Doozie Dances

That's our girl - rockin' out to Joan Baez and Bob Marley wearing a dress Deanna sent her with her basketball shorts (not showing but a must with EVERY outfit) and Michigan State shirt.

The girl's got style.

Wa-hoo!!!!

You guys HAVE to check out Karen and Joel's blog for the big news. We are so excited we can hardly stand it!!!
They are going to be the most awesome, loving, funny, brilliant biologist parents ever! Congratulations you two - we can't wait for this new addition to the family! Benny and Des are asking all sorts of interesting questions (who's belly will the baby grow in? will my cousin have hair like mine? ...can't imagine there's a chance of that...). We couldn't be happier for you guys! Lots of love to you!

Happy Birthday Desaroo!

Our sweet, funny, not-so-little girl turned 3 last week (2/20)! Unfortunately, we were all demolished by the flu and completely out of commission the whole week. On Saturday we were finally able to sit up at the table and have a little celebration! We are still moving slowly and sleeping a lot...this one was a doozy!
In spite of recent illness, Desi makes sure her animals are dressed to the nines...especially Cleo (a present from Grandma and Grandpa). The girl has style!

Happy Birthday Benny!

Our sweet boy is 7!!! Ben, you are such a blessing and have helped us grow so much right along with you! Thank you for making us a family!
You continue to amaze us with your humor, enthusiasm, compassion and love.
We are so lucky to be your parents, and so excited to see what a truly beautiful person you are. Happy, happy birthday!
(The last picture was taken on Ben's birthday (2/5) but my internet connection was down and I couldn't post until tonight)

Yeeeee-haaaa!

Our first snow was followed by rain and is now solid ice. Word to the wise: although it looks like good sledding out back, it is not for the faint of heart. Ben pulled 3-Gs sliding down the driveway, up the mulch pile, airborne on the back side and flew into the brush. I won't even tell you how my ride ended, let's just say she who laughs hardest, falls hardest.

Oh, and Erin, a canoe is not the same thing.

give thanks.

Another wonderful Thanksgiving weekend was had by all. This beautiful tradition gets better every year - lots of good food, napping, bonfires, creativity, laughter, beach walks and did I mention napping? Erin and I were on duelling sewing machings making a bunch of reusable, reversable gift bags out of fabric scraps from our endless scrap drawers. Evan holds the record for longest naps amidst the chaos of our living room. He also was our in-house IT guy, once again, hooking up my web-cam so we can talk to Grandma and Grandpa with video - awesome for the kids to see them regularly and have a bedtime story from Grandma! Paul and Desi get this year's cutest couch napping picture award! Thank you, friends, for being such an important part of our family!

gross.

Yes, that is a worm-infested, vomiting jack-o-lantern.
My personal crusade to counter-act the Disney-princess, mass-marketing, nauseating plastic spectacle that I still believe can be the wonderful Dia de los Muertos.