Girls

I was fortunate to spend time with these woman over the past year at MOPS. What a great source of encouragement our Tuesday mornings together were for me!

We enjoyed one of the few beautiful days we've had thus far this month outside at a MOPS play date. Gretchen got to spend some time with her girlfriend, Saisha.

"Oh, Girl, don't tell me you're using that kind of hand sanitizer?"

"Saisha, seriously, that stuff will dry out your skin"

"Oh, Gretchen . . . it's not for my skin - it's for my mouth. Grab the closest thing you see and shove it in - it's fun!!"

Such fun friends!

And Saisha's mom happens to be one of my fun friends! As a "done with law school/"single momness" gift, Jessie surprised me by reserving a piano practice room for an hour since she knows I love to play but don't own a piano right now. So thoughtful! We may have busted out some harmonies on a few songs!

I don't want to forget . . .

how much he loves to "help" me in the kitchen . . .

how chubby she looks in the Bumbo . . .

the expression on her face before she rolls over . . .

the way he loves Puppy Dog and carries him around for a while after waking up. . .

how quickly our living room gets trashed on rainy days at home . . .

her huge, open-mouthed smiles . . .

the way he crawled into my lap, snuggled, and immediately went to sleep when he wasn't feeling well . . .

our surprise face . . .

A Special Visit

Ryan and I have known our dear friends, Chris & Ashley, since college. We were blessed by a visit from the girls in the family this past weekend. Ashley and their youngest (of four!) came up and we had a great time walking around the city (in the rain and sun), eating lots of good food, and just hanging out.

Their daughter was so easy-going, but a little bored at our house since she's used to three older brothers to play with.

After putting the kids to bed, Ashley and I went out for Chinese dumplings in this little dive. The lady behind Ashley was making them on the spot. Delicious!

She was happy to be riding the light rail with Daddy

Thank you so much for coming, Ashley. I know it was a big sacrifice for you to leave those boys at home and spend the weekend with us! (go to her blog to see better pictures of our time together)

Smiles

Our family is all smiles when KayeK is in town!

It's hard not to smile when my niece is around. Look at that cuteness!

She gnawed and gnawed until KayeK's finger was sore!

Come back and see us soon! (and bring Big Daddy with you)

Just in Case You Forgot . . .

. . . My husband is a law school GRADUATE! Even though he's already started his Bar-prep courses and we are back in a full-time-student-study-schedule, I still can't get over the fact that he's really done! To help us celebrate, my dear friend, Jessie, was willing to spend a morning following us around Ryan's school and working hard to get our kids to stay focused for some family photos (meanwhile, managing her own two kids as well!). She did a fantastic job. I am so thankful to have these (and there are many more!). Thank you, Jessie!

Trying on Daddy's hat

This one makes me laugh out loud - such innocence in his face!

We were just a bit excited!

The graduate and his proud parents.

Rooke and his Buddy James taking a little run-around break from the photo shoot

"Your sleeve is a little too puffy, Gretchen. Let me fix that for you."

Thank you, Sarah, for these pictures of my son. I like your view.