Friday, March 25, 2011

I'm a Proud Wife!

I am so proud of Jim!  He was named one of the top 40 Under Forty Honorees out of 500 applicants in MN.  We attended his award ceremony last night and I was proud to be his wife.  He never ceases to amaze me!

http://www2.bizjournals.com/twincities/events/2011/40_under_forty/james-collins.html

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Los Cabos

Jim & I just returned home from a great vacation in Los Cabos, Mexico.  We went with some friends to celebrate another 40th birthday.  We had a great time.  It's hard to come home to this snow & weather! 

Los Cabos 2011

Click here to view these pictures larger

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Sean is 8

Hard for me to believe, but my baby is 8 years old now!  When Lauryn & Zach turned 8, I thought they were so grown up.  But for some reason, I still think Sean is little - when he's NOT!  He is now old enough to not use a car seat (he informed us!), read chapter books on his own, shower on his own, text on the cell phone, help with chores around the house, do his own homework (with little help), play video games & beat them all, develop more in sports, hold his own with his bigger brother, witty as can be, quite a story teller, kind to others, and so much fun to be around!  We love this little man & enjoyed celebrating his big day.

We started by inviting just a couple friends to join us at the Mall of America Water Park.  The kids had a long weekend (Thurs-Monday) off over Presidents Day weekend, so we headed for an over night stay.  The boys swam all afternoon & evening & then were right back at it as soon as the water park opened up again the next day.  Here I thought they would all be exhausted after all that swimming, but they had plenty of energy & were fired up.  It was fun to enjoy the slides and watch the boys have such a great time.

On Sean's actual day, Lauryn had a basketball game.  Sean wasn't too thrilled about having to spend it that way, but after a victory we headed to DQ (Sean's choice) for dinner & treats. 

Last weekend we celebrated by one of his cousin's staying over night.  Their birthday's are only 11 days apart, & they always want to invite each other to their birthday parties.  But it's hard when they don't know each other's friends very well & we have the hour drive to get them together.  So the boys have started a tradition of a sleep over, where we celebrate both their birthday's & they get to spend time with just each other.  Then the following day (Sunday) we had as much of the family that could make it come & help celebrate.  It had been a full week of partying for Sean.

Here are some pictures of my Little Man: