Last Day at Advanstar

Yesterday was my last day at Advanstar after being there for 7 years and 3 1/2 months. It's crazy to me that when I started there in January of 2004, Steve and I had just gotten engaged. We got married while I worked there and had both of our kids. Lot of memories from this portion of my life were had while working at Advanstar. I obviously met some very great people and friends and learned so much.

On Wednesday of this week my entire department took me out for lunch at Pizza Luce. It was a great way to see everyone together one last time before I left. We had some pretty funny conversations about 'me'. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, the way I talk is very unique. They brought to my attention that I say "blah, blah, blah" and "shut up" all the time. Nice - real Nice! I guess I'm going to need some speech therapy before I start my new job on Monday or they are going to think I'm a total idiot.

Anyway - it was sad to say good-bye to everyone, especially my co-worker Peggy and my boss Christine - but I think we'll be sure to keep in touch.

Easter Sunday

We had a very busy Easter this year. When the kids woke up I had baskets with candy and a few little items just sitting on the couch in the office. Jack always goes in there to watch TV when he wakes up in the morning, so I knew he'd be surprised to see the baskets. (Next year I think we'll start hiding them for the kids to find).

We took both kids to church, which was the usual adventure, then we headed over to Steve's parents for lunch. The weather was pretty decent, so the kids searched for Easter eggs outside and then they were able to drive around in Jack's car that he got last year for his birthday.

 

I took Olivia home so she could nap before my family came over to our house for dinner. Around 4:30 people started to arrive and my mom and aunt brought all the food, so we pretty much ate right away. Everyone visited for a while and we played outside with the kids some more.

Happy 4th Birthday Jack!

We had Jack's birthday party on Saturday since this year his birthday fell on Easter. It's very hard to believe that he is already 4 years old and will be in kindergarten in a year and half and will be playing tball and soccer this summer.

As you know the theme this year was Spiderman for the party. We had quite a few balloons, a Spiderman table cloth, and a number of other red and blue items to go along.

Both Steve and my family came over around 5 and we decided to immediately open presents since Jack just couldn't wait. Some of the things he got included: all the tball equipment, a UMD championship hockey stick, Toy Story 3, golf clubs, and biggest of all - his NEW bed.

He was completely surprised by the bed. Steve had picked it up at Slumberland on Friday afternoon, then he assembled it while I played with the kids in the basement Saturday morning, and we never let him go upstairs before opening his gifts.

Then we ate a quick little meal and Jack went outside to play with his new baseball bat and helmet. After eating and him getting in a little play time - we sang Happy Birthday and ate some cake.

Jack was able to play with a few of his toys and watch part of his new  movie. Then he was so excited to sleep in his new bed.

New Job

So most of you know by now that I have accepted a new job. After a few interviews I was offered a very exciting opportunity with Members Cooperative Credit Union. I initially thought the position would be located in Duluth, but it turns out - I have my choice of offices. This is a huge benefit to me as I've always wanted to work in Cloquet - and now I'll be less than a mile from the house.

I will be the head of the Marketing/Business Development department there and am very anxious to get started and share my ideas. My last day at Advanstar will be April 28th and I'll be starting at MCCU on May 2nd.

This is very bittersweet for me because I love all the people I work with at Advanstar and have learned so much from working there. Everything they have taught me - is what helped me to get this job.

Here's to a new chapter in our lives :)

Buh - Bye High Chair, Hello Booster

BULLDOGS!

Yesterday, Steve was lucky enough to get asked to go down to watch UMD play in the National Championship for Division 1 hockey in the cities. He was so happy to go and although I would have loved to go - we were happy to stay home and watch from the living room.

Jack was so excited and every time UMD scored we gave high fives and ran around the table in the dining room screaming. Olivia followed right behind us... Jack fell asleep just into the third period, so I watched them win all by myself.

I took one photo here of Jack wearing his Bulldog hat and Steve snapped one with his phone of them winning the National Championship.

 

So exciting for the school and the program. Go BULLDOGS!

Photo Challenge: Black & White

Just entering another photo challeng.

This time it's with The Paper Mama and the theme is Black & White. Again, I knew right away which picture I would choose. This is one of my favorite pictures of Olivia from Halloween in 2009.

1, 2, 3...

Olivia is counting like mad lately. For about the past month or so we've noticed all of a sudden she can count to eleven. She must have learned it at school, since we didn't even realize she could count that high. I've been trying to get a good video and then tonight she finally cooperated.

You'll here in the background Jack trying to coach her along after she get's to eleven.

Scanvenger Hunt Sunday

Finally I'm getting back around to participating in the Scavenger Hunt Sunday. It's been a while, but we've been so buys and ever week I have the intention of getting pictures taken and then I have nothing.

So here is what we've got going this week: High Key, Bedroom, Something Tiny, Off in the Distance, and Stripes.

1. High Key

Here is an old picture of Olivia, so I guess you could say it was out of the archives...but I just did the editing this week, so hopefully it counts :)

2. Bedroom

This really isn't any of our bedrooms, but rather a picture out of the Pottery Barn Kids catalog. Olivia just moved out of her crib a few weeks ago and this is my inspiration for the bedding and decor I would like her 'big girl' room to be. I love the owls and the white furniture.

3. Something Tiny

I had many ideas for something tiny, but I like this picture from yesterday and I guess Sea Gulls are tiny.

4. Off in the Distance

Another picture from yesterday by the lake. I really like taking pictures of the lighthouse and all the editing you can do with them.

5. Stripes

Here is Olivia outside in her pajama pants and Jack's rain boots.

Jack + Mommy = Date

Yesterday I decided to take Jack to Duluth to pick out some stuff for his upcoming birthday party. I wanted to let him really pick out the theme this year since he is starting to care more about stuff like that. We went to Party America and Target to get a start on buying SPIDERMAN stuff. I knew it would be a close race between Spiderman and Toy Story, but ultimately he picked what he wanted. (Now let's just hope he doesn't change his mind since his party is still almost a month away).

We went out for lunch, went to the furniture stores to look at beds for him, and then headed down to canal park to see the lake. Jack didn't want to leave as he was having too much fun climbing on the rocks and trying to dodge the sea gulls.

Once we got home, the weather was so nice, so we stayed outside and Olivia joined us. Jack played basketball until he was sweating and Olivia just walked around carrying to shovel and sunglasses.

Harlem Globetrotters

Last night we took Jack and his little friend Easton to the Harlem Globetrotters at Amsoil Arena. We had pretty good seats so it was easy for the kids to see everything. The Globetrotters performed a lot of tricks and even played a game against the Washington Generals. We ate treats all night long, the boys got mini basketballs and wristbands, and by the end of the night they were both pretty tired out.

 

Also, we had our first non-family baby sitter. One of the girls from Think N Play came over to watch Olivia and she did great. We're excited to have her back over to watch the kids and she may even help us out during the summer months.