Playing in the Snow

Here are some pictures from Megan's first time playing in the snow.

They are from 12/7/2007 (sorry for the delay.)

I love this picture. It is the first time she was outside to see all the snow.

Don't you just love the look on her face???

Megan was really afraid of the snow at first, but started playing after a while.

Lulu, the snowgirl we built.

This picture looks like I got the perfect shot of Megan placing the carrot nose. In reality, Megan is not putting the carrot in.......she is removing it (over and over and over) and trying to eat it. She just couldn't understand why we were wasting good food on a snowgirl!!!!

My 2007 Christmas List

Dear Santa ,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled Megan on demand, gone to the library, park, zoo, and science museum. I’ve endured multiple, public temper tantrums and my daughter throwing my food out of the shopping cart. I was hoping you could bring me just a few
small things, since I’ve been so good AND had to write this letter with Megan’s red crayon, on the back of a receipt, in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple,which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to push my screaming child into her car seat when she doesn’t want to leave the park/playdate/library/etc.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint and (dog nose) resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes Mommy" to boost my parental confidence - one that doesn’t fart loudly in the library or run away from me in the store. As long as we’re being unreasonable here, may I please have three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools?

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Stop playing in the toilet" and "Ahhhh, quit throwing your applesauce all over the floor" and “Stop eating the dog’s food!” because my voice seems to be just out of Megan’s hearing range and can only be heard by the Mocha (who just ignores me anyway.)

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or take a shower without a toddler trying to climb in (fully clothed). I’d really appreciate the chance to actually go to the bathroom ALONE or without rushing through the process worried that one, Megan isn’t in here (very strange) and two, it is way too quiet out there. (This scenario is typically followed by a loud shriek, a dog yelp, a crashing noise, and me running out the bathroom with my pants around my ankles hoping TODAY isn’t the day Columbia gas is outside the kitchen window reading the meter.)
Seriously.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and Megan just saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think she wants her crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. (Twenty-five dollar co-pays can really add up.)

Help yourself to the organic milk and flaxseed cookies on the table.

Merry Christmas,
Lisa

P.S. You can cancel all my requests if you're able to convince Weight Watchers (and my thighs) that chocolate and whipped cream are on the "free foods" list.

Wildlights at the Zoo - 11/30/07

John's company had another event for the employees and their families. This time it was at the zoo, which was decorated with millions of lights for Christmas. It really was quite a beautiful display, even if it was freezing cold outside! John's company took care of everyone's admission to the zoo and provided a banquet room where everyone could warm up and eat snacks. They even gave out insulated mugs of hot chocolate to sip while walking around the zoo.

We bundled Megan up like a little eskimo. We ended up taking off the snowpants when we realized she couldn't bend at the waist, which was a requirement for sitting upright in the wagon. (Perhaps it was overkill to put her in two pairs of regular pants with snowpants on top. I was worried she would get cold.) Luckily we brought along a blanket to keep her legs warm! I should have thought to make sure my husband dressed for the weather. There he was, pulling the wagon with no gloves! The poor guy's hands must have been freezing but he insisted on pulling his little girl around the zoo like a proud papa.

Sesame Street Live - 11/24/07

We took Megan to see Sesame Street Live!!!! We were afraid she might be too young to really enjoy it. I had horrible visions of a tantruming (is that even a word?) toddler in the dark at a giant arena . . . yikes. My mom and Nana were going with Katie, Justin, and Colin and I really didn't want to be left out. I was really wrong........Megan absolutely loved it! She sat on our laps for some of the show, then moved to the floor where she could dance to the music. She clapped her hands and didn't take her eyes off the show for a second (except to look for crackers in her diaper bag - she calls them crack-crack.) Posing for a quick picture.

Having a great time watching the show from Daddy's lap.

Playing around with the balloon Nana bought. (Seriously, only a great-grandma would pay $8.50 for a BALLOON!!!!! I feel like we should send a thank you note or something.)

Learning from the Master

This year, Katie and I thought it would be fun to have my mom teach us to make her famous pies. We had so much fun baking and playing around. I can't believe we actually got a pie baked with all the goofing off we did!

My mom is the greatest. She can cook, sew, and decorate circles around Martha Stewart. Her apple pies look like they came from the cover of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Speaking of pies, I want to share this funny story about my Nana and mom. We retell this story every time my mom bakes a pie, and it just gets funnier and funnier.

