Emily’s 1st day back @ Little Oak Preschool as a Green Frog.  She is going two 1/2 mornings per week.

Max gives Emily a hug

Welcome Green Frogs!  Emily will be following in Max’s footsteps as a Green Frog (one of the 3 year old classrooms).

The cute green frog on the front door

There are 3 Emily’s in The Green Frog classroom so they have to differentiate therefore Emily C.

The class pet … a turtle!

Her name is Princess Shelly

Emily points to Princess Shelly.  She is a snapping turtle therefore the tape on the top of the cage.  Not the greatest pet choice!    LOL!

Emily gets some one-on-one time with Max’s new Bullseye

She is having a full on conversation with Bullseye

I guess Bullseye said something nice to her ’cause she leaned over and kissed him

And then again …

Emily pulling her pink back pack/suitcase on her way to board the boat

We went sailing on Sunday with some friends on Sunday

Max & Emily seemed to enjoy the sail.  This was Emily’s first time on a sailboat!

Steve’s boat … “Bella Luna”

Max enjoying the sail,

wearing his Scooby Doo life jacket

Drew taking a nap

Tom

Ellen & Sherry

We could even see the game going on at AT&T Park while on the boat

Emily cuddles with Daddy

We celebrated Sherry’s BD

First Mate, Laura, brings out the yummy cupcakes

Sherry & Max blow out the candle together

Emily wears her celebratory hat

Max enjoys his cupcake

Emily devours the M&M cookies

I think this is her 2nd one!

A beautiful day on the Bay!    Thanks Laura & Steve!

Max celebrated his 5th Birthday at SilverCreek Sportsplex in San Jose today

Peeking out from his balloons as he impatiently waits for his guests to arrive

His buddy, Brennan, was the first guest to arrive!

Sweet Christian has been a friend since Max was 4 months old.  They met in “Music Together” class at Los Gatos Rec.

Will, Brennan & Max take a quick rest before bouncing again on the inflatables

Wallace laying in the middle of the bounce house getting pummeled with balls by wild children

I think he is calling for a truce, but nobody is listening!   

An attempt to get a group BD shot of all the kids

Lining up ready to enter the party room for pizza & cupcakes

Max blowing out his candles

Family Photo in the party room:  Emily, Mommy, Max & Daddy

Will & Max after devouring a yummy cupcake

Happy 5th Birthday, Max!

Wallace wheeling out the presents, Max & Emily to the car

Max opening “Slinky Dog” from Alex & Josh

Slinky Dog was a real hit!

Happy Birthday Max!

Today is Max’s 5th Birthday Party Day!  He is very excited!!  He is running around the house gathering toys to give to his friends.  He says that he wants to make room for all the Toy Story toys he is going to get! 

Max’s Toy Story Cake!

Max’s Bunk Bed was delivered on his BD proper.  It was his BD present from mommy & daddy.

He played in his room and on his bunk bed for over 2 hours

Max’s new room

Another view of his udpated room

The Cousin Boat Shelf still hangs.  Need to update those cousin pics though.

Happy on the top bunk with his new Toy Story 3 comforter

He is very excited for his friend, Jacob, to come visit from Australia and for his friend, Christian to have a sleepover with him on his new “dunk” bed as he refers to it

Max opens BUTTERCUP the unicorn from Toy Story 3 from Cousin Nick, Alex & Charlie

Max opens Bullseye & Jessie from Oma

Max was over the top with excitement over all his new Toy Story toys

Bullseye & Buttercup playing together with their extremely happy new owner

Jessie takes her first ride on Bullseye

Then Buttercup gives it a try

Woody & Bullseye

Emily was lucky enough to hold Buttercup for all of 10 seconds

The line-up of Toy Story 3 presents (minus the Army Men from Kyle & Alexis)

Max poses for a picture with all his BD loot

Some cute family members watching the present opening ceremony

Max asked me to write “ANDY” on all his new Toy Story toys.  I finally convinced him that “MAX” would be more appropriate in case he ran into an Andy one day he wouldn’t have any issues regarding ownership.

Thank you to everyone for all the special BD wishes, cards & gifts for Max! 

It makes me pause to think that 5 years ago I went into labor (6 weeks early) expecting an October baby, but getting an August baby instead!  I had no idea how that sweet little baby boy would change my life!  Happy 5th Birthday Max! 

It’s been a loooooooooooooong 10 days without our camera!   We lost our camera at Gilroy Gardens on August 15th & unfortunately nobody returned it.  Our new one arrived today!  I feel happy & normal again with camera in hand.

I remember my mom every day, but on this day in particular.  This was the day, two years ago, that she was freed from the pain of ovarian cancer that inevitably took her life.  Although I feel immobolized at times with sadness, it also brings back incredibly strong wonderful memories of a person that lives on through me, my dad, my sister, her sister and many many others.

Mom & Dad

Mom & Suzanne

Mom, Brynn & me

Grandma Jane & Brynn

Grandma Jane, Kedryn & Suzanne

Nana & Max (she asked for my kids to call her “Nana”)

Meeting Emily Luisa for the first time (July 2007)

Mom, her sister (Margie), niece (Kim), & nephew (Jeff)

Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Lake City, Colorado

Emily Jane celebrating Emily Luisa’s 1st Birthday (July 22, 2008) in Los Gatos, California

She traveled from Pennsylvania to California even though she wasn’t feeling well and put up a good front

In memory of a wonderful mom to me & Suzanne, a loyal & loving wife to my dad, a generous & giving Grandma/Nana to Brynn, Kedryn, Max & Emily, a kind & caring sister to Margie, a special Aunt, an honest, true friend to many and a best friend to those lucky few.  Today and every day you remain a strong presence in my life and will always remain in my heart.