Peter Pan

(The girls are matching on purpse, my mom and I did not plan ours. Makes for a good picture though)

We had a spontaneous girls night out because Alan went to our ward's Father and sons outing with his dad, brother and nephews. We took advantage of the situation and my mom, mother-in-law and all of my sister-in-laws and thier girls went to dinner and a ballet. Ballet Etudes puts on a fun ballet for kids every spring. This year they did Peter Pan. Last year we saw them when they performed Cinderella. It was a late night for Grace and Mae. I thought they might get restless, but they sat motionless on our laps from 7:30 - 9:30. There was much to be entertained by. The dancers actually flew! They loved the crocodile, tinkerbell, and the mermaids the best.

Chicago Baby

So... last Tuesday night Alan came home from work announcing that the firm was sending him on a business trip to Chicago on Thursday afternoon to attend a seminar on a new type of law. He said that the wives are encouraged to go on these trips. So, I had one day to figure out babysitters for my kids, substitutes for my dance classes and everything else that goes along with leaving your life for 3 days. Alan and I have never had a get-away before, (except for one night in Scottsdale for our anniversary) so I was thrilled!!!! It was perfect timing too, before #3 is connected to my hip (I mean, my breast).
It was such a relaxing trip for me. I wish Alan came back as rejuvenated as I did. He was in seminars all day learning difficult material while I was partying in down town Chicago with my sister, Alexis.
She and her husband are living in Indianapolis for the summer, so she drove 3 hours to hang out with me in Chicago for a day. It was SO much FUN!!! We shopped at the 7 story Macy's had lunch, went to the 3 story American Girl Doll store - (which my girls would have loved) and much much more. That night, Alexis was going to drive back home, but we convinced her to stay with us. The three of us went to an authentic Chicago pizzeria and had the real deal deep dish pizza.

The next morning Alexis had to leave to get back in time for work and Alan had seminars again. So, I hung out in the hotel room: slept in, watched a movie, read my book, and got all dressed up for WICKED!!! The firm surprised us with tickets to the Broadway musical. Alan and I took the train downtown, had a bite to eat and went to the Oriental Theater. It was amazing. Happy Mothers Day to me!

p.s. Alan and I only took one picture together on that trip and it turned out terrible. I've learned my lesson. Take at least two!

Happy Birthday Big Al

Alan's birthday was a few weeks ago, but I still need to record it. James Alan Soelberg was born into this blessed world on April 20th 1981. That makes him 27. AAAAH - we're almost 30! He is the seventh of 13 children, which means he has MAJOR middle child syndrome. It's always a party when Alan's around because he's so loud and obnoxious (and fun). All his nieces and nephews LOVE him. Grace and Mae start calling him Alan when they're around their cousins because they think it's the cool thing to do and they have to fight for his attention. On his birthday everyone, including my family, went to his parent's house for Sunday dinner. I wish I could say that I threw him a massive party, but to be completely honest, his mother did. Is that bad? She went all out. They set up white tents in the back yard with many many tables underneath for all of us to eat in the shade, she made shishcabbobs, homemade rolls, salad, tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and basil, and even homemade macaroni and cheese for the kids. (she has never done the Kraft stuff) I did make the cake! (Go ERICA) The party was amazing - all for Big Beautiful Al. The nieces and nephews couldn't leave him alone. Alan made everyone sing happy birthday to him about 10 times that day - which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. We had a great time with both families and love that we can all be together like that.

It's so much fun to have one day to celebrate someones birth. I feel like this birthday made up for all the other lame ones. Since we have been married, Alan has always been in finals during his birthday - which means he leaves for school before the sun's up and comes home long after it's down. Last year we weren't even together on his birthday because he was finishing finals in Omaha and the girls and I already moved to Mesa. I'm so glad I was here to celebrate him this year. I'm so glad he was born.

Performers Inc. - Musical Theater Workshop

Sign up your kids if you're in town!!! We have lots of fun!