Happy birthday Steve!

I want to wish a very big birthday to my husband, the father of my children, and all around great guy--Steve. :) On his actual birthday, we started off the day with a hat party at breakfast!


Then we threw him a small party with a Pirate theme, because everyone knows that Steve is actually 12 :) This is the cake that I made! Yes, I'm proud :)

Yaya and Poppy came to town for the party.


We went to the nearby lake for some outdoor fun. Addie, training for the World Cup :)

Cole-Bear Report (3 months!)

So the little (big) dude is 3 months already. Wow how time flies!! I have to say, his 1st 3 months have gone much faster than Addie's first 3 months. Probably because I have less time to just stare into his gray-silver eyes and adore the adorable smiles that come from him. He was 13 lbs 13.5 oz at his 2 month appointment, so surely he's 14+ now.

He's a sweetheart--smiles all the time and is pretty laid back unless he's in the car or overtired, then watch out--the kid's got lungs. Yeah, if you have a solution to fix the car problem, please suggest, we're open for anything. And remember all that hair he used to have? Yeah..it's falling out :) Though he definitely still has more than Addie did at that age.

Here are some photos of Cole, 3 months old. But first, check out Addie's 3 month photo shoot! I used the same outfit :)

Adeline, photographer?

It's always fun to think about what your kiddos will be when they grow up. Addie can be VERY dramatic and loves to sing, dance, tell stories, and act out stories, so we're thinking she may be a future thespian. She's also always correcting us (No, mommy, that's not a robin, it's a cardinal) so maybe an editor?

Lately she loves picking up our camera and snapping away. I think she does a pretty good job! So, Adeline--future professional photographer? What do you think?


"Short photographer=different perspective"


"A Puzzle Study"


"A Puzzle Study in motion"

"Baby Doll Cole Torso"

And this is my favorite :)

Pretty talented, eh?

Best Memorial Day Weekend Ever

Doug and Alli and 3-week old Julie came down to visit us this past weekend and we had the best time. We basically ate a lot, played, and passed the babies around. I LOVE that Addie and Cole have a cousin!

Cole and Julie holding hands...awww.....

Me and Steve cuddling our niece.

Alli chillin' with Cole

Stevo chillin' with Julie (see...baby swap!)

Cole's thinking "what on earth is she saying?"

Cole working on tummy time.


Julie....falling asleep during tummy time :)

Addie keeping herself entertained...pantsless

Cuddles! I love how 3 week old Julie seems to be looking at her daddy adoringly :)

LOVE this picture...she likes me, she really likes me!

Doug and Alli left in the middle of the night to avoid traffic...only to get stuck for TWO hours on the road due to a bus fire. Napping to recover was a necessity.

Cole thought Doug looked cuddly so he wanted in on the action.

Cole is happy to be hanging out next to Admiral Ackbar

Watching Curious George

New Mom Alli GLOWS when she holds her little Julie

Cole getting his first shoulder ride

Uncle Dan stopped by to hang out!


Cole is all smiles for his Uncle.

Thank you so much for coming...we had a blast. :) :) :) :)

Gorgeous Pics

The work of the very talented Megan Yanagi (aka "Reese's Mom"). I LOVE these pics!

Spain Girls Reunion 4.4

As you know, every year the girls I studied abroad with in Madrid get together for a reunion. This year was extra special because Cheryl was able to come--we haven't seen her in 9 years(!) because she lives abroad. It was so great to have her join in the festivities!
Here are pics from previous reunions. 2009 and 2008 and 2007.

Addie SO excited to welcome her friends Shannon and Kelly! :)

Sharing my lap :)

It was a gorgeous weekend so we spent a lot of time outside.
Practicing gymnastics...
...the slide...
...giving George a ride...

Then Steve surprised the girls by riding the Barbie Jeep out from the shed

Shannon was chauffeur to Addie ...

...and Kelly

Addie and Shannon invented a new game with the water table which consisted of, you know, sticking one foot in the water then making footprints. Pretty fun game...if you're 2 and a half :)

There was a rousing round of Ring a around the Rosie

Simon says (or was it, Kelly says...)

Cheryl had fun snuggling with baby Cole

The girls loved having their meals together

Bottoms up!

Kelly was cool hanging out in the high chair--She'll join the big girls at the table next year :)

The adults had spanish tapas--ordered in from a nearby restaurant...yay patatas bravas!


The girls took yet another bath together. Please feel free to revisit their first bath experience together--I can't believe that they both fit in that infant tub and I also can't believe how roly poly Addie used to be! Notice who has the duck...

...and now who has it. Unfortunately, this scene of the girls both crying happened quite a bit this weekend. It was typical toddler-doesn't-want-to-share stuff. Yeah...

Luckily they still love each other very much despite their occasional tiffs.


There was some relaxing over the weekend....

...and some general chaos.

We played a LOT of dress-up


Even the "grownups" took part in the dress-up fun.




Addie and Shannon helped Steve make his traditional Sunday-morning pancake breakfast


And we took a walk in the nearby Rock Creek Park



All in all, a very fun, very busy, tiring but wonderful weekend.

Jodi, Alexandra, Brette, Me, and Cheryl

Ladies, I had a blast! I hope we do this for many years to come. MWAH!