I love you Mama!

There are no sweeter words to hear than a simple, "I love you Mama!" Words I have been waiting to hear since April 17th, 2009. Thank you sweet Parker for making Mama's day- I love you too!

Enjoying the sun!

Last Friday I returned home from a business trip early enough to pick Parker up from daycare and take him to the park to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. Here are some shots I just couldn't help sharing. I especially love the shots where he just seems to be in deep thought- he is such a little sweetie and just so dang cute :)

Get-a-Way!

One of the things I have struggled with the most since becoming a mom...(OK maybe something I have always struggled with) is finding time for myself. I know it is about 99% my own fault as I always try to bite off more than I can chew but I am hoping I can work on this in the coming year. For those of you who have read my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days you will see that one of my most important goals is finding ways to carve out time for myself so I can recharge and re energize and hopefully become a better mom, wife and friend as a result.

A few weeks ago me and my girlfriends were sitting around talking about how nice it must be for our husbands who always seem to find time to golf and just spend time together! As we started to complain I brought up a spontaneous idea to get a room down in Atlanta for the night, just the four of us to do some retail therapy and enjoy a nice dinner out! Right then and there we pulled out the laptop and I booked us a room at the Marriott Buckhead (gotta love the discount) and we were Atlanta bound.

It is amazing how less than 24 hours away can completely relax you and take your mind away from everything you have to do: an endless list of laundry, lunches, client meetings, phone calls to return, etc! We had an absolute blast and I'm pretty sure I haven't laughed like that in WAY TOO long! We shopped 'till we dropped finally stopping long enough for a 10:30 PM dinner (hey we have priorities!)

Thank you to my girls for an unforgettable weekend away and for a renewing start to the new year! I can't wait for our next get-a-way...where to next?

Quick Visit with Sue & Denny

Teaching him young how the Halpin Boys wrestle!

Parker with Grandma Sue!

He is getting SO BIG!

Hugs all around!

The Boys- 3 generations!

Noooooo...please don't go!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last weekend while I was off relaxing with the girls (more to come later on that) Denny & Sue came to visit Patrick & Parker for the day. I was so disappointed to miss their visit as we don't get to see them nearly enough! As you can tell from the pictures, Parker ALWAYS loves when Grandpa Denny & Grandma Sue come to visit- he is always all smiles! Thank you to both of you for making the trip just for the day. I know the boys loved having you!

The Great Blizzard Photos

I'm finallly getting around to posting pictures from the great "Blizzard" from a few weeks ago!

Getting warm by the toasty fire!

Parker & Daddy all bundled up!

6 + inches. Wow!

So pretty!

No sliding today!

Can I go out and play?

WOW! What is all this white stuff?

101 things in 1001 days

As a twist to traditional New Year's Resolutions, a friend of mine created a list of 101 things she wants to do/accomplish in 1001 days. I thought this was a cool idea and it motivated me to create my own list. I am going to blog about as manyof my accomplishments as possible and I'm hoping that by sharing this list with you all it will somehow help keep me on track. So, without further ado here is my list, it wasn’t easy to create. 101 things is a lot and I really sat and thought hard all throughout the day about things I really wanted to do and/or things that would really be a good challenge for me. Here’s my list… you should make one too!

Mind/Body/Spirit:
1. Find one day a month to recharge, alone and do something for myself
2. Get a skin check to prevent skin cancer
3. Have a spa day with the works, not just one treatment
4. Create a list of 101 things that make me happy
5. Read 10 books
6. Go an entire weekend without running a single errand
7. Take a lunch break every day for a week
8. Go to church on a non-holiday/special occasion at least once a year
9. Forgive someone for their shortcomings
10. Find at least 5 minutes each day to get outside
11. Find a new and EASY hairstyle
12. Politely decline one invite every holiday season
13. Go to bed at or before 9:00 PM every night for a week
14. Join the gym

Loved Ones:
15. Send printed photos to all grandparents at least 4 times/yr
16. Send Christmas cards each year
17. Clean out my contacts and update with current addresses/numbers and birthdays
18. Plan a fun day with my mom
19. Buy 12 postcards and send one per month to a different person each time
20. Get in touch with someone I haven‘t talked to in years.
21. Plan a family fondue and game night, Drew must come too

Memories:
22. Print blog each year into a book
23. Update our blog at least once a month
24. Blog about each of my 101 tasks as I complete

Reconnecting:
25. Meet Patrick for lunch once a month
26. Get a massage with Patrick
27. Go on a date with Patrick at least 6 times/year
28. Go on 3 spontaneous day/weekend trips with Patrick
29. Take photo booth pictures with Patrick
30. Make a “Bucket List” list with Patrick
31. Plan a romantic date each year on our anniversary
32. Start a tradition with Patrick
33. Play 18 holes of golf (or mini golf) with Patrick

