Monkey Marie

Cute Baby

2011-02-24T22:43:00.002-06:00

Baby Pics

2010-12-18T08:34:00.000-06:00

Some random pictures of the girls. Cora is only about one week old here.

She pretty much already filled the bassinet!

Proud big sisters!

2010-11-11T13:16:00.001-06:00

Ava finally gets to meet her baby sister! She is so excited to hold her, Grandma "Me You" helps her.

All our girls:

Livi + Ava are SO helpful with the baby, their favorite chore is throwing the dirty diapers away! Livi inspects Grandma's diapering job:

Bath time! Just sponge baths for now, but I do have to wash that hair often...mostly because I douse her in milk during feeding time:

A Baby Story

2010-11-11T08:16:00.002-06:00

The birth was pretty easy, probably the easiest of the three. The hospital + staff was great! Fantastic epidural!! And easy recovery. Breastfeeding seems to be a different story...how could I forget after 2 times already?? Anyway, it's getting better. Here are some pics from hospital. This is my doctor:

Cora sleeps alot!...3 to 4 hour stretches already! Great, but doesn't help with the feeding if you know what I mean. She sleeps with her mouth open alot too:

We had several visitors, which was nice to pass the time. Big sis, Liv, got to visit the next day. Unfortunately Ava didn't get to come to the hospital; the hospital was about 30 miles from home and didn't work with school schedule. But Daddy went home each night with new pictures for her. Livi was hilarious; just all smiles, and super excited:

Granny helped her hold her sister, something she loves to do!

Granny gets to hold baby Cora too:

The girls from work:

Cora May

2010-11-10T08:55:00.000-06:00

Cora May Johnston

Born November 4, 2010

at 1:25 in the afternoon

8 lbs. 14 oz.

20 inches

Livi's Preschool Picture

2010-10-03T08:46:00.002-05:00

Summer Vacation Part 5

2010-09-10T22:38:00.001-05:00

We visited the Children's Museum in Indianapolis with MeYou and Lisa + Colton; it was a lot of fun!! We went mainly for the Barbie exhibit, but got to see lots of other cool stuff too, like dinosaurs, trains and the interactive glass sculpture.

Summer Vacation Part 4

2010-09-09T22:22:00.001-05:00

My BFF Whitney and her little girl, Quinn, stopped by to say hi too! Quinn got to swim a little with Grandma Rosie and the girls, then we enjoyed a nice outdoor dinner by the pool, Quinn had her first Popsicle (I think) and some more fun. It was so good to see them!!

Quinn was a little ham... saying "cheese"!

This is a little dark, but can you see Quinn puckering up for the good by kiss?? Super cute!

Summer Vacation Part 3

2010-09-07T22:13:00.000-05:00

The girls had fun swimming with Grandpa too!

Grandpa had some cool fish that swam around the pool.

Livi liked helping Grandma with chores - checking the pool, feeding the cat & dogs, etc.

Some painting in the evenings.

Summer Vacation Part 2

2010-09-06T19:57:00.001-05:00

Poolside Popsicles!

Summer Vacation Part 1

2010-09-05T07:56:00.000-05:00

In August we took our "annual" trip to Grandma + Grandpa's house in Indiana.... well it will bcome an annual end of summer trip anyway. We packed a lot in a week! Some highlights included Colton's 1st birthday, lots of swimming, visiting friends, going to the Children's museum and shopping! More pictures to come!...here are some of the typical swimming shots.

Happy 1st Birthday, Colton

2010-09-04T11:15:00.000-05:00

Happy 1st Birthday, Colton!! We had fun celebrating with you!! Love you!

Happy Birthday Papa!

2010-09-04T08:42:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Papa's birthday at Granny's + Papa's house with a homemade cake and cupcakes.

Moving

2010-09-02T22:07:00.000-05:00

We moved!....just to the suburbs. Thanks to our family + friends for your help with the move!!! We sure appreciated the help, and hope we don't move again for a very long time. These are pictures of the girls "helping" clean out our storage unit.

Wet + Silly

2010-08-30T22:56:00.001-05:00

Summertime fun in the sprinklers!

My kindergartener

2010-08-29T21:26:00.002-05:00

After being sick all week Ava finally got to start school last Friday!

Little Swimmers

2010-08-29T07:23:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago we took the girls swimming with Granny + Papa to see their new skills from swim lessons. They did awesome!! Livi jumped in the pool, then climbed out, THE WHOLE TIME. Needless to say she slept the whole way home. Ava did great too, jumping and swimming under water. I am SO proud of them!!

