A Happy Halloween

Lydia, one of her two caregivers.

Lara & Tony + Belle

Rudy & Trish at their new house!

No carved pumpkin this year, but we had a Halloween cake!

Our little ladybug seemed to enjoy her first evening of trick-or-treating despite the fact that at one point she fell asleep and she really had no clue what was going on!  Last year she was only 7 days old and so we plopped a pumpkin hat on her and took some pics of her just lying there.  We only took her to three places:  her caregivers, The Nunez family, Lara & Tony's and Trish & Rudy's.  She got some really nice treats and some loving licks from Miss Belle!  She got a pumpkin to carve from Uncle Charlie but we left it on the porch for only one night and the squirrels had a feast before we could get to it.  Oh well, next year!  We are a sick house again, the germs are thriving in a lot of households of people we know...hope the whole fall/winter doesn't go like this!  Stay well and set your clocks back tonite! 

First Birthday Party

We headed up to Traverse City, MI for Margaux's birthday weekend. We rented a lovely cottage on beautiful Cedar Lake and while the weather was soggy and gross, it was still a wonderful weekend. It was nice to have both of our families there as well as some very good friends. We enjoyed lots of good food and Margaux seemed to have fun despite the fact that she was oblivious to the fact that it was her birthday! Thank you everyone who attended and made it a special day! I am working on posting the entire photo album link along with her one year photo collection on the right side of this blog page under 'Photo Links'...

One Year Old!

10/23/09...12 months old TOMORROW!

We are headed out to Traverse City, MI for Margaux's first birthday party!  We wanted to have lots of family and special friends celebrate with us so we chose a convenient location for everyone.  I took her couch shot this morning to keep up the continuity!  Birthday party shots coming soon...

More pics!

Aunt Sue & Uncle Dennis = Great spoilers!

Ryan & Addy

County Line Orchard

So today we made our journey to the County Line Orchard in Hobart, IN.  My sister and brother-in-law, Dennis and Sue are here visiting and so they of course came with us along with my nephew Andrew.  We also met up with my friend Melissa, her kids Ryan & Addy and her mom Paula.  It was a weekend day and so the place was a madhouse!  The chilly temps didn't deter anyone from wanting to spend the day at the orchard.  We even ran into one of Patrick's farternity brothers that we were both friends with back at Ferris, Marc Hackett.  It was great to see him again and meet his son and wife.  We enjoyed yummy donuts and did all of the usual orchard things:  petting zoo, MooChoo train ride, and a wagon ride through the orchard/pumpkin patch. 

Birthday Time

(The actual address is 3736...annoying story!)

It is completely unreal to me that in just over two weeks my baby girl will be one year old!  It seems like just yesterday that I was in a lot of discomfort and preparing to go on leave from work.  Now, my house is filled with toys and clutter and I just bought tickets to see Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE:  There's A Party In My City.  Oh what a difference a year can make!  My heart bulges with love.

Many people have been asking me for sizes and gift ideas.  I have started to buy 18 months and she loves books and activity toys.  I also made her a wish list of things on Amazon that can be found at most any Target/Walmart/Kmart.  I hope this comes across as helpful and practical and not obnoxious and greedy!  We appreciate any gift we are given and "expect" none!  Now to view MY wish list...just kidding!!!

MVP's Wish List:

http://amzn.com/w/Y8XIYDWIUYY

Chicago 2016...The Olympics That Never Were

So today was the big decision from the IOC and as everyone is well aware, Chicago not only lost out on the host city bid, but came in last place.  A pretty big shock for a lot of people, myself included.  I had rather thought we would get it or at least be in a tight race with Rio.  It was not meant to be.  Patrick was shooting the rally down at Daley Plaza today.  Here are some glimpses of him on the job