Fun Times:
34. Meet a friend for lunch or happy hour at least 10 times/year
35. Build a snowman
36. Go on 3 picnics
37. Go on a girl’s weekend away
38. Host a game night for friends
39. Go white water rafting
40. Organize a large picnic/BBQ- just because
41. Watch the sunrise
42. Go to at least one festival each year
43. Start a bunco/girl’s night out-group
44. Organize a “Farm” trip to the Greenville Drive
45. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway during the Fall

Travels & Adventures:
46. Visit somewhere new at least once a year
47. Go on a cruise
48. Go home to CA at least 3 times
49. Travel to at least three of state weddings
50. Visit each of my good friends after they’ve had a baby

Go Green:
51. Plant a garden each year
52. Add one plant/tree to our yard each year
53. Start a compost pile

Social Deeds:
54. Donate blood
55. Donate soda can tabs
56. Complete one random act of kindness each month for a year
57. Find 3 charities that mean something to me and donate to them regularly (at least once/year)
58. Give $2 to these charities for every goal I don‘t complete
59. Vote in the 2012 election
60. Volunteer for Something
61. Sign up for a charity walk/run

Money & Stuff:
62. Put $5000 towards Parker’s 529 in a year
63. Go without Starbucks coffee for a month
64. Contribute to JHM 401K- 1/30/2011
65. Make an extra mortgage payment each year
66. Resist the urge to buy one thing each time I go shopping
67. Start a loose change bucket with Parker and save $500 in change
68. Use Dry-el instead of dry cleaning to save $
69. For each task I complete, put $5 in a savings account and do something fun with it
70. Transfer savings from the grocery store to our savings account
71. Brown bag every day for a week

Arts, Culture, Music:
72. Paint something
73. See a big production play/musical in a theater
74. Upload all of my old CDs to Itunes
75. Take a picture of the same thing 4 times a year (once during each season)
76. Take a Vino & Van Gogh class with Patrick

Motherhood:
77. Purchase Deceptively Delicious and use it to cook healthy things for Parker
78. Read “What to expect the Toddler Years” each month
79. Purchase and read “Bringing up Boys” by Dr. James Dobson
80. Take Parker to a water park
81. Take monthly pictures and video of Parker
82. Document funny things Parker says and does in a journal
83. Get Parker a sandbox and outdoor play set
84. Enroll Parker in swim lessons
85. Take Parker for a trial class at Little Gym

Food, Bev and Yummy Stuff:
86. Create a signature cocktail
87. Organize all of my “ripped out” recipes into a recipe journal
88. Try 10 new restaurants and blog my reviews of them
89. Try at least one new ethnic cuisine
90. Cook something other than chili or pot roast in the crockpot
91. Go an entire week without eating something fried
92. Perfect four easy, “go-to” perfect for busy days/nights

Long Overdue “To-Dos”:
93. Complete pregnancy scrapbook
94. Complete Parker’s 1st year memory album
95. Get all photos and videos backed up atleast once a year
96. Purge and reorganize file system
97. Complete an inventory for insurance purposes

Misc. :
98. Create 3 new goals each in 2012/2013
99. Design & Reorganize an office/guestroom/playroom space
100. Knit a scarf
101. Buy a lottery ticket

And when I‘m done – complete a new list of items

Slipping away...

These past few weeks...more than ever, I feel the baby stage slipping away. All along I have been OK with the little milestones that Parker has reached...each one passing with more excitement on my part than sadness. Even his one year birthday came and went with mostly positive feelings. Now as I snuggle with Parker at bedtime (my favorite part of the day) I can barely hold him because he has gotten so big. Still a skinny little string bean but so tall! I have been trying so hard to remember each moment that passes, each shared little hug or quiet moment because I know before long he will be TOO big to snuggle and TOO cool to hug me! I bought a journal (something I wish I had done a long time ago) and I have been trying really hard to jot down funny things he says or does so we can look back some day and smile/laugh. He is just the sweetest little guy and it amazes me that our love for him can continue to grow beyond what I already think is the MOST love we have to share. We are constantly in amazement of how smart he is and treasure each passing moment. Here are a few of the funny things he's been up to lately:
- Patrick got an Ipad for work and of course Parker has mastered it quicker than Patrick and I. Now that he realizes that Mommy's touch screen phone and Daddy's touch screen computer are fun, he can't quite figure out why our flat screen TV isn't also "Touch Screen."- Smart Cookie!
- He's starting to follow along when I read to him, repeating certain words and phrases, he will sing along to certain songs and has even started randomly saying different parts of the ABC song and his numbers.
- He loves his blankey and will drag that thing along for everything. He also loves his stuffed animals right now, I mean LOVES them. In fact, sometimes when we go say our final goodnights we will peek into his crib and he will literally have 10 different animals in there with him. Some nights we can't even find him. I wonder if he gets up in the morning and wonders, "Where did all of my animals go?"

Snow Days!

Today is one of the first days since last weekend that we've been able to venture out because we have been snowed in...yes that's right. We still live in South Carolina, don't worry we didn't move...we just got another unexpected round of snow...7" this time. Now I know some of our MN relatives are probably reading this right now, having a little chuckle and thinking 7" snowed you in for a week? Well, unlike our savy northern neighbors, us wimps here in the South aren't used to so much snow at once, so yes, it stopped us in our tracks...literally.

