KK's wedding!!!

***Jill, I haven't forgotten about your wedding!  I am still organizing pictures from Wes's phone and my phone to complete my post.  Coming soon....***

Reese and I got up at 3:30 am (eek!) on Friday to catch a plane to Buffalo, New York.  Reese popped out of bed when I woke her up - "Time to go to KK's wedding?"  She's been talking about it constantly the past few weeks.  The flight was uneventful - we stopped in Baltimore but didn't have to deplane so that made it easier.  Reese took a backpack full of goodies to keep her busy.  But she spent most of her time talking to anyone who would listen.  She made friends with all the flight attendants and when the plane landed, they took her to the cockpit to meet the pilot.

Reese took a much needed nap - wish I had gotten one, too!!

We stayed at a hotel in downtown Buffalo.  We had a few hours to kill before heading out to KK's rehearsal dinner so we hopped on the trolley and went to find a place to eat lunch.

The fountain in front of our hotel -

Reese's wet boots after deciding to step into the fountain - sigh!

It was so nice to finally meet all of KK's family.  As I type this, I can't believe I didn't get a picture of her parents or brothers.  Once she gets her professional pictures, I'll share a photo so you can "meet" her family.  Reese was extremely worn out after a long day so we headed back to the hotel after dinner.

Saturday morning - we needed to be at the lake for pre-wedding pictures by 2:00.   Time to head to Niagara Falls!!!!  I've heard the Canadian side has better views, but I wasn't sure how long it would take to cross the border two times.  So we headed to the US side, which was only 30 minutes from our hotel.  Luckily, the sun was shining and the views were spectacular!

We grabbed lunch, put on Reese's sparkly dress and headed to the lake.  Reese grabbed a cat nap on the way.

LOTS of pictures of the beautiful bride.

KK's photographer already shared these amazing photos.

My only picture of Reese and her flower girl duties - I had to run up to the front after I set her on course down the aisle.

Blowing bubbles at the reception.

We had a wonderful time and I'm so glad Reese got to take part in KK's special day.

At the airport on Sunday morning, making new friends.

Glad to be home and sleep in my own bed, sans Reese.  Somehow, her feet always end up in my face.

Tulum

Wes and I enjoyed a trip to Tulum at the beginning of the month.  We joined our friends Brian and Kirsten to celebrate Kirsten's birthday in style.  Our last visit there was 6 years ago, and a lot has changed.  The restaurants are AMAZING!  We stayed at Mi Amor, a modern boutique hotel with a gorgeous view.

  The beach in front of Mi Amor was rocky but we were a 2 minute walk from a sandy beach.  Unico,  the hotel restaurant, was delicious.  Every place in town had a juice menu and I had to snap pictures so I can duplicate them at home...delicious!!!  Just down the road, we ate Thai food at Mezzanine.  Another win.

We did the obligatory tour of the ruins and spent a morning snorkeling in Dos Ojos, a popular cenote.    Unfortunately, I don't have an underwater case for my phone so I couldn't take pics.

We headed to Playa for our last night for a change of scenery.  We stayed at La Paz, a cute little condo with a beautiful courtyard.  The beach was across the street.

One of our favorite bars in Playa, with a gorgeous bougainvillea vine.

I think Wes has more pictures on his phone.  I'll have to upload those another day.

Birthday girls

I can't believe my babies are 4 years old!!!  We had planned a party for a few friends but the kids were sick so we cancelled.  We did a low-key family party instead.  And Andrea and Rachel were here for a visit, which was special.  They got to celebrate with us and enjoy gluten free, dairy free peanut butter cookies.  (Actually really good!!  I couldn't tell the difference between these and regular peanut butter cookies, especially when I put a Hershey Kiss on top!)

Dinner first...

Patiently waiting for presents.

Each kiddo gets 2 presents.

Stella's favorite?  Cutting board and knife.

These videos are taken over a two week period - lots of celebrating.

A card from Nana.

And even more presents from Uncle Joe and soon-to-be Aunt Lindsay!!

Grandma, I know I took videos of the kids opening your gifts and I can't find them - I think they are on Wes's phone.  I will add them when he gets back in town.  Sorry!!

Time to catch up!

Wow, I'm so behind on posts.  I'm making a list of posts I need to write to hold myself accountable:

Girl's birthday celebration
Tulum trip
Ear tube day


Let's start with ear tubes.  The doctor confirmed this surgery was a good idea - Reese and Drake's ears were FULL of fluid and crud, just asking for another infection.  Stella's weren't quite as bad but she still had some fluid.  Overall, the morning went well.  Three kids jammed into one tiny hospital room isn't ideal, but it worked.  We spent an hour and a half doing all the pre-surgery stuff:  a mountain of paperwork, vitals for kids, getting gowns and hospital bracelets, dose of Motrin, etc.  Then they took each kid one at a time.  Drake was first.  I handed him to the nurse, telling him "Yay Drake!  We'll see you in just a minute."  Later, they told us how brave he was...holding in his bottom lip all the way to the operating room.  Until they pulled out the anesthesia mask - then the tears started flowing.   After each surgery, the kids were taken to a recovery room and as soon as they started waking up, they brought them to us.  Drake was SO cranky.  He just kept pointing to everything he wanted.  Blankie, bunny, pacifier, cookie, lollipop, it was pretty funny.

Stella was second and she was the most upset.  She's been real clingy with me lately so it wasn't a big surprise.  But she was the happiest coming out of surgery.  She just blinked and looked at me, then ate her breakfast bar.  And she was singing a tune, of course.

Reese was the center of attention the minute we arrived.  She chatted up all the nurses, asking them what color popsicles they had and when could she get one!  (Every time she wanted to talk to a nurse, she would yell, "Lady!"  I need to have a Miss Manners lesson, apparently.)  When it was her turn, she grabbed the nurses hand and chatted all the way to the OR.  When they put her on the table, she looked around and asked where the orange popsicles were.  Waking up, she was groggy but that didn't stop her from eating her delicious popsicle.  We had to stick around for 30 minutes for another vital check, then we headed home.  Glad to have that out of the way and fingers crossed for some healthy kiddos.

Pre-surgery, playing with i-pads and hanging out.

Post surgery kiddos.