New carseats for daddy's car

2010-08-28T14:27:00.002-05:00

Fishing with Daddy

2010-08-07T10:36:00.000-05:00

We had a fun holiday weekend over July 4th; one day we took the girls to the little lake close to us for some fishing. Daddy even put hooks on their lines!!!!....I really didn't support that idea, but everyone seemed to do OK, no casualties. Despite the smiling in the pictures, it wasn't necessarily a favorite activity for the girls, although Livi enjoyed it slightly more than Ava. Momma enjoyed sitting in the shade with the nice breeze off the water. And Daddy....was worn out from keeping track of everyone's line.

Firecrackers

2010-08-06T15:39:00.000-05:00

We celebrated the 4th of July with some low key fireworks (snakes & sparklers) in the backyard, with our friends Bob, Lynn & Ella.

Pedi's with Grandma

2010-08-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago Grandma + Grandpa visited; Grandma MeYou treated the girls to pedicures.

Flower Girls - Part II

2010-07-21T21:56:00.000-05:00

Here are the rest of the pictures from my niece's (Sunnie) wedding. The girls were flower/butterfly girls. SO cute!! Beautiful & fun wedding!! Congrats Sunnie & Broc!!

Little Colton was also in the wedding with the little girls:

Mr. & Mrs. Robinson:

My sister, Teresa, and little (but not so little anymore) Brock:

The reception:

Ava even got serenaded by the audience since it was also her 5th birthday:

Weddings + Birthdays

2010-07-09T22:07:00.000-05:00

Big events on June 12th this year..... Ava's 5th birthday and my niece, Sunnie's wedding. These pics are from the rehearsal and celebrating Ava's birthday in the hotel the day of the wedding. Picture above is of 2 of the 3 flowergirls, Sam & Livi, at the wedding site waiting patiently for their turn to walk down the aisle.

Dad on left, my nephew, Brock, and Mom waiting to be escorted:

The girls do their walk:

The bride, Sunnie, and Ken:

Aunt Lisa and Colton entertain the ladies:

Grandpa supervising Skeeball with the little girls:

Livi sure loves her Uncle Kenny:

Livi + Ava opening gifts from the grandparents:

Guess who the birthday girl is:

Her big gift, the Barbie town house from MeYoun + Grandpa:

Memorial Day Weekend

2010-07-07T21:23:00.001-05:00

We did LOTS of swimming over Memorial Day!

Flower Girl - Part I

2010-07-05T11:53:00.004-05:00

Ava was asked to be in our friends Zeke's + Jeannie's wedding on Memorial Day weekend. She was a natural... well pretty patient for 4 1/2 years old anyway. Fun wedding!!

Ava + the beautiful bride:

Ava + the other flower girl:

All the girls:

Livi chillin' in back during the ceremony:

Ava not so thrilled about letting Livi hold her bouquet:

And she pepped up at the reception:

The bride + groom cut the cake:

Livi finds a handsome little man to dance with:

And big sis is not to be outdone:

Daddy + his girls:

Livi is a big girl!

2010-07-03T21:15:00.001-05:00

These are from Livi's 3rd birthday back in April. She got her big girl bed, a big girl bicycle and lots of other great gifts from family and friends. We had a small party in the backyard with all grandparents and both aunts too!

Granny + Papa arrive with lots of goodies:

Aunt Lisa + Colton:

MeYou + Livi opening presents:

My niece, Sunnie, helps carry the cake out....yep, that's one pregnant momma following her:

Livi LOVES green, so I made her a Princess & the Frog cake, or my best shot anyway:

Livi trying out her new bike from Granny + Papa:

Our friend Bob trailed by his little girl, Ella, and Ava + Livi:

My cousins came by too with little Braden:

Family enjoyed Jeff's meat....his barbecue that is:

Little Miss Performer

2010-06-09T22:14:00.001-05:00

Ava performed at her first dance recital a couple of weeks ago. She did great! We are so proud of her!!

Ava's biggest fans - Livi + Daddy

The performer poses with her fans:

Granny + Papa came to see Ava too!

Yee Haw!

2010-06-07T22:14:00.000-05:00

Grandma Me-You came to visit a few weeks ago, and brought some pretty cute cowgirl outfits. I guess she figured since the girls are Texans now they would be appropriate. Of course they love them! Thanks Me-You!! Sorry I didn't take any more pictures of your visit.

Peter Cottontail

2010-04-18T14:53:00.002-05:00

Yes, I am alive....just not enough time in the day! Here is a bit of Easter festivities....Girls Day Out to see Easter Bunny at Bass Pro Shop. My friend Lynn and her little girl, Ella, came with us!

