Memorial Day Weekend BBQ

The sun finally came out for a BBQ at Liz and Mike's...perfect timing! It was a really fun and relaxing afternoon and evening. Great friends and great food.

Liz & Lynds

The ladies - Liz, Lynds, Jen & Lisa

Annabel and her boyfriend Beckett.

Annabel loved the hammock - to her, it was like a swing for two (or more!)

Gavin hopped on to help push the giant swing.

See, Eat, Conquer Food

We're not sure who won this battle - Annabel or the food. Certainly her expressions tells us she believes she did. But yes, those are lentils in her hair and on her chin (not to mention on the floor, in the folds of her clothes, plastered to the high chair...)

Makin' Music

Annabel and her friend Kieren are starting a band - so far, it's an all marakas band (aka plastic eggs filled with beans).
Here's their latest music video...stay tuned for their debut on MTV. Hmmm...or maybe not MTV since the network is also home to the Jersey Shore, Skins and Teen Mom. Let's stick to the Disney Channel, at least until they're 18.

These moments were captured at the mom's group I go to on Thursday mornings when I play hookie from work for a few hours. I started with this group when she was 3 weeks old. Annabel enjoys seeing new faces (seeing quickly escalates to touching & grabbing those faces...and hair) and playing with the other childrens' toys.

Personally, I enjoy the group because it's my opportunity to connect with other new Moms who are often experiencing the same things I am. Plus, they're just great company. From time to time I'll lament (read: complain) that I don't get to do as much with her and take part in fun activities during the week because of work (and weekends are subsequently filled with running errands and other household tasks) but in the end I know I'm lucky to have this network regardless of how often I'm able to play with them.

Chatty

Annabel is trying to get Matt's attention...and she knows what to go for to get it!
(click the picture to view the video)

Fast Cars and Fast Babies

Annabel got invited to Gavin's 3rd birthday party where he got his own race car. Like the other girls at the party, Annabel could not keep her hands off of it!

This is Gavin gently trying to pry Annabel from his new vehicle.
He is fruitlessly trying to explain that she's "too little" and he's "too busy" (as a race car driver who has to check under the hood, etc.) She's hearing him, but just not listening. In fact, she can't take her eyes off of his sweet ride.

When Gav looked away I slipped Annabel into the driver's seat...

Cowboy Up

You're probably wondering where the pictures of Annabel are...well, mom took a break and went to see Kenny Chesney with her girlfriends. Jess was visiting and Julie was also back in town so we had a nice reunion and night out on the town. We think the last time we were at Shoreline was in fact in high school! And, one of the first times these moms had stayed out until 1:30am for a reason besides our kiddos in quite a while. a

Mmmm...our $13 Coronas are delicious...

May Day

The May Day parade in Woodside is a tradition...all two blocks of it. The parade has time to march up and back it's so short, but for the kids its a good time. It's nice to be back in the area to enjoy these things.

For more on the subject, read on here (and check out my insightful quote)....http://www.almanacnews.com/story.php?story_id=11120
Grandpa and Grandma hung out with A while we squeezed in the pancake breakfast. By the time we finished, they didn't want to give her up. Until she got hungry, tired, and bit cranky. Lots of action for a Saturday morning.

I'm not sure why some of our pictures are coming in sideways - we're finally getting a new laptop since I got this one in 2004...bet you didn't think they could last this long...so hopefully we'll have more luck with our photos on that one.
Sporting a Fun Run tee...which she'll grow into in about 10 years. By then it'll be retro and cool again. We didn't run, just showed up in time for the goodies. Just some vibrant flowers by the road - she was too facinated by the pavement to look up (let alone at the camera) long enough to get a pic.

What I'm reading these days

Whoa, she's growing fast.

Peasant Girl $2.49

On Sunday Lisa and I did our weekly grocery shopping. Since we had our store card, we were able to get this cute peasant girl for only $2.49! However, we did not read the fine print and turns out the maintenance cost on this model is quite high. Regardless, we could not be happier with our purchase.