Luci at bathtime... Josh and Luci in the ball pit and More Tween Pary fun...

SHE'S #1!

Lucia's first Birthday was a blast. It was also a wrecking ball to our energy. We were really wiped out by the end of the day! Thanks to Scott and Emily for the wine (what a great 1st birthday gift!). We had crazy town downstairs where all the kiddos went BANANAS. In the words of Quincy, "The real party's downstairs guys!". We catered pizza, sugar free cupcakes, veggies, fruit, soda and chocolate cake. All our friends and neighbors were there. As were the grandparents. I had ambitions that included games but the kids were just having too much fun being wild. We let them free. I have a letter to write including Lucia's development but the more active she becomes the less time I have for those kinds of indulgences. Not to mention I've been using ever spare moment reading that damn Twilight series. All in all, our little one is grown and doing wonderfully. I have our family doctor fooled that I'm the best mother she's ever met. I give Lucia all the credit for that one. It's easy to be a good mommy when the baby is such a pleasure and dream to raise. I told Kent we shouldn't have any more kids because it couldn't get much easier than Lucia!

snow... SNOW... SNOW!

It has finally warmed up (to 40 degrees). Lucia and I went outside and I built (she watched) a snowman. I will post a pic as soon as I have him properly accessorized. Here are some pictures of our snow from Christmas Eve.

X-mas '08

Here are some shots from our holiday. Lucia was very happy with her gifts and currently doesn't know where to play first because she's so excited.

A huge hit was the stuffed animal toys that she loves to carry around like babies, kiss, rock, sing to and hug while she closes her eyes and goes, "HAummmmmm."

A nice part about that is that she also likes to BE hugged while she hugs the toy. So Momma gets a taste of what its like to have a baby who cuddles for once.

Well, anyway, she's up from her nap and I have to cut this short.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Snow Angel

We are amidst a very "white Christmas" wonderland these days. Lucia and I try to make it outside when the sun is warm on the new fallen snow. First we borrow the neighbors sled and I pull her around. Later, I laid her on the ground and flapped her arms and legs and she was delighted to find her first snow angel. Today, it is 20 below zero and the chances of us going out for anything are grim. But for now, the house is quiet as baby and daddy sleep.

There were two substitutes working on Halloween: One for me and one for our lead teacher. In place of me was one Miss Viola Swamp and in place of the lead teacher was Mr. Jack O'Leary (a distant relative of Jack O'Lantern). The kids were on their best behavior and were happy to see Mr. Alberhasky and I back to work on Monday. There have been some questions, however...

p.s. I'm waiting on a neighbor for pics of the Halloween Monkey. My camera died that night and relied on the kindness of neighbors to document Lucia's 1st Halloween.

Happy 6(0)th Birthday, Ansel Adams...

Have fun getting back to your photography/art now that you are retired. Love you Pop-0.

Happy Fathers' Day!

out to some of the Best Dads I know (in no particular order):

• Grandpa Olson
• Kent (Daddy)
• Uncle Chris
• Grandpa Obert (Popo)
• Uncle Mike
• Uncle JR
• Uncle Andy
• Uncle Kurt!

We love you all and wish this day to be full off relaxation and appreciation!

Take Care, Lucia and Katy

Genevieve and Joshua

In Honor of Genevieve's Birthday (Yesterday) and Joshua's Birthday (Today) I'm posting of this picture of them at my shower. I can't believe he was that small! He's such a big boy today.
This is what I know about Joshua:

• He loves his Momma (they make out) and Daddy.
• He loves Apples
• He loves Thomas the Train
• He loves cars.
• He can say "Poop"
• He runs like E.T.
• He loves being the center of attention.

There may be more but these are the top ones.

I know too much about Genevieve to share it all but here are a few favorites:

• She loves Anne of Green Gables, turn of the century English movies and Bridget Jone's diary.
• She was a late bloomer but Whoa! what a looker! She can dress herself good too.
• She loves psychoanalysing her friends.
• She can eat with the best of us.
• She goes on long walks with her friend Katy while our Babies ride quietly on.
• She can't hear and hates silence.
• She can say "poop".
• She loves Joshua ( and Rich too, sometimes).
• She loves being the center of attention.

To a very special Mamacita-

You are:

• hilarious.
• my best friend.
• so important to me.
• a great mom who always does the best you can.
• full of heart.
• talented.
• a great conversationalist.
• a granderma.
• strong and supportive.
• forgiving.
• always the most beautiful - pretty woman I know.
• interesting.
• a good story teller.
• an enormous part of my life.

... and I will always love you.

Just wanted to remind you of that on Mother's Day. You deserve everything you desire in life. Tell that grumpy old man of a husband to give you a hug and a kiss from me. I'm sorry I couldn't make it there to be with you this weekend. We will come for a weekend soon when I can stay awhile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBAND AND FATHER... I LOVE YOU KENT!!!

My birthday day...

It's officially my birthday today and it was pretty normal. I brought one of my now famous Irish Cream Bundt cakes (Go ahead JR... "Bundt! a Bunnnn-t") into work and the teachers loved it... Teachers. The way into their heart is definitely through their stomachs.
After work I ran home to my lovely Lucia and she promptly ate so long we were unable to take a walk in today's gorgeous weather. Pop-o came and took us to eat at the Power Company. I had the Oscar Steak which is a steak medallion topped with asparagus and crab. It was delectable! YUM... I did drink more than one glass of wine, I'm afraid... We drank a Cab with a fancy Spanish name that was actually from California. For dessert I had the bread budding that had a chocolate chip banana nut element topped with caramel sauce. Pop-o insisted we bring dessert home for Kent as his birthday is on the 8th. So I picked out the Irish Cream cheesecake topped with some sauce for him.
We had a humorous moment when our meals came out and I could tell something was written in his Bourdelaise (sp!?!)sauce in green but I couldn't tell what. I saw it while he was cutting into his steak and said, "Did someone sign your meal?"
"I guess so!" Pop-o laughed.
But alas it wasn't signed. Someone wrote, "Enjoy." In his sauce. I thought some smart ass named Enzo had signed his work.
So now I think that Lucia and I will just snuggle up and watch "Pride and Prejudice." It's playing on WE tonight. I am consciously trying not to think about feeding my husband.
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUSIN SAMMIE!

Lucia is Two Months today!

Here she is in an outfit given to her by Uncle Bernie. Isn't she cute?

In-laws are visiting and just arrived so I will have to write more later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAE, GRANDMA ELAINE, JOE B., CARRIE and HAPPY ST. JOESPH'S day and HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY... Whew (did I miss anyone?). OH Yeah! and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CHRIS AND TRISH!

Lucia, Kent and I all got up at 5 am this morning. She was happy and content and then soon after was asleep (while I wasn't). So.... I started a St. Joesph's day feast instead of a St. Patrick's day feast. I invited Grandma Olson for her birthday which was today (HAPPY 29th birthday... x's what again?)!

Here is the menu:

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage with Guinness
2. Irish Soda Bread
3. Irish Cream Bundt cake

I know my mom was real curious about it so I thought I would just share via my blog. We used some of the place settings my mother made for us this Christmas. Grandma Ole brought strawberry pie and daffodils for the centerpiece.

Lucia was NOT feeling super today- lots of gas, poops, and crying. So I felt bad that the grandparents had to endure so much of that. I used the infant Gas-x for the first time today. I hope that helps for the rest of the night.