Change...

Well, as I sit here in our corporate apartment with none of my own belongings and just a few suitcases we stuffed full back in Washington over a month ago, I thought I'd better update the blog or I'd find myself in the state of no return where if too much time goes by, I'd just abandon it all together. Jack's on a business trip to Florida tonight and since he left his laptop, I figured I'd put it to some use...so here I go...

When the headhunter first called Jack about an opportunity with a company called Luxottica, we had to giggle. I thought we're going from coffee to adult entertainment (admit it, it does sound like a porn company) and with the US headquarters based in Ohio, it was a no brainer that I wouldn't have to worry about a second interview. He had just recently passed on a couple other opportunities which were in much more glamorous locations and with Starbucks doing so well and a portfolio of stock getting ready to vest in November I knew it was just his curiosity getting the best of him and that he'd come to his senses and realize that we do indeed love Seattle, Starbucks, and our life in the northwest. Well, clearly I misjudged that situation. So on April 30, our 18th anniversary, Jack officially started his new job...in Ohio. He finished his last day of work at Starbucks on a Thursday and on the following Sunday he was on a flight to Ohio. Thankfully during the transition he was able to return home to Seattle every Friday and flew back to Ohio on Mondays.

Snoqualmie has been home for over eight years. It is the only place the boys remember calling home and it was the home Sage first came home to after her arrival into our family. Many fabulous memories were made here and more importantly many friendships were formed that we'll never forget and will always cherish. That move eight years ago couldn't have gone any smoother and how excited we were to be back on the west coast closer to family and in a City we looked forward to exploring. It was a chapter in our life that we'll always feel so blessed to be able to talk about.

Here is a photo of some of my wonderful neighborhood friends who threw me a going away party. One of the best things about living in Snoqualmie Ridge was the wonderful assortment of friends we made. We had church friends, football friends, neighborhood friends, and school/and other sport friends. These wonderful ladies made living on the Ridge a lot more fun!



The Reynolds and the Sundwalls also threw us a going away party where we got to have one final send off from many of our favorite ward friends. Our other dear friends the Williams were leaving too heading to Vegas for a new chapter in their life. We'll miss them but seeing them off at the same time we were taking off made it a tad bit easier. We were fortunate to call all of these great people our friends!



I finally let the boys have their first sleep over with their buddy Joseph who lives across the street. The kids had been begging forever to have one but Jack and I have always had our reasons as to why we weren't fans of sleepovers in general! It was not about having kids in our home but rather not wanting to hurt anyones feelings if the kids didn't go to sleepovers at someone else's house. Our community is so tight and I'd hate for someone to wonder why the kids could be allowed to go to so and so's house but not someone else's, etc. So we just avoided them. Joe on the other hand has been a best bud for years. They were two and he was three when we first moved in. We've always loved his family and the kids have shared many memories together through the years. During our last few days in town these boys were connected at the hip...



Sage also had a sleepover with her bff Alyssa next door. I understand the girls stayed up late and had a blast. If there is one I worry about most with this move...after myself...it's Sage. She and Alyssa have become such great friends over the past two years. I can count on the doorbell ringing every day with Alyssa standing there wondering how long before Sage gets home from school. Alyssa in a year younger in school even though she is just a few month younger in age.

On June 20th the kids and I boarded a plane for Utah. School hadn't even been out for a week but we had lots on our plate. I needed to get the kids to Utah so I could finish up some house preparations in Ohio, plus now that school was out, trying to keep a house in "show condition" all the time was going to become a lot trickier. To make matters more exciting yet complicated we threw in a trip to Europe right in the midst of it all so I had to get the kids to UT so that grandma and grandpa could watch them while I continued on to Ohio to meet up with Jack.

Unfortunately not even a first limo ride for the boys and Sage was going to make this move any easier.





After getting the kids settled in Utah I took a flight out the very next morning to meet Jack. We spent the weekend meeting with landscapers, carpenters, a decorator, etc. We had back to back meetings for two days finalizing all the details with the Ohio house renovations. Then we continued on to Europe for a wonderful two week vacation with just the two of us. I actually felt a bit guilty taking the trip since we had just returned a couple months earlier from our amazing trip to Dubai and the Maldives but the guilt quickly disappeared once I sat down in that darn business class seat and realized that for the next couple weeks someone would be catering to me rather than myself catering to everyone else!!! I knew the kids were in good hands with my parents and once again I realized how lucky I am to have such wonderful parents that so quickly jump at the chance to watch our kids and a wonderful husband that I get to share my life with!

Baseball 2012!