When I was in high school, my mom went back to work after being a stay-at-home mom my entire life. My nana was very displeased with her decision and, in true "Nana fashion" did not keep this feeling to herself. She thought my mother belonged in the kitchen with cookies ready for us when we got off the bus every day. My mom found a job she really wanted and went back to work, despite how Nana felt about it.

On the first Thanksgiving after going back to work, my mom asked my aunt to make the pies. (My mom figured she would be too busy to prepare the dinner AND make pies.) My aunt baked the pies, brought them to our house, and placed them on the counter.

Nana walked in and began investigating the spread my mother had prepared for dinner. Very loudly she said, "Debbie, things around here haven't been the same ever since you went back to work. Look, even your pies have gone downhill." My aunt was laughing hysterically, knowing Nana had NO IDEA that she (my aunt) had actually made the pies. Good thing she had a sense of humor.........my Nana really is a character.

More names......

A while back I published a list of names that are MINE, MINE, and all MINE just in case I ever have another baby........really, just in case. I am amending the list to include the following names I have recently decided are the coolest boy names on the planet.

Ashton
Griffin - when I told John I liked this name for a boy, he asked if we would name our other children Snape and Dumbledore. He is such a comedian.

Beauty and Brains!

Here is a picture I took yesterday of our little fashionista in the jeans I made for her. She was a hit at the library for story time. All the moms just had to know WHERE I got the adorable jeans. Maybe I should sell them on ebay! ha

Megan and I were in the computer room a few days ago and she was looking at her picture on my screen saver. For the first time ever... when I asked, "Where's Megan?" she pointed to the picture instead of pointing to herself! Wow! Then yesterday, I was taking pictures of her and she ran over to look at the image on the camera after I took the picture. It was as if she thought to herself, "I can do better than that!" She ran back over to the fireplace and gave me the cutest little grin and actually POSED for the picture. Then she immediately ran over to see it. Satisfied, I presume, she ran off to find something to climb. She has really learned a lot lately and has been coming up with new tricks every day.

It reminds me of a time about 6 months ago. Katie and Justin were at my parents' house showing off Colin's skills for everyone. They would say, "Colin, what does a cow say?" When he said "MOO" everyone rejoiced like he had just ridden a unicycle or something. John and I felt a little inadequate since, at the time, Megan just sat there silently eating with no tricks to show off. John quickly devised a clever plan to get Megan some accolades. He said, "Megan, what does a snail say?" .........insert long silent pause here ................ "Yea everyone, Megan knows what a snail says." My mom seemed confused and said, "John, a snail doesn't say anything," realizing what she was saying mid-sentence. Ha, ha, ha, ha..........our kid can do tricks too!

Only now she REALLY can do tricks! I thought I would list some of them for you. I'm probably going to miss a few, but here are the highlights............

Words She Can Say:

momma, dadda, dog, cat, duck, baba, TRACTOR (seriously), cookie, up, down, yes, no, help, ouch, ball, banana, mine, tickle

Completely Embarrassing but Hysterical Things She Does:

*Tries to run away from me in public and when I grab her, she yells "OUCH and HELP"

*Passes gas (LOUDLY) but only at the library; no one would ever guess a baby would make a sound like that so I'm sure I get the blame.....thanks Megan

Objects She Can Identify in Books:

firetruck, bus, tractor, wheels, cow, sheep, dog, cat, book, ball, slide, bug, caterpillar, butterfly, bubbles, flag, boy, girl, fork, spoon, cup

Physical Tricks She Can Do:

clap hands, snap fingers, tap toes

Can Point To Her:

head, belly button, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, hair, elbow, toes, foot, fingers

Other Cool, Brilliant Stuff She Does:

*Plays mommy with her doll, wheels her around in a doll stroller, and feeds her a pretend bottle

*Kisses and hugs her stuffed animals (us too!)

*Twirls around in a circle when she is dancing; sometimes she gets dizzy and falls over

*Begins dancing and swaying whenever she hears music. One day when we were getting ice cream , a car drove by playing loud music and Megan started dancing right there on the sidewalk. A lady pointed and said, "Look at that baby dancing. How cute!"

