She's here

The newest member of our family is here!
Meet Alexandra Jane ... born 7:34am .... 7lbs 2 oz

Congratulations to Eric, Katie and Big Sister Anna!

Happy Birthday Natalie (Late)

Last week our girl turned seven.  As in seven.  It doesn't even seem possible, yet, here she is.  Definitely not a baby anymore.  She can read and write, solve math problem, ace spelling tests...

She has a little circle of friends and when the phone rings now, we have to actually check to see who's calling.  Instead of just telemarketers, the phone now rings with a purpose.  It's for her.  She goes on play dates and sleepovers and rides bikes with the kids in the neighborhood.  Her social calendar is more full than ours.

Natalie is a GREAT big sister.  She is so patient and kind with Danny, even when he exhibits those "terrible two" behaviors.  She is a great teacher when it comes to his speech, and his biggest cheerleader when it's potty training time.  (This could be because she gets the candy reward too!)  Danny and Natalie have a bond already that we know will only grow stronger through the years.

Our girl is great and we wouldn't change a thing.
Happy 7th Birthday Bean!  We love you!

Slumber Party

This year, Natalie wanted to have a slumber party for her birthday. So on Friday night, our house turned into a mini fashionista runway.  We made a slumber party cake - which the girls later where able to eat their bodies.  They thought that was pretty cool.

We set up a mini runway with a full garment rack of dresses to choose from.  And baskets and baskets of accessories to help complete the look.

Then it was time for a bite to eat.  Even though Danny wasn't participating in the runway, he was still able to eat pizza and cake with the girls.

Then we made our own fuzzy slippers.

Ok, so this next picture was staged.  I asked the girls to pretend that they were asleep because I was ready to go to bed and they were still going full throttle.  However, I did sneak down in the middle of the night and they pretty much looked exactly like this.

In the morning there was just enough time for a yummy breakfast and some freeze dance before the parents came.

The girls actually begged Danny to get in this next picture with them but he refused.  I think he was just playing it cool.

Each girl left with their own slumber party cookie that my friend Nichole made.  They were awesome!  She was even thoughtful enough to make Danny his own cookie.  So cute!

Natalie's birthday is on Thursday so let the birthday week-long celebration begin.

These ears were made for piercing

Over the weekend, we met up with Jenn and Katelyn to do a little shopping. Natalie had been asking to get her ears pierced for a while now, so we headed over to Claire's and got her set up.

Here she is as they were marking her ears.  She took the whole thing very seriously.

Thank goodness for Jenn who was able to keep Danny occupied while I was with Natalie.  Nothing like a busy 2 year old in a tiny store crammed with a million things all within arm's reach.

The piercing chair was right in front of the window - and it was late afternoon so the sun was going down - and it was coming in the store window right where she was sitting.  Don't these people know I want to take pictures?!

But she did great.  Took it like a champ, didn't cry, just a little flinch.  She's been taking good care of them and is very proud of her new earrings.

The Dan

Nature Walk

Last weekend the temps were mild so Natalie and I took a walk while Danny was napping and Greg was working around the house.  Right next to our neighborhood is a small cemetery and although it may seem morbid, we like to take our walks there.  I find it peaceful and since there is hardly any traffic, Natalie can run on all the little paths and as long as I can see her, she can pretty much do her own thing.  Here are some pictures for our excursion.

Spectacular Spectacles