How Did Our Baby Turn 11???

Once upon a time, a beautiful boy was born.  It was a Wednesday night, just like tonight, and we had been anxiously awaiting his arrival.  This was an arrival we thought would happen much earlier.  I had been dilated to a three for twenty-one days! Would he ever get here??  On March 26, 2003, the day had finally come!  After just ten minutes, he was here!

Our first picture together.  

He was a big boy at 9 lbs. and 21 inches long.

Allison was just 21 months old.  It was a little like having two babies at home.  Would we ever sleep again?

Someday, he will really hate us for this….

So content in the middle of the family room.

This photo hung in the Kroger photo lab for quite some time.  The ladies that worked there loved him!

On the move!

And, eleven years later…here we are.  A boy who loves soccer and basketball, horseback riding, and playing the baritone and piano.  The iPad is never far from his fingertips, and the only thing he really wanted for his birthday was a YouTube account (which he didn't get.)  He is smart and funny and loving (asks for a hugs everyday.)  I just wish I could bottle it up and keep him this way forever.

I found him a Goonies card….Hey You Guys!!!

He received the scooter he has been wanting (not as much as the YouTube account.)  We will also help him pick out a bike this weekend.

No time for a cake.  We have places to be…. (oh Allison)

It's off to Dublin for a few days.  As I write, he is snuggled in bed playing on his iPad in the hotel.  It's a perfect end to a birthday for him.

 Happy Birthday, Thomas!  We love you so very much.  Thank you for being you!

Love,

Mom

Brandi's Last Hurrah!

A girls' trip to Mallorca, Spain?!  Why yes, I would love to go.  The purpose of a girls' trip…1. To relax 2. Shop 3. Eat and drink 4. To not be needed by anyone for two whole days 5. To celebrate friendship….and sadly 6. As a last hurrah before one of your dearest friends has to say "see you soon" and head home to the USA.  

So, off we went to Mallorca, Spain late Friday afternoon to celebrate Brandi's last weekend in Europe!

Lucinda, Brandi, Ericka, and Me (myself…I)  just before boarding our flight (because you know you have to walk out to the plane when you fly Ryanair…fancy, high class airline…Ha!)

Dinner is served!

The flight was just fine (with an on time landing and the jingle they play to celebrate their success.) And then we pull up to the gate, and the air bridge crashes into the plane.  That's because you never have an air bridge with Ryanair.  You have to climb down the skinny little steps and walk through the pouring rain (in Belgium) to get into the airport.  No wonder the people were confused.  So, the collision with the air bridge put the front door out of commission.  For once, I was not at the back of the plane.  We paid extra for row 3, but exiting the back of the plane was now necessary.  Typical….

It took a loooong time to figure out how they would get us off the plane, so we had plenty of time to find out what we missed out on while we were flying for two. whole. hours….

I just love Ryanair.  If delirious had a face, it would look like this.  That's a fab double chin there….geesh!

Enroute to the hotel, we pass the cathedral in Palma, Mallorca.  Wowzers!  It was HUGE!  I've seen a lot of cathedrals, and this one was jaw dropping.

The view from our hotel room.  Check out that cathedral again!

We walked to a great restaurant for dinner which was recommended by the hotel.  Along the way, we passed some beautiful sights.

The tapas was amazing!  This was round #1 before….

And after…..It didn't stand a chance.

Good morning sunshine!

Oh the blue skies!  We just don't have blue skies like this very often in Belgium.  I never took pictures of blue skies when I lived in Illinois.  I guess I can appreciate them now.

Breakfast outside at a café.

They wouldn't let me eat there….

This was the first vacation I have taken without my "big" camera.  It was so nice to just have my phone for pics.  I'm glad my friends share my passion for pictures.

Orange trees, palm trees, and windmills.  Forget it…not going back to Brussels.

The Palma Cathedral by day!

Group shot!

So, as the weekend went…if we were sitting, we were eating and drinking, and if we were standing, we were shopping.  The perfect girls' weekend!

Palma reminds me a lot of Barcelona.  

Ahhhh….so relaxing to just sit here and chill out in the sunshine with some sangria (or in my case a Heineken this round.)

"Shall I wear a ponytail tonight?"  Why yes Ericka, I think you should!

I want this for my door.

At the end of the shopping day, we stopped at El Corte Inglés department store.  Turns out, the café upstairs has great sangria.  I never would have thought we would have hung out in a department store cafeteria for two hours.  Yes, it was that good.

Palma at night!

The damage!  Spanish prices are far better than Belgian prices.  Good thing we paid for an extra bag on Ryanair! 

We went out for dinner and had this giant order of paella! 

After dinner, we went dancing.  I can't remember the last time I danced until 3:30am.  So fun!!

My Sunday morning view!

"If you point your face to the sun, it almost feels like you're in Florida…(sigh)"…says Lucinda (lover of all things in America.)
"We're in Spain???  Isn't that better than Florida?"….says Wendy and Brandi
"NO!"….Lucinda

Visiting the cathedral

Gorgeous stained glass windows.  So vibrant…like nothing I've seen before.

No pictures allowed during mass.  Please pardon the quick illegal snaps.

Standing at the cathedral and enjoying the beautiful views.

Girlfriends are the BEST! 

Making our way to lunch that was recommended by the locals.  Look at that supermodel!

Cheers! 

You have no idea how hard we laughed trying to get these shots.  How old are we??? 

Photo bomb!  Cracks me up!

What's not to love about Spain??

My only disappointment.  I looked all over the airport for the only Starbucks in Mallorca.  I couldn't wait to get my new mug.  Only….it wasn't actually open yet.  Darn it!  I'll just have to go back.

We arrived back in Brussels around 10:30pm.  Each of us giving our last hugs to Brandi as we were dropped off.  What a sad ending to a wonderful weekend.  I'm going to miss my friend so much.  But, she is just a phone call away.  Just a text or email.  Just a FaceTime call.  Because, she is my forever friend, and we will see each other again very soon.  Thanks girls for a wonderful weekend.  Love you all!

Until next time,
Wendy