First Dip

Our first dip in the pool this season!

I LOVE THIS!

Just can't get enough of seeing the girls with their Daddy. They're OVER THE MOON to have him back!

Dinner with the Kreutzbergs

Having an impromptu dinner date with some great friends is always the best! We enjoyed an afternoon at the park, pizza, salad, ice cream and drinks back at our house and a rousing game of hide-and-seek. Check out the sneaky hiding spots that Greg and Jeff found!
We all had a blast and the girls play so well together. I love all the pictures of their messy ice cream faces and grass stained knees, a true sign summer is here! Enjoy....

Look What We Found....

Jeff was mowing the lawn and found this BIG guy in our backyard. The girls were so excited to see a real life turtle living in our backyard. Thanks to the Kreutzbergs for releasing him back into the wild for us!

The Greatest Show on Earth

April 18th: Just a few days after Jeff got home, we took the girls to the circus. We literally had front row seats so it was a great show. The girls sat in amazement as each act came out. Emma LOVED the elephants, while Lily liked the tigers and trapeze artists. They were so well behaved during the two hour show. The best part, daddy being able to share the experience with us. We're so happy you're home!!

G&G Shaw's Present

Grammy and Grampy Shaw got the girls a new outdoor picnic table to enjoy for their birthdays. The girls had a blast helping Daddy put it together. It is a WONDERFUL table and we're getting lots of use out of it (inside and out). Thanks Grammy and Grampy! We love it!

Meeting Chuck E. Cheese

One of their favorite hangouts!

Lily's Birthday Pictures

Here are all the pics from Lily's actual birthday. I have a few videos of her riding her new big girl bike, but can't seem to get them to load (I'll keep working on it). We had a great family day...breakfast at IHOP, shopping for the perfect princess bike, learning to ride a big girl bike and playing with Daddy in the yard! What more can a 4 year old want! Enjoy...

LILY TURNS 4!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful, little girl! We love you Lilybug!

Jeff and the Girls Meet Cole

Spent a few hours with Kim, Larry and Cole today. Jeff was so excited to meet Cole. The girls thought he was so sweet. They just wanted to touch his little nose and give him lots of kisses. Kim, Larry and Cole are all doing great! Cole is getting bigger every day! I know, I know...I'll keep hounding them to update their blog! ;)

Belated Easter 2009

We waited a few extra days to celebrate Easter with Daddy. Here are some pics of our egg hunt. The girls were so excited to be with Daddy! I was thrilled to actually have Jeff home to enjoy a holiday as a family of four! Lots of more pics to come....

BACK TOGETHER AGAIN!

Homecoming Day April 13, 2009!!

An amazing day...couldn't have been more perfect. The girls and I are enjoying EVERY MINUTE with Jeff. I'll blog more soon, just wanted to share ALL the pics from our wonderful reunion! Thanks for all the love and support from everyone. It means the world to us!

Enjoy...

Happy Easter DD 187

Well, with less than 48 hours to go, the girls and I are doing everything to keep busy!! Today was no exception. We had gymnastics first thing this morning and then we headed straight to Hunt Club Farms for an Easter Festival. Erin, Jack and Sylvia met us there and the six of us had a blast. We jammed packed the morning with an egg hunt, meeting the Easter Bunny and lots of other characters, a hay ride, carnival games, inflatables, a petting zoo, a busy playground and a sack race....can you say HAPPY EASTER!! It was truly a fun day!! Can't believe Daddy will be home Monday to help eat all our Easter goodies...time is REALLY flying now!! Happy Easter!

Cole Update

I was able to get over to the hospital again on Thursday for another visit. I could just hold Cole for hours, he is the SWEETEST baby!! Kim and Larry are doing well. They are adjusting to the difficulty of being first time parents, but seem to be handing it like pros! Talked to them again tonight and the three of them are home resting. They had to stay an extra night in the hospital to get Cole's weight up a bit, but everything is going well now. He's eating like a champ! Kim's mom is in town, so they are hoping to get some much needed rest. Again, congratulations Kim and Larry! Can't wait for Jeff to meet the little guy!

Lily's Spring Concert

April 7th

Mother's Day Out Preschool

Lily's Spring Concert

We were sad Daddy missed seeing it by a few days, but we video taped the entire concert. The kids did such a great job singing their little hearts out. I have posted a video below of one of the songs they sang. At one point during the concert, Lily was singing so loud I could hear her above all the other students. Even a few other parents told me they could hear her. I guess she is our little "American Idol" in the making.

*Be sure to pause my music on the right to hear Lily singing.

He's HERE!!!

Introducing...

Cole Thomas McElvain

born April 8th 7:56 a.m.

7lbs, 4oz, 19 1/4 inches

He is PERFECT!! Mom and Dad are beaming. 8 years in the making, what a true blessing! Mom and baby are both doing well and recovering. Congratulations Kim and Larry, so happy all your dreams are coming true!

A Fun Weekend

A really warm weekend spent enjoying lots of fun activities together!

Enjoy the pictures Daddy!

DD 180: 6 MONTHS!

Well, it's official, Jeff has been gone 180 days! It's hard to believe that he has been gone 6 months and we have just 7 days (and a wake up) until he is back at home with us.

So much has happened the last half year. Here are a few things that Jeff has missed out on while he's been gone:
-The girls have grown and changed so much ( Em was just 16 months when he left) and has changed from baby to full grown toddler
-We've battled sickness after sickness (several colds, several rounds of the flu and pneumonia)
-We've celebrated several big holidays/birthdays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, My 31st birthday, Valentine's Day and Easter this Sunday)
- My new found appreciation for running and my first 2 races (5K and an 8K)
-Housing and vehicle repairs X 10!
-180 nights of reading and tucking the girls into bed
-Kim and Larry having a new baby (this Wednesday)
-Several visitors (April & Cailyn, Kelly, Cindy & Lucas, Karen, Mom and Linda) and a 3 week trip to Maine
-Lily learning to write her name, cut with scissors, color in the lines and so much more at school. She is so smart and has become so independent these last 6 months
-Em growing long hair, getting her last 4 baby teeth and learning to talk and sing
-A new year and a new president!
-The change of two seasons
-A new sport for the girls, Gymnastics. They LOVE it!
-180 hugs and kisses from your three girls!

We are so excited...just need to keep busy to help pass these last 7 days!! We love you sweetie!!

Grammy Prager's Visit

March 28th-April 2nd
Grammy Prager came for a visit and we had a wonderful week. There was a great balance of work and play. Thanks so much for spending the week with us Grammy, we had a blast! You really helped pass these last few weeks, we miss you already!

Here are some highlights of our special time with Grammy:
-Lots of reading, crafts and games with Grammy
-2 long relaxing runs for me (that I didn't have to pay a sitter for)
-Lots of yard work accomplished
-A haircut, manicure and pedicure for me :)
-A relaxing lunch and shopping with Kim
-A fun filled afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese's
-Lots of walks around the neighborhood
-A beautifully groomed doggie
-Some shopping and lunch together for Grammy and I
-LOTS of help with meals, baths, dinner and laundry (THANK YOU!!)
-The girls cuddling in bed with Grammy and Mommy sleeping in
-Beautiful 80 weather and a trip to the Skinny Dip for yummy frozen yogurt

Thanks for all your help Linda! The girls had so much fun being with you and I loved our quality time in the evenings. We love you!!