Build-A-Bear

We had our first Build-A-Bear experience thanks to Aunt Jodi. Ellen now has a new friend named "Brownie" - a white and brown doggie who has a convenient brown spot on his bootie and needs lots of diaper changes :-) Anais's new friend is named "Gak Gak" which is Anais-speak for "monster". I'm afraid we won't be able to walk past that shop again without a fitful round of the gimmies. And wouldn't you know it is between the Apple Store and Clarks - I guess there will be 3 girls with the gimmies at that end of the mall!

Thanks, Jodi!

My best friend since forever, Jodi, came this last week for a visit. It was wonderful to spend time with her and sad to see her head back to SF. Thanks for all your help!

Double smiles!

A great visit

Shawn's parents stayed for a week and headed off to Brussels to visit the B-Ps. Thank you so much for everything. We love making so many memories with you!

Happy Birthday Ghio!

Push the play button to see the video. Don't be afraid to turn the volume off if our out-of-tune singing is too much for you :-)

Sitting pretty

Dylan has been sitting up by himself for the last week. Here's a pic of his big sis showing him the ropes

Good-n-Plenty

We took a day-trip up to Lancaster County yesterday to learn more about the ways of the Amish. We went to an old Amish farm/museum where Ellen milked a not-so-old cow and tried on some Amish clothes. We then went to "Good-n-Plenty" to gorge ourselves with Chow-Chow, fried chicken, fresh peas and corn, homemade tapioca pudding and Shoo-Fly pie. Delicious!

Hammin' it up

Anais loves to ham it up for the camera


Wonder where she got it from???

Bathtime Fun!

Here's a little something to hold over the boys when they start dating...

First Cereal

We've started the boys on rice cereal this last week. Dylan loves his food and can't get enough while Nicolas wants nothing to do with it. No doubt a hint of things to come :-)

A visit from Papa & Ghio

Shawn's parents, Phyllis and Jim, are here for the week on their way to Brussels to visit Susan and then on to London to see The Ring Cycle. The kids (and adults) are loving every minute of it.

Livin' Large!

I couldn't resist bragging a bit about my new toy. I now have an Apple 30" Cinema Display to help me start back to work on the right foot! Thanks Miss Sherrie Sue for helping me live the dream :-)

twin photos

I never seem to get a good shot of both boys in the same pic so I decided to upload 2 today :-)

School Daze

Ellen and Anais have started preschool this last week at the Montessori school near our house. Ellen is very happy and back in her element. She loves her classroom with all the "projects and activities". Anais is doing surprisingly well. She is clingy with me when I drop her off but once she finds the painting or playdoh table, she never looks back.

Welcome Jenny!

We picked up our new au pair, Jenny, this afternoon and are very excited to welcome her into our chaotic home. Hannah, our current au pair, is leaving on Monday for a month of travel and then will head back to Sweden. Jenny is taking her place and will be with us for a full year. We are very sorry to see Hannah go but are looking forward to getting to know Jenny and having her become a part of our family.

Faire Thee Well...

On Labor Day, Shawn, Hannah, the kids and I decided to head up to Lancaster County for the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. The girls dressed up in their finest princess dresses - Ellen being Cinderella and Anais, Snow White. It was a fun day for the kids as they made necklaces, saw some children's theatre and a joust and even had birthday cake with the Queen! And although we saw one too many Dungeon and Dragon geeks dressed up as knights and a couple not so attractive "wenches", I was able to buy Shawn a turkey leg for our anniversary and Hannah enjoyed a bit of bizarre American culture. On the drive home we even stopped at a roadside Amish farmers market and bought some apples - from Chile no less :-)