In a Decade

we have lived in three states, two apartments and three homes

we adopted Jordan, bought Reilly, fostered numerous kittens and dogs, and rescued Emily

we changed jobs 6 times (most of those being yours)

we said goodbye to some loved ones

we had two beautiful girls.

Feels like a lifetime ago that we got married and yet somehow it still feels like it was yesterday. 

What a wonderful life we have built together!  I am so thankful to be married to someone who understands me, knows me, and loves me just the same.

Happy Anniversary hon.  I love you more than I thought I ever could.  To many more decades...

Ten on Tuesday

1. I have some catching up to do this post! Wallis and I got a bad case of stomach flu two weekends ago, and instead of downloading photos and editing them, I was confined to the couch, desperately trying to stay awake long enough to ensure Kelsea didn't harm herself (or Lorelei).

2. First up, Father's Day! We had a wonderful day and were very glad to have Wallis' Dad here to celebrate. Here's some of Kelsea and her Daddy. See the resemblance?
3. That afternoon we headed to my cousin Cari's High School Graduation Party. Congratulations Cari! And thanks to Aunt Robie for the photos!
4. Wallis and his Dad's Birthday was Thursday, his brother's was on Friday, and his Grandmother's was on Saturday. Happy Birthday everyone! Thanks Cathy for the yummy carrot cake recipe--it was a hit.
5. My little Octopus singing "The Slippery Fish" song at her end of school year performance. With as many times as we heard Kelsea practicing, it is safe to say that Wallis and I also could have stood up there and sung along.
6. Lorelei had her first meal of rice cereal two weeks ago. The first couple of times she was much more interested in sucking the spoon than what was actually on the spoon. Now she can't get enough of it! Next month-vegetables!
7. Wallis took Kelsea to see Ice Age III on Sunday. This one seemed to go over better with her than Up. Although the dinosaurs did scare her some.

8. Our ten year anniversary is Friday and we are having a STAYCATION. My parents are taking the girls Saturday & Sunday, while we vege out at the beach and sleep in! Nothing as exciting as what our friends are doing for their ten year on Friday, but looking forward to it nonetheless.

9. For our anniversary we got ourselves new computers. I got the 24 inch iMac and Wallis got the 20 inch (since he mostly uses his laptop from work). I'm a little worried about transitioning from PC to Mac but I can't wait for them to get here!

10. We are happy to report that Lorelei is (unofficially) done wearing her harness. The radiologist on Friday said everything looked normal (and that actually her last ultrasound looked fine too). We find out officially when we see her orthopedic surgeon on Friday. Yea!

Happy Birthday America!

Kelsea was so excited about "America's Birthday". Mostly because we were "having a party" and going to the beach with our lovely friends!

Sara chasing after Jake and Adam.

We missed Paul since he had to work (like most firefighters), but luckily Sara's Mom, Angela was visiting from Texas. With all these kids we could use another pair of hands (especially when it comes to the all important job of building sandcastles)!
And of course burying our kids in the sand! Kelsea was all about Adam yesterday. Watch out Nate you may have some competition! The Bolanders also joined us at the beach with their three boys in tow. Here's Johnnie dragging his Daddy toward the waves. Yep, I can definitely see why Rick has some back issues.

Joey was not so sure about the oceanThe littlest babes at the beach, Lorelei & Jimmy Kelsea's favorite past time, running in and out of the waves

And thanks to Cathy for taking a couple family photos!We then headed back for some warm baths and yummy food (even though I have no pictures to show for it).

After our friends headed home for naps, we made our way later that day to our friend Alissa's house for a potluck block party. They even rented a jumper with a slide--Kelsea was in heaven!
The girls with Alissa's baby, Landon. Hard to believe he's only 3 months older than Lorelei!

My beautiful girls on Lorelei's first 4th of July! We hope everyone had a fun and festive 4th of July!

Ten on Tuesday

Thank you Grandpa Mike

1. for taking me to the beach (twice), and letting me run around in my underwear, chasing waves and digging in the sand.

2. for taking me to the aquarium, even though the drive there and back was longer than the actual time looking at the fishes.

3. for watching me dance and sing to my music, and understanding when I didn't want you to participate.

4. for taking me to Veterans Park and pushing me on the swing.

5. for helping me color the bumble bee and bury him in the dirt so that he could rest in peace beautifully.

6. for my new Tinkerbell back-pack, bracelets and ponytail holders, and for my baby sisters pink blanket, Dr. Seuss book, and toy rings.

7. for helping Daddy epoxy the garage so it's shiny and new.

8. for taking me to get ice cream (twice).

9. for the yummy Chinese takeout so Daddy didn't have to cook one night.

10. for being a wonderful Grandpa who enjoys spending time with me as much as I love spending time with you! Come back and visit us soon. We love and miss you!

Jackpot

I'm pretty sure Lorelei felt she won the jackpot when we broke out the beloved exersaucer this weekend. We thought you folks out there would appreciate and enjoy our dolphin daughter (or dying cat, take your pick).

4 Months

At your four month photo shoot you found yourself a new friend to play with,

to hug

to suck on

to pull on

to grab a hold of

and to snuggle with. I think this is going to be a lasting friendship.

It is hard to believe that you are 1/3 of the way through your first year in this world. You are such a sweet joyful baby! You absolutely love bath time and splash and kick the water the entire time. You still like sucking on your fist, but the pacifier soothes you best when you are tired. You are hardly ever fussy and it is rare to hear you cry. You love sucking on blankets, especially your lovey. You are still sleeping in our room, and it will be sad day for Mommy when we move you to your bedroom. You weigh 14 pounds, 2 ounces and are 24 1/2 inches long, which puts you right at 50th percentile. Happy 4 month birthday little one, we just love you so!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Lorelei is 4 months old today! Check back Friday for her "official" 4 month photo post.

2. Kelsea is 41 months old today.
2. I am officially back to work full time. It is only Tuesday and I'm already exhausted.

3. The one nice thing about going back to work is getting to take yoga and pilates classes at lunch again.

4. Our conversation driving home from school last Wednesday:

Mommy, my hair was really crazy today and I cut a lot of it because it was in my face.
What do you mean you cut it Kels? Do you mean you pretend cut it?
No I cut it.
With scissors?
Yes, with school scissors.
Oh god. (Where were the friggen teachers)
Whats wrong Mommy, are you sad?
I'm just sad that you cut your curls hon.
Oh. Well, don't be sad mommy it will grow.
Touche my love, touche!

Here's a picture of her her new do before visiting our hairdresser Connie. Not bad really. We just now have bangs to deal with in the morning.

The new do after Connie. She just evened it out and put some layers around her face.

5. Kelsea periodically wears her life vest while playing outside. Not really sure what that is about. (We also have a picture of her napping in it last year). Here she is just waiting for her ride to take her somewhere...
Kelsea getting ready to give Daddy a ride on her back.
6. An expression we often see from Kelsea. I'm pretty sure this was the look she gave me when she told me not to be sad because her hair would grow back.
7. Wallis getting ready for a run with the girls.
8. I just like this one
9. Loving her sister. 10. Lorelei meeting my Aunt and Uncle's dog Gordan. I'm sure she's thinking, wow, he's bigger than Reilly!?