Caroline's Last Day of Preschool

Caroline had her last day of preschool today. Her class had a luau party in the park. Caroline blew bubbles, played on the playground, wore leas and did the limbo for the first time. Caroline was a bit tired from just getting back from the Cleveland trip, but she pulled through and still managed to have a great time. She had a great year with Miss DeAnna and Miss Sally as her teachers! We're sad to see them go, but look forward to a new school year in the Fall when Caroline will be going Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Braddock's Memorial

As many of you know, Brett's sister, Kristin, and brother-in-law, Zach, lost their baby boy, Braddock Dean, at five and a half months old on this past September 11. While in Cleveland, with the entire family in town, we attended a memorial service for baby Braddock to have his headstone set. Zach's uncle, who is a minister, gave a beautiful, very moving tribute to Braddock and read many comforting passages from the Bible. Kristin and Zach are now expecting their second child in December and Zach's uncle very appropriately stated that this baby will always know how much love Kristin and Zach have in their hearts for their children when he/she sees how Kristin and Zach made such a beautiful, loving memorial for his/her brother Braddock. We think of Braddock every day and know that he is looking down on all of us. On the day of his memorial, it was the most beautiful day, and you could just imagine him looking down and smiling. 

Caroline's First Movie

While Caroline was in Cleveland her great Aunt Sarah brought her to see her first movie in a movie theater. She saw Horton Hears a Who. According to reports from Caroline it was "fun and good!" We'll have to make a point to bring her to some more this summer.

Vancouver

Spotting bears on Whistler Mountain
and totem poles in Stanley Park
We watched the water planes land from our hotel room
Exploring Granville Island
On our way to lunch with Andrea and Ellen
On the Tree Trek on Whistler Mountain
Walking along the tops of the forest trees on Whistler Mountain
"Look at me! I'm hiking! Can you believe it?" 

Brett and I had 8 days of "alone" time in Vancouver while Brett was there for a business meeting. We dropped the girls off in Cleveland with Nana and Papa and took off the next day. As much as we missed the girls, I had a great time exploring the city (Granville Island, Chinatown, Gastown, shopping uninterrupted) while Brett was in meetings most of the week. It was definitely strange walking around a city without a stroller, diaper bag and disgruntled toddler, but I got over it pretty quickly! We enjoyed many delicious meals and even took a group trip up to Whistler for the day that his company set up. While in Whistler, we did a "Tree Trek", walking along platforms built from the top sections of the trees on Whistler mountain and looking far, FAR below to the forest floor. I was very proud of myself for being so "outdoorsy" since that NEVER happens! It was a wonderful break for both of us and of course, we were very excited to see the girls when we got back to Cleveland, too!

Cleveland

Uncle Zach with Eleanor
Aunt Kristin with her "Ellie"
Eleanor and her cousin, Ireland, who is one month older than her.
Aunt Rita and Eleanor
Cousin Evan holding Eleanor for the first time.
SInging Happy BIrthday to Nane before we left for our trip.
The cousins helping Nana open her birthday present.

We took Caroline and Eleanor to spent 8 days with their Nana and Papa in Cleveland while Brett and I went away together to Vancouver for one of his business trips. They got to spend time with cousin Ireland (Uncle Jon and Aunt Audrey's little girl), too, who is 9 months old and had never met Caroline and Eleanor before. Caroline and Eleanor were very busy playing with their Aunt Rita, Aunt Sarah, cousin Evan, and met many little neighbor friends that kept them busy, too! The girls did great while we were gone. When we returned we went to a surprise 60th birthday party for Brett's mom! Uncle Ron, Aunt Kerri, and the girls' cousins Dylan, Brady, and Hailey came into town, too, to help celebrate. 

Teething Has Begun

Eleanor is starting to teeth. She is definitely getting her bottom left front tooth. Nothing has broken through yet, but she is very fussy at night. Oragel and baby Motrin have been helping  a bit. Hopefully it will come through quick!

Mother's Day at the Zoo

Caroline's jaguar
Checking out the "Mommy" Elephant
Riding the cheetah on the carousel
At the Children's Zoo playground
Daddy and Eleanor
Checking out the goat at the petting zoo.
Mommy and her girls

We went to the zoo for Mother's Day today. It was perfect weather, 85 degrees and sunny (perfect weather for us to mid-May!). Caroline had a fantastic time and we had just as much fun watching her play and look at all the animals. She decided before she left that she wanted to see a jaguar, like "Diego's" friend Baby Jaguar. Thank goodness the zoo did not let her down. Not only did she see her jaguar (napping, of course), but she got to ride a jaguar on the carousel, too.