Mother's Day Photo Shoot!

For Mother's Day this year, Aunt Sarah and I gifted the grandmothers with a photo shoot.  Last year, we did a mini shoot with the grandfathers and it was only fair that we also capture some sweet memories with the MeeMaw and Grammy!  Only this time, Aunt Sarah and I crashed the session.  =)  On June 4th, we met up with one of Aunt Sarah's old friends, Laura Friedel, in St. Michael's and just walked around.

I may be a bit biased, but these photos turned out sooo good.

                  

                  

                                           

                  

                                            

                  

                 

Of course, it was fun to see all of these photos, but I also enjoyed watching Laura capture such great memories of my family.  She is very talented and I couldn't resist photographing the photographer.

Shafer Time and Terps Lacrosse

Every spring, Chad and I talk about taking the kids to see a University of Maryland lacrosse game.  Both the men and women's programs are nationally ranked and the games are usually very fun, but for some reason, life always gets in the way.

This year, we noticed that part of the NCAA tournament, for the men's team, was being played at Navy Stadium, in Annapolis.  They were playing Cornell on May 20th.  We were free that weekend, so we made plans to stay with the Shafers, and then head to the game the next day.

E and Denise were out of town, but Lauren and Charlie were super excited to spend time with Matthew.  We prepped for the tailgate the next day and hung out.  The kids had fun wrestling with the sleeping bags.  An interesting game, but they were occupied for most of the evening, so we were not going to say anything!  ha ha ha

The next day we met up with Coach Harry and Little Harry before heading to the stadium.  We managed to get great parking spots and set up a tailgate.  The kids immediately began playing lacrosse.  Lauren had never played before, so Harry and Mathew showed her what to do.  She really liked it.  The adults immediately began to hang out in the shade of the canopy.  It was REALLY hot out that day!

Eventually, we had to turn the car on, blast the AC, and let the kids hang out in the back.  Thank goodness for movies and snacks!

Once at the game, we found a big block of seats for our whole group.  We got into the stadium too late to get seats in the shade and within a few minutes, everyone was dying.  Every time a cloud crossed in front of the sun, people cheered.  Luckily, the game was enjoyable and there was a shaved ice truck for the kids.  Not going to lie, I might have had quite a bit of shaved ice as well.  Did I mention that it was really hot out?!?!

                               

                          

After the Terps won the game (Woo Hoo), we headed back to the parking lot to tailgate for a bit longer.  The kids hung out in the back of the car and we pulled out some more snacks and fruit for everyone.  It was fun to see so many of our old tailgate buddies and we always enjoy any reason to tailgate!

When we realized how late it was, we packed up the car and headed back to the Shafers.  E and Denise had just gotten home, so we spent some more time there.  It is always nice to get these kids together and Chad and I were not going to complain about spending more time with Pat and Denise.  

Although I could have done without the heat, I am still glad we went to the game.  The kids had fun and we will always welcome the opportunity to cheer on our beloved Terps.  Here is hoping we can do it again next year.  If life doesn't get in the way of course.

Mother's Day 2018!!

This year, my birthday fell on Mother's Day weekend, so I got two days of celebration. 

On Saturday, my birthday, I spent the day taking Lauren to hockey practice in Reston, VA, while Chad coached hockey at the Haymarket ice rink.  Charlie threw a huge fit, because he wanted to go to a different ice rink, but I was able to throw him over my shoulder and carry him, along with all of the hockey gear, into the rink.  We got Lauren dressed and she had a great practice.  Charlie was fine once he saw Coach Harry and little Harry inside.  Crazy kid!!!  I was fine once I got myself a big coffee and could sit down to relax. 

We had a nice lunch, a long nap, and then Chad and the kids baked me a cake.  Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved German Chocolate Cake.  It is my absolute favorite and is not the quickest or easiest cake to make.  The final product might have fallen apart, but it was delicious and I loved it all the more because of who made it for me.  Such a nice birthday treat!!

For my birthday this year, Chad surprised me with a heated jacket for all of the hockey rinks I will be spending time in.  It has a battery, which I can charge, and the pockets, neck, and back get nice and toasty.  It also has a USB charger to plug in my cell phone, if I ever need it.  I LOVE it!!!

The next day, on Mother's Day, we met the entire Falicroft clan in Annapolis for lunch.  We went to Rams Head and as always, it was delicious!  Chad even took on "kiddo" duty so the moms and grandmoms could enjoy their meals in peace.  Thanks Chad!  ha ha ha

After lunch, we walked around Annapolis and got some pictures.  One of my favorite gifts for Mother's Day is always pictures of myself with the kids.  I am usually the one taking photos, but for one day, I like it when I can actually get in the photos.  It was freezing out (weird for May), but the pictures still turned out cute!

Charlie's Party and Grandpa's Debut!!

This year, on Charlie's birthday weekend, Grandpa was acting in his first play with the Salisbury Community Players, so we headed to the Eastern Shore for celebrations.

Since we would be out of town, Chad and Lauren decided to decorate his bedroom door a few days early.  Chad does this for the kids every year, and Lauren really seemed to enjoy taking part in the tradition.

                               

Once in Salisbury, we hosted family at the local trampoline park and then headed back to MeeMaw and Grandpa's house for pizza, cake and presents.  Charlie had a great time jumping around, but was most excited for his "robot" cake.  He had been asking for a Transformers cake for months and I was very happy that the local WalMart was able to make one.  When it came to blow out his candles, Quinnie and Lauren beat him to it, and we had a major meltdown.  The irony is that he did the exact same thing to Quinnie a month earlier and didn't see a problem with it at that time.  =)  Of course, after a very brief time out, Charlie finally realized that we could re-light the candle and do it again.  That seemed to satisfy him, and we all were able to enjoy the cake.

 

                       

 

After the celebration, we took the kiddos over to Aunt Sarah and Uncle Kevin's house so that Fabby could watch them while the adults went to Grandpa's play!!

The Salisbury Community Players were putting on Calendar Girls and there was no way we were going to miss Grandpa's debut.  It was a wonderful play, very funny, and Grandpa was really good.  He played the husband of one of the main characters and liked to joke that his "new wife was a real pain in the butt".  MeeMaw, liked to respond that now he "should appreciate his real wife".  =)

It is so much fun to watch your parents enjoy new hobbies.  I hope that when I am older and my kiddos have grown up, I will not be afraid to try new things.  Way to go Grandpa!!

It was a good weekend, and although Charlie did not get the big birthday party with ALL of our family and friends, I think he was very happy with the celebrations.  I know that once he is in school, the birthday parties will get bigger, and we will be limited in going out of town around April 21st.  But I am thankful that this time we were able to see Grandpa's play and give Charlie a fun party.