...I'm catching up

I'm terribly behind on the posting situation because April was a month jam-packed with activity and I barely had opportunity to turn on the computer. But this past week I've had some extra help with the kids from my new sidekick Katie. She will be spending Tuesdays and Thursdays with us to alleviate some of my workload while Marty is still super busy studying for his Cisco Certification. So, I feel caught up on household duties and am now relaxing and catching up on email and blogging.

April began with the completion of our re-landscaping project and since then we've spent half of each day outside enjoying the new grass, playhouse and sand-box. And because Zachary began walking very well this month he had to get his 1st pair of shoes. And now that I'm a much more experienced and wise parent I skipped the trip to StrideRite and headed straight to Payless -- and boy am I glad because he's nearly outgrown them already. On the 10th Marty turned 31 and he was home from work just long enough for us to sing Happy Birthday and to open a card from Jayden and then he was off to study.

On the 19th Zachary turned 1 and we had a big family celebration (Zachary was excited to have an audience to debut his recently mastered walking skills). Marty's sister Susie and her husband Tommy drove up from San Diego so cousin's Blake and Ilana could have a slumber party with Zach and Jayden. Both sets of Grandparents, Marty's bro and my 2 brothers and my S.I.L all came to0. We took this opportunity to break in our new outdoor kitchen BBQ with a carne asada feast. Just as Marty was about to light up the grill I managed to slice my finger on a tinfoil box and dashed to urgent care for 2 stitches, but I was back in time to re-assume my position as Hostess with the mostest. Kelly, John, Mima, Papa (kinda), Me, Zachary, AJ (fka Andrew), Marty, Jayden Malia

Ilana and ZacharyAuntie Kelly and ZacharyBlake and Zachary taking the new wheels on a test drive.On the 28th I turned 30 and was whisked away by my wonderful husband on a surprise trip to San Francisco. We flew up very early Friday morning and immediately began our tourist agenda at Pier 39 with a tour of Alcatraz and a visit to the aquarium.

The next day's highlight was attending the show "Tina and Tony's Wedding". It was a difficult task to get Marty to dance at our own wedding, but he had no prob joining in the conga line so I could have a good laugh. On our final day in the city we had an amazing private sail around the bay.

Somewhere in the midst of all this activity my mom and I attended the Beth Moore Conference in San Diego with our friend Shelby and her mom Charlotte. It was an invigorating, inspiring and motivating weekend worshiping the LORD with 6,000 other women.

We are really looking forward to May -- Jayden has started swim lessons and we have lined up playdates galore.

...our jacuzzi arrived.

The landscaping project is nearing completion and this evening we had a blast outside as the jacuzzi made its miraculous voyage to the backyard.I was cracking up to see Marty doing warm-up stretches.

Our brand new gate had to be removed, and then we prayed that muscle and will-power could wedge the Jacuzzi to the back yard.Barely made it without ripping off part of the wall. For the past 2 weeks Zachary's favorite spot in the yard has been the cement pad that the Jacuzzi now calls home.
Jayden and Senor Bino. Bino is our neighbor and is managing a few of our home improvement projects. Jayden gets super excited to see him and always greets him with an "hola, senor Bino, como estas?" Zachary gives the best hugs ever.

Yesterday at the dog park, Don Vito managed to rip off his front pads. Thankfully he already had a scheduled visit to the vet for a teeth cleaning so his feet recieved some TLC.