Days with the Dorans

 We had a fun low-key Memorial Day (at the lake of course).  The Cosmans and Gerkens came over and we all (us Dorans and my folks) ate, drank and were merry!  I think this was the first time the kids got to meet Hugh Todd and it was so fun to see them with him and think back to when they were that tiny!  It sometimes is hard to remember... Hugh is doing great and has changed so much just in a couple weeks! Of course we also got to catch up with Jack! I think he was a bit overwhelmed at first but soon he was comfy with his honorary cousins.  I'm mad because I didn't get any swimming pictures and few boating ones but that just means I was busy having fun in the moment!  Not a bad place to be!

Felt soooo good to finally get my hair cut again and be able to donate it! I still can't believe I had over a foot! Before and after pictures are below. I love my hair short but donating feels so good, I'll be growing it out again for sure!

I guess I didn't take too many pictures of Joe's track season. I'm bummed because his good friends Dom and Connor also ran with him which I think made it fun for him.  What we learned about Joe is that he isn't a sprinter! For the mile though, he'd start out in the back and little by little he'd pass people which was exciting.  He also improved his time and decided to run cross country again in the fall which we are all very excited about. I'm so proud of my little runner! Way to go, Joe! Seven Seconds of Running... :-D

Al's Dance pictures were the same night as Joe's piano recital (such is our life). So I ran her to pictures while Jeff took the boys and then I went to the recital and my friend took Al after the pictures. I still haven't seen Al's picture I ordered (since they made a mistake) but some moms sent me these awesome pics of the first year Classy Dancers that they took! They are such a fun group and I know we're going to have a blast in Nashville! Since I'm writing this post anyway, HERE is a sneak peak of Al's ballet number. Gosh I love watching her dance!

 It's hard to believe that Joe's been playing the piano for 3 years. He played three songs at recital and one was called, "Wake me Up When September Ends."  That was his choice. I love that song~ since it really applies to me though I had forgotten about it.  Joe also played a song with his friend and neighbor, Trevor.  They did Rockin' Robin and did great! I think the two only practiced this together twice but they did a great job! I put all Joe's songs on a video HERE so I can go back and watch it again. As for those who were watching... it was my folks and all us Dorans (minus Al). I had to take her to dance pictures prior to the concert so she just watched the video. Sean was good and played a video game during some of the recital since it was long for a 6 year old. Thankfully his video game was made of paper and he put it on mute. After we left, he told me in the car he needed to charge it so he could play it again.  Such an awesome ima...

It's hard to believe that Marty is already a year old! I didn't know this (such things pop up in my Time-Hop) but Marty was born on the day Pele' died. Something about that is comforting to me... don't know why. Marty has been such a joy to us this year and what an amazing easy-going pup he is! He gets so many compliments on how sweet he is and has met lots of dogs in the neighborhood on our daily walks. It was REALLY fun to get him together with THESE dogs though! This is Marty's brother and two sisters! Their birthday was a dreary, rainy day but that didn't stop us from getting them together at the dog park! It was so fun to see his sibs! Marty was easy to spot because of his white markings but they did look so much alike! Marty looks a lot like his bigger sister (Mocha)- She had a red collar too and has some brown in her fur like Marty.  I am friend's with Marty's sister Koda's mom (Koda is the smallest). Marty is bigger than her but jus...

If there's one thing I treasure most in his life, it's being a mom to the fabulous four!  I woke up to love and gifts including a NEW ROOMBA for upstairs (since Jeff knows how much I love the one downstairs).  Now our upstairs and downstairs are cleaned everyday (with ease)! The new one even has a schedule setter so I just start it and let it go!  AWESOME! From there we went to church where (like every year) I shed a few tears remembering the two that I wish were with me but I know that had they been, my life would look so differently. And I am so blessed with all I have.  Dan, Steph and kids came up to church too which was nice. They had a Mother's Day brunch with Steph's family so we sped over to Great-Nan's for a super fast visit and picture session.  I know it meant a lot to my mom to get a picture with all her grands. I'm so lucky to have so many amazing mothers in my life (of course my mother-in-law too). From Great-Nan's (since we...

 After visiting with the newest little Gerken, I headed home and changed into my Tiger gear and Jeff and I were off to the game.  It isn't often that we have a night with nothing going on so we jumped on the chance to take in a game! Since I spent time with Hugh Todd (wouldn't change that for the world) we didn't have time to do dinner so just ate in the park (my dinner was a yummy pretzel and of course our peanuts that we buy every game from the church). We also had a couple (expensive) beers and of course the $1 scorecard. The Tigers haven't been playing very well but we still had a blast just being together with just the two of us. The weather was perfect for an evening game! Thanks dad for the tickets and the free babysitting! ;-)

 May 6th was a great day!!! Hugh Todd was born and life just got a lot better! Jodi's experience (another c) wasn't the best but the prize sure was! Hugh was born at 5am and was 6lbs and 8oz. He is doing great and nurses like a champ! With his big brother coming early, I had little presents waiting for Hugh and Jack in my car for weeks. I was glad he didn't come too early I couldn't wait for school to end on Friday to go and meet this little sweetie! I can't wait to watch him grow!  Happy Birthday, Hugh Todd! I love you already!!