Unofficial Team Photo

It will be interesting to see how the 'official' team photo comes out!

Ryan is the 2nd from the right in the front row.

Ready for 1st Grade

After spring break, Allie told me 'I'm bored with Kindergarten...I'm ready for 1st Grade!'.  We sat down and talked about how even if she 'feels' ready, it's required by the state that she actually FINISH one grade before starting the next.  I think she has accepted the fact that in just over 3 weeks, Kindergarten will be over and then we can officially start calling her a 1st Grader!

Here is her school picture from September:

And the new one from March:

I am in awe at how grown up she looks in the newest picture. Looks ready for 1st grade to me!

First Swim

Since we have yet to buy a cover for the pool, it stays open year-round.  We had another 80+ degree day on Saturday so the kids wanted to swim. Now, we have not have consistent warm weather so the main pool is still quite chilly.  Neil fired up the heater so the kids could 'swim' in the hot-tub (they are so spoiled).

After this cannonball, Allie confirmed that, indeed, the water was FREEZING!

Hopefully the days will stay warm and we'll have more opportunities to swim in the coming weeks!

Boys Day/Girls Day

On this beautiful Sunday, Neil had tickets to take Ryan, his friend Owen and Owen's dad, Steve to the GA Tech/Clemson baseball game. The boys left around 11am, stopped at The Varsity for lunch and then enjoyed the game.

Of course, this led to Allie's cries of 'What am I going to do while the boys are gone ALL DAY??'  Well, a quick call to Holly, mom of Allie's BFF Maggie, and we had a plan.  Holly and Maggie arrived and Allie changed into her matching Princess and the Frog outfit (Thank you, Holly). We then drove up to Northpoint Mall. We enjoyed lunch @ the food court and then took the girls to the American Girl store. Now, we told them PRIOR to our arrival that this was just a 'browsing' visit. Surprisingly, they did well and only whined once or twice about wanting to buy something. We reminded them that as soon as their grandparents come to town, they can come back and ask for whatever they want!  The girls were adorable as they pushed their dolls around in the double-stroller. As always, they giggled and talked non-stop.

It was a great day out for the boys AND the girls!

Aruba, Jamaica...ooh, I wanna take ya!

Neil and the kids had a great time in Aruba!  There aren't A LOT of pictures because A) Dads don't take a lot of pictures and B) Allie took some with her digital camera and it was misplaced/stolen :(.  Here are a few pictures of their fun week!

First night - Japanese Hibachi - Allie & Ryan's favorite!

In front of their 'tiny' rental car

Play time

Dinner on the beach

Ready to drive to the lighthouse

Being sweet at dinner

Ryan climbing at the lighthouse

Allie gets spoiled in the spa

Like father, like son...a love of cannolis!

Final night, dinner @ the lighthouse

They had fun swimming in the pool and in the ocean. For adventure, they rented a jet-ski, went snorkeling (Allie didn't like it, Ryan loved it), went on a boat/submarine to see a big shipwreck, and rode the VIPER.  The VIPER is a 3-person raft that is pulled behind a speed-boat.  Apparently, this was the kids FAVORITE part of the trip. I guess we are raising 2 thrill-seekers!

We have made tentative plans to return to Aruba for spring break 2011 and this time Mommy will be able to join in the fun!

Renovation - ALMOST DONE!

We made MAJOR progress last week while Neil and the kids were away. I uploaded some new pictures to this picasa album.  We *should* be done by the first part of next week. We love everything so far!

http://picasaweb.google.com/carri.gaudion/Renovation2010?feat=directlink

And here are a few pictures of Ryan's room make-over. My friend Jodi helped me over spring break and Ryan was SO surprised when he came home last night. I asked him his favorite part and he said 'my new bed, and the planets, and the rocket on the wall, and the robot pillow...'. I guess he loves it all!

Spring 'Break'

It's officially Spring Break in Cobb County and I'm sitting in an (almost*) empty house! We made plans LAST YEAR to go to Aruba for spring break with the kids. Well, now that Baby G#3's arrival is only 6.5 weeks away, I decided it would be best to stay close to home.  Neil said 'No problem...I'll take the kids!'. What a great Daddy!!! So this morning, I dropped them off at Hartsfield and they are currently on their way to Aruba!  I am going to miss them A TON and the quiet house is probably going to drive me CRAZY...but I think it will be a nice 'break' for all of us.  It will also be wonderful for Allie & Ryan to get one LAST vacation before the baby arrives.

Here they are on the plane this AM, ready to go!

(*The electricians are here today for a few hours and of course, Christine is here...so it's not completely empty!)