Conference Weekend

I love me a good family tradition and since this is the 3rd General Conference in a row that we've gone to the sea shore between sessions it looks like I have a new one to add to the list. (I say sea shore because that sounds so much more reverent and Sunday-worthy that "gone to the beach")

This year we went to downtown Marblehead and to the park there (name escapes me).

My little dare devils...


Of course its not as steep as it looks in the photo but Tessa did climb the whole thing by herself.

Meg finally decided to become a walker. This was her first outing with her new skill.

{There was a family photo here,
that a nice woman volunteered to take, but I look like an ogre so...
...no.}

We got home from the shore just in time to eat our soup and sandwiches in front of our big screen.

Photo Catch-up - Easter

I rocked Easter. I feel upside down most days but I pulled it together for the holiday and, essentially, became my mother for the day.

I mean look at this - bunny shaped pancakes.

Plus rice kripsy treats in the shape of bird's nest and dinner on the table and the house clean in time before our dinner guests arrived. Cute little monograms for the girls baskets. A necessity so that Tessa wouldn't claim it all for herself.


It was conference weekend so no church, just home in jammies listening to inspired words on the internet. The past few years we have walked along the beach between sessions - the past few years it has been in the 50-60s and drizzly, so it seemed Sunday appropriate. When it is 75 and GORGEOUS, it seems a little less so. But that didn't stop us from enjoying the beautiful day on the beach with the new Easter Bunny kite and bubble gun. (No pictures because I made the decision to enjoy the trip, not photo-document it).

Aaron got to fulfill a childhood fantasy of drinking milk from the inside of a hollow chocolate bunny. And by fulfill a fantasy I mean, live vicariously through his daughter, like any good parent should.


Icing on the cake was Tessa's first potty training success - I told her I would let her buy a prize if she "went" (remember 3 weeks to even sit on the potty...) so of course it was on a Sunday. Luckily I had a stash of fun things in the closet, including super fun window crayons. WE. LOVE. THEM.

Photo Catch-up - February

Still no eloquence...bring on the photos...

Making due when it is too cold to do sidewalk chalk outdoors.

Photo Catch-up - January

I lack any eloquence. In lieu of thoughtful commentary I'm just going to post cute pictures from my last few months of bloglessness.


In no particular order...

Tessa is reading a Thomas the Tank Engine "book" (brochure from the toy packaging) to her Thomas, Percy and Emily trains.

Perfect eyes. Perfect hair. Perfect skin. Red velvet cake mix.

Tessa's Birthday

Having a child old enough to anticipate her birthday is so much fun. Tessa was excited for friends to come, for them to wear birthday hats (I had to go out the night before the party to find them), for cupcakes, and of course, for presents.

I let Tessa pick her theme and it was "Pink and Purple." Gotta love simplicity!

The theme is evident in the pictures.

Sweet as can be.

Where to begin? (November)

It has been at least two months...no, more...since I really, really REALLY updated. Am I even capable of catching up at this point? I guess I'll only know if I try.

November

Quick trip to New Hampshire with some friends and some outdoor activities (I love "unseasonably warm" and "November" in the same sentence).

Playing like she is an angel.

When in fact these two screamed the entire way up.
Can you say "I'm not kidding - I'm going to turn this car around."

Poor Meggie - I forgot to pack her a coat.

Tessa is multi-tasking on a Nap/Hike.

Oh yes, and Thanksgiving - the last we'll have with our "family" Dusty, Crystal and Avery. We've eaten every Thanksgiving and Easter dinner with them for at least 4 years. Sniff.

What is a post about Fall in New England without the requisite foliage picture?

Hannah

I'm skipping over all Christmas good times for the moment to post pictures of Baby Hannah's visit to MA.

Laura and Connel are crazy. They took at 10+ hour drive with a newborn. Laura asked (via txt) if they could come for New Years only 5 days before them came. I thought about it for about .217 seconds. YES!

This kiddo grew up over the weekend while we had a baby in the house.

Tessa got older as well - holding, talking to and helping Baby Hannah.

She even helped her find some friends.

Auntie brought these matching shirts.

As you can see, Tessa made good friends with Uncle Connel.

A nice family snapshot taken at the JFK Library/Museum.

This is after we told Tessa to look at the camera.

Classic self timed photo with camera perched on the stroller...everybody squeeze in!

Thanks for coming...I hope the drive home wasn't too bad. (See that stormy weather behind them? That is what they are driving home in as I type.)

8 Months

This snuggly wiggleworm and with a super soft belly and amazing pooping abilities is eight months old!?

Prediction

I predict that in within two years people will want to know if these two girlies are twins.

You see it too, don't you?

Interior Decorating

Years ago Aaron bought me a wonderful bird cage - purely decorative, of course. It has wandered around our house, hiding in nooks and crannies until I finally had a place in the house that was going to exist only to be beautiful. Enter resident two-year old.

Not the look I was going for.

Tessa Says

Oh Tessa.

Every morning I wonder what she'll say that day, and whether it'll make me want to kiss her or send her to her bed. Frankly, its usually kiss her. She gets sent to her bed when she is wordless, but not silent.

Funny (and/or adorable) things as of late -

Aaron: Tessa, lets talk about...

Tessa: Jesus.

-----

"Mommy. Tell me sumsing about... ... ... CHRISTMAS TREES!"

-----

She's started calling Aaron...well, Aaron. I think it is Hi. Lar. Ious. Him, not so much.

------

Tessa loves Thomas the Tank Engine, but her first love was the engine named Emily. I'll be honest, I was a little jealous that she loved Emily so much and didn't know that I was Emily. Aaron was trying to "get back at me" for calling him by his NAME, which is how Tessa learned it, by calling me by my name.

She is so not convinced.

Yesterday Aaron asked "Hey Emily, can you get us a glass of water." Tessa followed with "Hey choo choo Momma, you bring me some water?"

-------

And now for a taste of wordlessness -
this one is addressed specifically to future background checkers...

(I only post this because she was doing that on purpose!
She better learn early the power of blogger revenge!)

Topsfield Fair Rides

Does this make you dizzy? (Or bizzy, as Tessa says.)

Lunchtime.

Crazy times on the crazy bus.

The all time winner, "pink horses".

Free Cookie

Tessa thanks the Elderly Lady at the Grocery Store as well.