Salt Lake City

I highly recommend starting your summer out with a 2 1/2 week vacation.  It sure gets you in the grove of summer!  We left the day school ended and took off for Denver, with Salt lake as our final destination. 
We stopped in Denver just in time to go to bed.   We left the city the next morning after a bite at a favorite breakfast diner.   The car was crowded and packed and we were off to SLC. 
    After several stops along the way (we are notorious for stopping and taking it easy...) we made it to Grandma and Grandpas house.  And enjoyed a nice 4 day stay.  And then we were off again.  This time back to Denver with Mexico as a final destination.  This time without the kids.   Zachary stayed in SLC with grandparents.  The girls stayed in Denver with Gigi and papa. 

Grandma and Grandpa always have a few new kittens at their house.  The girls love 'em.

And, the drive-way.  Oh the driveway.  It's long, hidden from the street it and provides hours of fun.  It's a perfect driveway for playing.  Games, basketball and all kinds of goofing off. 

And in this case, the kids are on the roof.  Not my favorite thing.

The trip wouldn't be complete without a stop to Cafe Rio.  Yum! 

Or the mountains for a picnic.

                                                    

Thanks grandma and grandpa for a wonderful stay. And, for keeping our little dude the next week.

The rest of the trip

Punta Mita.  It seems like a dream in a distant far away land.  In reality, it was only 2 weeks ago.  How quickly your "reality" comes crashing back to the fore front of your mind after a fabulous vacation.  I do love my real life but it was  nice to escape for awhile.    And, alas we have the memories.  Some amazing memories locked away. The entire trip was spent relaxing, playing and eating.  Boy oh boy, did we ever induge.  It was worth it.

The bento box was served pool side.  I wish I had a picture of the most delicious quacamole made to order at the pool.  Everyday.The above breakfast was room service.  I LOVE room service. Each and every day.

 

We hung out by the pool at some point during the day.  Every day.  

Jeff played golf at the famous Pacifico course.

This particular green is an island.  He didn't make the shot, but he loved trying.  The course is as beautiful as reported.  I had 2 spa days. Two full body massages. I told you this trip was indulgent, right. 

Jeff went scuba diving on the second day.  He's in love...fell for this new new hobby "hook, line and sinker".  I was so happy for him to have the chance to go.  He went earlier in the week (before Punta Mita)  in Puerto Vallarta and I knew he was hooked.  Then again, in Punta Mita.  He didn't however, like the ride out to the reef in this "dingy" boat. 

The last day we swam with the dolphins. I don't know about this sea lion kissing my cheek. I do know I was squirming underneath that smile. I loved, loved, loved being in the water with the dolphins.  However. I kept wishing the kids were with us to exprience this.

One evening, we left the party early and went for a midnight swim.   The pool was closed, but the staff is so accomadating they brought us towels still. 

I wouldn't trade these moments for anything!

Of course, we had the obligatory dinner evenings to attend with co-workers. But, with a setting like this it was hard to complain. This particular dinner was on the beach in the sand.

Each night a gift from Pfizer was delivered to our room.  My favorite was an apple I-Touch (don't have a picture) But, these Kenon sunglasses were totally sweet, too.

The gift I cherished above the rest was spending the week with my favorite person!  Thanks Jeffrey for the trip of a lifetime.  I love you.

Punta Mita, Mexico

We have been looking forward to this trip for years.  Yep, years.  This trip was awarded to Jeff by Pfizer for a job well done. Top in sales in the company.   Although he always works hard and excells at his job, this is the first year he has won this particular award.  And we have waited and wished for many years.  The prestigious VPC award has been a goal of his for quite some time.  

Each year the award winners are whisked off to a fabulous destination and stay at an exclusive resort. This year, Punta Mita Mexico. We had never heard of Punta Mita before but knew staying at the Four Seasons ANYWHERE would be grand. But, this place exceeded our expectations. The level of service was incomparable to anywhere else. I've never known service quite like it. The beauty of the resort was extraordinary while the peace and serenity was overwhelming.

 We were in heaven.

With a pool like this.

And a beach like this. 

And a cabanna/bed to soak in the sun, sights, and sounds of the ocean. Heavenly.

I took the above beach pic sitting on this exact bed.  Just as soon as you sit down, the staff bring you a small cooler with bottled water.  After that, every 1/2 hour they would treat you to a frosty drink, fruit cup,haagan daz bar etc. Complimentary.

