May...

Naples, Florida - probably one of the most beautiful places we'll ever see

( luckily we get to call it home soon :-) Getting ready for the adventure!

March/April...

Chicago - Girl's Trip

Amelia & Olivia (or Omelia, as my mom would say ;) by the river...

Olivia & I on top of the John Hancock Observatory - 1,000 feet up - Yikes - was trying to not act scared in front of her!!

Entering Navy Pier area with Olivia, Amelia, Eames and Posy...

Mystic Blue Easter Brunch Cruise.... was deliciously fun & fabulous =;-0)

Riding the Navy Pier ferris wheel with 2 of my favorite nieces (only missing Posy) & my favorite daughter... another ridiculously high scenic site in Chi-Town!

The girls loved swimming in the extremely large olympic size pool at the hotel (thanks Kurt - good find!) And thanks to Amelia for helping Liv with her strokes!

Posing with my favorite daughter at Cloud Gate, a.k.a. "The Bean" - Super Cool to see & experience this unique sculpture... (can you see the rest of the girls' in the background?)

Liv taking a break in Ancient Egypt - at The Field Museum...

Another once-in-a-lifetime see: Sue the most complete T-Rex dinosaur skeleton to date.

Shedd Aquarium - one of my favorite places! Can't wait to go back someday with my family...

At The Art Institute - a budding artist studying Picasso (I would like to think :)

February...

Visiting D.C. - AWESOME family trip, great visiting with my Sis & her family...

Above - Aunt Jamee performing a volcano project, kids were very amazed!
Below - A noticeably chilly D.C. day - didn't stop us from checking out the sights!

An amazing photography exhibit at the Museum of Natural History...

I'm not sure what kind of animal Cooper was trying to mimic but he did look cute trying! The animal behind him looked like a miniature deer and had fangs!

I believe Liv understood the magnitude of standing outside the White House & that it was pretty damn neat - something she will remember!

January...

Ethan is officially 17 (on Jan.17)! Got his first sweet ride. . . exciting stuff ahead!

We celebrated with Jason's special milkshakes, Ethan's choice of birthday treat (which were delicious by the way).

A funny birthday hat - from Grandma and Grandpa Black

Olivia's spa day with Haley and Chelsea - what an adorable treat and wonderful Christmas present from Aunt Gena and Uncle Steve!

Super Stars!!

(Their final treatment - sitting in back of the Sassy limo :)

She's a perfect mix of girlie-girl (above) and tomboy (below)...

Basketball season starts for Olivia - her brother loves helping out when he can!

December...

E's gift from us before he left for Florida... very shocked to finally get an iPhone!

When Ethan arrived back home from Florida, his sister had very thoughtful gifts for him.

Trying his new shirt on Cooper - thankfully no need to fight over clothes here!

Fun in the snow - I believe they were tackling Daddy (or vice-versa)!

 My little snow Angel below... (I think Dory was trying to make her own version)

Cooper's super duper train track from Grandma and Grandpa Black - we celebrated with them a few days before Christmas.

Christmas Morning -a-plenty -- to say the least...

A little sisterly/brotherly love, appreciating each other's gifts :-)

Celebrating later that day at Grandma and Grandpa Potes... The 59 Chevy Cooper always talks about and the Furby Liv wanted were big hits!

November...

A very unconventional Thanksgiving in Vegas for Jason and I - what a FUN place, GREAT trip! Thanks to our wonderful families who helped out with our kiddies...

An out-of-this-world dinner at Gordon Ramsey's Steak - Jason tried his Beef Wellington, an I, the short ribs - even the water was amazing!

Jason modeling on the luxurious couch in our hotel room - the Cosmopolitan was an amazing place to stay!

Lunch at the Chandelier bar... need I say more? I just think it sounds cool to say the Chandelier bar!  LOL

What hotel has a high heel red pump you can stand in?! Only in Vegas, of course...

A place we discovered across from our hotel - with amaaazzzing bloody mary's (a must in Vegas ;)!

Our little Chef in the making... bitty baby helping and everything!

Ethan looking bad a#$@ in front of Ford Field for his first Detroit Lions game with Jason. They both loved it, I was told!

Coop playing with his new racetrack from his ever-so-thoughful Aunt Jamee & clan. One of his favorite toys to play with!

Trying to catch some good family photos on an unseasonably warm, sunny, amazing November day...

(and we just so happened to have a wedding to attend :).