First Comes Love...

10 little finger, 10 little toes, and an adorable crinkled up nose... A loving life partner with a heart of gold... Incredible and loving (grand)parents... Friendships that have stood the test of time... A loyal companion, regardless of my shortcomings.... And a charming, sweet home to keep us safe and warm.... Today I choose to live in the present; to appreciate all that I have, and be grateful for the blessing in my life. What are you most thankful for?

I was downloading pictures last night when I came across some I had yet to share. Just a few rays of sunshine to get us through till next year... Hanging out in the tent at Matthew's Beach Abigail's first dip in Lake Washington. She didn't mind the beach, but the water was too cold for her liking In awe Sea Otter love Catching up with her BFF Rainier bound! Having the time of her life... Best friends and boyfriends The Portofino Hotel at Redondo Beach (our first "real" trip without Bitsy Girl) The  blurry (yet beautiful!) Annie Taylor on her wedding day The newlyweds! (and me) An example of why you shouldn't use an iPhone for good picture quality... Crusin' the Strand, Hermosa Beach Beverly Hills and I got along charmingly! Chinesse Theater, Hollywood This summer was a memorable one: great weather, fun trips, and best of all, tons of time with family and friends. Now w...

Yesterday we celebrated our PEPS first birthday with a BBQ at Carkeek Park. So much delicious food, cute decor, and wild, walking one year olds! The gang!   The babies (now toddlers- eek!) have come so far together, and it's been a joy watching them grow and become great friends over the last year. Brogan helped push the wagon Brogan, Abigail, and Owen Amanda and Caroline, with Steph and Brogan Amy, Griffin, Abigail, and I Amy made delicious (and adorable!) cupcakes for the kids And who enjoyed their cupcake the most?   I'll give you one guess.... "Look Mom, no hands!" She just kept eating (with a few breaks of laughter) long after everyone was done. The Cupcake Monster Melissa and Owen Griffin (unsure about this whole thing...) Brogan and Steph Miss Malia Oonagh sharing her cupcake with Owen Brogan and Abigail discuss the joys of sugar Happy Birthday...

Thursday was Abigail's first day of school at Broadview Co-op! Since it's a co-op, Abigail and I are both going to school- 'cause you're never too old to learn something new! Ready for her first day of school.  Clearly she's ecstatic... We'll be going every Thursday morning (9-11am) which will be interesting for the next few months as Abigail transitions to one nap, but I think she'll love it. Abigail and Oonagh (PEPS bud) at snack time Getting ready to create a masterpiece! Seated and ready to begin Notice her lips?  I guess she wasn't done with snack time... Around 10:30, we were in full meltdown mode Aside from the nap-time-needing-meltdown, our first day of school was a great success! There is so much stimulation, things to play with, songs to sing, paint dabbers to suck on , art to create, and friends to play with (including 4 of her PEPS buds!) so I'm excited to see her social growth over the next 9 months...

Sent while in LA: Daddy and Mommy,   I can't wait to see you tomorrow!   I had an amazing day meeting so many new people, even two of my Great Great Aunts.  I should also say that I meet a really cute guy with beautiful brown eyes.  He even held my hand for a moment.  He might be a little young for me but he is very tall.  Actually he is half my age but I can tell he really likes me.  His name is Noah Pfenniger. I can not wait to see you!   Love,  Abigail GMA &GPA send their love too.

Sent while Kevin and I were in LA: Today our walking ladies celebrated Chris's 83'd birthday!  Abigail was delightful and beautifully behaved at the luncheon;  such a lovely little lady.   Clearly she was adorable and so perfectly mannered.   Another fun and great day for all of us!

Sent to us while in LA: (Email title:  "over the river and through the woods...!) Well - ok, no " river " and not a genuine "woods" but... off to Grandma and Grandpa's house we go...... Dear Mommy and Daddy,      We waved goodbye to you then drove to GMA and GPA's house.  I sang some of the way and giggled at GMA and GPA's singing.  We got there and I crawled through almost all the rooms on the main floor, drank one of GPA's delicious fruit drinks mixed with the milk you sent then got sleepy about the same time as GPA.  We both took a nap at 8:15AM......and woke up about an hour later.       I have been eating everything - cheeses, squash, milk, .....but most of all I love the cut up grapes you sent with me.  I have been talking to the neighbor who bought the Cox's house and he thought I was really cute.  While GMA was talking to him, I waved to the UPS man and he waved back and smiled!...

We've hit the brink.  The point where counting months starts getting creepy. Don't get me wrong, if you're talking shop with other like minded Mama's, it's acceptable (and semi-expected), but when the old lady at the grocery store stops and says, "oh, she's just precious!  How old?"   What they're not expecting to hear is "oh, she'll be 14 months and 3 weeks... tomorrow" So with that said, today Abigail turns 13 months and 1 day  :) (see, it's weird) Here are some fun facts from the last month: Standing- Abigail was quite reluctant to start standing (and heaven forbid, let go or fall), but this past month she's mastered standing and squatting.  She plays peak-a-boo this way.  Entertaining us by ducking behind the coffee table, then slowly getting up to surprise us with a huge smile and giggles. Talking- "A-Ca!", "Ca!", "Ahhh!"   I thought we had our first word, but I think these...