Gizmo's Birthday Weekend

Oh, Giana.  People use the words "spunky" and "spirited" when they meet you.  That is certainly true.  I fear you take after your aunt Kate a little too much at times, as you seem to love drama almost as much as her.  But you are kind and polite, sweet to your sister, and are smart beyond your years.

We had a get-together with family on the day of Gi's birthday, complete with tacos, presents, and cake.

(Yes, she did almost set her hair on fire.)

The following Saturday, we hosted a "snack bag" playdate, where you and a few of your friends played outside on your new swing set built by Papa and your new bounce house, among other things.

Happy 3rd birthday, Giana!

Dwight in July

Last summer, the girls and I spent ten days in Illinois right around the first half of July.  It was easily the hottest week of the summer, and we really weren't able to do much of anything outside.

This summer, we all went to Illinois a week earlier, and it was still the hottest week of the summer.  Sadly, we didn't get to do as many fun outside activities and make as many fun trips with Grama and Papa as we would have liked, but we were able to squeeze in a little fun.

We got to play with some of our favorite people.....

.....and play with all of Grama's toys.....

....and go fishin' with Papa.....

....and walk through the pumpkin patch....

 ....and walk to Granny's for Gizmo's first fireworks....

....and learn the secret behind Granny's famous chocolate chip cookies.

This might be my most favorite picture of the summer.

We had such a good time, even Gizmo ran out of energy.

(or maybe she just wished we lived a little closer so we didn't have to ride in the car so long....)

Adventures in Cooking, Part Quattro (and an explanation)

I started this (and a few other) blogs right after we had been in Illinois at the beginning of July.  When I went to upload pictures, my camera stopped working.  I finally have worked it so that the pictures are loaded onto my computer and I can continue to show you how cute and adorable my children are.  So, the series of blogs to post in the next week will essentially be summer-in-a-nutshell.  Enjoy.

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This week's challenge?  Isa's Garden Pasta Salad.  Gizmo decided one morning this is what she wanted for lunch, and luckily I had the ingredients to make a (slightly) modified version.

Gizmo loved mixing the dressing for the salad in the food processor.  She loved trying a bite of the pasta before it was cooked.  She even started devouring(!) half of a yellow pepper while I cut the other half for the salad.  Success!

Did she eat it?  What do you think?

Of course not.  Not even the yellow peppers.  Not the chicken.  Not the pasta.  What gives?  I might be done with Dora and Diego.  They are currently on my shit list.

Gonzo, however, devoured hers.

Now There are Three

Late Friday night Kim and Sarah gave me another niece, my parents another beautiful granddaughter, and our family another reason to love.

Reagan Louise Pokarney was born at 10:28pm.  Despite her and her doctor's best efforts, Kim was just not progressing in her labor and they performed a c-section to bring Reagan into the world.  She is not a petite thing, weighing in at 9 pounds and 7 ounces, and was 19.75 inches tall.  When I talked to Kim in the very early hours of Saturday morning, she just sounded exhausted, but everyone is doing well.  Reagan is already a thumb-sucker (is anyone surprised? Kim was a devoted thumb-sucker), and is eating and sleeping well.  

She could not be more beautiful and perfect.  I am so proud of Kim and Sarah.  They will make a great parenting team.  I look forward to the end of October when I can go down and meet my newest niece!