We Love a Good Hammock

Thank you so much Emily for the best hammock in the world all the way from Brazil! We finally found a place to hang it, and enjoyed our first family swing session.

Sorry Nori, Love you!

Everyone has come to the same conclusion... Nori looks just like John and nothing like me. So i thought maybe if we had the same cheeks we might look more like each other. I had no idea she was so sensitive about them!!!

A Proud Papa!

John has a skill that is somewhat hard to come by.... some people can roll their tongue, or fold them... he can do both but he can also flip his completely over. I, on the other hand, can do nothing with mine other that stick it out at people. Our sweet Noribelle has also been given the gift. And I might say she could even be better at it than her dad!

One of Many New Skills

As a 7 month old Nori has picked up a few new skills... one of which is giving kisses. You really can't get sweeter than this!

Summer is Here

Every year for as long as I can remember there was a day that kicked of summer for me. It was filled with swimming, watermelon, boardgames, lightning bugs, and lots of good laughter. Today, the only thing missing was lightning bugs... but for the first time I found myself not only nostalgic for the summers of past, but eager for the summers to come. How fun will it be to share these new adventures with Nori!

We Love Emily

We can't say it enough... We love Emily!!! We were so glad to be a part of her short visit from Boston! Nori enjoyed putting a face with the voice she had grown to love for nine months(she wore her special smocked dress, her first one, Emily got her from Brazil)... even Wally wanted in on the action.... if only he knew how allergic she was to him.... he would be crushed. Come back soon! We love you!

Food Food Food

Nori is obsessed! She loves to eat. She has her mouth open and ready as soon as you sit her in her highchair, and she always cleans her dish. If you have a drink she tries to drink it too. If she were able I'm sure she would intercept the food on its way to your mouth... but for now she will have to settle for watching it like a hawk as your food makes it way from your plate to your lips!

Things have Changed but I Love It!!!

We have grown up and gotten married and now have children. Now a relaxing vacation is a new art... we went to the mts to catch up with old friends (the Barts, see post below!), and rejuvenate... and we got just that. We all played hard, laughed hard and slept even harder(even the babes!) It was a joy watching Micah and Nori play together and share their toys and the attention. We got in some good walks, good food, and great talks (and a ridiculous amount of hot tub time, my fingers are still pruny -john). I am so thankful for their friendship and for their hearts, we were blessed with an amazing vacation with them... and I am left grateful... and hopeful for many more of the like to add to our lives as time carries on, and as our families grow!

Linville Falls or Bust

We went for a 4 day vacation to the mts with some old dear friends, the Barts (Jon, Jen and Little Micah)... how indulgent!!! On the first full day there we packed up the van and set out on the blue ridge parkway. We picnicked, and then hiked the falls together (It was everyone's first time, other than John... Micah thought he might have been there before, but he was mistaken.) Micah was ready to get out of his pack and hike it on his own, and Nori took in all the sights while kicking her legs and singing hiking songs! It was a great day!

At Last... A Happy Little Water Bug!

Pretty much since Nori was born I've wanted to take her swimming. Its been tucked in my brain, and I would think about it almost every day. I knew if I just took her to water she would swim... a la Field of Dreams. Well it finally happened last weekend, and it was better than I thought it would be! Nori loved it! I call her my little observer because she usually sits back and takes everything in, processing it, before making any moves... but this was not the case with the water, she took right to it. As soon as we put her in she started kicking her legs. By the last day she was flapping her arms too, and she didn't even mind when she would splash herself in the face! The whole thing really just tugs on your heart to see her pure delight and awe. What a blessing to have her in our lives.

You Gotta Love a Turtle Eater!

For my Mother's Day event I decided to give Nori a bath in her new tub. Now this was her first big girl bath... in the actual bathroom (not the kitchen sink), and where she got to play in the water a bit (we usually wash and go). She didn't know what to think at first till I added a water turtle toy to the mix. She really thought it was neat swimming around her in the water. I feel she also exhibited a new skill, she showed that she would be able to survive in the wild pretty well. At least she would never go hungry. In the photos you can observe her stalking her prey and the eventual success as she enjoys her fresh catch. I love her to pieces, and I'm so glad she is what makes me a Mommy.

Happy Birthday Ella and Aidan!

Nori attended her first birthday party for kids. She received a cute little invite in the mail from her friends Ella and Aidan, up the street. They were celebrating their big #1. Nori chose to wear her party dress with the bunny's on it, with a blue bow in her hair... with bare feet. She had a lot of fun seeing all the babies (there were mult sets of twins, as well as singles), and watching Ella and Aidan each eat their very own birthday cakes. In the end Nori decided not to try the cake as to be polite and leave more for the other guests. All in all it was a wonderful party, and I think she is looking forward to future invites!

Big News a little Late!

So I was talking to my mother last night and it was brought to my attention that I forgot to tell everyone that Nori can sit up all on her own now... she has been for a few weeks. And she is getting better and better at it everyday! Such a big girl!

6 Months and Counting

Happy 6th month Birthaversary Nori!!!! You have far exceeded any expectations we might have had about having a daughter. We thank God with every breath that he gave you to us. We feel as if you have always been a part of our little family. As all can see Nori is well fed... I keep telling her that summer is here, no need to keep storing food up!!! But as you can tell by her plump cheeks and roly-poly arms, she isn't listening. She came in at a whopping 18 lbs 13 0z. I wouldn't have her any other way!

Rolling down a hill near you soon

Okay, so I have to stop and give major recognition to my amazing wife because she is the best gift giver in the world. When she gives you a gift, the first feeling you get is complete surprise (her system for secrecy is iron-clad), and then you are taken over by the warm fuzzies of “She really knows me!” and “It must be painful to be so creative.” Well, Kristi struck again and is personally checking off something that has been on my life’s list for years but only recently came to the US. That’s right, she orchestrated a trip for me and the boys to go Zorbing (don’t ask, visit http://zorb.com/). That alone still blows my mind, but the more amazing feat is how she wove clues and motifs through everything leading up to when I received the gift. I liken it to when I wanted to watch the 6th Sense again right after I watched it for the first time. Thank you, Sweetheart, I love you, I applaud you.

Happy Birthday John!

We had John's Birthday party Sat. He will be turning 29... his last year before becoming an old man! (haha) We had a big cookout with a fun mix of family and friends old and new. Then John and the men went to play a few rounds of laser tag. I was pleased because it didn't rain, the food was great, and everyone seemed to have a really good time. But most of all I'm glad that John felt celebrated! Plus this was his first birthday as a dad. Nori gave him a deluxe version of scrabble (I can see them playing together soon), and a card she signed herself.