*Calls tangerines "ball" and asks for one every time I open the refrigerator

*Follows verbal directions like "clean up your toys, put this in the garbage, put your shoes away" unless she is feeling particularly DEFIANT and refuses.........we're working on that

*Pretends to cook with her own pot and wooden spoon while Mommy is making dinner

*Can wash herself in the tub (we catch the places she misses)

*She opens up her books and act out the story without anyone reading it to her (In one of her books, the words say "I love your top side, I love your bottom side. I love your inside. I love your outside........" When she picks up this book, she starts patting herself on the head and then on the butt.........We have read it to her a million times and now she knows what the words say even if we are not reading it aloud. It is the cutest thing I've ever seen. There is even a part that says, "I love your giggles" and she says, "tickle, tickle, tickle." Beauty......and BRAINS!

*Climbed up on the couch dragging her blanket, book, and sippy cup. Once she had all three and herself on the couch, she pulled the blanket up over her legs and started reading like an adult. Cute!

A Walk on the Wild Side

This morning as I was feeding Megan whole grain, organic oatmeal with flaxseed, I started wondering if I was depriving her of the really fun things in life. You know, the "fun with wild abandon" that I used to be famous for. Seriously, a few short years ago my life was literally an episode of Cops - complete with high speed car chases, drug busts, stake outs, etc. I used to call it "fighting crime and suppressing evil." It was fun - a crazy kind of fun that makes your heart pound and your mouth dry. It was the kind of fun only a true adrenaline junkie could ever understand. I was young - I was reckless- I was daring and brave. Now here I am watching Good Morning America in my jammies wondering if the tree bark I'm feeding Megan has too much sugar in it. WHOA! Wake up call needed here, and fast! There must be some kind of middle ground between the crime fighter I used to be and the scrapbooking, Weight Watcher member I've turned into.

Soooooo, after breakfast I threw Megan in the car (you know, the one with 108 airbags and the dynamic crash prevention system) and we went in search of some real fun.

We swung higher than ever before,

rode wild beasts,

....... kissed a few strangers,

played a few games of peek-a-boo

and, GASP, ate french fries and chicken nuggets for the first time!

While we were driving home from our "wild, girl's day out" I looked at Maggie Moo sleeping in the back seat. Yes, my life is very different now but I really wouldn't have it any other way. The "White Castle at 3 o'clock in the morning" me has been replaced by the "organic, whole grain oatmeal with flaxseed" me. I didn't plan it........it just happened. I became a mom, and I love every minute of it.

She Is My Practice Child

I finally took Megan to "playcare" last week for the very first time. (For those of you who do not know, playcare is daycare by the hour for stay-at-home moms. Basically, you fill out paperwork and pay a registration fee. After that, you can leave your child for short periods of time and you pay by the hour.)



Anyway, I've known about the place for many, many months but I have been too afraid to take Megan there. After several recent debacles at the grocery store, I finally decided to try it out. John has been working all kinds of crazy hours and I haven't been able to get my shopping done. Let me digress her for a moment and say I really needed groceries, and I can't stress that enough. I fed Megan from the trash can last week. Seriously, folks. I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast one day and only had one end of the bread left. I threw it in the trash thinking, "What could I do with only one hind end of bread??" Later in the day, I couldn't find a thing to feed Megan for lunch. I remembered the end of bread in the trash and.......oh my gosh, I fed my kid from the trash can!!! In my defense, it was still in the plastic bag and wasn't buried too deep. I really can't believe I'm telling you all this. I guess confession is good for the soul.



Anyway, getting back to my story........I really needed groceries. I bit the bullet, filled out the paperwork, and took Megan to playcare. I had a lump in my throat but felt very comforted by the wonderful and friendly staff. They asked me what I wanted them to do if she cried for me after I left. Did I want them to try to comfort her for 5, 10, 15 minutes or longer even and then call me? "OH NO", I said. "If she cries for me, call me right away. I'll turn around and come get her." I checked my ringer on my cell phone to make sure the volume was at maximum.....ok, I checked it about 4 times. Alright, alright, I checked it more than 4 times. Then we walked into her classroom. I thought I would have to stay and play with her for a while and sneak out once she was occupied. Boy, was I wrong! She walked in like she owned the place and didn't even look back. The teacher looked at me and said, "Wow, I guess you don't need to stay after all. She's o.k!" With tears in my eyes I thought, "Well, I'm not o.k!" I reviewed with the teacher my list of instructions a few more times. As I walked toward the door, I stopped and turned around. I thought, "She's just too little to leave her. They won't take care of her like I will. No one will ever take care of her as good as her momma does." Then I remembered how empty my pantry was, I forced myself to get a grip, and I turned around to head to the store. (I think I might have checked the volume on my phone one or two more times before leaving.)

