Memorial Day Weekend & Kangas Family Reunion

Our quartet headed to Long Island this past Memorial Day weekend. We had not visited since last August so it was great to be home (yes, I still call it home).

Saturday we had our 2nd Annual Kangas Family Reunion. My cousin Ron and his wife Melissa were a huge help in planning the event and scoped out a great location at South Haven Park on Long Island. Also, major shout out to my cousin Amber and her husband John who traveled from Florida, and Jason and his wife Miri who made the trip up from Tennessee. I know it's not easy so I truly appreciate the effort you made in coming. Even the NY family, thank you for taking the time to come. It really means a lot to me that we can all be together. It was a much smaller gathering this year than last, so I'm thinking we'll change it up next year and hopefully get a big family group to come:)

Here are some pictures of the day- it was truly perfect weather and I think everyone had a great time. I know we did.

The cousins in order from oldest to youngest:
My brother Erik, my brother Dylan (oldy moldies), Destiny, Dylan, Jason, Ron, Me, Amber, and Tom. The super sweet kiddos are Zoe (my cousin Dylan's daughter), Katie and Eli (my cousin Amber's kiddos).

Normally we head back to Massachusetts very early on Sunday morning but we spent the extra day and headed to Fire Island with Erik and Joe on Sunday instead. We had the pleasure of seeing Erik and Joe's long time friend Tom who we had not seen in ages- he's the coolest guy and it was THE BEST getting to see him and just relax and take in the beautiful weather. Major thank you to my Mom for watching Nicholas so we could have a grown up day out. :)

My Dad and Dexter on Memorial Day- giving him some comfort on a tough day for Veteran's.

The drive home...

One of the many things I love about my dog...he always looks like he just farted and is super embarrassed about it (and it's usually true).

xoxo

Mother's Day

Hey folks.

So. Being a Mom. It's pretty good. I mean. It's real good. It's real awesome.

But. Sometimes- you go to a fancy pants brunch- and well- it doesn't quite work out. I mean- you get good pictures:

But, as you're witness to this- it's taken in the parking lot before we've eaten anything.

I don't have pictures of us eating, because I was trying to enjoy it, and it didn't work out. Not to say I didn't have a good time, it was just a lil rough around the edges. Nicholas was good- but he was 3 year old good. Lots of yelling fun things like " I WANT CHICKEN TENDERS" - when he has an option of 50 things to eat, and chicken tenders aren't one of them.

I wouldn't trade it for anything. Nicholas was difficult. Well, you know what? He's effin 3. He's entitled to be difficult. He knows he's being a jerk, but he doesn't quite get that yet. And as much as it makes me crazy, I get that. I really really do. I'm sure I was the same way at 3. And i'm ok with that. I know how fortunate I am to have a happy, handsome, insane, opinionated little dude.

Later that day, we went to a brunch with Nick's family. We haven't hung out with them in awhile, and Nick's Auntie Karen hosted the MOST WONDERFUL Mother's Day Brunch. It was really really great to be with family and we had the most wonderful time. Here are some pics from the day:

XOXO

Big Boy Bed!

Lately it just seems to be one milestone after another- time is flying by and I'm trying so hard not to miss a moment.

We are so lucky that Nicholas is a pretty easy going kid. He has always loved his crib (I put him in there when he was just a few weeks old). He's actually never even tried to climb out of it. But the bigger he got, I realized it was time for a big boy bed.

We went to Bob's Furniture and Nicholas loved the huge koi pond they have there. He made a few new friends and brought me over to meet them, saying "this is my mama" (melted).

Afterward we went out to dinner to celebrate. The bed came in a few days later and he LOVES it! Our friends were kind enough to lend us a bed rail so we didn't even have to buy one.

Our little boy is getting so big! <3