Las Vegas with the Zappe's

The Ultimate Sundae at Serendipity's! Strawberry Cheesecake-yum!

Lauren at Cesar's Palace.

Quinten at Belagio horticulture display.

Mark's imitation of a Greek statue!

Top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris.

The 2nd half of our spring break trip was spent in Las Vegas. A family vacation to Las Vegas is far different than an adult trip to Las Vegas! Mark managed to get in his nightly black jack and Janet played once. Mostly we walked around and took in all of the sites and "shows" offered outside the hotels. On the first night Quinten said "what is the deal with all these lights? How could anyone go to sleep with all the lights?". Despite cooler than typical weather, we were able to use the pool at the Monte Carlo. Quinten said his favorite memory of Las Vegas was the hotel. Mind you we could have been at any hotel he just loved the idea of living in a hotel! Lauren had 2 requests- ice cream at Serendipity's and going inside Paris.

I have been to Las Vegas about a half dozen times and still I saw places and events that I had never seen. We saw the volcano erupt at Mirage and a pirate show at Treasure Island. The female lead pirate was named Cinnamon if that gives you an idea of the show! Quinten is into pirates and he really wanted to see the show. He did not notice the women but loved the cannons and the "battle" between the two ships.

Grand Canyon Part 2

The last stop on the bus route.

The girls enjoy the sun at the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon holds a special memory for me. My family visited the park was back in 1976 as part of a month long family vacation. It was a rare vacation that allowed us to stay in continuous hotels. I remember loving the beauty and Majesty of the canyon. Our kids seemed to enjoy as much as I remember enjoying. Picture can never due the park full justice but I hope you can enjoy some of the splendour.

Grand Canyon Part 1

Quinten's shoe apparel though not by design!


Sibling love!


The bright sun made it hard to take great pictures .


Quinten preferred to be looking at the canyon rather than pose for a picture.

Our family photo.

Spring break took us to a combination of the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. We went the last week in March for 5 days. The kids traveled great and did not mind the time change. Lauren admitted that she enjoyed the trip "to the big hole" more than anticipated. Quinten used binoculars and LOVED the trip. He wanted to make every stop and enjoyed the beauty of the scenery. The weather was cold and hail came down in the morning. We drove from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park which was 5 hours away Sunday. The biggest glitch was one parent taking out Quinten's coat and shoes from his suit case and leaving them at the hotel on Las Vegas. I will leave you to figure out which parent took out the items and which was a little upset they were not in the suitcase! Sun was bright and the temperature climbs 30+ degrees every day. We used the free bus service to get on and off at stops along the southern portion.

Crazy Spring!

Preparing the sponges to wash off the car.


Filling the bucket!

Spring blooms in full force!

The midwest has experienced one of the mildest winters in my memory. Many people loved the mild winter but I missed going sledding, making snowmen, drinking hot chocolate and watching the fire in the fire place. However, I am loving the early spring! While spring flowers are not crazy, having the blooms a month early seems insane! They are also larger, more fragrant and beautiful than previous years. Today I cut a bundle and they made my entire office smell wonderful!

Monday Quinten asked if we could wash the car. Who turns down free labor? Not me! Washing the car in March is not typical. Washing the car in March wearing your bathing suit and not being cold leaves you scratching your head. The end result of a clean car makes me smile

Bird House

The finished house!


Putting together the top.


Adding the bottom piece.


Sawing the wood! Quinten has the shop vacuum catching the dust before it hits the floor!


Painting the sides. This is actually much darker blue than it appears.

Quinten wanted to build a birdhouse. He designed it himself albeit it was a very common look! He used his Handy Manny set to build one. Then, Mark had him sketch using a ruler! i was very impressed with his ability. They have spent the day building it until it came time to actually hammer it in place. Mark took over at that point and it is best to say a few colorful words ensued. A finished picture is not posted yet as it needs a little repair on the sides. Seeing them work together on this project was sweet. Not to mention the nice me time it provided!

Christmas 2011

We were blessed to have Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Dennis here two weeks before Christmas. It may have been the first holiday visit here in Ohio since I have been a Zappe. To be fair, we have only been to North Carolina once at the holidays. It is time to be together if possible though 450 miles makes it tough to take off for a quick visit!


We were also able to spend a couple hours at Janets' dads' house on Christmas morning.


This is Quincy and his last location before Santa took him home. We went to the 7:30 Christmas Eve service and Quinten fell hard asleep! I literally carried him down from the balcony and thre large crowds without him waking up! Until we got home of course!!


Santa and Quincy brought a nerf gun! Quinten said Santa must have known waht was on his brain since he did not ask for one but really wanted it.


This was taken just before Lauren's Christmas concert. She looked so lovely and the choir sounded wonderful. Carolyn and Dennis were able to attend which made it more special,

Christmas 2011 was marked by amazing emotional swings. The first Christmas without my mom was sad in so many ways. Yet, I was repeatedly reminded of the peace that comes with being in heaven. Having an image of mom laughing, happy and no worries made me being thankful that she was a christian and is at peace right now.

Quinten on the other spectrum was a complete joy. His excitement and anticipation was a joy! He continued being a happy boy with the ability to be happy with life no matter the circumstances. His elf-Quincy- was pure magic. Every morning he woke up and finding the new location was his first action. Quincy brought a nutcracker back from the North Pole and that solidified his belief system.

Lauren was with us this year for the day. She left the day after to go with her mother to visit her mom's family. Lauren lost her maternal grandmother in addition to losing my mom so it has been a rough year. Lauren and Quinten enjoyed teasing each other though Mark does not like the noise level when they are together! She received several large gifts this year including her class ring and her varsity jacket. We only give a few gifts already so to to have even fewer and not complain shows her maturity. She did say she received quality over quantity though more than once she commented on Quinten's gifts.

Pirates!

Pirate Quinten


Watch out matey!


Aboard the pirate ship for Quinten's birthday!

Pirate mania has come to the Zappe house! It started with the pirate theme birthday party last summer and has continued into the holidays. Quinten's elf on a shelf-Quincy-brought him a pirate nutcracker. This holiday he also received a pirate outfit and pirate bath toys (37 pieces!). Quinten has a wonderful imagination and I love to see him use it.