Brief Spring

2010-02-22T06:59:00.003-06:00

We enjoyed some warm weather for about 2 hours yesterday. Rained in the morning, cleared up, then rained again and temperature dropped. Oh well, that bit of time we got out of the house was so nice!! Can't wait for cold to be over!!

Christmas Recital

2010-01-30T14:26:00.003-06:00

Granny + Papa came to see Ava's Christmas Recital at preschool.

Our Family

2010-01-30T08:46:00.002-06:00

OK, sis, here is to me blogging in 2010! To recap 2009, here is how we ended the year, and our Christmas present to our parents.....a family photo shoot. I work with a guy who's wife is an amazing photographer, and he, also super talented, makes movies. With over 300 photos, and one awesome video, I couldn't possibly narrow them down to post, but follow this link to see a snapshot: Stills.

And here is a link to the video: Video.

**Just a note, NONE of the video was staged. Brett just followed us around while Ann took the photos. I wanted most photos super natural and showing the activity of the girls, but then we have a few family poses too. Enjoy!....and I HIGHLY recommend them for you photography/cinematography needs!!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T13:48:00.008-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-12-05T17:24:00.008-06:00

We spent a Thanksgiving, and a couple days after, at Granny + Papa's. Nice weekend, a little cool, but perfect for raking + playing in leaves!

Patient little helpers:

S'mores

2009-12-05T17:13:00.002-06:00

We bought a little fire pit for our "patio" out back (not really a patio, more of a extra part in the drive), to try and make it more appealing I guess. Can't wait to have a house with a real patio/deck!! Anyway, the girls love it because we have been doing s'mores after dinner....well they like the treats, but not the smoke.

Kick Shovel Hop

2009-11-08T16:20:00.004-06:00

A little review of Ava's first dance class. In the class they learn ballet, tap, jazz and do some tumbling. In this video she is showing us a bit of what she learned with the tap shoes. She was pretty disappointed that class ended after only 1 hour! Livi, on the other hand, was not too happy at her first class, but we'll try again next week. It's her first class of anything, so I think once she knows mom will come back to get her, she'll be fine.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T17:46:00.000-05:00

Adult Fun

2009-10-30T22:15:00.000-05:00

Daddy + Mommy get in on the Halloween fun too! Our costumes for a party the night before Halloween...we're Hooters waitresses, in case you couldn't tell. We both have panty hose on and fake "hooters"!

Homemade Goodies

2009-10-30T21:12:00.000-05:00

Ava + Granny made caramel apples...yum!!

Livi served as "quality control" for the candy; everyone needs a good taste-tester.

Playing with the pumpkins...again

2009-10-29T22:25:00.000-05:00

Really, I cannot get enough pictures of the girls with pumpkins....they just make every shot cool. Must be the color. Apparently the girls (Livi really) can't get enough of the pumpkins either...We found Livi snuggling up to her pumpkin in our bed this afternoon. I hope it was clean.

Black Cat

2009-10-29T21:10:00.000-05:00

I love coming home & finding these little crafts the girls make.

Halloween Parade

2009-10-28T21:21:00.003-05:00

Ava's preschool Halloween parade was this morning. Poor Daddy had to miss it, but little sis got to dress up too and go.

They recited a poem and told a joke.

Livi, the good little witch....Not. But she sure is cute.

Country Ride

2009-10-28T20:47:00.004-05:00

A couple of weekends again we went to Granny + Papa's, and brought the 4-wheeler. It was so nice for the girls to ride it in the wide open, much better than a hundred-point turns in our driveway.
Ava: "Liv, hold on a minute while I give the jeep a quick tune-up."

Livi: "Sis, let me handle this, I think it might be serious."

Waiting for Daddy to clear the ants before any sliding will take place. They definitely get that kind of behavior from their mother.

We don't call Livi "Bruiser" for nothin'...she's one tough little 2-year old.

Livi: "Ava, trust me, I think it's the catalytic converter. I'll take care of this."

Livi: "Yeah, I'm probably not supposed to be messing with this....I be careful, Mommy."

Punkins

2009-10-28T20:10:00.000-05:00

The rest of our pictures from the pumpkin patch...finally!

Rescuer

2009-10-19T09:12:00.003-05:00

Just like her mom used to do with stuffed animals, Ava picks the sorry-est looking pumpkin in the patch... The bumpiest too, that ought to be fun to carve!

More pics to come, crazy busy at work right now.

Pumpkin patch

2009-10-10T15:26:00.002-05:00

Went to a pumpkin patch in Oklahoma, more pictures to come!

