Graduation Party!

Our great friend Melissa graduated with her RN on friday night.  They had a very fun graduation party that evening.  It was a great time, amazing food and great company.  And best of all- I got my hair, make up and jewelry done.  Liza (Melissa's daughter) LOVES to do hair and she combed my hair for at least 30 minutes straight.  I had 5-6 kids working on me at once!

the kids LOVED playing dress up.  it was a dream for parker!

this is the first time that Addison has "dressed up".  she came down the stairs in this princess dress!  and the first time that she actually played girly with the girls.  she's getting so big!!

a few of my most favorite moms- shana, melissa, kristin, heather & I  (we missed you Dee!)

this was the last shot taken and it was nearly 9pm- the kids were DONE.  And lauren is VERY upset to be leaving.

My Mother's Day gift

I've been wanting a garden for a long time.  So, for Mother's Day Nathan built me a garden! Jackson has helped through the whole process.  Yesterday the kids & i went to pick out our plants and today we got to plant them!  It's very small- that is what all the websites have told me- start small so i don't get overwhelmed and give up.  

My finished garden!  I have: zucchini, green peppers, broccoli, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes (roma & jet setter) and a jalapeno plant!

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a fantastic Mom's Day weekend.  The family got together every day for more eating!  Phil's parents are in town so we always get together with them several times.  We started out on Friday night having a feast that Avo (Phil's mom) made including fresh bread.  Saturday night we had a BBQ at mom & dad's house and Sunday (Mother's Day) the guys made and served us brunch.  Nathan got up before 6am to start making the cinnamon rolls, Dad created fresh made-to-order omelettes, Phil cooked and organized- keeping everything running smoothly and Bob (Nate's dad) & Avu (phil's dad) were on the clean-up crew. Even Grandpa was in there cutting up stuff.  It was a feast and I was full all day.

After brunch Nathan started working on my mother's day gift- a garden.  I'm thrilled and can't wait to get it started.  I've also started my own compost pile.  I'm working on my green thumbs... slow but sure.

Pictures are in no order- just the weekend!

Addison giving Daddy some love.

Sunday after brunch heather cut nearly everyone's hair- except the girls.  and addison wanted hers cut!  She was taking off her shirt getting ready!

Addy giving me some mother's day love.

sticky buns & cream cheese!!

this is a very bad picture to post because these guys were working their tails off before and during brunch and I didn't get a picture of that!!

Jackson's very favorite thing to do.  ever.

enjoying the day.

Antonio gave us a mother's day concert.  it was amazing! the all-pink chapman mom's.

Flower Day!

Every year Joan & I have a tradition of going out to Strawberry Hill and picking out our annual flowers.  It is one of my favorite things to do in the spring and this year was really fun since all the kids went.

TRIZOU

Last weekend I did my 3rd full triathlon- Trizou- here in Columbia.  Nathan, Dad and mom (her first full one) also did it.  And Heather volunteered for it.  It was a very fun local event- that Chapman's sponsors.  I wasn't fast but I had a great time and that is what is most important to me (and mom!).  Nathan & Dad on the other hand are more competitive and both had rockstar times.

Heather was at one of the busiest intersections.  Luckily, they had a whole lane blocked off for us.  Ashton was my cheerleader.  Just coming off a HUGE hill- he was exactly what I needed to see.  He ran along the grass bank as I biked by.

they actually look happy to be there :)

it's early- i'm still not awake yet.  or warm.  and Nathan just looks fast.