Splish Splash

Best investment yet? Parker's froggy rainboots! He is too funny...insists on wearing them all the time- With Pjs, at night, in the backyard, even school! I just couldn't help resisting to post these photos from our Springtime rain fun!

Our Great Escape!

Last month (can't believe its already been a month) Patrick and escaped for a week to beautiful Cancun, Mexico. Patrick's Mom & Step dad own a timeshare at the beautiful Hacienda Tres Rios resort near Playa Del Carmen and have been trying to get us down there for years. It worked out perfectly because our good friends Kendra & Sean decided to do a destination wedding in Cancun so we were finally able to head down there...spend a few days exploring Hacienda Tres Rios and then met up with a bunch of my college, Pi Phi girls for a long weekend of partying and celebrating.


This was the first time in nearly 7 years that Patrick and I have been on an international trip where cell phones/email/facebook were not available to us for 7 days straight. Being able to completely disconnect was just what the doctor ordered. We relaxed in hammocks, swam in the beautiful water, went kayaking and swimming in the natural cenotes located through out the resort. The highlight of our trip was Patric's birthday where we started off the day zipping around on jet skies followed by a 5 hour private cruise on our own personal yacht! We even had our own first mate and captain who kept the beers coming and served an amazing feast of fresh ceviche, guacamole and pico de gallo. It was so much fun to just hang out and feel what the "rich" feel even if for only a few hours. We also managed to fit in a tour to Coba, some of the oldest Mayan ruins and we even got to climb to the top...coming down was the tricky party and I get sweaty palms just thinking about it. Such a cool experience though and so glad we got the chance to do that!


After our first few days in Playa Del Carmen we headed back into downtown Cancun to the Omni where we checked into an ocean-front room with an amazing view. Now I have been to some gorgeous places before but I do think the water and sand in Cancun is some of the best we have ever seen! What a blast we had hanging out drinking beer and basically re-living college life even if for only a few days. The day before the wedding our friends organized a beach Olympics day complete with volleyball tournament, 3-legged race, water balloon toss and more. Sadly our team came in last but it was a blast never the less.


It was so nice to get caught up with a lot of friends that we don't get to see very often. The wedding was picture perfect, the food amazing and we had a blast on the dance floor. Congrats to Kendar and Sean Yovan. We are so glad we got to celebrate with you! You both make a gorgeous couple and we wish you the best!


Thank you Bud & Barbara for inviting us to explore your beautiful resort with you. We loved being your guests and had an amazing time! Another huge thank you to my mom and our lovely babysitter, Jessica for making this trip possible for us. We had a very relaxing time and made many wonderful memories!


The relaxing view- here is where the three rivers (that's why the resort is called Hacienda Tres Rios) all come together at the ocean. So beautiful and tranquil!

Where Patrick and I spent most of our vacation

We could get used to this way of life!

Getting ready to race Bud & Barb- I discovered it is much easier to be the driver than to ride in the back. This was taken right after Patrick dumped us both overboard :)

Patrick checking out the view from our private yacht, Dreamer. Happy Birthday Patrick!
This is the island we took the yacht to. He anchored so we could swim ashore for a margarita.

Enjoying the life of the rich and famous!

Birthday Dinner for Patrick

Kayaking out to the ocean

Climbing down Coba Mayan Ruin

We did it!!

Our goodbyes at Hacienda Tres Rios

Our view at the Omni of Cancun beach- breathtaking

Pi Phi Reunion- Courtney, Kendra (the bride to be) and Lindsey

The water was like a bath tub!

Dinner out- Patrick with his "girls"

All ready for the wedding- cheers

Celebrating the happy couple!

Pi Phi girls getting goofy for our polaroid shot

Exploring Cancun- kind of creepy

Goodbye Ms. Sheesha!

Friday was Parker's teacher Ms. Sheesha's (Telisha) last day. We were so sad to see her go as she was so good with Parker! As I blogged about a few weeks ago, Ms. Sheesha is responsible for the silly hair-dos on Parker. As a tribute to Ms. Sheesha I am posting a few more funny pictures of the two of them. Good luck in your new job Sheesha- we will miss you!

Two weekends in a row!

The kiddos being silly!

So grown up!

Goof ball

All smiles- he loves to swing!

Cutie pie

Peek-a-boo

Our handsome boy with his big boy haircut

Its hard to believe that two weekends in a row we have had the best weather...do I dare say its been a little like it was growing up in Southern CA...I don't want to jinx it?

Yesterday we took full advantage of the 70 degree plus weather and enjoyed a picnic in the park with our good friends the Nagles. Daddy and Mr. John Nagle went golfing so Ali and I packed the three kiddos up and headed to the park. Ali has two of the most adorable little girls, Marlie and Ellen and they are so sweet with Parker. We had a a wonderful time running all around the park, looking for "fish" in the streams and sliding down all of the play equipment.

Its always nice to take a few moments out of life to enjoy time with friends and the warm sun doesn't hurt a bit either. Life is good!

Silly times!

Last weekend Daddy went out of town so it was just little man and me. I picked Parker up on Thursday from daycare and his teacher had pulled his hair back into a "bam bam" ponytail. It was so silly and we definetly had some fun with it. I have always wanted a daughter so this is as close as we will get for awhile. Thank you Ms. Telisha for the laughs! Parker was really sad when he woke up the next day and his ponytail was gone... Daddy wasn't quite as impressed though...he said Parker's next haircut will be a buzz cut!

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!