My Pumpkins

2009-10-08T21:26:00.000-05:00

We are getting pretty excited for Halloween!! We got a couple of small pumpkins, and some mums, to decorate the front porch. It was hard to explain to the girls that we still have several weeks before we can carve the pumpkins, we'll probably have to get some more closer to Halloween. Ava + Liv had fun carry & rolling the pumpkins around for now.

I'm Published

2009-10-07T21:19:00.000-05:00

Normally I don't write too much about work, or post pictures, but since this is online I thought there shouldn't be any confidentiality reasons why I can't share....My colleague and I wrote an article about one of our hospital projects, particularly the cutting-edge nurse teaming centers we designed. Click here to read the article. I mostly do healthcare interiors, but also work on corporate and education projects; I love what I do, but it's hard to leave work at work sometimes...especially since Jeff and I work in the same office now, and even on the same projects sometimes!

**My team "designed" this, but I am not respsonsible for the graphic, just so you know; we have a professional graphics team that does that.

Hot + Cold

2009-10-05T21:59:00.000-05:00

What an easy time I had getting the girls into the bath with a popsicle!! And bonus for mom, no mess to clean up!

Pajama Day...Missed

2009-10-04T16:51:00.001-05:00

Poor Ava has been under the weather for a week straight; she missed all 3 days of school last week, including "Pajama Day." She was a pretty good sport about it, but I know she also pretty disappointed. So this is our Plan B....take a picture in the nightgown you were saving for 3 weeks just for Pajama Day and you can show it to your teacher when you return to school. Seriously, she wouldn't wear the nightgown because she didn't want to chance getting it dirty and being in the laundry for the big day. No flu or strep, but on the 5th day of 102+ degree temperature a funny little rash showed up. The doctor says it will either be gone by Monday, or it's the flu.

Boiler Up

2009-10-03T17:04:00.001-05:00

Maybe we are jinxing the Boilermakers....

Fire Safety

2009-10-03T16:01:00.002-05:00

The girls got to talk to firefighters and sit in the fire truck, also
at the hardware store.

Finished product

2009-10-03T15:59:00.002-05:00

Builder livi

2009-10-03T12:52:00.002-05:00

Tool Time

2009-10-03T12:48:00.001-05:00

Stopped at hardware store for some stuff we needed and discovered
craft time!! Daddy helped the girls make firetruck banks.

Trip to Milwaukee

2009-09-29T19:29:00.004-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I went to Milwaukee to visit a lighting manufacturer; so it was kind of work related. Anyway, I wasn't really familiar with the city...until I got there. Got to see the art museum and took a beer factory tour. It was fun!

Our tour guide, above, for the brewery tour...hilarious!

End of Summer Vacation

2009-09-20T22:43:00.014-05:00

The girls + I visited Me-You and Grandpa in Indiana for about a week, a couple weeks ago. We meant to go all summer, but schedules didn't align until now. But the bonus was that we got to meet my little nephew, Colton. As always, the girls are most happy to discover the toys they've left at Grandma + Grandpa's, or our toys that my mom saved.

Livi helped Grandpa with the grilling:

Mommy takes the girls up to the playhouse:

Aunt Lis + baby Colton:

The girls miss our dogs, but they are VERY happy in Grandma + Grandpa's big back yard:

The girls help Me-you pick tomatoes from the garden:

Livi samples the crop:

Ava shows Great-grandma Hester:

My BFF, Whit, and her baby girl come to visit:

Breakfast with Aunt Lis + Colton:

The girls play the piano "melodiously"....ha!

We go to the neighborhood park with Aunt Lis + Colton too; the girls have lots of fun:

Colton enjoys himself too:

Doesn't she look sweet.....Ha!

Ava takes a break on the walk home:

Ava + Grandpa do a little fishing in the pool; no kidding though, Ava can actually cast the pole, nice job Grandpa!

A little pool time:

Chillin' like a villain:

And we finally are brave enough to go down the slide this year:

Uncle Andy helps Ava down by herself:

And we celebrate Grandpa's birthday early, while we are there:

My sister's happy little family of 3:

Thanks Me-you + Grandpa for a great visit!!! And thanks Lisa for staying over with Colton, we realize how hard that was! We miss you all already, and can't wait to see you next month! Hugs & Kisses!!!

Bye Ava

2009-09-14T10:35:00.001-05:00

Little sis was sad to see Ava go to school, but sent her off with a
big hug!

Back to school!

2009-09-14T10:34:00.002-05:00

Preschool that is.

