Aunt Sara's (90th)

My grandma's sister, or my great-Aunt Sara, turned 90 yesterday.  Though she doesn't like to admit her age to us (and threatened at the party if anyone did they were "out of the will"), we celebrated this special birthday with family, at her daughter Sherry's home.  We chowed down on some salads and dessert, caught up on our lives,  opened gifts, and had a really nice afternoon.

Aunt Sara is an amazing woman.  She worked for many, many years in a preschool which she owned, and taught students how to read at age 4, who really did not have a chance at a great education.  Aunt Sara and her husband (Uncle Jukey), who passed a few years ago, took my mom, grandma, and uncles under their wings when my grandpa suddenly died when my mom was 4.  Aunt Sara NEVER complains and is the busiest, most independent 90 year-old that I bet lives.  She does not rely on anyone to help her out, is always on-the-go, has such a sharp mind, and a super-positive attitude.  I am always amazed that when I tell her a story, she makes a total connection of what I am speaking about.  She is exactly a half of a century older than me, and I am so fortunate to have her in my life, since I haven't had any grandparents in 37 years.  Let me restate that...  anyone who knows her is lucky to have her in their life.  She is an incredible and remarkable woman.  I can only hope to be as "spicy" as Colton would say when I am her age. 

Ilene, Aunt Sara, Sherry, Mom, Phyllis, Rozie and Harriet

Aunt Sara's daughter and her great-grandchildren
Julia, Alyssa, Dexter, Sherry, Madi

Me, Karen (her granddaughter and my cousin), Aunt Sara, Jennifer

Sherry had 2 boxes with some old family photos at her home, which she took out for everyone to look at.  I LOVED looking at these pictures.  I have to say...  besides seeing how BEAUTIFUL my family is, I am kinda infatuated with the formal clothes people wore on an everyday basis.  My staple yoga pants and cotton shirts make me feel like a "new generation slob".  lol...

Enjoy the pics!

These are my mom's parents.  I love them so much...  Never met my grandpa, but feel a bond with them ever night when
I pray.  Look how great they look too!

Check out Aunt Sara and Uncle Jukey...  woo, woo

Here is my Uncle Maury-  So cute!!

My mom and her two brothers (Uncle Ira and Uncle Maury)

The pictures above and below are of my mom (the older girl) and Sherry.  I need to upload a picture of me as a child,
because I look identical to my mom.

Have you had a family get together lately?

President's Weekend

Eric and Colton went down to Orlando last week, while I had to work and have 2 nights of conferences.  Blake stayed with me and went to daycare during the day, and hung out with me at night during my conferences. He was a hit, and I was so excited to see him walking around everywhere.

On Friday (school was closed), Blake and I made our trek down to Florida.  We decided to give our seat up on an overbooked Air Tran flight, and hung out at the airport a few extra hours in the morning.  But, I did get 2 free roundtrip tickets anywhere Air Tran flies, so TOTALLY worth it.

Eric picked us up at the airport around 4:45 when we landed, and we met Colton, Grandma and Pop Pop (G and PP) at the Florida Mall.  Colton had spent the night with them the night before, and had a great time at the local library picking out books, finding spanish moss, and driving Grandma's golf cart around her and Pop Pop's neighborhood.

On Saturday, we woke up and drove out to G and PP's house.  I helped rearrange some furniture for them, and then we all headed to New Smyrrna Beach.  Even though it was chilly (about 65 if I had to guess), we had a great time.  This was the first time that Blake was able to walk in the sand, and he really enjoyed it (even though he also tried to eat the sand)!

The fam

Blake LOVES his grandma!

Ready to throw sand...  He is so BAD!!  lol

On Sunday, we spent the day at the Aycock's house... one of our favorite stops when in Florida.  It was Sebastian's 3rd birthday, so the boys spent the day running around with the kids, while the adults chilled out (actually...  made food, cleaned, made food, cleaned, made food, cleaned....) and took a nice walk around the neighborhood.  This was Eric's first time at any of their homes in Florida, so it was extra-nice to spend time with him there, and he enjoyed spending time with them too.

