Our Annual Father's Day Pictures (2009)

Clive, 2009

Clive, 2008

Clive, 2007

Clive, 2006

Clive, 2005

Van, 2009

Van, 2008

Van, 2007

Dean, 2009

My Best Friend's Wedding 5-23-09

My best friend from high school, Chris Wissa, got married to Sarra in Michigan and there was no way we were going to miss it. So, we packed the boys in the car and headed on a road trip. We stopped in Lexington, KY and stayed with Rob and Linda on the way there and back. It was a lot of fun. Both the Wissa's and the Veneziano's really know how to put on a party. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was energetic, to say the least. They had a Motown band and an Arabic band, swtiching off throughout the night. It was crazy, but so much fun! I'm really glad we were able to attend. I'm so happy for Chris and Sarra!!

Master of the Throne Celebration 5-16-09

Because Van did so well with potty-training, I decided to have a fancy breakfast, in honor of him. I served them scrambled eggs, french toast, and strawberries & blueberries with whipped cream, all by candlelight. Their favorite part was eating on our China. Van felt very special and we were so proud of him for doing so well on the potty!

Mother's Day Tea 5-8-09

Clive's preschool put together a really sweet celebration for each Mom on the Friday before Mother's Day. They decorated a table for each of us and the kids served us strawberries with whipped cream, croissants, and tea. Clive was very concerned that they were serving tea, but I just kindly refused and explained to him that I didn't have to drink it. He felt much better after that. They sang us some really sweet songs. My favorite was "I Think You're Wonderful". I love Asheville Montessori. It was so sweet of them to celebrate us!

Planting trees with Dad 5-4-09

We got on a planting kick and decided to plant four trees throughout our yard. We planted a flowering pear in the front yard, a japanese maple on the side, and a weeping willow and fruiting pear in the back. So far, they all look like they are thriving, except the bradford pear. It may have a disease, but we'll wait it out and see. The boys had a great time digging holes with Matt (Dean kept busy eating dirt). It was a really tough job because there were a lot of boulders in the way, so it was basically chipping through rock. Glad it was them and not me :-)

Quote of the day 7-5-09

While speeding to church this morning, the boys told Matt that he was going to get a ticket. So, I said, "Say a prayer that we don't." Van took me very literally and immediately started saying a prayer outloud:

"Heavenly Father, please bless that we won't get a ticket. And bless that we can have fun speeding."

Love that boy.

Another funny thing that happened today was when Matt and I were discussing our future plans (Clive was in the room). I have been trying to talk Matt into getting his MBA or PhD from Carolina for a while and we were discussing what it would be like to live in student housing with a family, etc. I was saying how great it would be to go to basketball games with the kids and live in the heart of Chapel Hill. Then I told Matt how as long as we lived in a clean place, I didn't mind the size. I guess Clive thought we were going to actually live in the Dean Dome or something because he piped in with, "Yeah, Dad, there's only one dirty basketball court! And, we will live in the clean one!" We asked him which basketball court was dirty and he said, "Duke's!"
We were dying.

Easter Festivities 2009

On the Saturday before Easter, we had our annual Easter Egg Hunt at church. Due to rain, we had to do it inside, but it was still lots of fun. Dean and Clive also got to visit the Easter Bunny, but Van was too freaked out this year. Then, we took our annual Easter Sunday picture the next day, but I am only posting the one of the kids because neither Matt nor I like any of the ones of us :-)

There are some perks to being the youngest...we get lots of hand-me-downs from siblings. Thanks, Caroline, for the adorable Easter outfits!!

Tarheels win NCAA tournament!! 4-6-09

There's no one we'd rather watch a Carolina game with than Pops. We were so excited to have he and Meme in town for the biggest game of the year...the national championship game against Michigan State, where we kicked some major trash.



We usually tivo the games for the boys, because they are often on at 9pm. But, Meme and Pops talked us into letting them stay up. Well, the night is bound to end ugly when a 3 year old is up til nearly midnight.

Meme's 60th birthday party 4-4-09

We were lucky enough to have Meme and Pops here to celebrate Meme's big 6-0. It was lots of fun and we were glad we could be with her on her big day. The boys are always up for a party, so they were thrilled. And, even though it was her day, she still made it all about them, because that's just how she is. We love you, Meme!! Happy 60th! The weekend ended with a bang, literally, when Pops' car blew up. Luckily no one was hurt and they were able to get home safe and sound.

BYU vs. Western NC baseball game 4-3-09

I had to represent UVSC, even though I cheered for the cougs

Meme with Van

Our sweet Dean

Blue Lily Photography coming to NC!!

Tell Blue Lily to come to Asheville!! I hope we can get her here. I was first introduced to her work through NieNie Dialogues. Her work is amazing!!! Leave a comment on her blog and you just might win a free session.

Poor Dean

Turn up your volume...

Potty Training #2

We have put off potty training Van due to his various digestive problems.  But, as I was sorting through winter clothes and bringing out the summer clothes, Van noticed Clive's underwear that he had grown out of.  I asked him if he wanted to try them on.  With a huge smile, he said yes.  Once they were on, I asked him if he wanted to wear them for a little while and he said he did.  Well, that turned into all day, with him coming to me every 30 minutes or so, saying he needed to go on "the pot".  He went about 10 times yesterday (only one little mishap which happened to be at Dest's house...sorry!).  He also went #2 and brought his little potty to me, while saying, "Look Mommy, I made a molten cake!"  There went my continuous craving for molten lava cake.  Thank. You. Van.

He has done really well today, too.  He went to gym class diaper free and ran some errands with me too.  I remember with Clive, I didn't leave the house for a full week b/c I was too scared of him peeing everywhere.  But, with Van, we've just gone on with our normal routine, crossing our fingers.  Maybe it's easier b/c he's nearly 3 1/2!!

Picture to come of Van in his little underoos.  So cute!  Way to go, Van!!

As we were walking out of "Apollo Flame" the other day, I see Clive squatting down, looking very intently at something. All of the sudden he yells, "Look, Mom, there's camel poop over here!" I had to see what he was talking about. And, then, I had to get a picture of it for your viewing pleasure. Aren't I nice? Wanna see what camel poop looks like? You sure? Scroll on down...










I then went on to ask him how he knows that it's camel poop and he said, "It has humps!" And, if you look closely, it really does look like a camel. BTW, it was crumbled cake, of some sort. As if that made you any less queasy!