Peacemaker

2009-08-30T09:22:00.002-05:00

Had to share, just heard the funniest exchange with the girls.... Livi has some toys Ava wants to play with, and there are 4 of them. So Ava is trying to get Liv to share. As I sit down to text someone, I hear Ava tell her sister, "Liv, so here's the situation; you get 2 and I get 2." Hilarious!! Where did she get that?? Do I say that?

Majestic Fairies

2009-08-29T20:17:00.005-05:00

Just got back from my second trip to London, for work, but didn't bother taking any pictures this time. Really just worked, no sightseeing. However, the one thing I absolutely had to do was visit the fairy shop I discovered the first time, in Hampstead. So I made a special trip out there my last day for my precious little princess fairies. Before I left Ava asked for, "a fairy outfit, a wand (because I only got one for Livi last time, she got the crown), a crown, but with no ribbons; and of course, shoes." Pretty particular. So here is the result - outfits, hair accessories, ballet slippers, a wand, and stationary kits.....Momma did good.

Backyard Swimming

2009-08-22T10:02:00.000-05:00

Waterpark...trailor trash style! We had fun, even though only half of my bottom fits on the slide!

Picasso's

2009-08-21T18:30:00.003-05:00

The girls, especially Livi, have really been into painting lately. Super fun! Daddy + I enjoy participating too!

Science, Nature and Mom & Dad

2009-08-15T17:35:00.014-05:00

Last weekend we took the girls to the Science & Nature museum. They go a lot with their nanny, but it was the first time for Mom & Dad....it was funny because they knew where to go and would lead us around. I'm so glad we finally got to see it other than in pictures, it's a really neat place. And thanks to Gracie for taking them here often!! They loved playing!

Digging for fossils

Pushing buttons

Being firewomen

Complete with outfits to put on.....

And slides!

Hats to wear in the bug area

Checking out the bugs and reptiles

Ava in the spider web

And Livi follows

Rock climbing

The farm area, complete with produce to play with; Livi loves her some tomatoes!...she picks ours off before they turn red

A cow to milk! (it's water)

Livi washed her feet off in the "milk" before leaving

Ava is such a lover...even to the stuffed animals

"tractors"

"horses" (Aunt Lisa would be proud)

Music time!

Wavy mirrors

That's Ava & Daddy....hot heads!

Hawaiian ice

2009-08-15T13:32:00.002-05:00

Ava + Mommy enjoying treats!

Water park

2009-08-15T13:31:00.002-05:00

Jeff + I took off yesterday to take the girls out for a summer outing
before school starts. We went to a water park nearby; it was lots of
fun! I didn't take too many pictures because I wanted to splash with
the girls too. This pic is right before we left... Can you tell how
tired their little eyes are?

Our Nephew

2009-08-12T20:29:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to my sis, Lis, and Andy on their new baby boy! Colton Andrew.

Snow princess

2009-08-08T15:57:00.002-05:00

Playing dress-up this morning!

Last of the London Pics

2009-08-02T08:47:00.000-05:00

OK, here are the last pictures of my trip, and everything else we squeezed in...Starting with a ride on the London Eye, the huge Ferris wheel

Ha ha ha...about 20 tourists from Beijing, China were in our car with us; about half way through the ride the husbands started asking Teresa and I to get pictures with them. I couldn't resist, I asked for a photo to remember.

Look kids, there's Big Ben...again! Sorry.

And Parliament, again.

Saturday morning at the market on Knotting Hill; it was crazy! Full of antiques, clothes, jewelry, food, flowers, and anything else you could think of!

Tube stop on the way home from the market; the weather was really nice that day, even hot!

And our final tour....Kensington Palace at Hyde Park; apparently Princess Di lived here after the divorce.

The gardens.

The orangery?...I think.

Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park.

Back to the routine

2009-08-01T15:58:00.002-05:00

Oh how I missed our little regulars, shopping at Costco!

Work Overseas

2009-08-01T15:39:00.000-05:00

Proof of my work in London....in case you were wondering. Presentation above in the vacant building we will be renovating. I do a lot of healthcare interiors by the way. Below - two finish palettes thrown together in hotel room for a new project that came up while there. Customs was not too happy with my 80 lb. suitcase full of finishes. Please, I could think of lots more things to be suspicious of!

Bath, England

2009-08-01T08:54:00.013-05:00

Our trip to Bath was the morning after my late night out....the train ride (about an hour and a half) was a little rough. This trip was definitely worth it though, very beautiful! Bath is known for of course the Roman baths built there, fed from natural hot springs, but also for the same cream-colored stone used for much of the city....see street scene above.

Plaza near the baths with singers that day. Not sure about the sculptures....sorry, didn't find the plaque to read, head still hurting then.

Our tour of the Roman baths.

View of cathedral from inside the baths.

