Time with the Sharp Family

We had a WONDERFUL time with Aunt Renee, Uncle Craig, Cody, and Stephanie (my cousin Leo's girlfriend) last weekend. They were in Illinois for my cousin Leo's graduation from Great Lakes Naval Academy. Leo left early Saturday morning which allowed some time for my family to come up to Wisconsin and spend some quality time. We had a great time talking, watching football, playing the game Apples To Apples, and relaxing. I didn't take too many pictures, but here are a few.

It was great spending time with all of you! We love you! We'll have to make a trip to South Carolina to visit you soon!

Lunch with Jenna from L.A. !!!

This past Wednesday, Mike, Phoenix, and I made a short trip down to Rockford, Illinois to meet up with a friend of Mike's from High School, Jenna, along with her husband Bob and son David. It was very exciting for Mike since he has been corresponding with Jenna for years and has not been able to go back to L.A. for 9 years. Though short, it was definitely memorable! We look forward to seeing them again, since Bob's family currently resides in the Rockford area and they visit 1-2 times a year.

Thanks Jenna and Bob for taking the time to visit with us. It meant so much to Mike!

(As a side note... I am enjoying playing the Wii game "Fun Park: Six Flags" and found out that Bob was an Engineer in developing the game. How cool is that. It was so much fun to talk to him about the game and hear what he had to say!)

Bound Family Christmas 2009

Bound/Blackburn Family Christmas 2009

Phoenix recieved Hot Wheels, a "Cars" carrying case, bath soap, and a bath towel from the Brad Bound Family as well as a Radio Flyer tricycle, step stool and infant doll from Gammy and Gampy Bound. What a lucky kid!!

Christmas with Christine

Annually at Christmas, we make our way down to Illinois to meet up with Christine and Ted Eynik to exchange gifts. (Christine is a fabulous lady who was caring enough to open her home up to Mike for about 3 years before he and I got married.) This year she bought Phoenix a farm set that he has enjoyed playing with daily since, as well as a Zhu Zhu Hamster that at first he wasn't so sure about but has been following it around the house when we turn it on.

She also was generous enough to get us a Wii, which we have been wanting for a couple years. I was aware of this gift, but Mike was not. After Mike pressuring me to tell him what Christine got for us a couple months before the exchange, I finally broke down and told him "she is getting us camping equipment." He actually believed me and after opening the Wii was a little confused. However, after the confusion subsided, he was very excited and couldn't wait to get home to play it.

Thank you Christine and Ted for everything! We loved the gifts!

Beauty and the Beast

Phoenix and I went down to Illinois, along with my parents, to see my nieces and nephew, Cadmium (Mrs. Potts), Cumorah (Ensemble), and Madison (Cogsworth), in a children's production of Beauty and the Beast. It was great! Phoenix enjoyed it a lot and even sat still and quiet through the whole thing. I guess it helped though that it was bedtime and that he LOVES music!