Sesame Place 2009

Just can't say enough great things about this park! We had so much fun enjoying all the rides, water slides, shows and the parade. The girls were fearless and rode EVERY ride. Their favorite, Elmo's Blast Off! At The end of the day, we got hit with a pretty bad rain storm. For our troubles...the park gave all of us another all day free pass. I think we may have to make another trip up this fall! Enjoy the pictures!

Lily at 4 Years

Our little Lily is growing so fast. Here are some stats for her at four...

• Can write her name well and most of the alphabet
• Loves writing and drawing stories
• Still is a good mix of tom boy and princess
• LOVES animals and sleeps with several stuffed ones every night
• Still loves her Kitty, but Cuddle Bear has become a close second
• Enjoying learning with her Leapster
• Loves Backyardigans, Dora, Sesame Street and Charlie and Lola
• Could read books for hours, her favorites...Bernstein Bears (thanks Michelle!)
• Loves preschool
• Can go potty, get dressed and brush her teeth all independently
• Bedtime is 7 and she usually sleeps until about 7a.m. (hasn't napped for over a year)
• Pink is her ABSOLUTE favorite color
• Loves to eat cheerios for breakfast in her favorite glass bowl
• Is not a big snacker, but a great eater (I know, I'm lucky)
• Favorite foods: tacos, peanut butter and jelly, pasta salad, tomato soup, crackers, yogurt, fruit, chicken nuggets and ice cream
• Loves helping Daddy fix things with her tools
• Calls us Mom and Dad now
• Loves her purse, lip gloss and jewelry
• Riding her bike/scooter is one of her favorite things to do
• Has a big girl bike with training wheels
• Finally likes wearing dresses
• Can paint and color in the lines
• Loves being with her friends (Jack, Sylvia, Ellie, Caroline, Lydia, Jena and Kamryn)
• Loves to tell on Emma
• The Little Mermaid by far, is her favorite princess
• LOVE, LOVE, LOVES the Alvin and the Chipmunks Adventure movie and soundtrack
• Dances to "The Girls of Rock and Roll" several times a day with Em
• Is a good big sister and loves to "teach" Emma new things
• Weighs 35.8 pounds and is 40.5 inches tall
• Wears girl size 4 and a size 9-10 shoe
• Has come out of the "terrible 2-3" stage is a much better listener
• Loves arts and crafts
• Is stubborn and likes to get her own way
• Loves to swim and go down the water slides, she is even riding the bigger slides this year
• Can sing and carry a tune
• Loves to travel
• Is very polite and considerate
• Is affectionate and loves to snuggle
• Wants to be 5 so she can ride the bus to school
• Nicknames; Lilybug, Chickie and Babygirl

We love you Lilybug! You're becoming a wonderful young lady!

Running

Click HERE to see what Jeff and I are training so hard for!

While Jeff was deployed I really started enjoying running. With encouragement from some good friends, I entered and ran a 5K and an 8K this winter. I guess I caught the bug and now I'm training for a half marathon. Jeff and I both signed up for the big race September 6th (although we'll be running it separately). I've been training all summer with my friend, Pam and she has me running more than I ever thought possible. Our last few long runs have been 8 and 9 milers!! I still can't believe that I am enjoying long distance running! I'll be honest, I too have days when 3 miles is tough. However, when we get out on the trails and get into our stride....some days I feel like I can run forever. Running has become a peaceful way for me to rejuvenate myself.

Jeff is training hard also. His last 2 runs have been 10 and 13 milers and he is also biking and lifting. For my cross training, I've been enjoying a wonderful Spinning class at the Rec. Center. Jeff and I are also trying to do some work outs together at home. The training has us both feeling more energized. Jeff has actually trained for two other marathons, but due to work conflicts was never able to run them. This will be Jeff's first race! It feels so amazing to be back in shape and enjoying exercise WITH Jeff rather than watching from the sidelines.

So, our 7th anniversary will be spent rocking and rolling 13.1 at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. My sister is coming in for a long weekend to help with the girls and cheer us on. I am excited for the race, as every mile added to my long runs is a personal milestone for me! Wish us luck...

The BIG tub

Just a little Friday night fun with my sister!

Date Night

Just you, me and a romantic night at the Wine Bar.

Couldn't have been a more perfect evening.

I love you!

Em's 1st Haircut

Just like Lily at two, Emma has a head full of curly, wild hair. I had not cut her hair in hopes of growing her bangs out. However, the curls were taking over so I decided it was time for a trim and some layers. Emma had a great time getting her first cut and actually sat still during the process (she'll do anything for a lollipop). Her hair came out super cute and is hopefully a little easier for Mommy to manage! Another big first for you Em!

The Big Girl Bed

Taking down the crib...

For the first time in 4.5 years there is no crib in the Prager house!

Emma is so excited about her new big girl bed and has slept like a champ for several days now. YAY Emma, we're so proud of you Sweetie!

Cole McElvain

Spent the evening with the McElvains. Cole is already 3 months and the happiest baby ever.

Lily and Emma were so smitten with their little friend.

Happy 10th Anniversary!

Hope you enjoyed your night away!

Saying Goodbye

Sadly, the day came and went way too quickly. The DeSplinter family is officially on their way to Chicago. We enjoyed our last afternoon having a fun filled play date. The kids had a blast together, while John and Erin closed on their house and finished some last minute errands.

When the time came, it was a terribly difficult goodbye. Erin and the kids have spent almost every day with us for the last 2 years, we struggled through 2 deployments together (one before the kiddos) and lived just 8 minutes down the street from one another. To say they were our good friends would be an understatement.

However, I am excited for our dear friends and their new adventure in Chicago. John has separated from the Navy and will be attending Kellogg Business school in the fall. We hope your trip goes well DeSplinter family. You have truly been a blessing in our lives. We wish you all the best. We miss you already!

Little Picasso (x2)

Happy Independence Day!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY TO ALL!

A SPECIAL "THANK YOU" TO ALL OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE STILL FIGHTING FOR OUR FREEDOM!

Here is a little taste of our 4th of July week with the Parenteau family!

(Be sure to pause the music on the right)

Our Week with the Parenteau's

June 28th-July 4th
Jeff's sister, Cindy and her family came to Virginia Beach for a week long vacation. We had a wonderful week enjoying the hot, summer weather and lots of family time. Here are some highlights of the week and TONS of pictures. There were too many to individually post, so a slide show it is! Enjoy...



Highlights:
BBQ's, New England beer and frozen margarita's
Watching all the cousins run and play together in the backyard
Skinny Dip frozen yogurt
Ocean Breeze Waterpark:
-Seeing all the kids ride the slides and enjoy the water
-Getting to ride all the adult slides too! :)
-Selling our extra pizza to strangers b/c we ordered too much
-Josh and Trevor getting a second trip to the Waterpark
Breakfast at IHOP
Watching The Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers, Cake Boss and the Ace of Cakes with Cindy and Josh in the evenings
The kids dancing and singing to the Chipmunks, "The Girls of Rock and Roll" (video to follow)
Afternoon game time
Squeezing in a little shopping with Cindy
A Day at the Beach:
-Beautiful weather and bath warm ocean water
-Picnic lunch
-Body surfing
-The kids playing in the sand for hours
Washing the cars with the kids and playing in the elephant pool
A morning at the Zoo:
-the kids loving the petting zoo
-the giraffes getting a little frisky with each other
PARENT'S NIGHT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A down day with a trip to the park (I unfortunately was sick for a few days)
Lots of time spent together as a family and cousins getting to know one another!

Thanks for coming to visit Josh, ,Cindy, Trevor, Breanna and Lucas! We hope you had a great time!