It was so much fun watching the snow fall down and keep accumulating on the trees and streets. We enjoyed a couple extra days off due to the snow and did a lot of relaxing as a family- it was a much needed break after the craziness of the holidays.

Thank you Mother Nature for the beautiful show- we will never forget "the Blizzard of 2011" and the beautiful winter wonderland you created for us all. It was fun while it lasted- now back to reality!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Tuesday is Nana's birthday but we were lucky enough to have her come visit us this weekend for a an early birthday celebration. On Saturday Patrick sent us girls out for a leisurely day of shopping! It was the first time in a long time that we haven't had a toddler following us around or a time schedule to keep to so we took full advantage of the freedom! Nana and Papa are currently building their dream lake home so we had a blast shopping for fun things for their new home. After we shopped 'till we dropped we came home to have dinner with Drew! We had salmon and yummy rib eye and then celebrated with a Trader Joe's carrot cake complete with candles!

Thank you for sharing your special day with us Nana- We love you and wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We know this year will be one of your best yet with all of the exciting things to look forward to.

Happy New Years 2011!

This year to celebrate the New Year we rented a cabin in the Great Smokey Mountains near Bryson City, NC. Growing up, my family always rented a cabin with other couples and I have such fun memories of our trips that I have always wanted to get a group together! We joined 4 of our favorite couples and our combined 10 kids under the age of 8 and headed out. As you can see we all had a blast just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Its was crazy and non-stop activity with so many people but so much fun!

The girls: Jenni, me, Lisanne, Tammi & Marybeth

Ron, Darren, Patrick, Steve & Ken is missing :(

Silly girls posing with the Smokey Mtns. in the background

Boys will be boys!

The boys building together: Kenneth, Parker, Dawson & Kaden

Parker and his buddy Gracie

Parker- always the little entertainer!

Parker ruled at flip cup!

Posing by the outdoor fireplace on NYE!

What a good Daddy...wine AND the baby monitor. I'm sure his Sig Tau brothers are so proud!

Daddy & Parker exploring the great outdoors

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

When we lived in CA we NEVER dreamed of a white Christmas, when we lived in Omaha it was EXPECTED but we still never had one and living in SC it is POSSIBLE but you still don't expect it so imagine our surprise when early in the week the forecasters starting calling for a White Christmas!! All week I tried really hard not to get my hopes up because I didn't want to be disappointed.

I was in luck- Mother Nature didn't disappoint and we got the first White Christmas on record in Greenville since 1960! It was such fun! At first Parker wasn't quite sure what to think of this cold white stuff and all of the bulky clothes I made him put on...he did look just like "Bibendum" otherwise known as the Michelin Man (a Greenville native!)

As you can tell, as the afternoon wore on Parker took to the the fun of the snow and even took part in a heated snowball fight between Mommy & Daddy. Please note that our snowman is holding a golf club. Only Patrick would come up with this...I guess this is what happens when he has had to go so long without hitting the links!

We're expecting more snow this coming weekend. I say, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

Merry Christmas

Christmas this year was so magical as Parker was a little older and really able to get into the spirit. It was so much fun to watch him enjoy everything the season brings. He absolutely loved all of the decorations throughout the house and neighborhood and regularly pointed to everything remarking, "pretty!" What a little angel :)

This year the plan was to do Christmas with just the three of us and then head out to the lake to visit Nana and Papa and Uncle Drew. Because we knew the car would be full with just Sadie, our luggage and all of our gifts for Nana and Papa we decided we would do our Christmas a day early. Luckily Patrick put in a call to Santa in the North Pole and he was able to come visit our house a day early so we awoke on Christmas Eve morning to our house full of gifts. I will have to upload the video of Parker's reaction as I brought him down the stairs. He was so very excited to see all of the fun things Santa had brought including a huge dump truck full of mega blocks, a tool set and a special child-size folding table. Then we moved onto all of our other gifts and the fun just kept on going.

That night we headed out for round 2 with the Mathews. After a yummy and hearty dinner of chili ( we have decided this should be our new Xmas eve tradition) my Mom and I headed to the Chapel at the Reserve (where Parker was baptized) for their Christmas Eve Service. The Village at the Reserve looked so festive and every time I am there I swear I have just stepped out of a Pottery Barn catalog.

Parker got us up early on Christmas morning (it wouldn't be Christmas morning without an early wake-up call) and we started in with the presents again pausing only for a yummy homemade breakfast thanks to Patrick and Uncle Drew. Parker loved all of his new gifts including his Fisher Price Farm, frog rain boots, Elmo slippers and his very first Brio wooden train set.

Christmas night we had a special visitor...SANTA!!! At first Parker was completely freaked out by this strange man in the red suit but by the end of the night he was high-fiving Santa's "Ov-Glove" and saying "Ho Ho Ho!" It was pretty cool.

Next year will be a whole new world with Parker. We can't wait for the fun!