Lights of Hope Auction for Ethiopian Orphans

My dear friend Michelle is involved with a non-profit called Ethiopian Orphan Relief and every year they have a fancy auction for the orphaned and vulnerable children of Ethiopia.  Bill was sick so my mom came with Emmett and I.  It was at a fancy hotel downtown.

My friend Emma and boyfriend Rob, they won the $50 raffle for the wicked iPad! Steel of a deal!

Harold and Linda Doland were at our table too.

Michelle and I, she worked hard on this event!

We had a really great time.  There were at least 400 people there, double from last year.  The dinner was delicious! The live auction was fun, amazing how much people will bid each other up.  Would you believe that a chocolate cake from Claim Jumper went for.......$850!!!! Incredible! There is all this energy in the room, all this excitement that you just WANT to raise your number! So I did! I have no idea what I was bidding on, and it was up to like $1,000 but I just HAD to do it! It was all going so fast that I knew I would be outbid before I even put my hand down :) Exhilarating! 

I wasn't expecting to walk away with anything but at the silent auction there were some gDiapers (cloth) that I got for $25 (great price!), so I was pleasantly surprised by that.

Had a great time, and it felt good to know that I was a part of such a wonderful cause. 

Easter visitors!

When Emmett was 3 weeks old we had some wonderful visitors at the house.  Over the Easter holiday Bills parents, Ed and Mary, came from Wisconsin to meet their 12th grandchild.  His sister Peggy and her daughter Antara also came, all the way from Montana.  Peggy was only able to stay for a couple days, and Bill's parents for 2 weeks.

I was very thankful for all the help Mary gave me, and Ed found countless things to work on around the house.

We are suckers for family time :)

Antara meeting Emmett for the first time.

Grandpa Ed getting some time with Emmett, it was rare with all the ladies having to hold him :)

All ready to travel to the Sanchez grandparents for a big dinner.

My mom and dad had us all over for a wonderful dinner.  Mom always has super cute decorations.

Peggy and Antara were sad to leave after such a short visit.

Excited about the new nephew/cousin!

Every year my moms side of the family has Easter dinner together.  This year it was at my cousins Nate and Deana's new home.  It was great to see the whole family and show off Emmett.

Nate and Deana with their kids.

Melina and Karen.

 Schueler/Sanchez

 Schuelers

 Emmett and Levi getting some good Easter dinner.

The kids are such hams!

We had very special visitors from Australia, Krista and Austin Phillips.  They were passing through on their way to see family and stopped in for a quick hello.  Their little one Elise just turned one, she is SO CUTE!!  It was great seeing them again, Krista and I have been friends for quite a few years so it's so special to see her when she visits home.  We miss you guys!! Beautiful family!

Bill is involved with a high school winter drum line and we were able to all be at finals to see his band perform.  Emmett slept through most of it, he only had these head phones on for a few minutes but he looked so cute!

We were sad to see Ed and Mary leave, good byes are hard with new little babies.  We are so thankful for their generosity with their time and love.  Emmett has so much love from all sides.

We love you Grandpa Ed and Grandma Mimi!  Missing you lots!

Weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Sanchez

This was Emmett's second time to mom and dads house for a couple nights stay.  We had a few long nights at home and with Bill entering 3 shifts at work I thought it'd be best to let someone else lose some sleep :)

Grandma and Grandpa Sanchez LOVE having Emmett around, it's fun to see them play with him, especially now that he's starting to smile and respond.

Bath Time!

Buddy helping clean Emmett's ears.

Wish this was in focus, I love it!

Flying!

Grandpa Rick having some fun!

Emmet loves going to visit for the weekend.  Bill sure misses us when we're gone, but we're so thankful Emmett can spend time with his grandparents.  We wish Bill's parents were closer, we miss them dearly!

Happy Birthday Ginger!- May 9th

My dear sister-by-heart Ginger and her hubby Chris just moved into a nice home, so Emmett and I had to check it out and wish Ginger a happy birthday while we were at it.  Auntie Melina joined us too, it felt like old days but with three little ones with us now!

Laura was quick to want to grab at Emmett, she couldn't contain her excitement to see him!!

Heidi showing her smile.

 Reading to Emmett.

 Talking.

 Heidi's handy camera work.

Auntie Melina!

 My favorite picture of these two, Heidi was so sweet.

We had a great time with all the girls. Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend, sorry I didn't actually get any pictures of you Ging!

First Zoo Trip

My old boss, Dr. Ian Barr, gave me a year membership to the zoo as a gift for Emmett.  Bill had today off so we decided to get out of the house and see the animals!

The Lorikeets

 Bill admiring the Lorikeet.

 Such beautiful, vibrant colors!

Emmett's awake just in time to see porcupines. 

Checking out the giraffe. 

Look who's in Africa!! 

Some guy walked by us and said "I know you're not one of the exhibits but that's worth a picture!"....um....doesn't everyone hold their babies like this??

When we got home it was dinner making time! Being such beautiful weather we thought the grill would be the best idea.  My sister-in-law Sara Lee had mentioned a recipe she'd seen on Pinterest, so I thought we'd try it.

**Garlic and Balsamic Crusted Pork Tenderlion**

http://kitchenconfidante.com/if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-part-ii

 Got all my ingredients, so simple, only five things!

The outside was delicious! The meat was a tad bit dry, that is one reason I don't usually make pork, I have a hard time keeping it moist.  There was some dark meat and that stayed nice and juicy.  My sauteed veggies on the side were a nice addition.

I would try it again, maybe marinading it, cooking it slower, or making extra sauce to dip in.

And we couldn't forget dessert! Confetti cake cookies with cream cheese frosting (so sweet my teeth hurt just thinking about them) and a glass of whole milk. Yum. (Notice Bill just HAD to get in the picture?)

Overall a great family day!