Well this was the first time ever the boys were on separate sporting teams. When baseball tryouts took place I got a call shortly after asking if I'd be willing to have the boys be split up because they were looking to have Ty play up in coast and Connor would continue in AAA. For selfish reasons I wanted to keep them together but I know they are going to each have their own things that they are good at and many times they may not always be good at the same things. We were all happy with the team Ty got placed on because he had been coached by these coaches a couple years back and we really enjoyed them. Connor ended up on a team with no one he knew but what turned out to be a winning team with awesome coaches. It was great to see Connor shine as he played first base most games. Connor's team ended the season in the number two spot which was awesome. Ty's team was pretty good, making the winners bracket but losing in their first playoff game. He played outfield most of the time but had some great plays and hits. With the craziness of the move going on at the same time as baseball season I unfortunately missed out on quite a few games but I did get a few shots at the jamboree which kicks off the season.

Goodbye fourth grade and kindergarten...

Well, we did it! We are now the proud parents of three full-day school children! Good bye half-day kindergarten and hello full days to myself... haha!

Actually it was very bittersweet. I feel like I'm just about to enter a whole new chapter in my life. Although having daily freedom that lasts more than a couple hours sounds heavenly on one hand, it also makes me really sad to see that our kids are growing up on us. I know I'll have plenty days in the future where I'd do anything to experience these days once again so I try to enjoy them as much as possible.

Sage had a fantastic year. We couldn't ask for a better teacher. Mrs. Kinghorn was also Connor's kindergarten teacher and once again she didn't disappoint. She will be greatly missed! Sage was quick to make friends, loved to spend recess hula hooping and said her favorite thing about kindergarten was P.E. Well, it could have been lunch so we'll take it!



Here is a photo with Sage and her classmate Jax. Although she doesn't like to admit it, It was clear early on that Sage had eyes for cute little Jax but who wouldn't for such a handsome young man! Being that Ty and Jax's older brother were on the same baseball team and Connor and his older brother were in the same class, there were plenty of opportunities for the two to play together. What cuties!



Can you say BOY CRAZY? Here she is with Jax and Jordan, another one of the cute boys she enjoyed hanging out with in her class!



Connor and Tyler both also had great school years. Connor had Mrs. Larson for his teacher and Ty had Mrs. Cronin. I knew things were changing school wise when they both came home after that first week of school with backpacks weighing what appeared to be as much as them! Their favorite activity for the year was the Wax Museum. Each child is asked to select a famous person who has done something to contribute to society is a positive way. After much thought, Ty landed on doing Neil Armstrong and Connor chose JFK. It was clear that Ty was very excited to get his display put together while Connor was much more interested in reading up on as much as he could about JFK. They both did an awesome job and I was so proud that they did it all on their own. Being that they have to dress the part I was a bit nervous on just how we'd put together a costume for Neil Armstrong without going to the party store and renting one. Well, thank goodness I got a new ski outfit this past Christmas as it came it quite handy! I have to say Connor makes one handsome JFK and thankfully there wasn't much work required on piecing together his costume!!!

Introducing JFK and Neil Armstrong:



It's been a great year for the kids. Once in a while the sun would decided to grace us with her presence. On those days the kids loved to ride their bikes to school. Thankfully the last day of school was picture perfect. Here the boys are heading out on their final day as 4th graders...



It will be sad to leave CVES. We've had a great run...

Daddy turns 45!

WOW! Am I the only one that thinks that sounds SOOOO old!?! :)

Since Jack wasn't going to be around on his birthday we did a mini celebration a few days earlier. Ty was so cute and wanted to be responsible for all the decorating. He was adamant about using one of the pinjatas and stuffing it full of Jack's favorite candy, peanut m&m's. Then, our wonderful home teacher, Brother Willis who never misses a birthday in the Roddy household had called the boys earlier in the day to discuss something privately with them. Next thing I know he's dropped off this cute banner for the boys to hang for Jack's birthday! I made up a batch of Hello Dolly bars since those are Jack's favorite and we were good to go! Happy Birthday to the best husband and father we could ask for...

Memorial Day Weekend!

We are so lucky that even though Jack has started his new job back in Ohio, he gets to spend each weekend with us. On most weekends he travels here Friday morning, getting into town before noon and doesn't leave until Monday so he can be back in the office by Tuesday. Lately our Saturdays have been full of baseball but since it was the holiday weekend we were free to do as we liked and since the weather was cooperating nicely we decided to load up the gang and head over to Ensign Ranch. We asked our friends the George's to join us which made for an even more fun time! The weather actually didn't turn out to be as warm over at the Ranch as it was here in Snoqualmie which was unusual but this didn't stop the kids from all having a blast...



