Kathy's (Kathleen Mason) trip

As was mentioned in the previous post, Kathy, Trent's mom came to visit us and watch the girls while we were partying in San Diego. We had a great time. We took advantage of any slight amount of sun we saw.

Well, we tried too, but it was kind of painful as seen in the above picture. Sometimes the sun hurts, imagine being shut up in a dark damp closet all winter, and when you finally start to adjust to the terrible darkness a great big blinding light breaks down the door, but only for a moment and then it's gone. So you actually never do adjust to the light. That's my best analogy for describing Western PA.--btw not a posed picture

Oh it's so beautiful, so lush, so warm, so alive, we just had to get out and swing. My best at sarcasm.
Actually give the woods a few months and everything I just said will be a true accurate statement. There is beauty here, just not in the winter or early spring. (I can say that again)


New experience for us-this is the HofbrauhausIt's a huge German restaurant and there are only 2 others in the US the rest in Europe. They brew their own beer-9 huge distilleries. It was great. We had friend pickles, sauerkraut balls. And of of course Brats. If we drank beer I think this restaurant would be even greater to us. We did like it so much that we went twice in a weekend. This below is a picture of the girls playing outside the Hofbrauhaus, they have life sized chess and checker boards-it's quite a nice addition to the South Side.

A huge thank you to Kathy for coming out and helping us. We enjoyed it so much even though we know there were some hard things happening at home for her, we really apprciate her and hope she comes again soon.

San Diego

Beautiful San Diego! Trent had a Marketing Conference in San Diego a couple weeks ago. My sweet, sweet mother-in-law came out and watched our kids so that I could tag along with Trent and his co-workers.

We took a ferry taxi over to Coronado Island and were privileged enough to see this. It's a picture of the U.S. Navy training their dolphin. We had about a 10 minute dolphin training, quite neat and interesting.

Thats our hotel on the right and the San Diego conference center on the left. For those of you that know San Diego, we were in the prime location. I loved it!

Trent and I on Coronado island, in front the Coronado Hotel. I want to stay there some day.

The whole reason we went to San Diego, for Trent to pick up all theses awards. Seriously, I felt unworthy next to him. I had no idea he was so good at his job. I only cared about the pay check. I know, I'm a great wife, but this was great to see him recognized for his work. He got the competition's top prize for all entries and those champagne glasses are all awards also, in case you were wondering.


San Diego was too nice to me because I'm suffering a form of depression back here in cloudy western PA. I was able to sleep in every morning, woke up to an incredible view in an incredible hotel, and ate some of the greatest food I've ever had. I want to go back, I need to go back, no joke I think I'm drowning here.

So, so late Sophie's birthday

Oh Sophina, what to say about you. How do I explain the way you make me feel, about myself, our family and life. How did you come to be you?
Interesting facts: #1 YOU only gained 8 1/2 pounds your first year of life (this can happen when your born at a whopping 10 1/2 pounds!)
#2YOU have 2 completely different ears-one is your moms (flat against the head with a slight point at the top, we're part elf) other one is your dads-I feel sorry for that side of your head.
#3 You are a gatoraide-a-holic

You LOVE your sisters. The first time I caught your eyes tracking, it was to follow your sisters running around the room. They are your best friends, your comforters and your rivals all in the same moment. Feelings are confusing when you 12 months.

You are the perfect addition to this clan of girls. Everything about you belongs right here with us. We've all become one-you completed us.