Happy Birthday Grandma Toni!

I couldn't access some of my pictures...would have liked to post a pic of Toni or both kids...but this will have to do. Wishing you a fabulous day!! We love you and miss you. "Tone the bone, Tone the bone, don't forget your Tone the bone."

Buffalo Zoo

Yesterday Jules and I took the kids to the zoo. It was a gorgeous, sunny day in Buffalo. I should mention that it was a gorgeous, sunny day in Buffalo while the schools were out. So, the zoo was a zoo. Anyway, it was still fun and great to be outside. Julie has a fancy membership with a zoo key that you can use at different kiosks. Jack got a kick out of using the key and listening to the catchy zoo tunes. (The spectacled bear looks like he's wearing glasses and loves honey and molasses. Who writes these things?) Jack and Sam rode the merry-go-round (Lily was sleeping) and we had a nice lunch. Here's some of the pictures. I love the last ones because Sam is having a lion themed birthday in a couple weeks! It's hard to believe he and Colin are turning one!!!

Master Jack

Our Sweetie Pie. She was tired.

Sam looks like he's ready for the safari.

Whoa! Check out the line for the food!

While Sam appreciated the lions, he also really liked the cougars...

I love this shot of Jack and Lily even if it is a little blurry and even if Lil looks like one of the hip hop kids from the Saturday Night Live sketch (with her hat tilted and her oversized sweatshirt)

This picture just makes me think sweetness and simplicity.

Did I mention that Teddy joined us for the afternoon?

Smile everyone!!!

Sam checking out the lion. This was unfortunately as close as we came to seeing a lion. In the real lion exhibit there was a tiger. C'mon Buffalo zoo, even I know if a cat has stripes it is not a lion. Geesh.

Jules and her mane man.


Good times!!!

Animal Theme Week - "Hey Look Kids a Deer!"

As some of you may know, I hit a deer on the way back from Rochester a few nights ago It was scary and I think I won't be travelling the backroads (at night) for a long time. I'm always scanning for deer but the thing about deer is that they leap and they leap out of nowhere. Fortunately, the Corolla handled very well and I was able to stop on impact. It could have been much worse. I'm not sure what the fate of the deer was. Dave was driving a few miles behind me and when we met up he inspected the car. It was still driveable but the fender was all mashed up and there was deer hair covering the dash. Nice. Anyway, Dave is driving a hot vehicle while the car is being repaired (not so much). Thankfully everyone is okay!

New Resident at Louvaine - Be Veh-wee, Veh-wee Quiet

This rabbit has decided to make a home beneath the kids' slide. Apparently he never heard the story of old man McGregror and the pie.

The Safest Place in the World...

Daddy's Arms

Stolen from Erin...

Stole these shots from Erin. I love them!

The monkeys jumping on the bed! Some day we'll have Atticus there too...the three stooges.

Lily admiring Vivian's shoes..."Where'd you get these? Baby Gap or Gymboree? The leather is so soft."

Me and Vivian!

More Easter Pics

Reading with Grandma

Listening to Stories

This makes me think of that song from the musical Cinderella, "Just as long as I stay in my own little corner, all alone in my own little chair..."

Daddy, you left some on your plate.

Happiness is a twin pop

Lil snuggling with her dad

Egg Hunt

Easter Sunday was beautiful in Rochester!

Jack wasn't feeling well throughout the day but he rallied for a little egg hunt.

Love this shot of the kids...Lily right behind her brother.


Jack looking rather pale but happy


Found one!


Lily's on the go. David found her that little hat and I love it.

Examining the forsythia with grandma. And, yes, he knew it was forsythia.

Jack looks like such a little boy to me in this picture.

One more. Like how everything is starting to grow. Spring is here (well, as I type this it doesn't feel like it because it was 38 degrees when I was out earlier).

Visit with the Mays

I offered to let Nate borrow this toy for the car trip back to North Carolina

but his mom passed on it.

They're starting a band

Discussing politics over juice boxes

Erin and Vivian. Look at the cheeks on Viv. She gives Lily a run for her money.

The boys shared really well. It didn't take Nate long to find the trucks.

Erin brought timbits over...I think between all three kids they had about a dozen. Yikes.

I'm sure Erin has more pics. The boys were jumping on beds (Attie, sound familiar) for a long time. It was fun to see them and I wished we all lived closer. Miss you all!

Aunt Margaret

My Aunt Margaret is having surgery tomorrow. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I can't wait to see her dancing in July! Sending all our love!

Grandpa Dave

Lily discussing current affairs with Pa-Pa

Love this!


My friend Erin thought Dave looked just like his dad when she

met the Other Dave. I think she might be right.

Jack and his buddy

Opening birthday gifts. Jack is always nearby

when there's a present to be unwrapped.

Easter Morning

We had a nice Easter. I wanted to post a couple pics of the morning. I still have some pics of the Archer visit and some from my mom's yesterday but here are the morning shots. Poor Jack had a terrible fever Saturday night and intermittently throughout Easter. Somehow easter baskets and chocolate have a way of making sick days better.

Beans Made Entirely Out of Sugar....Genius.

Our Two Little Climbers. Now they both climb up to look at the computer and have to share the chair. Here they are with some of their Easter goodies.

Caught You!

Easter Basket Goodness

Jack checking out his loot...

Grandma Toni, or Tone The Bone

Grandma Toni and Grandpa Dave visited us and the kids, as always, had a great time. Jack got wind of Grandma Toni's favorite nickname, "Tone-the-Bone." In fact he made up his own song: "Tone-the-Bone, Tone-the-Bone, Don't forget your Tone-the-Bone." I wish you could hear the tune because it was quite catchy.

Jack and Grandma discussing the latest Mo Willems read

I guess you can tell she's an educator, huh?



Happy Guy




Computer time with Grandma.

Good place to rest

This is when we were all dancing...

I love how Lily is curled up here next to Grandma.