The kids love the rope swing...and as you can see so does Jack. He also came up with the clever idea of having him and Sage do it at the same time which she found quite fun. I loved the look on the kids faces as they see Jack heading at full speed toward them on the swing...




Then it was on to slip n sliding...



then on to the canoes...



Then Griffin wanted to test out the rope swing into the water so Ty showed everyone how it's done...



I think the highlight for these kids was holding on for dear life to the sides of Dave's suburban as he drove through the woods with them all screaming with joy...and perhaps a little bit of fear...



Everyone had a great time! We ended the night with a fun bbq at the George's and boy did everyone sleep well that night...

S is for Sage, Six, and Spa...

Forget about the week long birthday celebration, this year Sage's birthday felt like it went on for a month between our mommy/daughter trip to California at the beginning of the month, her official birthday on May 15th, and her friend party on the 25th!

The official day began with her getting to share her "Birthday Person" with her kindergarten class. Her wonderful teacher Mrs. Kinghorn has each of the kids share their "favorite things" with the classroom on their big day but what makes it all feel super official is when they take their mini-me person and move it from the five year old section to the six year old section on the classroom wall...



Unfortunately Jack wasn't able to celebrate with us since he had to be back in Ohio but we didn't let that stop us from having a small family celebration and being that he is the only one in the family that doesn't care for angel food cake it all worked out well since Sage requested angel food cake as her birthday cake!

Although Sage's main birthday gift was the trip to Disneyland, initiation into the Roddy family requires receiving a snorkel set...




Of course the bigger and much more exciting party is the one with friends. Even though the boys had gotten the shaft this year on a party, I knew I couldn't let that happen to Sage. First of all the boys have had 9 years of fun birthday parties and being this was only Sage's sixth, I owed it to her but more importantly was that Sage loves to read Fancy Nancy books and several months ago when we were reading It's Beauty Day, Sage had decided she wanted her next birthday to be done after the book. She even had made me make a list of all the stuff they do in the book since she knew she'd have to return the book and didn't want to forget anything. Between our trip to California and getting the house on the market, her party was delayed just a bit but it was worth it. Sadly this will be the last time Sage gets to celebrate a birthday with these darling girls some of whom have been attending her parties since 2008 but hopefully the memories will last a few more years...

Getting ready:



You never know what your toes will turn out like on pass the polish...



The girls didn't know what to think about wiping green stuff on their faces and putting cucumbers on their eyes...



After making homemade body glitter it was on to smoothies and turkey sandwiches...



I am not being humble when I say I don't have a creative bone in me but I do enjoy doing birthday parties for the kids. I was struggling to come up with a cute cupcake for a spa themed party so this is what I came up with...



And of course the most exciting part of the party...at least for this birthday girl was opening up her presents. It's become a tradition for sweet Annie to bring Sage a dress for her birthday. She always includes some accessory to go with it and this year it was this darling hat. Such cute girls!!!



Sweet Kasey couldn't make it for the party but was able to drop in at the end.



Alyssa is Sage's BFF. They moved in a couple years ago and over the last year her and Sage have become best buds spending every possible moment together. I can't tell you how many phone messages we've gotten from Alyssa over the past year with her crying on the other end when the answering machine comes on. Sage will definitely miss Alyssa when we move...



Could these girls be any cuter!?! It's going to be difficult leaving this great group of girls behind and sadly there was another ten girls Sage would have invited had I been up to the task of having twenty girls at the party. Oh how we're going to miss it here...

Happy Mother's Day To Me!!!

Each year as Mother's Day comes around I feel so fortunate! I thank God every year on this day that I have someone to call me mom, in fact I have three miracles that call me mom. But I am also very sensitive to all the wonderful women, moms or not, who have impacted me and my family. I feel especially grateful for the kind, sweet mom I've been blessed with who I can't imagine life without.

First highlight was Mother's Day tea with Sage in her classroom. I love the special events at the school but this is by far one of my favorites if not my very favorite. The kids perform a short skit before enjoying a light snack, reading their cards and opening up the darling pins they made for us. So FUN!!!



Next highlight was having Jack fly into town early Friday morning and not having to catch a flight back until Monday. Between a 4+ hour flight and a three hour time difference it's no easy task but how thankful we are that he is able to do it each week!

Jack started a tradition a while back of letting the kids each pick out a bouquet for me. I use to cringe when I'd get the credit card statement and see what the florists charged for an arrangement but ever since we figured out you can get nice flowers at Costco, I've changed my thoughts on it all. I love seeing what the kids select. This year with the way it worked out I was at Costco with them as they picked them out. I loved watching them walk around the display trying to figure out which ones they thought were the best! Definitely a highlight to the weekend...




Happy Mother's day!!!