Some of the original tile mosaic flooring. Although the pictures show the cream stone, it was actually all painted in bright colors when the Romans occupied the area.

The water was warm, I had to feel.

Bought some "wellies", aka rubber boots, while I was there, both a desire and necessity....was going to fall on the wet walk with my flip-flops.

Train tracks in the nearby park we explored.

Some sort of bowling lawn; thought the view beyond was neat.

The bright flowers....didn't matter that it was mostly cloudy with all the bright colors.

Teresa at the train platform before our ride back.

Work & Play

2009-07-31T20:37:00.004-05:00

After a full day of work here is our whole group having a drink at our favorite bar. Teresa & I really developed a love for "Pimm's and Lemonade", a local drink.

We went to the theater!....This is drinks during intermission at Les Miserables.

A funny little restaurant sign.

Good view of the cricket field from a developers office, we got to see his future plans...too cool.

Absolut Vodka Ice Bar....it was 20 degrees!!! They dress you in a big parka before you go in to the bar. It was fun for half of the first drink, then it was just cold!!

It was so cold my toes turned blue!....Just kidding.

Our work group, including our colleagues from London.

This other funny little bar with egg toilets!! This was a view of the female side, but you could see the males' from here too.

The sinks seemed like a bit of an after thought to me.

This was sometime around one in the morning...I'm fading. I am so tired from my trip, but because I didn't have the girls with me, knowing they were well cared for, I had to live it up and pack some full days in, and as many drinks as I could stand too.

Our trip to Bath coming next.....

Hampstead

2009-07-28T18:54:00.007-05:00

Finally, Blogger is cooperating....well actually, I finally have the time to update. The girls are quite content with a little Strawberry Shortcake. So anyway, I'm home now, but here are more photos from my trip. Once our work was done we stayed a few extra days to sight see; this particular day we took a trip to Hampstead, the nearest "old village-like" area. It was very pretty. We took the "tube", aka the subway, a lot...we got pretty good at it...don't I look like a local? Hee hee.

Tiny sidewalk into little shops...my colleague and our client in the foreground.

A cool looking cemetery; the gravestones were so worn you couldn't read the names. There was a map though, I think some famous people were buried here.....sorry, I didn't pay that close attention.

Why yes, they actually do have Texas-sized cars in the UK....this was the ONLY one we saw, thus it was picture worthy.

Just some neat scenery.

Crepe from an AMAZING "crepe stand"...I got the dark chocolate, banana & rum. Awesome!....also picture-worthy.

And finally, the magical little shop I found for souvenirs for the girls. Everything was pink and girly....I got miniature tea sets, fairy wings, a crown, fairy slippers, and fairy dust. Ava thanked me for these gifts at least 10 times after receiving them. I went a little wild! But it was fun!

Blogger's Not Cooperating

2009-07-24T16:28:00.002-05:00

Sorry, can't get pictures to post tonight....will try tomorrow, or will have to wait until I get home. Went to Bath today; AMAZING pictures!! Yesterday was our last work day, and oh yeah, it went pretty well. That's always nice! Drank WAY TOO MUCH last night at dinner, then went to the Absolut Ice Bar...it was 20 degrees!! You got to borrow a parka with fur trim, and the drinks where in ice glasses. Wore my sandals...not so fun. Then went to a bar where the restrooms are in individual eggs...yeah, I'm gonna need pictures for the next post. Tomorrow is street market shopping at Nottinghill, then finally home on Sunday. Will update soon! And yes, Jenn, this is my first big, long trip away from the girls, and Jeff. Missing them dearly!

Work....in the London office

2009-07-21T04:32:00.004-05:00

Do I look like I'm working hard?.....ha! Not with the smile on my face, I know, I was merely posing while checking email and updating the blog. Had some internal meetings this morning in our company's local office here, then off to a small quaint village this afternoon and the usual cool pub for dinner. Two more days of meetings, then more shopping, museums and maybe a day trip to Bathe. Stay tuned!

Some London Sites

2009-07-19T12:08:00.005-05:00

The park across the street from our hotel, Green Park.

Buckingham Palace, also very close to our hotel.

The National Museum, will visit soon.

Piccadilly Circus (just a busy intersection, lots of activity - LOTS of tourists).

Some sort of guard at a museum, I think the one for the horses...sorry, Lis, won't be visiting.

Parliament.

Big Ben!

The Tower of London, very cool! Saw the Royal Jewels!

Tower Bridge, maybe what we know as London Bridge....no sleep since plane ride at this point.

A guard at Tower of London.

My colleague, Teresa, and I at a wine tasting our first night.

