Days with the Dorans

Sadly, Jamie's dad passed away and that had her coming back home. After the funeral/celebration she wanted to go out and smile so we headed out to the bars like old times (these girls were some of my high school favorites). We started out at a piano bar. It was packed and fun! One girl had been over-served (there were probably many over served) and she sat on the piano, stuck her hand in the tip jar and started throwing the tips around like they were confetti. Then she fell off the piano. Like I said~ fun and GREAT place to people watch.  After that, Jamie wanted to see "The Biggest Disco Ball in Michigan!" The cover there was $13! But you talk about people watching... hilarious and so much fun!  I actually felt like the three of us were on the younger side for the crowd (which is saying something now that we're in our 40s). Despite that we saw people bumpin' and grindin' on the dance floor! After such a sad day, it felt good to laugh until o...

Just because I had to put these pictures somewhere... I feel like I finally have a dog who is a mama's boy. The others loved me of course, but this kiddo loves that I'm the one that walks him each morning and evening (even though I don't feed him) and I'm the one who does all the dog duty. I honestly don't mind it all. He's such a blessing to us. These pictures are what he does to me until we go for our walk... When we're done with a walk (or if I'm just sitting there, he has to lay on me. I love my Marty and I love being his pillow!

We had a crazy snowstorm (that I didn't expect) overnight and while we gave ourselves plenty of time to get to DMM, we barely made it. Everyone was late though and we were just happy not to be one of the cars in a ditch! Al had to be there a little earlier than her buddy Amber so it was just the two of us driving. It was a long day and the girls had fun. Nana even was able to come and watch Al dance which was cool.  During Al's tap piece though she messed up... She stood up a little too early, caught herself and went back down. Her face wore a smile throughout the rest of the number but I could tell that she was devastated. Two numbers later she had another dance and did great. When she saw us after ,she burst into tears because she had messed up! I felt terrible for her! It was then that Landri (older dancer that Al loves) saw Al and came to her, scooped her into her arms and just kept telling her how awesome and amazing she was. Next Tyler came and did the same...

St. Patty's day landed on a Friday and I joined my fam over at the Cosmans' for some fun! I had gone earlier with my folks to Lesley's mom's funeral... very sad but so glad I could be there for her. Seeing smiles was just what the doctor ordered. Al and I couldn't stay long because she had a dance competition the next morning but we did stay long enough for some good food and some good laughs. The girls did this... So us grown-ups did this! We had so much fun and ended up making a giant pyramid before we left. I think we have a new St. Paddy's tradition. I love these people! Nothing better than great friends!

 Years ago a tradition started when Joe tried to catch a leprechaun. He never succeeded but the littles still have hope that we'll get him one of these days. Al even made reward signs! They worked together and actually had a pretty good plan. But in the morning there was a mess~ no leprechaun but they did find the first clue.  One clue led to the next and the Littles were on a scavenger hunt (bright and early because leprechaun hunting is almost as fun as Santa). They snaked around the house until even the Bigs joined in. They finally found the last clue under the sink. And along with the clue was their beloved sugar cereal (Lucky Charms), some green glow sticks, little hats, beads and mints! Pretty fun stuff!! The final clue said: You did it! You found my treasure it's true! I hope today you'll be wearing green, not blue! For today is a day to celebrate ME! Your leprechaun friend you didn't see. For I am quick and smart and fun, and it's ...

 And then a week later we got to hear Al on stage. Her concert was on a dance day (easy- seeing that most days are dance days). She went to dance, I picked her up for her concert and then dropped her back off at dance. That's how this girl rolls though... Because I took Al right after the 6th grade played, we didn't hear the 7th grade orchestra. We left right after their songs which did have us beating traffic. HERE is a video of her songs (though I didn't get them all... I instead stopped a video when she started and videotaped my lap in between songs. Don't worry, I edited that part out. We noticed that there were a lot more kiddos in band than in the orchestra. Not sure why. Al has signed up to play again next year. I wonder how many of them will do the same.  Nana and Papa both made it to the concert too. We are so lucky they are so close so can make these sorts of events mid-week! After Al was done, she had a few minutes so we stopped by McDon...

 In the midst of our power outage, we had Joe's concert (which we were happy for because it was warm). We went to dinner before the concert (with Nana and Papa because they too were without power) and then headed to the high school. Al was at dance.  I am still amazed these kids have only been playing a year! They sounded great. HERE is a video from the concert.  Nana came and Joe is officially taller than her. Papa didn't come because he was meeting with someone who was fixing the generator. Good thing we took the video. Joe and I are pretty neck-in-neck when it comes to height. Won't be too long before he takes me! After the concert, the boys chose to go home with ME which made me happy! ;-)

 So random. It was a sunny day at school- outdoor recess. But when we came home... NO POWER! Now, sun does not equal warmth. Al was at dance, Joe was at his youth group, so we just kind of hung by the fire doing things we usually do. Life didn't feel too different because my folks got us some really cool flashlights that light up the room. We had pizza for dinner and all was well with the world.  I was REALLY cold over night though... Our seasonably warm weather left us and the pilot light must have also went out because my shower was COLD and I was a crab the next day at work but at least it was warm. Marty has a thing for lights too, so when we positioned the flashlight up to light up the room, he just looked at the flashlight and barked which was pretty annoying. We were lucky the Cosmans took Morty and the Campaus took Blue and we were set to go stay the night at the Cosmans. We came home from Joe's band concert to black and... THE POWER CAME BACK ON! We wer...