new toy for the family

Here's our new toy . . . BOB Revolution Duallie

We finally found a great deal on Craigslist ~ woo hoo!!!

The kids love it and we had our first family run this evening.

Fun times!

Eli, Child of God

Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

Today was Eli's baptism and it was such a wonderful experience celebrating with family and close friends.  In true Eli fashion, he was very laid back about the whole process ~ definitely an E.Z little man who looked very cute in his outfit ;-)

No fussing at all during the baptism . . .

We had a reception in the church immediately following the service . . . complete with a photo cake :)

Yes, we let Eli have a few small tastes of his cake . . . it only seemed fair!

Having fun with his Godparents ~ Uncle Tony, Aunt Jenee and Uncle Danny

Our attempt at a family pic ~ yep, this was the best we could do ;-)

What a wonderful day and we are so pleased that so many were able to share it with us!!!

Eli has tooth #8!!!

The bottom, side right popped through this afternoon making four on top and four on bottom.  What a cute smile! :)  Best part, we had no clue it was coming since Eli has been smiley and happy as can be!!!  Gotta love this guy!

rub dub just relaxing in the tub . . .

That was the theme last night as Eli got his first bath in the big tub, though I'm not sure there was much relaxing going on ;-) 

Eli loves to splash in the water and was so bummed not being able to do so for the last month with the cast but now that he is cast free and such a great sitter, he not only got to splash around again, he got to do it in the big tub and with his sister!!!  The both had the best time playing and splashing each other.  Eli was none too happy when we took him out and apparently Alli wasn't either because she declared her bath was over and that Eli should join her again tomorrow!

The Big Short

A glimpse into the world in which I work . . .

These days I have little time to read but for my job, I have been instructed to read a number of books that have been hot topics in recent government hearings on the financial crisis. I have to say, they are pretty good.  Most recently I read . . .

Since the Fall of 2007, my professional life -- as I specialize in securties defense -- has been immersed in the mortgage and financial crisis.  I have spent countless hours trying to wade through 1000s of documents and taken numerous interviews of those "in the know" yet even I had a tough time understanding, let alone explaining, the financial crisis.  How did things get to be so bad???  This book was without a doubt the clearest explanation I have seen.  Is it one-sided?  Probably.  Yet it still gives an idea of how we got to where we are.  If only this had been published 2.5 years ago!!!

For those of you who glaze over when I talk about what I do but are interested, I highly recommend reading The Big Short.  It is actually a pretty gripping tale!

who is this girl????

Let me preface by saying that everying in italics came directly out of Alli's mouth . . .

Yummy!  I need some more broccoli Mommy.

This is what I heard at lunch today while I watched my ever picky daughter polish off three servings of broccoli, a carrot stick and a celery stick while eating her peanut butter sandwich and peaches!

Don't believe me?  I took pictures because I wouldn't believe it either!!! ;-)

As if that were not enough . . .

Here you go Eli, you can have Baby Ashlie.

What?!?!?!?!?! 

Again, I documented in pictures because this was unheard of!!!

See the excitement on Eli's face???  He was as shocked as me!

Is this for real?????  Going through Eli's mind :)

Then she hands him Baby Ashlie's car seat. 

Just in case he want to put her to sleep in there

she tells me 

Still in shock but she's not done yet. 

Oh no, she saved the most shocking for last . . .

I'm going to give Eli my pink blankie.  {I almost fell over!} Here Eli.  {Insert Alli giggles}   

Oops, it's stuck in his teeth.  Let me help you Eli. 

Here Eli, you hold one end and I will hold the other.  {Insert Eli & Alli giggles}

Am I dreaming????

This was our lunch hour before nap today.  

Both are still down.

Who is this girl?????????

eli is cast free!

G took Eli to see the pediatric orthopedist and she said the bone looked great . . . lots of growth!!!  The cast is off and G assures me that Eli is getting around pretty well.  He's a little sore but that is to be expected.  I promise to post pictures when I get home.  I have to say, that month went by QUICKLY :)  Whew!  That rotten chapter is over now.

Bookies & Cookies

One of our wonderful neighbors, Mrs. K, hosts an evening playgroup every couple months where she has the kids do crafts, she reads stories and serves a yummy dessert.  Tonight was a garden theme and the kids got to plant seeds, make tissue-paper butterflies, hear garden stories and release real butterflies all before enjoying some very yummy chocolate "dirt" cupcakes complete with gummy worms.  Not only that, they got to do all of this in their PJs ~ doesn't get much better than that!  Both Alli & Eli had a great time!!!  Although, Alli got more than a little nervous when some of the butterflies started flying around the room ;-)

Alli playing basketball before crafts ~ the girl can dunk!

Yes, she is wearing her tutu over her PJs.  The girl's got style and she is 100% girly, girl!

Story time . . . the kids did a pretty good job of listening as well as could be expected ;-)

Eli's highlight of the evening was getting to play with his buddy Baby S who is 2 months older. 

It was so cute watching the two of them interact!

Pose for the camera!

Race you!  Looks like Baby S won!

Wow!  Bookies and Cookies is the best, even if I don't get any of the treats!

Captain Fisher

It's official, G is back in the Air Force!

Okay, so it's the Air Force Reserves but same thing as far as we're concerned . . . I get my ID card back!

Commissary, here I come ;-)

Seriously though, I am so proud of my hubby!

watch out world . . . Eli is on the move!

Cast, what cast???

I'm pretty sure that is what goes through Eli's mind ;-)

Eli has been attempting an Army crawl in the past couple weeks but didn't get too far.  Well, this morning, Alli had some of her toys across the room from where Eli was playing.  This was apparently all the incentive he needed and he zoomed across the living room to get Alli's toys!  So exciting!  Because of the cast, it is definitely a modified crawl but he's using the legs and arms and moving very quickly.

Alli and I clapped and Eli looked very proud of himself and then giggled.

The only problem (so far!) is that Eli wants desperately to get to the fireplace . . . guess we're done with fires for now.  Thank goodness it is Spring!