I tell ya, the service was out of this world. It was a bit surreal to have been waited on hand and foot. Literally.

This is Jeff getting a complimentary foot massage poolside. Are you kidding me?  This was my FAV.

Pfizer offererd us a choice of activities each day in Punta Mita.  I chose the spa day twice.  Jeff did some golf and scuba diving.  The fourth day we were together for our activity. Two of the afternoons I was on my own.  I didn't mind it a bit. 

I spent much of my time here.  Relaxing by the beach reading a good book. 

Or sometimes by this pool.

But, definetly my favorite time was when we were together.

And, these are the friends that we spent much of our time with.  Team Omaha.  Jeff has such fun and awesome co-workers.  I enjoyed getting to know them!

Congrats to Jeff for making his numbers and proving to Pfizer what we have already known...He is #1!

Oh, yeah there is more to come.  Activities.  And lots of them.

We have reason to celebrate!

And, the reason we are so happy...we have these great men in our lives. Forever.
                                                 Blessed beyond measure.

Happy Fathers Day to my dad, Jeff, and Newell. 

We are one lucky family!

Ballerina

Last month Avery had her receital.  Yes, in the midst of all the "year-end" activites her dance class performed a ballet.  I love her dance studio and this ballet performance was my favorite.  I love the dedication and desire Avery has to learn and perform.

Because we often have to skip her dance class due to conflict with Zach's schedule,  I was afraid she didn't know her rountine all that well.  So, I went to  her class and video taped the dance so she could practice at home.  I love how dillengtly she watched the video and practiced her rountine.   In the end, she knew it like the back of her hand.   She was a star!

Off she goes...walking backstage.  She felt "butterflies" in her tummy but does remarkably well with nerves.

I think I see an actual halo..ha.

I never get tired of seeing this.  These girls walk hand in hand so much it makes my heart happy.

May

I love the month of May.  Springtime and sunshine.  And of course, big smiles from happy children as the end of a school year draws to a close.  But, in the mix of the "happy" is one heck of a busy month.  It's all good, but it flies by so quickly I don't fully appreciate the moments.  And, there are many moments for me to remember.  Many performances,  receitals, parties, track day, field day, and school activites to keep every family on their toes during the month of May.  It just so happens when you see the opportunity to recover...SCHOOL iS  OUT.  Looking  beyond,  you are reminded that May was merely a glimpse of what is to become.    June will turn you upside down.  Busy days, with busy kids doing busy things. 
"Busy" is what I do in this season of my life.

Track and Field Day

Zach running the 50 yard dash.  Congrats dude!
Ellie running the 100 yard dash.  Look at the runner in that girl, Ellie.





I love the kids at Fire Ridge.  They have been taught well and show kindness and compassion for each other.  Every day.  This brings such a peace to me as I send my children out the door each day. Especially Zach,  I know he is in capable and caring hands by the teachers AND the students.  Take this for example...David, a 5th grade student (and one of Zachary's friends)  helping him down the steep stadium stairs. 
Repeat....A 5th grade boy with his hands on Zach's shoulder to give him stability!  Love it.

5th grade celebration! 

What a great day it was!  A celebration for the graduating class of 5th graders.  They had a day of paddle boating, mini golf, hiking and of course frolicking with friends.  To end the day, a little program was planned and the parents invited.   They performed for us a cute song about "moving on."  I didn't expect to cry during the very first phrase.    I can't believe how much they have learned and grown these precious years in elementary.  These are great kids...going on to do some amazing things in middle school.  I expect a lot out of my miracles.

Ellie with her friends, Emma, Kylie and her teacher Mrs. Eby.

And, Zachary accepting his award for "hardest working" this year.  

The kids love these t-shirts.  They have the whole 5th grade class printed on the back. 

The Last Day of School

This was a hard day for Avery.  Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it's goodbye to kindergarten, Mrs. Devoe and Fire Ridge all in one.  To say the least...Avery loved everything about kindergarten.  She cried for a week straight at the thought of finishing school for the summer.

Ah, she too has such good friends.

We already have plans for a playdate when we return from vacation!  Keep your chin up, Avie.

Sadly, I can't post Avery's recital pictures until we return from vacation. 

Stay tuned for the cutest little ballerina you ever did see....