Hope you all had a great Easter. We had a wonderful spring break since Jason had the week off. It started with Meghan and Bob's baby shower in Illinois. Meghan looked great and the shower went well. They received a lot of great stuff for their baby boy...he'll be set once he decides to enter the world. After the shower, we helped unload gifts at Meghan and Bob's, hung out for a bit, and then headed for Iowa for a few days. We were glad to see my Grandpa Whitehead so he could spend some time with Sarah before heading home after the wonderful Easter dinner Mom prepared for all of us.

As always, we had a relaxing visit with my folks. They babysat the Monday after Easter while we went out to our first movie in the theatre since Sarah was born. We went to see, "Wild Hogs" with John Travolta, etc. It was a fun, non-thinking type of film. It was just nice to spend time together. I'm sure Mom and Dad enjoyed having Sarah all to themselves, too. :)

We waited an extra day to come back home since we were having snow back in Brookfield. Once we got back, we continued to have a relaxing break. Jason and Sarah really had the chance to bond and spend lots of time together. Sarah's face lights up when Jason enters the room. You can tell she has him wrapped around her finger already. She got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Gillette on Saturday night when Jason and I used a dinner gift certificate at the restaurant, "The Grove", near our house. Our meal was excellent and I know Ron and Ann enjoyed their time with Sarah. Kim came out Sunday for pizza and to hang for awhile. It's fun to watch her around Sarah.

Now we're in the home stretch until the end of the school year. Jason is keeping busy with conferences, concerts, lessons, and gigs. He started a band lock-in years ago that has now become tradition. He was hoping the kids would forget about it this year but they held him to it. It's a good social bonding opportunity for the band kids and they always have fun. I just have to remind Jason he's not 18 and should watch how much time he spends on the basketball court.

I've started working in the yard cleaning up sticks, etc. It's good exercise. I'd rather exercise that way instead of "formal exercise". It's a bit cool and rainy here today so we didn't make it outside. Sarah likes to sit in the stroller and watch me work in the yard. She's really trying to talk more and has rolled over a couple more times. She keeps me laughing throughout the day.

After watching the news of the Virginia Tech tragedy, I just have to be grateful for every day. You never know what the next day will bring. The details of the shooter are now coming out saying he was a loner, mentally ill, etc. Our society is becoming more and more about "me..me..me" and so many people are feeling disconnected and aren't aware. It makes you hold the ones you love and care about closer to your heart and try to make efforts to reach out to those who need help. Are we here on earth to acquire more and more "things" or are we here to help each other. I know Jason and I have talked more about volunteering. We need to act on that and just do it.

April 3rd

Sarah and I had a wonderful visit to Iowa last weekend. Good friends from Centerville, Iowa City and Charles City came to my Mom and Dad's house in Williamsburg to meet Sarah. It was great catching up with all of them and to introduce Sarah. Sarah was a trooper as she was passed around all afternoon. I finally met my girlfriend Renee's twin girls, Madaline and Margaret. Too cute! She definitely has her hands full. I don't know how she balances working full-time and raising those two active bundles of joy. She's doing a great job! My girlfriend, Serena, is starting to show now that she's in her 2nd trimester. We're very excited for both Serena and Kenny as they prepare for parenthood.

It was fun being down at Mom and Dad's house. Their home is so inviting and it's easy to relax when we're there. It's so heartwarming to watch them interact with Sarah and see the unconditional love pour out of them. They'll have to work hard with future grandchildren to keep up the pace of picture-taking that they've set with Sarah. Her face is all over their house. :)

Big news for Jason! He took both jazz bands up to the Eau Claire Jazzfest and his Jazz I won and Jazz II came in second in their category. It was exhilarating for the kids as they got to perform for the night concert. They've all worked so hard and it's great to see that work recognized. The students were well-behaved and a good time was had by all. We were all glad to see each other on Monday and are looking forward to spring break to reconnect and catch up on lost family time.

Meghan's (my sister-in-law) baby shower is Saturday. It will be fun to see her open gifts and celebrate the upcoming arrival of our nephew. Her mother-in-law is providing brunch at a local restaurant and myself and Meghan's good friends, Jan and Katie, are in charge of cake, decorations, and activities, etc. After the brunch, Jason, Sarah, Sammy and I will head back to Iowa to celebrate Easter with my family. Kim will be home and my Grandpa Whitehead will be there so it will be good to spend time with him. We'll celebrate his 87th birthday as well as my mom's @#!'th birthday. :) which is actually today.

Until next week.....have a Happy Easter!