Farewell to O

It was a sad day to see Oprah leave the stage!

After 16 years of being a faithful viewer I give thanks and my sincere gratitude for her dedication.
She has been my afternoon date since 1995.  In Junior High, I remember looking forward to the days I didn't have a basketball or volleyball game after school so I could be home by 4 o'clock to get a snack and watch Oprah.  Those days have continued through the years and I'm grateful for all the everyday lessons I've learned (ex. how to escape from abductor, how to lose those last 5 lbs, and how to laugh). 

One of my biggest Oprah friends, my sister, came over last night to end the season with me. 
We toasted to Oprah and drank Moscow Mules.  It was a perfect farewell.

At the Oprah show (Kirstie Alley interview) in April 2009 with my Oprah friends, Adelina and Ashley. 

It was a memory I will never forget!

new dirk shirt

if you don't have one, get one.

it's the new dirk shirt everyone is wearing.

even dirk himself plus ben and skin from espn radio.

support my best friends brother, Jordan Rogers, and order one.

www.newdirkshirt.com 

GO MAVS!

OR

ALOHA!

We went to Maui for 8 days and had a fabulous time.  We spent 5 days at the Grand Wailea and 3 days in Kapalua at the Ritz Carlton.  The sun, sand, and water was perfection.  We vacationed with the Carrekers and Fusch's in Wailea and had a blast!  It was so fun for Bentley to wake up and have friends to play with all day.  Cohen, Bentley, and Eleanor loved playing together.  I can't tell you how many times we went around the lazy river.  Bentley wasn't a big fan of the waves or ocean but LOVED playing with his shovel, rake, and buckets in the sand.  And other than that we spent alot of time at the kiddy pool.  We ate a lot of good fish and the drink of choice was Lava Flows and Mai Tai's....Yummy!
Towards the end of the trip we headed to Kapalua to stay at the Ritz Carlton to celebrate our anniversary.  It was a different experience than our honeymoon, to say the least.  But, so much fun!  I forgot how fabulous that resort is.  It was a perfect way to celebrate five years!  

But the one thing everyone asks is "How did Bentley do on the 8 hour flight?"  You would think we were crazy to take a toddler on that flight but Bentley was a champ.  He slept the whole way...fell asleep at take off and woke up during landing.  I was a very proud mommy!

Wish I could post all our pictures.
Here is a glimpse of all our fun!

drinking coconut milk from a fresh coconut

 

dinner at mamma's fish house

the group

the old lahaina luau

the sugar cane train

riding on the train...the kids loved it!

in our suite when we arrived

view from the ritz

fifteen month update

we just got back from bentley's 15 month appointment.  the little man is one big boy... 27.4 lbs (88%), and 33 inches long (97%).  it was my surprise to find out that he is about to have ALL of his teeth.  he already has his 2 year lower and upper canine teeth, two upper molars, but the rest of his molars (six) are breaking thru as we speak.  i guess it explains the bloody spots all over his blanket and sheet.  i'm happy we are getting it over with at once.  other than an eye test (he passed), two horrible shots, and more dairy allergy discussion , bentley did great.  hopefully we won't have to go back until 18 months. 

we are still on expensive dairy-free formula.  he gets 16oz a day.  we are down to one nap after lunch and he is still sleeping 12-13 hours at night.  bentley doesn't stop!  i'm serious!  if he isn't in his highchair eating or in his crib sleeping the kid is running all over the place.  sometimes we have 3 or 4 snack times a day just so I can sit down (mamma's do need a break!).  my neighbors are my life savers.  we will go out front and all the little kids come out to play.  it's like a play date everyday.  most of them age from 2-5 so they wear him out.  it is such a blessing.  bentley will run to the front door and bang on it saying "my, my".  which he actually is trying to say "mine" which actually means "i want to go outside".  these days anything he wants is "my, my". 
kids are so funny!  sometimes i can't stop laughing at him just cause he is so darn cute trying to make sense.  my favorite moments are when he starts a conversation with me.  ryan was taking a nap one saturday and bentley was having an important conversation with me in the den that seemed to get louder and louder.  ryan came in the room laughing saying "is this what y'all do all day?"  it was hilarious.  the kid has alot to say.

as you can see i enjoy watching him grow up and explore life.
he is a kid that loves life.

1, 2, 3, 4...5 years!

Happy 5 year Anniversary to my sweet husband!

It's been five years full of fun and laughter.

Thank you for always making our life together an exciting adventure!

I'm so happy I get to spend my tomorrows with you.

I love you.



Maui 2006

Maui 2011

dreams can come true...

Ryan and I got back from spending five days at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida.

We went down there for the UBS awards trip and decided to stay longer and visit Disney World.

This was our first trip just the two of us since Bentley was born and I must say it was MUCH needed. 

Even though it was SUPER hard being away from Bentley we had a blast and can't wait to go back.

We spent the first part of the trip attending fancy UBS events and laying at the pool and then spent the second half visiting Discovery Cove, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot. 

Some of you might know I have been dreaming to swim with the dolphins for the longest time.  Well, I guess dreams do really come true at Disney World because my husband made it happen!  He took me to Discovery Cove and I finally got to hang with the dolphins.  It was everything I imagined and more!

Hope you enjoy our pictures!

Private party at the Hard Rock in Universal Studios

Swimming with "Sasha" the Dolphin at Discovery Cove.

Ryan seems so much calmer than me...

Can I take her home?!?

I'm in LOVE.

My new best friend.

Sasha was a new mommy.  We bonded.

Swimming with the Sting Rays (their stingers were clipped)

Magic Kingdom on Main Street

Mickey and Minnie :)

Visiting Epcot

I love you.  Happy 5 Years!

Look what we saw while walking around Epcot...LOVE IT!