Mommy, I want a pony...

Let, me in!!!

She couldn't care less about
the horse, more so the open space!































My baby on a horse.

She was so good at riding.

Ella grabbed the horn and got into a rhythm.

Oh geez! Starting to fall off!
Look at that expression, haha!

Cutie Toby, already knows how to crack a whip!

She loved walking around the workout yard with Toby.

Ella hiding from the camera
behind a chair.
No, I can't see you in that big hole...

A joyous Toby!

Oh no! Ella fell into the hay. Time to head home.

Fin spent the time, relaxing with mommy on the side in his carseat. It won't be too long until he is moving and groovin upright, but I am grateful to only be chasing one kid now!
It was a really fun afternoon, many thanks to Rachelle and Toby!

Dinosaurs and Playdate

Maddie and Ella in the pool.

Looks like such a cool pool!

Splish, Splash

Bryce, what a great smile from the gracious host!

Ella enjoying the other swing.
She really likes to try to keep up with Bryce!

We had a great time at Tanya and Bryce's making dinosaurs,
and playing with Bryce and Maddie.
It was wonderful afternoon, and Ella just really looks up to the older kids!

An Untraditional Love Letter to my Husband

I know I tell you this all the time, but after my mommy group meeting I am reminded about all the things I love about you. (Yes, we talk about our husbands at many mommy meetups. Only wonderful things though) There are too many to mention, but I am going to take a moment and reflect on a few.

I know we just celebrated our third anniversary, but I have loved you far longer. Since you won't let me take a picture of you in a cape for comedic value, I can show my pride in calling you my husband in other ways. More than 3 years ago, I stood in front of a few hundred people and announced my intent to be the best partner to you that I know how to be. During our ceremony I professed my commitment to building a life and family with you, and I am just overwhemed with how much better the reality is, surpassing even my greatest hopes and dreams. I am not afraid to share that, in fact I take great pride in loving such a wonderful man. We have our days where we may not be perfect, but together we work to be a better team. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful that you are in my life, and I don't doubt for a nanosecond that I am the luckiest woman because you love me too. Here is a little picture retrospective of our commitment to each other and our new family.

The first night we met...(St. Patty's Day Mar 2002)

One of my many visits to State College.
I think we made Adam come take our picture
and we consciously posed. Next time, let's not stand in front of a reflective surface...
(April 2003)

The beautiful sunset the day of our wedding.

Remember how the fireworks filled the sky
all along the river?
Or was that just in my head
because I was so smitten.

(July 3, 2005)

Really, how cute can you be?

I know you felt weird with so many photos.
I am so glad to have them though.

(July 3, 2005)

It really is hard to believe our faces didn't hurt
after all the kissing for photos and glass clinking
at the wedding.

(July 3, 2005)

A mere 8 months later...
Can you believe how quickly we started that family thing?
(March 2006)

Holding our precious baby daughter, Ella.
This photo makes me tear up
because I still remember taking it
and thinking about what an incredible dad
you were going to be
(well that and I had a heck of a lot
of hormones running through the system).

At this time, you 2 were my greatest joys.
Since then, we have only increased the amount of joy by increasing numbers.
(April 22, 2006)

The end of a hike at Hole in the Rock in AZ.
Our little family.
(June 2006)

See, don't you love that I take tons of photos?
(August 18, 2006)

Our newest addition, Fin.
You were so careful with both of your babies
treating them like the most prized treasures ever.
I can't believe how much you love us all, but I am humbled by it.
(January 2008)

Our family now. (Feb 2008)
As Joe pointed out, doubling its size in less than 3 years.
I am looking forward to our future,
hoping that it continues to surpass my expectations!

Ok, now I will quit stalling, and go clean the kitchen...
All my love!

The wonderful, exceptional, irreplaceable Tollie (with the moxy)'s wedding shower

After title like that I hope we don't disappoint, but Tollie likes big billing. She is getting married July 26th of this year, one year to the day before Gabi does. Her shower was June 14th, but well like I said earlier, I took that month off blogging. So here are the recaps...

Fin was so excited to be going to
Aunt Tollie's wedding shower.
I think he knew he would be
the only dude, thus improving
his odds of attention.

Grammie, Tollie, and Fin enjoying margaritas.

Grammie's hanging basket,
made with love for Tollie.

Tollie and Renate,
Still friends, after all these years.
Who woulda thunk it?
Candy corn can form
permanent friendships and
create world peace.

Heather is Tollie's future sister-in-law and long time friend.
She was the host of this great day.











This is Heather's daughter, Chauncy,
working hard on her hanging basket.









As you can see, Tollie was miserable the whole time.
Actually I think this was taken shortly after she tried to touch her tongue to her nose. What else are you supposed to do at a shower? You can only eat little sandwiches so long!!!



This is the property, a home that the groom's father, Mal, built with family help.
It was the location of the shower and also the wedding site.

Rub-a-dub Fin in the tub...

Our cutie baby, looking up with so much excitement. He loves his bathtime!

Arms flailing, smile growing, water splashing, what's a mama to do but grab her camera?

Playing Coy with mommy and her camera...

Bright lights and
a new bath toy have
Fin mesmerized.

Yes, I know I have commented on how silly people are for posting pictures of their children naked online, but these just show his rolls, not any boy parts.

My baby can sit on his own and loves the water almost as much as his sister did at that age. I can't believe how quickly he is growing and changing.

My family and friends are my greatest joys and I love sharing it with you all!

Father's Day

For Father's Day 2008, Mike and Ella celebrated by going downtown to the city center and seeing a concert series called Tiny Tots. This was the special Teddy Bear Symphony edition, where the kids were instructed to take their teddy bears. Ella and Mike had a great time playing at all the displays surrounding the concert and Ella did pretty well at the concert according to daddy as well.

Mike also got a pancake breakfast that morning and a special dinner.

It is good to be daddy!

Juggler Day

This was the pretty walk to the juggler show. As you can see it was full of crazy kids and moms out enjoying the beautiful weather and the walk along Lake Washington.

The juggler on a ladder working with an "assistant" from the audience. Ella had no idea why the other kids were all raising their hands, but the power of persuasion got the better of her, and her hands were just as high as the older kids begging to be picked!

She stood for most of the event. As you can see we were pretty far back, but she still oohed and ahhed appropriately. So I think she could see just fine, and then we weren't sitting on other peoples laps.

Just in case you can't see it, the juggler is on a unicycle, with a stick in his mouth about to juggle the pins. Ella kept saying, "Oh NO!" when his helpers threw another ball at the juggler.

After the juggler,
she was tired,
so she relaxed at the playground.

Even taking off her shoes!!!

Just chillin' and watching the other kids























This was Cooper climbing away!

Cooper, the boy in the bubble!

The Salernos (minus Daddens) at the park.

Our friend, Toby, on the run.

What a cute boy!

Such determination!!!

He knew he wasn't supposed to,
so he was determined
to climb the open wooden stairs.
Haha, mommy!

Ella on the run! She and Emily were playing tag (kinda).

Veronica and Cooper enjoying their picnic.


















Ella and Emily stopping for a snack. All in all a wonderful day. We met new friends, had time with old friends and got out in the wonderful Seattle weather. I love this place!