Awards Gala part 2

I am so proud of my hubby because he works so hard and while "being recognized" or "rewarded" really is no big deal to him and not something he needs to feel good about himself............I NEEDED A NICE NIGHT OUT! (just kidding, OK, not really, but I am glad that all of his hard work and the fact he does his job with EXCELLENCE has paid off for him, and yes, I got a wonderful weekend of date nights out with him!

We first met in the auditorium for the awards ceremony.......they try to make it like the Oscars with the red carpet outside and all, valet parking etc....kinda a scream but fun and exciting!

A couple of the supreme court justices were there and one of them gave a talk and one received an award too. She is the newest justice and was appointed by Obama so I figured I really wouldn't get a whole lot out of her talk.......however, she did surprise me and her interview was quite insightful and inspiring! (I will admit that I was a little shocked that she didn't sit a little more like a lady.....but maybe it was the chair..............) Let's hope so!

It was hard to get good pics outside after the event since it was late therefore dark.......

This was the view from our table at dinner which I thought was lovely!

It was a little breezy and I asked the valet to take a picture...he wasn't at all gracious about it and didn't even count or say "cheese" I was irritated since we tipped him you would have thought he could take a decent pic of us together.........tips get you no where these days....

This absolutely cracked me up! They had their own "Miss Golden Globe" passing out the awards to the recipients. She was gorgeous but would bring out the award, show it to the recipient, and then walk back off stage with the award while the recipient gave their speech. Totally hilarious to watch although, all the men in the room couldn't take their eyes off of her because she was so beautiful!

This is the man I couldn't take my eyes off of!

The dessert was really good, not exactly sure what it was......but it was good.

My hubby kept wondering if I was bored since he was talking to those who do what he does......and he kept catching me looking at the ceiling so he thought I was bored. Actually, I just couldn't take my eyes off of the ceiling and the architecture of the building because I kept thinking "how in the world did they make that design all the way up there" it really was fascinating to look at but I guess I shouldn't have been so obsessed with looking at it.

The entertainment for the evening was Ms Jenkins an opera singer. She is quite popular in the opera world and since they said she had sang for the queen I got pretty excited.......I think if she would just sing she would be fabulous, she sang, "Amazing Grace" and it was beautiful. Otherwise the comment my hubby made about how she sang with a mouth full of marbles was pretty accurate. He's not a fan of opera and a tough music critic. I like some opera especially if it is in a story/play.....but just song after song of it made us sneak out a little early........

We had such a marvelous time out and a fun evening out. I am so proud of my hubby and am thankful that he shares all of his achievements with me!

Landscaping!

Hubby and I have decided that after living here for four years and considering everyone on our block has had their yard landscaped ages ago...that perhaps we should hire someone to do something this Fall since apparently you are not suppose to plant in the summer. I was thinking about copying the landscaping from Sesame Place?

Elmo in the front yard? What neighbor wouldn't want to look at Elmo every morning, noon, and night?

I am certain Big Bird would be a real hit with our neighbors since he is sooo cheery!

The Grouch in the can is the only one I worry about since we are suppose to hide our recycling bins/trash cans in the garage according to the homeowners.......but maybe if I run for the president of the homeowners I could get that minor issue changed?

Of course, I am just joking about landscaping this way but I must admit I would love to do something like this as a joke in someone else's yard while they are on vacation........I will let you guess just who that special someone might be......you just never know what you will wake up to in your yard now do ya?

Award Celebration part one!

My incredibly smart hubby and yes, I am being a humble wife...........was selected to receive a national award for excelling in his field. I am so proud of him not just because he was born with an amazing brain, but because he has worked so hard to achieve all that he has and it hasn't always been an easy road to success. However, as the song writer wrote in a beautiful song that was penned just for these awards,"there are mountains but we can climb them"

 I am thrilled to climb those mountains together!

The award founder invited us to attend a dinner cruise the night before. He provided a wonderful dinner, appetizers, and desserts, in fabulous style. I know it is something only a stay at home mom would say, but it is was so nice to eat a meal at my own pace and not have to pick up food off of the floor. It was fun being served! I think I could get use to this.........

Next he invited everyone out on deck for a private fireworks display in honour of the award winners. It was one of the best fire works displays I have seen in a long time! It was cool watching them being launched from another boat into the sky.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capture the display with our camera to do it justice but trust me, they were beautiful not to mention a wee bit romantic in the arms of my man on a boat. I told him he needs to win this award again!!!

The boat was pretty on the inside.

After the fireworks we were invited downstairs to attend a concert by two singers who I thought were fabulous! He played the keyboard with his entire body which I loved seeing! We had a wonderful time celebrating and talking to the others in this smaller environment because it was easier to mingle with people........the celebration continued the next evening.......stay tuned for part 2!

Congratulations Honey! I am so proud for all you have achieved career wise but even prouder to call you hubby!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day dad and pappaw!





I am so thankful for so many things but for three men especially today...........My Own Father of course! For your constant love, and friendship, your guidance along the way. For the way that you were my protector whenever I was afraid. I am thankful for your wisdom and relationship with God. 

  I am thankful for the way you have prayed for me all these years and especially for all those guys that you prayed OUT of my life! I am thankful that you love me in spite of the stupid things I have done, and said.

.

