Happy Birthday Aiti!

Over the past few years I have gotten closer and closer to my sweet mom.

She raised twin girls and I know we were not easy on her :)

Fourth of July with the Murrays

Deep Sea fishing with the Murrays.

Typical scene growing up, my mom reading the Washington Post, note our dog Bella in the background and again at the Murrays!

This is us last year in Richmond for her birthday and a small family reunion. This year we went again on her birthday weekend. My camera was hiding in its favorite place (under the couch) for the weekend so I have no pictures.

Jack and Aiti in Madison, Wisconsin, the home of her alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Then she flew back to Wisconsin for a reunion with her Lampe (her mothers) relatives.

Sorry this post is a few weeks late! The parenting never ends, she usually receives at least one phone call from me a day :)

Brendan was right and I was wrong

After Jack's birthday party I was a little overwhelmed with gifts.

I came to a point where I cut off the toys because my living room was filling up quick.

Brendan's generous and thoughtful gift was:

Silly me, thought since Jack starting walking at 10 months and already had a push toy, this toy did not need to be opened right away.

After a few weeks I realized how silly I was to deprive my child of this toy, but then again hesitated because I thought it would be hard to put together. Again I was wrong. I finally cornered Gabe and told him to construct it. It was pretty straight forward, I could have easily done it myself.

Jack quickly and daily proves me wrong. Brendan was right, I should have opened this enjoyable toy on day one.

It does chomp and clack pretty loudly, thanks Brendan.

Bring on Christmas!

2010 in Review: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year started out with the Hanrahan descendents, Ali, Granny and Bopa.

Hanrahan cousins.

Round two was with Crane's/Murray's.

Whats better then two Thanksgiving with two families and a giant bouncey ball?

The week continued with a visit from my long lost friend Colleen.

Then the Edds' family came over, Katie Sue & Jack.

We got to meet the newest second cousin, baby Will with Gabe's Aunt Lynn AKA Gi-Gi and Granny.

Gabe and I could barelly remember what a small baby was like.

Gabe always looks like an "old hat" with babies.

I had to relearn what it felt like to hold a little baby, he was so sweet, hence, Laura's head tilt, she is emphasizing his sweetness, right Laura?

So sweet, again :)

We had another Thanksgiving get together at the La Monica's with the LeTendre family this time.

Mr. Downey & Bopa.

Robert with his little girl.

Minnie Mouse girl, Carolynne.

Some of the boys plus Minnie.

We are thankful we got to see so much family!

2010 in Review: Na-Na's Birthday!

Did Jack or Na-Na come up with my mother-in-law's grandma name? Early on he called her Na-Na one time and she took it!

We are grateful that Na-Na always makes time for us in her busy life as Dr. La Monica. When I was a brand new stay-at-home mom she got me involved in bible study. It was the same bible study she attended with her 3 children under the age of 4. With the same "nursing mother small group" bible study leader and who in this small world I knew because I babysat her grandkids who lived down the street from my mom's house.

When Jack and I graduated from the "nursing moms small group" it was time for him to go to the one year old daycare room while I joined my new "young mom small group" without him attached to my side.

During this time Teri had rejoined bible study because of me and was in the "moms with young adult children small group". However, I clearly remember sitting next to her in the big group lecture when the children's program leader asked for new volunteers for the children's program. Teri took it hook, line and sinker, next thing we knew she was signed up to be Jack's "Green Little Lambs" teacher. She spends every Tuesday morning with Jack and his little friends. They read books, sing songs, learn little bible stories, eat snacks in miniature chairs at a miniature table like big little kids...

Could Jack be any luckier to have his grandma as his teacher? We sure are blessed!

We starting celebrating her birthday on a Friday at Rocco's...

Saturday we went to see...

Then Sunday we had a family get together at Granny and Bopa's...

Did I mention that she is a Dr./Professor/bible study teacher/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?

Her granddaughter Carolynne had a cough so she is checking it out...

Thanks for taking care of all us!