Too long between posts...

So many things to report on:

Finished Kitchen...almost.

Well, the kitchen renovation is almost complete.   We need to finalize a back splash design plan and then Andrew needs to find time to put it up. Hard to find time with the kids and me still working 1 in 5 weekends :(
Here are some (old, when it was just done) photos:

Family Vacation with Royal Caribbean

We had a wonderful family vacation with the Rolt side in November commemorating the 2nd anniversary of Andrew's dad's passing.  So much fun with the kids, they loved the children's pool/splash area but really, really loved the hot tub!  Andrew and I had a nice day in St. Martin where Andrew purchased a new wedding ring (this is ring number three for anyone that is counting:) )!  Some memorable moments included swimming with the gang on a beach we didn't want to go to in St.Thomas. Our kids loving and also hating kids club.
 

Some Islander cut my head off, while we enjoyed a St. Maarten tradition!

 

...and finally, what has become somewhat of another tradition with the Asbury's when we go to St. Maarten with them! lol

Goodbye to a loyal companion:

Echo Rolt 2006-2013.

We recieved a horrible call from my mom on Thursday night on our cruise.  We were in our room with the kids (having picked them up from kids club early after a phone call saying they wanted out).  Nancy (my mom) met Echo a the emergency vet clinic and had to make a decision to move forward with a surgery for bloat or to have Echo put down.  It was a nightmare decision for Andrew and I to make at any time, let alone in the middle of the carribean.  We will miss you Echo. You were our first child, the absence of your presence is felt everyday in our lives and hearts.

In January we had a wonderful celebration of Echo's life although none of Andrew's family could make it, it was wonderful to have Candace, Dave, Braeden, Sadie, Nancy and Drew there to commemorate the life of such a wonderful companion.

Desmond and Violet had a really hard time with losing Echo and we are just now at the end of February finding our lives settling back into routines without issue dropping Des off at school or multiple mentions of our loss of Echo. It is amazing the way the brain of a child works and how something can be at the forefront but because they are not aware of how to deal with it, they act out in other ways. It was a good exercise for our family to have the celebration of Echo's life, helped teach the children about loss and the mourning process.  It was also quite healing for our family to sit down and dedicate some time to remember our beloved Echo.

Funny story about Des:  Andrew, Des and Violet were sitting on the couch watching TV.  Des was pushing on his penis, pushing it down agressively.  Andrew asked him what he was doing and Des hiding his penis said "my penis is sticking up and it is not supposed to do that. I am pushing it down".  Andrew and I laughed so hard at the innocence of the statement.  So cute!

 

 

Christmas Time:

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year.  Christmas morning was spend at home with the kids opening gifts and enjoying cinnabons.  My parents arrived for breakfast and our traditional eggs benny was served.  Then that afternoon we went to Nancy and Drew's place for dinner.  After that we packed a bag and headed to Cambridge, stopped in at the Rolt family Christmas and then off to Betty's for boxing day.  Wonderful time with family, we missed A, Den, Madi and Parker!

Andrew is 40!

Well, Andrew turned 40 on February 16th!  Unfortunately I had to work the weekend of his birthday - no one would take my shift!- so we just had a small celebration with my family on Sunday night, we went to Kyprio's for greek style dinner!  Then on Family Day Monday we went to Betty's for a Rolt family celebration for both Andrew and Teresa. This past weekend, the 22nd, I threw a surprise party for Andrew and I think it worked!  It was so much fun, friends from all walks of our lives were there to celebrate with him.

Finally, our kids are absolutely in love with the movie Frozen.  We are constantly serenaded by both kids to the wonderful songs.