Nail's on a chalk board

OR.... a college graduation....
What in the world prompted us to voluntarily attend Stanford's graduation today?

OPRAH!

Jeff was sweet in humoring me in hearing Oprah speak even though it was Father's Day! Three main points to her speech, do something you love, give back, and.....hmmm... must have been nursing Max or wrestling popcorn from Charlie for the third point!


We had a great time reminiscing and spending the day on campus. We had a nice picnic lunch at the art museum.


And hung out by Jeff's contemplating spot (the fountain) from his business school days.

Memorial Day at Lakeside

We had a great weekend in the midwest for Memorial Day. Both families gathered at Lakeside for the long weekend. It was four days of ice cream, walks by the lake, lots of snuggle time with Max, and watching the boys run free, get dirty (SO dirty:) and have fun together. Here's a few highlights from the weekend!

Max & Mama snuggling on the porch swing


The Thomas Family with five boys under five!


Lakeside cousins on the porch swing....its getting crowded!


The boys with Great Grandpa


Sweet Max

Loved to bits and pieces....Mr. Teddy Bear

Charlie has a favorite Puppy, Teddy, and Teddy Bear. In that order of preference. You can just imagine how Puppy and Teddy look about now...3 years and counting. Sadly Teddy Bear has not been faring well in the love department. We've mended him several times....one more try but this might be the last go at patching him up.

How many Dutchmen does it take...

Apparently two to change a diaper....


Our good friends Floris, Carol and Tommie from Amsterdam came to visit this weekend. So sweet to see the boys become good buddies despite the language barrier. Floris summed the boys up nicely by nicknaming them "Mayhem and Collateral Damage".

A Happy Mothers Day

A fun day with both my boys...

Whenever I see your smiling face....

Trying out my new smile on my biggest fans.

Happy 3rd Birthday Charlie!

A new picnic table, a play airport and lunch with Daddy. Makes for a happy 3 year old!

Where's Daddy? (He's at work, Charlie) He'll be back Mommy.

Instead of 'why, why' like most toddlers. I get 'Where's Daddy? He'll be back, Mommy. I hear this all day long.

This is Charlie watching Daddy leave in the morning for work.

Happy One Month to Max!

Do you like my cubby one month old belly?

First Cuddles...

Charlie was thrilled to finally get to hold his little brother. He did a great job and loved showering Max with kisses. And maybe a sneeze or two....

The Merkel Family came to town...

Yippee! Grandpa Merkel is so fun!

Heading to the city for some site seeing...


Happy St Patrick's Day...at least Mommy had it together to dress us in green!

Grab a coffee...here come the photos!

Getting settled in my bassinet...ready for our first walk to the park


Charlie introducing his best friend Puppy to Max...


My neighbor Debbie and her 8 week old Matthew, also mom of Charlie's buddy Jack...looking forward to lots of fun times this spring and summer!


Cuddle time with Mimi...we are sad to see her go after her two week visit...


Kisses from Mama...


Sweet Max...such a content and happy baby (so far, fingers crossed!)



Max's welcome home sign....

Packed and ready for shipment to you!

Any takers? As expected our 3 yr old is causing more havoc in our house than our newborn. The arrival of Max has created some drama, meltdowns, and confusion for Charlie. All normal stuff but its wearing Mom & Dad out! Sooo anyone want a 3yr old delivered to their door for a few days?! Return to sender of course.

Ahhh friends....

In the midst of our first week at home, we had a wonderful visit and reminder of 'real life' when our good Taylor friends Bruce and Heather came to town. The big boys and dads played in the park and had lunch in town. The little boys and the moms had a nice QUIET lunch at home and lots of girly visting. Just what both Jeff and I needed in our week! Charlie also loved getting reacquainted with Quade. Fast friends and hard to say goodbye....

He's arrived!

Our sweet Max made his appearance on Tuesday March 4th....



Of course more photos to come!

A shared sentiment

Charlie often says to me now of his baby brother...

'Mama...Get him out!'

I couldn't agree more.

Oh Cupcake!!!

He knows me well.


Hope you all had a wonderfully sweet Valentine's Day!

Sweet Tradition

In the tradition of passing on this adorable vase to the next expectant mom after your own baby arrives, I was the honored 10th recipient of this sweet gift! That's almost a whole year of new babies! My neighbor Debbie who just delivered her second little boy passed it my way. So I'll have the fun job of sharing it with another pregnant friend when our little guy arrives here in a few weeks!

Big Brother, Little Shirt

We reorganized the boys room and clothing. Charlie liked this 3-6 month size shirt which he found in his old drawer. Looks like he's going to be a style setter amounst the toddler crowd in Burlingame!

Some TLC

Jeff's been sick for a few days with the flu. And Charlie's been taking good care of his Daddy....