Laughlin Trip April 2010

My WONDERFUL in-laws own a house boat docked at Katherine’s Landing on Lake Mojave. Its been awesome being able to use it whenever we’d like for the past 7.5 years.  We brought Owen out last July and August (when he was 3-4 months old). He loved it but was kinda small to really enjoy it. THIS trip was a different story…the kid is absolutely 100% river rat. We could not keep him out of the 58 degree water…he loved it too much!

His new thing on this trip was every time he saw a camera (or anything that looked like a camera ie, phone, ipod, etc.) he’d say “Chheeesssseeee” It was adorable!! He’s not a HAM or anything!

Mommy had to keep a rashguard on most of the time b/c the radiologist said too much sun could cause a Radiation Recall (I’m not sure what that is…but DO NOT want to find out)

We tried getting a group shot…Owen is kinda hidden, but this was the crew. The Harp’s, the Manley’s, the Rowe’s, the Cilderman’s and us. Was so much fun!!

Grandpa would be proud…little Owen can drive the boat as good a he can! Ü

Easter and Owen’s First Birthday

Oh my Gosh…I can’t believe my little baby is now ONE year old. He went from baby to TODDLER…I don’t know why that makes me so sad but all week I have been a bit depressed to think that my baby is “old” now!! I know I’ll get over it! haha

Saturday we went to an Easter Egg Hunt w/ the Cildermans and the Harps. Was a lot of funny, but can’t wait for next year when Owen can walk!

       Waiting to get eggs                                      Finding eggs

  Owen, Ryland and Payton                            Our Happy Family

Saturday we had a lot of cleaning and getting ready around the house for our guests on Sunday. But Owen and I went to Edward’s (from BSB) First Birthday Party…was so cool. Owen just wanted to crawl around the whole party while Edward was walking circles around him. (Owen and Edward were born on the same day!)

Easter Sunday was awesome. Owen got his goodies from the Easter Bunny and got to open birthday presents all in the same day. Here are some of the cute pics of the day!

Easter Basket Time!
First taste of tea…Nana was so excited!! Birthday boy did NOT like his cake! :(	Owen is so lucky to have these grandparents!!

The day was so bitter sweet..great time with wonderful family but sad to realize how quick the year goes.

      Easter 2009 (Owen 8 days old!)                          Easter 2010

My Little Man has gotten so big. And I didn’t realize until now that I dressed him in VERY similar outfits both years! haha

We had a very blessed Easter and wonderful first birthday with Owen. Cheers to many more (birthdays and Easters!)

Busy Spring Weekend

Back to work for almost a month now and MAN this has been THE longest month ever. March is usually a long month for teachers since there are no holidays but geez I’m diein’ over here. BUT even though I’m tired, we still must find fun for the weekends with Owen. Daddy was working on our backyard ALL weekend, so Owen and I found lots of fun stuff to do.

Saturday morning started BRIGHT and early. Owen and I participated in the Lefty’s Family Fun 5k event at the Fontana Speedway with the Brown Family.

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It was pretty cool…I had never been to the speedway before so walking down on the track was awesome…EXCEPT for the horrible weather. We had to fight through the typical Fontana CRAZY 60mph winds…that were pretty darn chilly.  Owen didn’t seem to mind the cold windy weather, so overall it was pretty fun.

From the walk we had to take a nap, followed by going to Sean Lindersmiths rugby match since they were playing in Riverside. Owen had fun and got to play with his buddy Nathan.

Sorry Nichole- I couldn’t seem to crop you out (actually I was too lazy to try)  Then from there we got our taxes done and  had a wonderful dinner at Red Lobster with Nana and Granda. We let Owen try everything from bread, fries, lobster, shrimp (he didn’t like anything but the fries and crackers!))

Sunday morning Owen and I went to Mass and Breakfast with Nana. Palm Sunday’s mass was being offered for Paul, so we HAD to go! Owen did well but was trying to eat all the books and papers. I sat in Mass thinking about all the “funny” memories Paul and I had in that exact church. Its crazy that its been 10 years since we lost him, Gosh I wish he was here to meet Owen. Paul would have LOVED him so much!!!

From Mass I had the bright idea to bring Owen to see the Easter Bunny. Ohhhh man…that was funny. We had to wait almost an hour to see him (which pushed Owen close to nap time) so by the time we saw the huge hairy beast, Owen didn’t exactly like it…

I think I might have traumatized him…he screamed…

…and screamed…

Little Addison Gerke didn’t mind the big scary bunny…but Owen was terrified. So that was Owen’s first experience with Easter Bunny! Hope next year it goes a little better!

Post-Chemo Bash

Thank you everyone who came out for an AWESOME night. It showed me that my support system throughout this difficult time was absolutely amazing…you all helped in one way or another!!

We started thinking about this Post-Chemo celebration back in August during the Pre-Chemo party. Mom said that once all my treatments were over we’d HAVE to celebrate in a HUGE way. 

So on Friday March 19th, we all got together and celebrated, while Owen stayed  home with Hannah the babysitter!!! We had the Sons of Italy packed, the Taco-Woman makin’ some yummy food and an awesome DJ that had us up dancin’!! My wonderful parents funded a lovely evening…and our dear dear friends the Brown’s gifted us w/ the DJ…thank you guys so much for an unforgettable night.

Mom had herself an AWESOME support system. Sandi Newman and Donnita Lindersmith were by her side throughout my battle. They were at the Sons of Italy with food and tons of help to Bernie! Thank you  ladies!

I got my make-up done at Ulta…so I arrived late to my own party. oops! I felt a little weird with my drawn on eyebrows BUT everyone seemed like them (or lie to me about it to my face anyway! haha)

Here are a bunch of pics from the night…thanks to my FABULOUS photographer Jamie!  :)

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St. Patrick’s Day

Owen’s first St. Paddy’s day was great!! He stayed home all day with Nana while Mommy and Daddy were at work sportin’ our Irish gear! Of course it was a photo-opt…so here are a few of Owen.

He is such a good little model…out front waving at all the cars that pass by!

THEN AWESOME Nana stayed at our house while we got to go out for a few drinks with Erika, Chuck and friends to Roscoe’s. Was a great night.

BSB Play Date

When Owen was 6 weeks old I was talked into joining a New Mommy Support Group offered by San Antonio Hospital. Didn’t think I’d enjoy it BUT it has been truly amazing!!! Started with about 10 women and babies and now there are 6 of us who still meet regularly.

This is 5 of the 6 of us in June 2009. Owen and I, Erine & Gweneth, Mayra & Edward, Courtney & Robert (aka RJ & Baby) and Kristen & Abigail…in this pic Maria & Sophia are missing because Maria had to go back to work. All the babies are about 8-9 weeks or so here.

This is us today. We try and meet as many Tuesdays as we can and have given ourselves the name BSB (Babies Supporting Babies) Since the weather was AMAZING today we went to Victoria Gardens met at the food court, fed the babies and then let them play.

It was awesome to sit and see them play and talk about how much our lives have changed since our original meeting.  Gweneth even took her first steps tonight!!! Yay Gwenie!  And I’ll share ONE more adorable pic of all the babies we took at Christmas time…

X-mas 2009

Thank you BSB for being sooooo supportive. I hope we have pics like these in 10 years time!!

Hope this isn’t his future! haha

 

This is Owen’s new favorite “toy”…we can’t keep him out of the dishwasher!!! Yes…I know what your thinking…”oh my God…he’s going to fall” and yes your right he has…and he still loves playing on it!!!