Little helpers

We are so blessed with wonderful friends and doubly blessed because they have awesome parents. They are always asking us to join them at their home which is so fun with the pool and they're great outdoor space. Tonight was another fun evening of swimming and pizza at Joe and Carlene's with our pals Trevor and Kelly and their son Nate. Joe even asked Alexander to help him with the pool. Our kid has become quite the fish. We can let him swim by himself with his vest on. He had a ball playing water wars with the guys while the girls sat under the canapy and chatted. So fun!

In the event you wanted to know what it looks like when 150 pound dog lounges in the middle of a living room.

Day at the pool

Our friends invited us to hang out today after a great week at Nationals. So glad we have such great friends!

Our Champ!

Ricardo placed second overall in the US National Tournament. He is now considered second in the US. We're so proud of him and all of his hard work! Of the 14 students that went to Nationals 13 of them (including Ricardo) received medals. He has 6 National Champs out of the competition which is fantastic. And, Ricardo is now the first person from Indiana that has ever made the US Team. A record breaker for sure on all counts! Way to go everyone!

Happy 40th Trevor!

Boys will be boys

Be in the know!

www.facebook.com/shodan.boosters

Nationals

Who has 4 National Champs at his school and belongs to the US Karate Team? Ya, my husband. Yesterday, the kids did awesome and we all couldn't be more proud! Way to go Shodan Academy!!!

Birthday...the day after

We spent the day after Mel's birthday hanging out in the backyard eating what was left of the cake. I'm going to look like cake when it's all over!

Mel's 30th Birthday

Birthday Bling!!!

Painting Meme a picture...An Alexander original.

My yummy Sangria

The embarrasing display of pictures

Surprise

Surprise, New Bike!

It's my birthday!Yummy yummy cake

Fun stuff

P lighting the cake

Nice hat!

Sandy and Scott

Painting from Alexander

New knives

Esther and "Mossey"

Amy and Aunt Mary

Hey old lady...nice walker.

There's "Mossey" (Marci) giving someone her undivided attention.

Amy getting ordered around.

My, that's a pretty hat!

Jen got roped in to Legos.

Hey, what's that in your hand Scott?

Alexander and Bobby hanging out on the picnic table

Bobby running through Alexander's sprinkler

We have spent the last 6 months it seems getting ready for Mel's 30th birthday...or the party anyway. Initially Alexander, mom, Steve and I were going to be in Texas with Ricardo for the Nationals so we decided to have her party early at our favorite Mexican Resturant. Then when we decided to hit Disney again and not go to Texas to save money, we decided on a full out surprise party. You know, the old fashioned kind where people jump out and say SURPRISE!

Well, we had to decide on a gift that was worthy of recognition on a milestone birthday like 30 and a brand new bike first came to mind. We bought her the latest greatest Mongoose complete with helmet and lock. My friend Nicci bought her a light for it which was awesome. Then of course, all the guests...about 25 of them. Not too shabby for a Thursday evening bash!

Everyone was standing in our front yard holding the best balloons ever...THANK YOU BOBBY! They literally rushed the car as we came down the street. She was SO surprised. Everyone had acted like they forgot her birthday or didn't care all week. We almost drove her to depression. So, after a quick trip to Olive Garden for dinner, we headed home for the surprise. Thank you to my family for being such a HUGE help in all of this!

I had made Sangria, Salsa, pasta salad, and we bought veggies, cheese and of course the best birthday cake ever from Cindy Cake Cindy! Thank you Cindy, the cake was AWESOME!

We had a house full of people until about midnight. Alexander had tons of fun hanging out with our friends and they had tons of fun playing with him and enjoying our back yard. The blessing in all of this is that not only do we have the best friends but we have the a very diverse group of people that we're close to. We have a cop in the group (including Aunt Mary of course), a nurse, aestiticians, landlords, massage therapists, professionals of all sorts, students...not to mention all different types of lifestyles which for my son is amazing. I love that he can be exposed to diversity and understand everyone's differences and respect them. He absolutely loves everyone and continues to talk about them each day and wonders what they're doing. I hope everyone knows how much of an impact they make on such a young life and that they really make an impact in my sister's life because she loves all of them very much!

Happy Birthday Aunt Meme, we love you! You're the best!

H