucia.com/

After spa beverages

Time to get ready for the wedding

Fire Rock

The Peonies smelled so good. Every detail was perfect. Morgan has great taste.

Annie and her daddy (Uncle Finley)

Kim and Elliott

Parents of the Groom

Morgan and Ian

The whole Parke clan

Don't we look so relaxed and refreshed!

A bicycle built for two; brother and sister

Another brother and sister duo