Days with the Dorans

Another track meet in the feezing cold rain (note- we are in late April now!). It was senior night for Joe (even though it was at Milford). We loved cheering for him! I'm so proud of him!! HERE is a video!  

  So I wasn't a huge fan of the first senior pics we did for Joe and so I did a mini-session with my friend Danielle from work. She was AMAZING! We walked all over downtown Milford and took tons of pictures! I took a couple of him too but I can already tell I'm going to like these a lot better! I'm also spending A LOT less! It was fun walking around too. So many fun places! I can't believe I'll be doing this with Ali in a few months! Ugh!!

  Leaves at Nana and Papa's. Without a picture we wouldn't know it happened! ;-)

  Just more running pics. Because I love running and my favorite runners. Most of these boys are all sub 5 and killed it at the Oakland University Meet! Mid 4s for the 1600. I love watching him run!!

  What can I say? I'm AWFUL lately at documenting and picture taking! I need to get better! The kids loved their hats (with graduating year) and custom made Doran bags. I guess that's not bad...

  For YEARS Papa has been asking us to recreate his most favorite picture EVER! He still sometimes walks by this picture and will just start laughing. Well- this was the year! I bought clothes that matched these kids as best I could and we took 100s of pictures, laughed our butts off, and had a blast! I think his reaction says it all! Happy Birthday, Papa! You are so very loved!

  I can't believe Z is 15. The time is really flying! It was so nice that we could get together for a little birthday celebration! Nana and Papa were able to make it which was nice. Of course Papa had to mark the height. Z got some shirts, hoodies and a microscope! He was a happy kid- about all of it. You know you're getting older when you get excited for clothes! I love that he and his best buddy were born one day apart (albeit many years too). We love you so much, Z! Happy Happy Birthday!!

  Ali was SOOO excited to find out that she was invited to run in a Varsity Meet. Of course Joey was there too and then left at the end of school so I had to join them later! Joey has been running so well! He now has a sub 5 mile but... I MISSED HIS RACE! I was so bummed! I literally got there to watch him cross the finish line. Thankfully Nana and Papa taped it (which you can see below... kind of). I am so proud of him! I love watching my kids run!! I did get to see Ali run (like HOURS later). It was so cold that we would go to the bathroom just to warm up our hands with the dryer. We also went and sat in the car for a while until it was closer to the time she ran. Since Joe drove separate. He left so he could go play music with dad! Ali and I tried to get to Pontiac in time to watch them play but we missed it! Thankfully, Joe set up a video HERE so we could watch it later! I did have one drink since we were already there. It was nice catching up with Dave and others.

  How much do I love that these two run? A lot. How much do I love that these two are friends? A lot. Ali in the 200 Joe in the 1600 (mile) The Girls- Took this off their Instagram Page!

I feel like we just did this but here we are again!! Z is starting driver's training soon so I thought we NEED to get to a parking lot just so he can learn how to start a car, accelerate and brake. It's a good things we did this! We went to a nearby parking lot at a church and Z didn't realize that you only use your right foot on both pedals. I mean, it does make sense, it's not something you really talk about. Other than that though he did a good job! I showed him how the signals work and accelerating and braking. He did a good job and I feel MUCH better knowing that we did this and he'll be ready for Driver's Training. Note to self to remember to do this with Seany too. I'm sure I won't forget!

  We were married on April 7th. Who knew that 21 years later we'd be driving our son to where WE met! He has officially decided to become a Bronco so we were off to orientation to get all the things done and open our wallets too of course! I got flowers and since we were going to be spending the next couple days in a hotel, I brought them with us! HERE is a video I put together for Jeff of our first 21 years together! Joe rarely gets excited but it was fun to see him thinking about this next chapter! He could hardly wipe the smile off his face! I loved that we knew where to go since we had spent so much time on campus (obviously). First stop was to sign in and sign up for housing and other things. He's decided he wants to live in the valley (where I lived my freshman year). He finished all his computer work in the computer lab where I used to go (because back then, I didn't have my own computer and you went to labs- this one was in the Bronco Mall). We listened to a bunch ...

Z has been playing soccer with his old team but indoor. I love this group and these coaches! We got to see them win when we got home! I love that they're called the Knights- just not THOSE Knights.  

Well... Joey's last Spring Break with us isn't exactly what we thought it would be... Our dog sitters fell through so dad stayed home while the rest of us were off! I was nervous about driving since he always does the majority of the driving but I had Joe and Al and it wasn't too bad. It was so great to get there and we of course hit Nacho Hippo the first night. The weather was pretty cool but getting out of the snow was all we really cared about! We did have a day that was nice and warm and we took advantage of that! It was fun that the cousins got this last hoorah together! Of course Joe wanted to hit the wing place one last time- it was a bit strange again not having dad there. They were going to send him pictures but then thought that may be mean. We also hit a new putt-putt place (or at least I don't remember it). It was kinda cool because you had to take a train to get to the holes. We had runs, played games, Joe played music, and we ate and laughed and it was a f...