 I am thankful for the way you have gently nudged me back on track all the times, I have gotten side tracked along the way.........I am thankful that you didn't judge me but just loved me and were there. I am so thankful that you were there for me when I was single for soooo long..........you were so encouraging,  I am thankful that you love my hubby and my girls, and mom, and thankful for where I am weak........you are always strong! I love you and am so thankful you are my dad.

I am so thankful for my father in law and for all he has done to make my hubby a wonderful hubby and father! Thank you for accepting me and welcoming me into your family with open arms. Thank you for always being so kind and caring, and loving towards me and being a wonderful Grandpa to our girls. Thank you for your weekly calls to check up on us!  We love you!

Happy Father's day to my Hubby who is such an adventurous, loving dad and will forgive me for posting the picture of him and his dad since it is sooo old. I really love that picture though!!!!!!!!

Thank you for loving our beautiful blessings!

Thank you for being such an incredible leader at home, work, and this past year at church in Awana. Thank you for being such a kind teacher to me and to the girls. Thanks for understanding my weaknesses and helping me with them. Especially, when I am constantly getting lost just about every new place I go! You never get frustrated with me for that even though I get so upset with myself. Thanks for accepting all of my weaknesses especially the BIG weakness!

Thank you for being such a loving father from the moment our girls were born.

Even when you were a first time dad and were a little nervous, going on very little sleep, you slept on that hard hospital chair so I wouldn't have to be alone! Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for us!

Thank you for taking us on fun vacations and allowing the girls to mess up your hair! Thank you for being the type of dad that gets down on the floor and plays with our girls! From babies, to barbies, you are such a fun playmate to the girls!

Thank you for working so hard your entire life so we can live a happy, comfortable lifestyle. Thank you for being a wonderful provider and getting up each day to go off to work just for us!

Thank you for loving me the way you do! Loving me when I am grumpy, sad, or frustrated! Thank you for laughing with me, listening to me talk at two in the morning about what is bothering me and trying to understand even though woman issues can be quite complex especially at 2 am! You listen and try to understand and I am so thankful! You are the best counselor! Thank you all the spirtiual guidance you give me and you always take me back to God's Word on any problem or issue I am facing! Thank you for being a wonderful example to me.

Thank you for reading so much and expanding their love of books! Thank you for using the brain God gave you to teach the three of us so much!

Thank you for the fun night's out even though they are far too few, any time with just the two of us is time I always treasure!

When we first started dating I never would have imagined how wonderful our life would be today! Thank you for waiting for me that first blind date even though I was soooo very late! Thank you for being a fabulous father, friend, hubby, man who loves and follows God, and most importantly, just being you! I love you! Happy Father's Day!

Visit to the Crayola Factory!

This was the first vacation  that I kept seeing these Nanny vending machines, Pretty cute idea to sell diapers and baby things that you might forget while traveling...........

Since we were already going to be in Pa. we decided to plan a day to visit the Crayola Factory since both girls are a little more obsessed with COLORING! We all had a great time. This is the big birthday summer for the factory as they are celebrating being open for 15 years. The factory that makes all the other crayons that we buy is about 15 minutes away from this place. They do still make crayons here but they are the ones that are given to you to take home.

 There were lots of art activities for the girl to do and they really enjoyed them all.

See that finger grasp?

 See that finger grasp? I am pretty impressed how well she can hold a marker, she has pretty good control. I know she has the benefit of learning from her older sis, but it is still good!

 We met Mr. Tip who I didn't even know existed..........

 Amelia loved water coloring which sadly I have to admit I can count the number of times she has done this at home on one hand...........poor second child!

 Amelia love cutting with scissors which is something I have been working with her at home on since I hid the scissors from Amanda for sooo long..........although, on the way home Amelia said, "Cut Mia's Hair, Cut Mia's Hair!" She said it three times! We told her we only cut paper and will make sure we keep those scissors far, far, away at home unless mommy is helping! I know every child cuts their hair at least once but I do not want that to be my child!!!!!!

 There was a fun book area so ofcourse our little book worm wanted to sit and read.

 Amanda is sooo serious when she is coloring and doesn't like to be rushed so we were there for a long time.

 A sand sculptor made this lovely exhibit for the big crayola birthday party outside of the factory.

 This is the world's largest crayon! Ofcourse, they put it in the middle of the Crayola store next to the factory so to see it you have to just go shopping!

The girls loved this two sided wall that you can color with markers on.......ofcourse we have been stressing at home that we do not color on the walls.......

 I love how big sis guides her little sis around..........I hope they are super close when they grow up! I already pray they will be and I pray they are happy for one another with no jealousy or contentment issues. Hubby's and kids that love each other, and ofcourse that hubby and I are still around to babysit those grandkids while they go out on double dates!

 Warning: the explosion markers that make different colors on the black paper.......well, they show up orange on little faces we found out!

This room was like you are inside of one of those magnetic magna doodles. When you move your shape shows up on the screen...........the girls liked this.

I think this marker guy was named Mr. Dib but I am not sure........

 They have a room that we could try out the color in the dark products which was cool but considering I have one child that is afraid of the dark I don't see us buying any of these products any time soon.

 They enjoyed using the cookie cutters on the magic modeling clay that hardens.........

There was an indoor sidewalk to color on they liked this too. What a fun time we all had! Ofcourse, I had to take pictures of all the stuff I wanted to read later since no one likes to wait for me to read all the history etc at museums I have learned to just take a pic and blow it up and read it later. It is pretty interesting that some crayon colors have actually retired. I didn't realize crayons could retire, I thought that was just for people!