The Owl Butterfly

These owl butterflies' wings were fairly pretty on the outside. The colors were a bit dull, but they blended in really well with their surroundings. However, the butterflies' wings on the inside were gorgeous! When they opened their wings to fly you would see a blending of bright, brilliant shades of blue. Are you sensing an analogy here? Perhaps a little symbolism? I know a lot of owl butterflies, how about you?


We walked past the aquatic petting area and made my mom touch all the sea creatures!
My dad is just about six and a half feet tall, and I really think he looks more comfortable sitting up at this giant table than when he's at home.
Round and round we go...a typical day in the life of Dave and Jen.
I do think Lizzy enjoyed her first visit trip to the museum. I think she enjoyed being pushed around in the stroller, mostly. We'll, try again next year!

Baby Blessing

More pics from the baby blessing!!

This past Sunday Elizabeth finally had her baby blessing! She just turned 3 months old on Saturday, but we had been waiting for my parents to come into town so they could be present. It was so great to have both familys together for the occasion. Elizabeth looked beautiful in her white dress! My mom had made the dress for me when I was a baby and so it was so special to see my baby now dressed in it!

WHISTLER

WHISTLER- that one word says it all. To me, its the greatest skiing in the world.
We headed up to Canada early Sat. morning and stayed til late Tuesday night. We walked around Whistler Village, touring the shops and sites. Then, we skiied til our muscles felt torn and our limbs like rubber. For some this was sooner than for others....I really need to work out.

Elizabeth missed out on the skiing, but not for too long. We plan on getting her on the slopes at an early age! She stayed in and had the greatest time with Grammy! This trip was awesome because we could walk from the hotel straight onto the slopes which allowed me to get to and from my little girl. Otherwise, skiing with a baby would not have been possible this season! Lizzy and Grammy got lots of bonding time. Thanks Grammy!The only thing better than skiing is sitting in a jacuzzi right after skiing all day. It was my personal place of zen. "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present."

All In A Day's Work

Lizzy's Work Life:
First, I wake up. And I am EXCITED about life! It feels good to be alive! Mama and I read books, go for walks, and play games all morning. But not for too long.

Life is not all fun and games. Mid-afternoon I have to go to work in the caterpillar factory. My job is to grab and shake all the colorful objects I can see. The more noise, the better. Its very tiring but my boss, the caterpillar, has his eyes looking over my shoulder the whole time...sheesh!

Thats not all. I have a second career in the jumping business. My job is to sit in a bouncing contraption, and jump as high as possible while spinning the colorful objects with my hands. Luckily, my boss is off site. I am usually able to sneak in a siesta.

She said Mama!

Elizabeth is constantly screaming Mama! Her first word! OK, ok, so maybe she doesn't just say Mama and says "Mamamamamamamama," and only when she's unhappy and doesn't even realize what she's doing. But STILL...she is pronouncing the syllable mama! She slips in alot of boos, bas, oohs, and ahs too, usually when she's upset. Now, whenever she cries Dave says, "Oh, she's saying mamamama so she must want you to go get her." Nice try Dave.

Goodbye Marstons!

Farewell Steph, Evy, and Dane! It was so fun to spent time with you! Blake was greatly missed, but we will be seeing you soon in NYC! Having Steph and her kids around, it was like the continuation of holiday fun.

Spending time with family. Celebrating Jamie's birthday.
Just having a good time going out. We took the kids roller skating and even little Lizzy got to go out on the rink in her stroller. She loved it!

The bunco game was a good time of course, Aaron and Dave proving to be the big winners!Lizzy got to meet her Aunt Stephanie for the first time along with her two older cousins. Evy and Dane were so gentle and loving with Lizzy it was adorable.

We will definitely miss having Steph and family around. We love you!

Aunt Michelle Saves the Day!

Somehow, somewhere, we lost Lizzy's most valuable accessory while traveling back from Chicago. Her swaddle blanket!! Lizzy is a great sleeper, but one of the secrets to her success is her beloved swaddle blanket. She definitely sleeps better and longer when she is tightly swaddled. We remember packing it for sure, but when we unpacked it was gone. Ever since, there have been no sightings of it in our home or my parents' home in Chicago. Maybe the airport staff coveted it??

Well, we were about to make a special trip to the store to buy a new one when Aunt Michelle came to the rescue! She surprised us with a brand new special swaddle blanket that is so cute. Lizzy now sleeps like a baby once again.

Michelle is so great with all her nephews and nieces. You can always find her with a kid at her side, in her lap, maybe even helping out with a diaper or two.