We finished up Cousin Katey's trip with a day at the falls . . . tons of wandering and giggling . . and a picnic lunch.
So cute . . Emily rolled her pants up . . so Alice did the same :)
Photos by Alice Mae
Picnic of Sea Salt . . . the review was .. "meh. . ."
Alice has a new best buddy!
We spent the first full day of Cousin Katey's trip getting pedicures and hittin' the Mall of America! Alice and the boys didn't get pedis.. but waited patiently for us girls to get beautiful! Then we hit Nickelodeon Universe at MOA for rides, rides, and more rides! It's enough to tucker an auntie out!
Cousin Katey and 3/4 of her kids arrived tonight! They are here until whenever they want to leave. We have a fun-filled weekend planned - so they can see as many people as possible whilst they are here! Tonight we had "Family Game Night" . . haven't had one of these for quite awhile. . seemed like a good weekend to do it! But . . cousins got to chatting. . .and we kind of put off the games - until Kelsey reminded us that she came for some damn games!! OK OK OK!!! I love my family! :) Lots of these photos are me practicing with my camera. Katey has the same camera, Joey has taken a class. . so he was trying to teach me about all my bells and whistles. . . . I will definitely be taking a community ed class this fall!
So have I told you that my nephew is a monkey?? If there's something to get into - he's in it. . if there's something to climb - he's going for it .. if something is in his way - he plows over it. He truly is a little monkey!
A bummer of a party - but very much anticipated. The usual crew joined together for one last celebration of our favorite show - LOST. While all of our questions were not answered - there were tears and sighs of satisfaction as it all came to an end.
Our end-of-year staff event this year was a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka. It was a good time - and bittersweet - as we look to this summer as crazy as we wait to hear if Amy and Becky can be back at JMS next fall! No matter what - we will be life long buds!
It is tradition that we all go out (twice in one week) to celebrate Lon's and Jaime's birthdays. Lonny always picks Khan's . . yum. This year Jaime chose Jax in NE. I loved my beer cheese soup (with popcorn on top) - but the prices will surely keep this restaurant out of the normal rotation!! (pictured above is Alice's fancy schmancy PB & J. :)
My contribution to Easter Brunch. . . and one of my faves:
Ingredients:
6 eggs
1 c. cottage cheese
1/4 c. oil
1 3/4 c. buttermilk pancake mix
12 oz. grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 pkg. little smokies
Directions:
Beat eggs 'til frothy. Stir in rest. Bake in greased 9x13 pan (25 - 30 minutes) until golden brown. Serve with honey or syrup.
I keep meaning to update . . and I fall further and further behind. . so here are the QUICK photos and mini-tales from the rest of April 2010!! :)
THE END OF SOCCER
Soccer has finally come to and end. . it was a weird end tho. . . what should have been the last session - ended up coach-less. (Coach Cameron was taking his ACT test - and apparently his sub didn't show - or didn't know to show) . . ANYWAY . .some of these soccer dads are die-hards . . and had no trouble taking over for the day. (Was actually a pretty good practice too!) 
Anway - The City felt bad - and gave the kids another week of soccer. . but since so many kids signed up for the next session already (which had started) - Alice and another guy were the ONLY ones at the last day with Coach Cameron. And she was not happy. She wanted to go. "NOW, Carrie." Well - in my flip flops - I ended up playing with her . . .we all shot goals .. .we all practiced being goalie. . and we all giggled a few times. Hopefully we'll hook up with our friends Melanie and Luca soon - even if he's doing soccer again. . and Alice is starting DANCE in June!! :) (notice the rivals - Brasil and Argentina!!) :) tee hee
SPRING GALA
This was a quicky in the afternoon - so WAYYYY less parents . .but singing and snacks anyway!! Alice sang OUT this time - and showed off that talent!! :) Then she got to plant seeds in the "backyard" . . and L3 got to play in the grass. (good times)
IHOP
Where to go on a lazy Saturday for dinner? IHOP you say? Sounds good - in theory - not so much in reality. WOW. This place was dead for a Saturday - which we thought was weird. . but maybe the rest of Blaine/Coon Rapids knew more than we did. Yeah - service sucked. Whosever fault it was - our ORDER didn't even get back to the kitchen until we'd been there over an hour (and a half??) Alice and L3 did PRETTY well - considering . .and the waitress did us right - she comped the whole ticket. Smart lady. Next time I crave breakfast for dinner - I'm heading down to The Original Pancake House!!
BABYSITTING
Hanging out with Alice and L3 so that Lon and Jaim can have a date night = priceless.
GIRLS NIGHT
Haven't done this for awhile - but it felt good to have the gang together again!! Amy, Terry, and I had pedicures - then went to Red Lobster for lunch. (Amy just started eating again - and really really wanted crab legs! - ok ok ok - she twisted my arm!! :) Then we met up with Becky - to go to the Movie - (which brings me to Movie #5 - The Backup Plan) - HILARIOUS!!! I'm not a huge fan of JLO movies. . but AM a big fan of Chick-Flicks . . and this one is FUNNY! Like - I'm sure I burned calories bustin' a gut during the birthing scene!!! OH. EM. GEE!!! I mean - this stuff was as cheesy as it comes - but these ACTORS?? Holy moly - they STOLE the show!!! :) Netflix this one - if you haven't seen it yet!!!
Grade for the Movie = A
Grade for the Experience = A+
. . .and then we went to Chilis for dinner!! How can you beat that??? After dinner - back to my house for chillaxin and slumber party!! I love my girls!!!
Ok - that's the quick of it .. lots of fun to keep a middle-aged-single girl busy!!
Yesterday I hung out while The Cutest Family Ever dyed eggs for the Easter Bunny. Alice is pretty darn good at decorating eggs!!
Today I got to relax and enjoy a great meal, walk, and playtime with my goddaughter and her parents. What a beautiful day to spend with people you love!
