Boston "Love"

Our time in Boston was short ~ but ohhhhh so sweet! It meant everything to get to visit Mom & Dad DuRoss while they're there for 5 weeks during her radiation treatments. We were able to experience their life from mom's radiation appointment and the huge machine, to the crazy beach tides that go out almost 1/2 mile, to where their laundry room is, to where they make chicken salad at night, to just how uncomfortable their couches are (seriously, feel sorry for them people), to city tours that should have thrown me into labor!!! Here are some photos to highlight our time with them.

Charles Street has fun shops, yummy restaurants and mainly wasn't too far for me (big and preggers to walk to)!

George Washington statue at the most beautiful park right in the city. It made us keep asking ~ why doesn't Cleveland look like this???

I begrudgingly place this photo in here (but Audzzz did ask to see my belly ~ so here ya go)!!

Can't ya just feel the love between them ~ this is a pond in the middle of the beautiful park I was mentioning above.

The architecture is so beautiful in Boston ~ it was easy to love the city for its old world charm and yet hate the city for keeping Mom and Dad away from us.

Derek couldn't leave without getting a shot of the historic (or so I am told) Fenway Park.

I couldn't leave without getting a shot of 7-Eleven ~ the store I grew up with as a child in PA.





Photos from our relaxing day at Boston's finest beach! If you closed your eyes and imagined large waves hitting the beach ~ you could almost believe we were in North Carolina on summer vacation.


I think the best part of the trip was just "being" with Mom and Dad and realizing that no matter where they are ~ we are right there with them in our hearts! We miss you like crazy already and are counting down the days until you return HOME to us.

Reel Time

Our men became fishermen on Saturday when they headed out on Lake Erie for a manly excursion of charter boat fishing. What I was able to gather from my hubby's beaming face and all the "sea" stories ~ the day was perfection from start to finish!

(Derek, Mark, Dad, Logan, Dave & Gordy)

From generation to generation ~ I love this picture of Logan with Grandpa! Makes me realize that it won't be too long before our little Judah will be out there hanging with the big boys.

Logan claimed the first fish of the day ~ way to go buddy!

I hear the steelhead were especially fiesty and Gordy got to capture this guy as he flung himself out of the cooler.
Derek reeled in his own beauty!

The "elderly" men getting their much needed rest!!!

Great catch Dave ~ life is good!

Couldn't resist adding this picture ~ is our boy handsome or what?? And, he's the only true fisherman of the day wearing proper hat attire!

Love ya Pops ~ glad you enjoyed your big day!

1st Chautauqua Trip - 2009

Our first weekend to Chautauqua of the year was filled with good times even though it rained the entire first day and we had no power for hours!! Nana came through with many books and board games to keep the kiddos captivated. Papa created an "outing" to Home Depot where the mowers were a huge hit and then lunch at the Westfield diner! Thankfully the clouds rolled back on Sunday and we had a great ride on the boat with our two little sailors on board. Both getting their own chance to be "CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP!!! Ahhhhhhh, you know summer is in full swing once you hit the comfort of the cottage, peace and our new love ~ Blokus!!

My "John Deere" Man

We got the deal of a LIFETIME with our latest addition to the family! They were asking $75 ~ Derek offered them $50 and then we spent $25 on a new battery to get this baby running like new. I am not sure whose toy this machine really is ~ Selah's, Judah's or Derek's!!! What I do know is that all three of them are just as excited as the next to hear that motor cranking. The only disappointment is our yard is pretty small and mowing goes just TOO quickly now ~ or so I am told!!!

Happy Birthday Judah

Ok, so maybe it is my pregnancy hormones getting the best of me lately ~ but I could cry just sitting here realizing that our big boy is 2 years old today! I couldn't imagine a day without my sweet man stealing my heart and bringing all of us such joy. One of Judah's best qualities to date is his never ceasing patience. Bless his little heart ~ he will wait on you for anything as long as he knows it is coming!!! I love that he is such a boy ~ we all know how much he loves anything that is a RIDE and he goes bonkers when he sees daddy's car pull in the driveway for his wrestling time ~ yet he has the sweetness to do absolutely anything that makes his sister happy; playing dressing up, putting her baby dolls "night-night", and giving you kisses all day long. What can I say ~ he is the 2nd man that has ever stolen my heart, I love you sweet Judah!

Preschool Graduation

Selah and Miss Ellen (aka....Teacher of the Year!!!)Judah's so proud of his big sister!

Selah and Mag's (aka...Maggie ~ school mate and friend)


So I think this post will tell you all the things I did "NOT" do on Selah's last day of school (or possibly I may have)! I most certainly did not start crying the moment the older class came out in their graduation caps...Nope, not me! I would never start crying when Selah was up singing her songs to Jesus...Nope, not me! I definitely did not start crying when attempting to thank Miss Ellen for the most amazing year with our daughter...Nope, not me! And, I was not that parent in the hallway having to be consoled by all the other mom's (who were crying too) that this is only preschool and we have many "graduations" ahead of us...Nope, not me! Selah sweetheart, mommy and daddy are so proud of you this year for all you have learned ~ to raise your hand in class, to share with others, to write your full name with upper and lower case letters, for all your beautiful art projects, and most importantly for your tender heart towards Jesus our King!

On a little side note (the below is written mostly for you Western DuRoss's):
Last week I asked Selah to hand me a box to throw in the garbage. She said "mommy, we have to recycle this box, see it has a recycle sign on it". I asked "Selah, where did you learn that" she said "Blues Clues mommy"!!! Well, I was amazed and then took the box and proceeded to ashamedly place it in the garbage, she again said "mommy, that doesn't belong in the garbage we have to take that somewhere for them to reuse". Ok, ok, ok ~ so Blues Clues has finally gotten the best of me!!! Any great ideas for helping us "learn" to recycle, feel free to share!! Love ya all.

Easter 2009

Easter brought many fun activities for our kiddos this year. The morning started with church ~ Selah is learning more than I can believe sometimes! Then we had the "Austin" clan over to our house for a wild egg hunt for the little kids and an intense scavenger hunt for the older Petrie kids. Uncle Derek went all out this year with clues like "On the inside sometimes I glow, but in the winter I just collect snow" (answer: our grill), "Monday through Saturday in one place do I stay, but on Sunday to the street I make my way" (answer: garbage can)! Anyhoo ~ you get the gist, we had fun with it!

Stumped anyone????The fun didn't end there ~ we headed over to Mom and Dad DuRoss's for a night with Gammy, Uncle Steve & Aunt Pat. Selah got quite the treat as Nana surprised her with her own intense scavenger egg hunt. She had Selah running all through the house with her clues finding the next egg and as usual ~ Judah just followed right after her. They were spoiled at the end with yummy easter egg baskets in the "hidden closet" at Nana's ~ for those that don't know where it is, you will have to ask Selah! To sum it all up ~ we had a great family day!!! Thanks everyone for making such special memories for our babes!