Grand outfit

Sweater from Mimi and boots from Grandma make for a cute grand outfit today!

Having a grand time

While we're in the DR, Papa and Grandma are with the kids.  They brought them over to their house this morning to take their Christmas card picture.

Kristine's Wedding!

We're off to the Dom Rep for Kristine's wedding!  It's our first international trip without the kids. Grandma and Papa are home with them (and our unauthorized dog-bone hoarding tenant) ;p  I 100% agree with Deann's statement from 17 years ago, when she was in the same space...leaving the kids home is not as hard as I thought it would be, but harder than I expected. (for the record, this has Always made sense to me!)

The beach ceremony was Gorgeous (sans the random fat guy in the Speedo who decided to witness the union as well).  The reception was the BEST!  I danced all night long...literally.  Once the music started playing, I didn't sit down.  I had Awesome dance partners in 6 year olds Brody and Riley.  These kids are party animals!  What a Blast!  I left the camera (and the dress I was gong to wear to the wedding! yikes!) at home, so the only thing we have are a few iPics from Brett's phone.  update: Thanks to Betty for posting pics that I snagged.  :)

 

 

 Let's Go, Hokies!!!

 Seriously, LOVE this boy!  

He's got rockin' rhythm and mad moves...danced all.night.long!

 Alvin says, "Prom pose people" and we all knew just what to do.  HA!

I thought the resort looked familiar and wondered if we had stayed there before when we were in the DR in 2006.  But Brett said, "all these places look similar" and we could not remember the crazy kids pool.  It wasn't until we got home and looked at this one picture by the snail that we said, "yup, same place."  wild!

2006

2013

We had an AMAZING time!  It was EXACTLY what we needed.  I was inspired by Kristine and Gavin and their fabulous relationship.  We reunited with friends we haven't seen in forever and Loved catching up, swapping stories, and sharing time with their wonderful families.  I fell in love with Brett all over again. sigh.  We were able to get some face time (via FaceTime) with the kids each day since there was free wi-fi in the lobby. But most importantly, we got quality (uninterrupted, relaxing) face time with each other.

American Education Week and The Thanksgiving Feast

off for fun and the feast!

You can't beat a macaroni necklace; a most fun accessory!

 Little sister Loves her some kindergarten (I do too!)!!!

The Book Fair- like kids in a candy store, only a little healthier (but just as crazy for parents, "ooo, can I have this one and this one and this one?")

School lunch is exciting...seriously, I kind of love it- the trays, the throw-back food, mini milk cartons. SO fun!

Sylvie saw these at drop-off this morning and was SO excited! "Mommy, Look! Head pich-uhs! Can we do that now?!" awesome participant.

 Four little, five little, six (and seven) little Indians...

Pie with Parents

It's the Pie with Parents event at the kids' (daycare) school this afternoon. so cute!

 one little, two little, three little Indians...

Winter Stash

Had the oil changed in my car today and the mechanic called with a finding that he "has not ever seen in 20 years as a mechanic". ...like 75 dog bones shoved in my air filter. Um, what?!?! Oddly enough, this actually didn't surprise me but almost made sense since a week earlier when Brady went to put on his winter boots (which are also in the garage next to a giant box of dog bones) and said, "uh, Mommy? Why are there dog bones filling up my boots?" I have no idea how the bones are getting dispersed among the garage (and this is disturbing me a bit) but happy to provide entertainment to the shop today. (The mechanic took this picture, which he sent to me, all of his co-workers, and the corporate office. Ha!). They tell me I should see improved gas mileage now; so there's that.

Christmas Card Shoot

The weather is actually mild (in the 60s) today, and we are out of town (and the country!) for Kristine's wedding next weekend, so I wanted to take our Christmas card pictures today.  I wanted them outside- on the patio and in the clubhouse, since they were our new additions this year.  The pictures came out great!