Happy Birthday Elise!

We had all kinds of fun things happen last weekend. First, we had a great visit from Ryan's grandparents, Nana and Al, who drove out from Tennessee. They stayed with us from Thursday through Monday morning. We were able to visit Descanso Gardens, went to the mall, ate out a bunch, and just spent time together, it was nice. Oh, and Al was kind enough to take about twenty pictures of us Sunday morning before church, in a doomed attempt to get a family portrait of some sort. (Connor's idea of a smile is closing your eyes, baring your teeth, and looking at the sky.) This picture was the winner!While they were here, we also got to celebrate Mother's Day and Elise's second birthday! Although she was sick (or teething, we never quite figured out what was wrong) for most of the weekend, Elise had a great birthday celebration. We got her a red velvet cake from our beloved Portos, which she was very impressed with. I love her look of, "No, way! This is all for me?" She also received way too many presents, including her own tricycle. Now she doesn't have to keep stealing Connor's. Unfortunately, Connor now steals hers, so the disagreements continue, but at least this trike has an extra feature. I bought an insert that easily splits it into a tandem trike! It's pretty cool, but Elise always wants to sit in front, which is the pedalling seat, so they don't really go anywhere. Maybe when they're older. For Mother's Day, the kids got me this awesome "Edible Arrangement", which everyone helped eat. Ryan's gift I was not too sure about. He presented me with an iPod Touch, despite the fact that only a year ago I got a new Nano. I was sceptical for about three minutes, then I fell in LOVE! Ryan is actually a little disappointed that I like my new toy so much -- I think he was hoping to monopolize it. I told him he might as well have engraved "Homer" across the back. Seriously, though, I love it. It does everything the iPhone does except for the camera and phone. Yeah, I thought that too, "What's left, then?" Turns out, a lot. It basically functions as a mini-laptop as long as I'm near a wireless connection, and it has a ton of really cool apps that don't require a wifi at all. So props to Ryan!

We're heading out to Utah for the next couple weeks, to allow Ryan to study for his CFA exam on June 6th. This is level 3 for him, so if he passes, we'll be done! (Sorry, honey, I mean when you pass.) Four years of ruined Springs will be behind us, so wish him luck!