Happy Birthday Papa!!!

Today, my daddy celebrates his Birthday!

It's a good day!

Last Saturday, we went to spend the day at Papa's

and as we have the last 3 years, we celebrated both
Elaina and Papa's Birthdays together.

This year, we were also blessed with some Fabulous

sunshine and warm weather! Enough that all of us

were a little sun-kissed when we went home!

We had our traditional AngelFood cake, strawberries,

and freshly whipped cream, sang happy birthday, and

overall had a really fantastic day!

The Birthday girl and boy!!!

Blowing out their candles

Ellie and cousin Payton

Me and Daddy

Relaxed!

 

...even more relaxed (hey... don't judge, I like my view!)

getting a tan with snow on the ground!

Miss Kaiya

Miss Payton

Lila working on her jumprope skills

BUBBLES!!!!

Dad, Papa...

We love you so much! 

Happy Birthday!

3 Years Old

Today we spent our day celebrating a very special little girl

that graced us with her life 3 years ago today!

 

She started her day by climbing in bed with us and snuggling right in.

She looked so sweet and beautiful in the early morning light, that

I couldn't help but grab my phone and snap a few pictures I knew would

be poor quality, but precious nonetheless!

We had a small gathering in honor of her today and she was such a good girl!

We did all the usual things; food, gifts, and of course cake 

(which came out pretty good, if I do say so myself)  and ice cream.

It was really a great day!

SO excited for her new LeapPad... now she has one just like big sister!

She wanted a "Jungle Animals" birthday!  Ok baby, whatever you want!

Such a big girl!

Elaina, you are strong and vibrant, and funny and witty, and can melt the

coldest heart with your hugs!  You light up our lives and Lila, Daddy, and I 

love you more than you can possibly imagine!

Happy 3rd Birthday baby girl!

Spring Volovsek Gathering

Nearly 3 weeks ago ... (yes, I know, I'm slow)

we got together with Ryan's entire family for our seasonal gathering!

Food, drink, and noise usually are par for the course when these types

of events take place, but add to all of that a little cosmic bowling...

YIKES!  ;)

Calli and Uncle Ryan poke, poke, poking...

"What the heck is going on?"   ;) Haha

Although it doesn't appear that way... Elle actually had a very good time.

This was just at the end of the day and she was nap-less!

The girls got to bowl for the first time in their lives,

and aside from a few rogue bowling balls, the day went off fairly smooth!

WIPED OUT!

Thank you Heather for hosting brunch and organizing!

Madison Fun

Last weekend we ran away with some dear friends of ours 

to the exotic destination of Madison, Wi!!

Ok, so maybe it's not so exotic, and much to our dismay,

the weather was anything but balmy,

but all said and done, it didn't really matter.

It was just a hell of a lot of fun!

This was a really odd "Alice in Wonderland-esque" type chair in the women's bathroom at Sundance

Great Dane Pub!

Nerds in front of the Capital

My baby, ordering TWO breakfasts at Sardine!

We ate, and drank, and partied (of course)!

But we also, spent hours chatting and even took in a movie at 

the Sundance theater.  (If you haven't seen Silver Linings Playbook,

DO IT! It's a good one!!!)

It's a really neat town and I think I'd like to go back when the

weather is a little less miserable!

Bob and Kristy, Thank you for bringing us crazies with you for the weekend!!!

We love you.

a year ago

One year ago today, a shift happened that changed my life.

I left behind something very important to me and moved into a new chapter.

Most days I'm very content in where my life has taken me, although  

on occasion, I still feel a deep ache for what I no longer have.

A pain that I feel less frequently, but no less intense.  

 

I have realized that there is an art to finding balance in life.

I'm not great at it, but improving... and that all I can ask for.

I have so many things in life to be thankful for, so today I will focus on 

all of it, and look forward to another year of getting better!

Happy Easter

Easter this year was very nice... laid back and fairly relaxing.

The bunny showed up and filled the girls baskets with goodies, then he

hid eggs filled with the gloriousness of jellybeans and chocolates!

We met my family at church for mass and the girls did very well.

We offered our thanks for the blessing in our lives and
for the gift of new beginnings!

Then we congregated at my sister and Tony's house for lunch.

Just our little family.

Again... relaxed, easy, ... perfect!

The afternoon was spent with the girls and we watched Peter Pan

(a new gift from the bunny)

A good day!

Feeling blessed indeed!

Looking for eggs!

Some new shades!

Checking out the loot!

Hi Daddy!

The girls were a little squirrely from the jellybeans!!

... and thank you again Kristy for our ears and chickies!!!