Where's Mommy?

2009-07-19T12:02:00.002-05:00

Can you guess where I am??? Yep, in London...9 days for work! Woooohooo!! Thank you, work, for sponsoring this trip! I am appreciating every moment and trying to document for my family, whom I miss VERY much!

*Jeff, Ava + Livi - Hi! I love you! And miss you bunches....really bummed about not being able to call more often. Please tell Granny + Papa hi and thanks for taking such good care of you! Tune in for more posts this week. Love, Mommy

Haircut

2009-07-10T16:45:00.002-05:00

Backyard fun

2009-06-27T15:15:00.002-05:00

Working on something special

2009-06-27T13:32:00.003-05:00

We visited the mosaic shop today, making some specials gifts. More to come when I send the gifts to their rightful recipients.

Ava Pumped Up

2009-06-14T08:16:00.000-05:00

Ava's birthday party was at Pump It Up this year, an indoor play arena with bounce houses and inflatable slides....HUGE ones. I knew my family, the adults, would enjoy it too! Ava was SO excited to take all of her grandparents down the slides. As you can see above, Me-you clearly enjoyed it! Livi wasn't so sure, especially once she got to the top, but by the end of the slide down she wanted more. We had about 20, or more, little kids there...it was WILD!

Livi and Mommy

Ava getting tricky going backwards.

See, Livi wasn't crying the whole time.

Me-you, Grandpa + my sister, Teresa

**Lis + Andy - Sorry we missed you this year, but looking forward to all of the up and coming little kid parties with your babies!!

Daddy + Livi riding the slide

My nephew, Brock, having a ball!

Now Livi is getting into it!

Ava getting sweaty!

Ava + her cousin (my neice), Sunnie

Papa + Livi

Pile up!

Birthday girl still going strong

Me-you + Livi a little out of control...nice one, Grandma!

Ava + some of her friends

Time for snacks + cupcakes!

One of Ava's BFF's, Ella

Livi enjoying herself...and the snacks!

Ava's Birthday

2009-06-12T20:04:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th Birthday to Ava!! I can't believe you are getting so big, little girl. You are so articulate, polite, fun and cute! You look just like your mom, but with blond hair and long legs. We love you so much! This is just our little family celebration, pictures of the birthday party to follow.

Pool Time

2009-06-04T18:08:00.003-05:00

Yea! We are so happy to be swimming on the weekends. Last weekend we went to Jeff's parents' house and their local country club. Lots of little people there, it was great. Also I did an experiment with the girls, new armies AND swimsuits with floatation. Worked like a charm...Ava still a little uneasy out in the water, but not Livi. She would get out and go the deep end, wait for me so she could jump, then she'd said, "let go Livi". She would float and splash and laugh...priceless! Ava was happier on the steps with dolls, and that's fine too.

Road Trip

2009-05-31T11:02:00.004-05:00

Our first summer vacation this year, a road trip with MeYou + Grandpa to a relative's graduation party in Albuquerque, NM. Poor Daddy had to stay home and work, but me and the girls took LOTS of pictures for him! The video is kind of long; and turn the sound on for the music too. This took awhile, thus the reason I don't do these very often. The girls busied themselves smearing diaper cream on their faces while I made the movie...I knew it was too quiet. Anyway, enjoy!

We're traveling!

2009-05-26T09:16:00.001-05:00

Last day at school

2009-05-24T23:22:00.002-05:00

What we do on rainy days

2009-05-16T17:24:00.002-05:00

Play dress up!

Happy Birthday

2009-05-04T21:37:00.000-05:00

To me!

Big Girl Bed

2009-04-30T19:45:00.003-05:00

Guess who got a big-girl-bed!!!...Livi! She loves it! Unfortunately it's changed our nightly routine, I have to stay in the room until she falls asleep. And if she doesn't, then she gets rocked by Daddy until she does. So much for watch-the-news-before-bed time; this is also the reason for the lack of posts lately, I'm too tired after she finally does go down. Oh well, this too will pass.

The rest of the birthday story

2009-04-28T20:14:00.000-05:00

So I'm a little behind in posts...busy and stressed. But wanted to say thanks to family + friends for celebrating Livi's birthday, and thank you for all of the gifts! She was so excited, and really got the hang of opening packages. Thanks for the "helper" gifts for big sis, Ava, too.

Thanks for the soccer ball + horse, Aunt Lis + Uncle Andy.

Miss Glamour:

Thanks for the fashionable hat + shades, MeYou + Grandpa.

Thanks MeYou + Grandpa for the basketball hoop and big wheels!

