Spring is in the air

Fun at the Circus

Finally Mom feeds me - I was so hungry and Pizza hits the spot

Wildlife Sanctuary - fun learning about the animals that live in the trees

My son takes after me with how much he LOVES animals. Here he is enjoying a cute little bird

Leaning how to animal proof his house

Well we are actually starting to wake from months of hibernation. Today it actually hit 50 degrees and everyone was out either exercising or cleaning their yard and/or garage.

I realize it has been a few months since I updated my blog which has bothered me nearly every day. I spend a great deal of time on the computer at work so it's really the last thing I want to do when I get home.

To wrap up our 2009, the holidays we wonderful. We went to Calgary and celebrated Christmas with Lynne, Steve, Brian & Jeni their darling children and Brian & Robin and their cute kids. It was a full house but isn't that what the holidays are meant to be? It really means the world that Steve and Lynne include us in their plans. I couldn't imagine the holidays without being surrounded by family.

As far as the past few months nothing very exciting to report. Oh I almost forgot... Bailey turned 14 in January. I am so blessed he has done so well all these months. He is still my BFF and is so cute with Ryan. They are great little buddies and of course Ryan has already figured out that when he throws food his little co-pilot jumps in the air to catch the yummy morsel.

So it's official after watching my brother complete the New Zealand Ironman two days ago I've decided to set a fitness goal for myself. Of course Dan you will forever be my idol too. I've decided to run a 5k in May and a 10k in June. Yes I know this isn't the Ironman but for me it's huge. I haven't regularly exercised since before Ryan was born and I can't even remember the last time I jogged - I think my early 20s... I was talking to my girlfriend Rhonda this week and we both agreed that underneath our current figure still exists an athlete - it will take some time to chip away at the blubber but I'm determined to try :)

Birthday Redo

Although my original Birthday celebration wasn't a success, Tom made it up to me last weekend by taking Ryan and I to Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan. We have come to realize that our upbringing is partially responsible for challenges in our marriage and the way to celebrate birthdays fall into that category. Unlike Tom, I grew up with the whole day being a "special day" and spending time with my family doing something memorable. Of course I love gifts but some of my most cherished gifts haven't always been the most expensive.

Anyway, Tom planned the whole weekend - which was awesome. Everything from a dog sitter for Bailey to packing the car. Our road trip was only 1 hour and we were able to check in right away. From there we headed to the water park and played for a few hours. Back to the room to clean up for dinner. They had a special trick or treat maze in the main lobby and were also offering horse drawn carriage rides to the edge of the property where you could get a great view of Lake Michigan. Ryan loved the horses and would giggle as their huge nostril would blow warm air across his little arm. Grandad would be proud :)

After dinner Tom pulled a b-day cake from the fridge and we all jumped in with forks. Ryan was funny - he ran from one side of the room to the other only stopping long enough for a bite and off he would go. Once the sugar rush wore off Ryan was fast asleep and Tom and I enjoyed watching the Incredible Shrinking Woman - talk about a blast from the past :)

Thanks Tommy D for a memorable birthday weekend - I love you!

Moose Sighting

What a beautiful weekend! The sun was out and the crisp air was taking a slight break so we spent a majority of our time outside. The hat and gloves didn't last long because it was rather warm however for the sake of this photo opportunity Ryan modeled his new winter gear.

Face Painting

Last weekend Ryan and I went to a Fall Festival that our company put on for the community. The little man was too young for the balloon hat station so we took a crack at the face painting clown. As you can see in the picture above Ryan is really enjoying this experience. I though his having the gourd to chew on would distract him - clearly I was wrong.

This was the end result - a messy clown face...

The best part was that he feel asleep on the way home and took a two hour nap. When he got up our first stop was to the mirror - I have never laughed so hard in my entire life as when I saw his expression.

Fall Festival

Hunting for a pumpkin.

What do you mean... something is on my head....

October 3rd Heart Walk

This was my fifth year leading the Appleton Heart Institute Heart Walk Team. We had over 300 walkers on our team and although it was freezing cold the event was a great success. In this picture I am handing out red boas to all our walkers.

A good friend from work Julie and her awesome pooch Riley.

Our team photo.

Good Times

Deborah and I took the kids to Bay Beach, a small amusement park here in Green Bay. There are only a few rides the kids could ride but it was something different to do. Only $3.50 for tickets to keep the kids entertained for hours - I have no idea how the place stays in business. I was a bit nervous that Ryan would try and crawl out of the rids but he didn't. Regardless I had one foot on the chain link fence in preparation of a needed "wonder woman" jump to save the kids from a nasty fall.

Bay Beach

Our little pumpkins

Birthday Fun

Gracee's Birthday

Pure Beauty