January

In January Brad and I made Raul a homemade German Chocolate Cake for his 29th birthday. I don’t mean to brag, but I I’m pretty sure he loved it!😋

Also in January I flew to Breck and Iris’ in West Virginia to help out with Camila for a week before Brad and his father Victor (who stayed with us in KY for about three weeks) drove to WV to visit for several days before Brad, Victor, and I drove back to Kentucky.

Grandpa bonding with his great grand daughter Camila

Grandpa having a passionate conversation with Breck

Watching movies together

Everyone had a wonderful time catching up and bonding with Camila. I’m thankful for Breck and Iris’s willingness to let me come and help-out, and for letting Brad and Victor come for such a wonderful visit!

February

Back at home in Kentucky we took Victor to his favorite Indian restaurant, and enjoyed great food and friendship with the Holts and Kumars!

Victor also spent quality time with his other great grand daughter Claire, since Aubrey brought her over frequently during Grandpa’s stay.

Before leaving, Victor gave Claire a special Great-grandfather’s blessing, it was such a special moment!

Other February happenings also included: A quick visit from Jeremy Massey (son of our besties Rick & Alisa, who all live in Indiana),

breakfast at the Holt’s with the Allens and James Jenkins,

Luke and Aitana’s baby shower (friends of the fam),

(amazing flowers and h’orderves)

(my fellow shower attendees Veronica & Jill)

and Valentine’s Day’s dinner at one of Brad’s favorite restaurants in Detroit.

(I ordered the lasagna and we shared Chocolate Fudge Bumpy cake for dessert!)

(closer look of the bumpy cake which is a Detroit original made with devil’s food cake topped with buttercream bumps, covered in chocolate ganache, and sprinkled with powdered sugar…yeah, it was as decadent as it looks)

March

The beginning of March, Breck, Iris, Camila, and Mancha came to Kentucky to spend a week with us.

(the kids with their babies!)

It was fun having our two grand daughters here together (while babysitting the girls I rocked them both at the same time during their naps).

We also got together with the Holt kids while everyone was in town!

(Mancha loved being in the middle of all the action!)

They all had fun catching up, and Mason slowly warmed up to the babies (which is a good thing since he’s going to be a big brother in a couple of months).

Brad was more-than ready to start traveling again for work, and luckily his boss finally gave him the green light. The end if March, beginning of April, he spent two very exhausting weeks in China and Japan (and was able to get this great pic of Mt. Fuji flying in).

Aubrey was able to get out of the house and spend some time with her fellow-teachers at craft-night,

and her and Raul enjoyed a feast at a Brazilian steakhouse for their second anniversary.

Brad and I were finally able to get together with friend’s Thoney and Nicole (we’ve been talking about it since Aubrey and Raul’s wedding). We enjoyed our dinner at a new Mediterranean restaurant in town, and especially loved our dessert (ice cream from Hoggy’s of course).

We had some beautiful sunrises in March, I took these pics coming out of the gym on two separate mornings.

March ended with my good friend Christen and her son, Archibald, staying with us for a week after selling their house in town. They needed a place to stay while Archibald finished his last week of school before Spring break. Christen has accomplished so much since our first meeting at her hometown’s marathon. Not only did she have Archibald, but she also got her doctorate, and is now a professor at the University of Kentucky! Christen’s husband John has always wanted to live in the country, and they finally found their dream home on ten-acres about an hour away. We will miss them dearly, but I know they will be so happy there, and I also know that Christen is always good for a long-run on any given weekend!

April

I know that April is really in the Spring, but I’m adding the first half of April to my winter post since it still felt like winter! Breck took his cute little family and Iris’ friend to one of Amazon’s headquarters (something that I hope to do with him someday) in Virginia.

They all had a good time, especially Camila who got the privilege of getting her diaper changed on one of Amazon’s conference tables!

Brad and I went to Kaleena’s wedding and reception at our church. Her parents (Jamie & Deb from the Indian restaurant post) are good friends, and we are so happy so Kaleena and Billy!

A long awaited lunch at First Watch with my good friend Linda! She has seriously been to hell and back these past two years, and I am extremely proud of her strength and fortitude! It’s a honor to call her my friend!

Merinda has also weathered her share of personal storms, and I am very proud of everything she has accomplished! She finally became an official team-leader at Walmart, and will appreciate that extra five-dollar-an-hour raise!

Spring finally sprung in our Cherry Blossom neighborhood …

so Rex & Veronica, and Brad & I, took advantage of the beautiful weather and walked around the park, ate outside at one of our favorite restaurants in a neighboring town, and topped-off the evening with ice cream from Hoggy’s (of course)!