And thanks Granny + Papa for the playhouse...the "pinkalicious playhouse!" Being the designer I am, the regular, out-of-the-box playhouse would not do, so I had Daddy pink it up....

They LOVE it!

Thanks for sharing in our celebration, Mel, Kiley + Cole...we missed you Denny!

It's a ladybug...in case you were wondering about the cake.

So who do you think is more excited, Livi or Mommy:

Livi, like her mother, has a thing for shoes....even her guests':

March for Babies 2009

2009-04-25T10:02:00.002-05:00

Here we are, the "marchers." I wish the weather was a bit nicer; it was drizzling the whole time, but at least it wasn't hot. That may have been worse. I had a couple coworkers with me that were really nice to hang with us, and even take turns with the stroller. Not much else to report on the walk, other than all the great positive energy around. I'm excited for next year.

And thanks again to all my "sponsors"!! With your help I raised over $200!!! Twice as much as my goal!! Thank you, to Amy, Mom, Lisa + Courtney for your very donations! I absolutely couldn't have done it without you, and I was so encouraged by your generosity!

2009-04-18T16:55:00.001-05:00

Ava has been having fun going to her friends' birthday parties, and actually I have fun too! We celebrated Mallory's 3rd birthday at a gymnastics place a couple of weeks ago. We've never been there before, so Ava was especially excited to check it out. They have a big foam block pit that you can swing into; I really didn't think Ava would do, but after watching all the other kids go several times she finally got up the nerve:

Here is the birthday girl, aren't her curls cute:

Ava and her friend, Ella:

Thank you, Richards Family!

2009-04-15T07:40:00.004-05:00

I wanted to give a big THANK YOU to the Richards Family for sponsoring me at the March of Dimes, March for Babies walk coming this weekend! I, along with my colleagues from work, will be walking 5 miles to raise awareness for babies born prematurely.

Courtney + Matt's little Meredith was born prematurely in Italy last year. I can not imagine how scary that was for them, especially being so far away from all of their family and friends back in the US. I checked in on posts about Meredith constantly, and as you can see she appears to be a very healthy, thriving little girl.

I added the March for Babies "badge" sometime last week to my blog....mostly I just figured my mothers would sponsor me. Ha, I haven't really even mentioned it to them yet; we are also raising money at work through things like buying the right to wear jeans. Anyway, I was really surprised to see such a generous donation from a friend.

So, again, Courtney, thank you SO much! It really means a lot to me, and now I have someone in mind as me and the girls walk our 5 miles. We'll be doing it for Meredith and so other families maybe won't have to go through what you did in the future! (Courtney - I'm so sorry about the previous mix up too, I've never known so many Courtneys!)

Thank you!

2009-04-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

A big THAN YOU to Aunt Jill + Uncle Robert for the birthday surprises!! Thank you so much for the cute book, little puppy and ponies! And thanks for including the "helper's gift". The little girls where SO excited!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T09:44:00.001-05:00

Ava's Egg

2009-04-10T15:24:00.000-05:00

Ava made an Easter egg at school this week. She brought it home in a bag with plastic grass; she was SO proud of it.

Livi's Day

2009-04-09T22:10:00.009-05:00

Livi was greeted with balloons and gifts from Gracie this morning, thank you Gracie!

They sure love Gracie, their nanny, and that makes me so happy. We are blessed to have her! We're having a small party for Livi this weekend, but Gracie arranged a party with the kids they play with during the week, and their nannies, for today. The girls were so excited! All I had to do was make cupcakes, and Gracie did the rest!! Oh, Daddy picked out the Tinkerbell tableware. Thanks Daddy. Ava's special request...a pinata.

Dos

2009-04-09T12:18:00.001-05:00

happy birthday, Livi!

Princesses on Ice

2009-04-06T21:45:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Granny treated Ava (and Mommy) to the Disney on Ice show. We decided Livi was a bit too young this year; I would have been chasing her over, and under, the seats. Ava was SO excited! The week before she would randomly stop what she was doing and would say things like, "Mommy, I've never seen a real princess before," or "Mommy, I think Ariel is going to have her legs, not her mermaid tail, because she can't ice skate with a tail." So cute. Livi was treated to a trip to the toy store with Papa + Daddy.

Not all of the princesses were there, but we did get to see Ariel and Tinker Bell.

We also saw one of Ava's classmates there, Ella.

Ava, with Granny + Mommy's help, picked out some tinker bell shoes for Livi.

And Livi's big purchase at the toy store....a big, orange basketball. She picked it out all by herself. Oh, and notice the strawberry on her lip; a the driveway reached up and bit her while she was chasing the cat. Tough break, but she's a tough little kid too.