Colton, Tripp, Isabelle, Schuyler and Phoebe on our walk

Blake (in stroller), Isabelle, Schuyler and Ainsley in front of one of Phoebe's friend's homes a few doors down from theirs.  Let's just say, I could definitely live here!

Blake, Eric, Ainsley and Steve looking at Scott Lake.

Isabelle and Schuyler

The kids looking at the lake.  I LOVE this picture!!

Daddy, Blake, Tripp and Colton waiting for our dinner BBQ

On Monday, we decided to take it easy during the day, and go to Animal Kingdom Lodge.  A student of mine went during winter break, and told me what a great time she had looking at the animals on the property.  G and PP met us there, and we spent time looking at the zebras, storks, antelopes, giraffes, cattle, wilder beasts, elands, and speaking to a staff member from Africa, who filled us in on any questions we had.  We had an African/Indian lunch at Sanaa (here) and then headed to the pool, so that Colton could go down the waterside (here)

Colton, Daddy and Pop Pop chillin in the wild life area

Pop Pop and Daddy

Blake and Grandma watching the zebras

Here's a video of Blakey eating a lemon at Sanaa, where we ate lunch.

Uncle Ira!

Uncle Ira was in town the past 2 weeks from the Dominican Republic.  He went on a trip there a few years ago, and fell in love with the warm weather, laid-back lifestyle, and the sweeties!  He comes back to Baltimore a few times a year to visit friends and family, and watch some Raven's games with his season tickets.  Uncle Ira is the kids only great uncle who lives in the area, and since he doesn't have kids of his own, he loves to spend time with the superheroes and Juliana.

He stopped over last week with a Costco pizza (his food staple to bring over someone's house), and spent time with the boys.

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The superheroes even shared their valentine candy with him.  We hope we get many more visits from him when he is back in town.

The Superheroes 1/2 Birthday

January 21st was a special day in our home...  and so it is every year.  It is the boys' 1/2 birthday.  Colton turned 4 1/2 (and he is very excited to tell people when they ask how old he is) and Blakey is 1 1/2.  Daddy and Mommy had a little party for them, with a cake and a few gifts.

The 4 1/2 year old Superhero

Colton blowing out his 4 candles, and Blake's 1 candle.  Look at Blake's face!  He probably has no clue what is going on, but is ready to eat the cake!

A Pepperidge Farm chocolate cake jazzed up a bit.

Are there any special days you celebrate which are not generally on the calendar?

....and he's walking!

Finally!  Blake is up and moving.  It took 18 months, and I swear I was at the point where I couldn't even imagine him walking.  He's been working with a physical therapist for a few months, who has made home visits to Blake's daycare about every other week.  Check out the video below...  he is up and ready to rumble!

Below are 2 pictures taken the next day on February 3rd, when the Ravens won the Superbowl!  YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is he doing the Ray Lewis dance?

I love this picture, besides Daddy's shirt!  lol!!

In case you would like to read about the win, I've included a link:
(click here)

Snow '13

Yeah!!  It snowed this year!!  I was super-excited for the boys to play in the snow...  including my oldest "boy" my hubby!

Tyson, Tyler and Colton triple sledding down the hill at The Kings Contrivence

Jenna, Keilan and Uncle Nick at the same hill

Colton riding on his belly down the driveway

Blake getting pulled by daddy on our street

Daddy is pulling a "sled train" with Blake in the front, and Colton at the caboose

Mommy and the Sledding Superheroes

Time with cousins

Two weeks ago, I took Colton, and Uncle George took Juliana to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.  It was a very chilly Sunday, but we had such a great time!  The kids were at the perfect age to learn and actually be interested in learning and seeing the animals.  I also had a great time watching them laugh, smile, and especially run around together...  and I learned a few things too!

Check out the pictures!

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