Weary Traveler

We arrived home from our travels in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The kids were both excellent both to and from CA, despite connecting flights '_' It was a looooong flight. This photo of Caden in his PJ's really encapsulates how weary we all were at this point!!! [June 22, 2008]

San Francisco

Next we went to San Francisco. I had a work conference that effectively ended my maternity leave that started mid-week. We made the most of our time there. We were in a great location at the Suite at Fishermans Wharf with a great view of bay. We were, as the name implies, just up the hill from Fishermans Wharf and also one block over from Ghiradelli! We had a blast. We did the trolley, drove Lombard street, got in a few runs, and Lindsay even biked the Golden Gate!

This is the view from our hotel.

Lindsay and babes.
Lily playing at the beach at Fishermans Wharf. The water was frigid and she ended up falling in...twice! Hence being in her diaper.

Lily loves the baloon men in town.

We rode the carousel on Pier 39.

Checking out the sea lions on the pier.
Lindsay and Caden on the Pier.
Proof of "work" - Mary Ellen building arm strength and Stephen doing the same over lunch : )

[June 16 - 21, 2008]

Jelly Belly

No, this is not another photo of Caden (sorry buddy), just a goofy photo of the family on a tour of the Jelly Belly factory on our way from Napa to San Fran. Corey got to pick this excursion as an extended Father's Day gift, and it turned out to be quite fun. Plus we got to sample an unlimited amount of jelly beans in any flavor we wanted!

[June 16, 2008]

Just a gigilo...

Check out this stud-muffin! Here is Caden poolside, lounging on a queen sized lounger with two hot babes (Lindsay and me) on either side. This is one of my favorite photos of all time that I will be sure to weave into his wedding someday : )
(Our little chubbers weighed in 15.12 and 1/2 oz at his 2 month visit on 6/24. The doctor insists he is proportional with his height and weight and Corey insists that he took his chiding on being an ND line backer seriously!)
Caden and Mommy.

[June 13 - 16, 2008]

Lily's New Friend

When Lily and I were playing in the gardens at one of the Napa vineyards we happened across this statue. Too cute!

[June 13 - 16, 2008]

Wine Tasting in Napa

Believe it or not, the kids were welcomed at the various vineyards we visited (hey, they drink wine as kids in Europe!). One even went so far as to provide Lily with a bowl of marbles and a container of bubbles to play. Needless to say we purchased a 1/2 case of wine from them : ) we had a great picnic at one of the vineyards too. Corey and I did manage to do a couple things without the babes, including a fantastic dinner at the French Laundry. And Lindsay did too. She took a hot air baloon ride. Here is the whole fam after sipping some vino. The view was incredible, which didn't show in this photo, so is pictured separately below.

Blowing bubbles on the vineyard terrace.

[June 13 - 16, 2008]

Vacation in Napa

We all headed to Napa Valley, CA including Lindsay for a little R&R before my maternity leave ends. We stayed at the Vellagio Inn & Spa which was wonderful! They had phenomenal breakfasts each morning, especially the passion fruit tart : ) Enjoying breakfast.
The pool
Lily holding Caden.
Taking a stroll around Yountville.

[June 13 - 16, 2008]

Play Date

Amelia, Sylvan and their mommy Willow came over for a play date on the new castle.

Caden took the play date in stride...

This is the 9 foot ladder, aka "ladder of terror" that is causing me great angst!!!

[June 16, 2008]

Duck Feeding

After church we stopped to feed those hungry Notre Dame ducks again. [June 6, 2008]

Lily and Caden's new play set!

Neema and Neepa Angst worked countless hours with Corey to build this wonderful play set, which we refer to as Lily's Castle (sorry Caden, it will be your castle too when you are older). It is quite a play set! She absolutely loves it as you can see below. [June 7 - 9, 2008]

Ta da! Lily's Castle.Lily was really excited about the sand...and we are excited that she will hopefully spend less time digging in the flower beds!

Oops! A closer look at the sand : )

Caden's First Formula Bottle

Caden enjoyed his first bottle of formula with the help of his big sister. [June 6, 2008]

Sleeping Babies

Lily (and her mommy) took a nap on the screened porch during a thunder storm. It was very peaceful. Caden at 6 weeks napping during tummy time : )



[June 4, 2008]

Marlee's Baptism

Our beautiful God Child Marlee was baptised June 1. It was a wonderful ceremony followed by a nice party at Missy and Tom's. It is moments like these that we are very thankful to be living back in the midwest.

[June 1, 2008]