After racing through the store I went back to get her. She was still playing fine and they said she didn't cry once while I was gone. Everything was going great until I grabbed her diaper bag from the top of the long counter in the classroom. Stuck to the magnet on the top flap of the bag was a sharp knife. I took the knife in my hand and showed it to the teacher. She told me it must have been up on the counter waiting to be washed and somehow got stuck to my bag.



WHAT?? WHAT?? You had a sharp knife laying on a counter in the room with MY BABY??? It could have been knocked off the counter. My baby could have reached up and grabbed it. The knife could have fallen off my bag if I hadn't noticed it. There were BABIES crawling around on the floor!! I could have not noticed the knife and brought it home with me. Megan could have found it and put it in her eyes or her mouth! Why in the world would a playcare have a knife that sharp in a classroom with BABIES?? To make a long story short (well, ok, shorter) I cancelled my appointment for the following day and expressed my disgust with their safety practices. I thought to myself, "I knew I should not have trusted other people with my precious, sweet Megan Kate. NEVER AGAIN!"

About two days later, John yells from the next room........."Hey Lisa. Have you seen the small, sharp knife??" My heart instantly sank and I realized that knife, THE KNIFE, was ours! It stuck to the diaper bag on MY OWN counter and I brought it in to playcare. I had been the one to endanger all the little babies at playcare. I had pointed my giant finger of blame at THEM, and they were speechless. (They were probably wondering where the heck the knife came from!)

Now the only question that remains.......should I ask them for our knife back?? ha, ha. Really, I try so hard to be the perfect mother. All I can say is that she is my PRACTICE CHILD. Maybe I'll get this mommy thing right with the next one.

A Day at the Science Museum

This past Saturday, John and I took Megan to COSI. My sister Katie and her son Colin joined us. Megan and Colin enjoyed playing on the Bob the Builder exhibit and in the special discovery zone for kids. Megan even rescued a turtle! Seriously. We were observing a turtle climbing on a log when he fell off and rolled upside down. When he was struggling and couldn't roll over, Megan began squeeking and pointing. An employee came over and helped the turtle. Who knows how long that poor turtle would have been upside down if it hadn't been for our little heroine. ha, ha After the rescue, we got ambitious and took her to the exhibit on Mendelian Genetics. We tried to teach her about DNA and nucleotides but she wasn't interested at all!

Here Megan is learning about a vortex and the elliptical shape a penny makes as it moves toward the center. Actually, she is just watching as daddy throws away all his change.

Megan and the little turtle she saved!

And the WINNER is....................

RUTH DUNKMAN!!!!!!

(This pic was taken when Megan was only a few weeks old! How cute!)

For those of you who do not know her, Ruth is John's sister and mother to three brilliant boys. If I knew any single girls in their late teens - early twenties I would tell them to hurry up and snag one of Ruth's sons before someone else does. They are honestly the most sincere, well-spoken, polite, all-around great guys you could ever meet. Soooooo, when Ruth Dunkman gave her two cents........I LISTENED!

It was actually very difficult to choose a winner. I tried various suggestions but really noticed a difference when I followed Ruth's advice. I took Megan to the park (in a wool sweater on a 70 degree day, but that's a whole other story) and she was too exhausted to climb when we got home. I started taking her outside a lot more in the morning, which was the problem climbing time. We dragged the dog, the doll stroller, and her doll up and down the sidewalk countless times. (Megan loves to play "mommy" and push her little baby in the doll stroller. It is adorable.) Guess what????? NO MORE CLIMBING..........too tired.

A+ Ruth!!

Honorable mention to.........everyone else. Don't worry, I'll have another contest soon.

Check out the blog in the next few days. I'll be posting some pictures of Megan's Halloween Party. Yep.......a Halloween Party for all her 1 and 2 year old friends. I'd tell you more about it but I'm too tired from all the baking. I also have some pics from the Delaware Halloween parade. I'll be posting in the next few days, or whenever I recover from the party and parade.

Contest

I should have waited to post until Megan went to sleep for the night instead of blogging during her nap. The saga continues........

While in timeout on the chair in the corner of the dining room (standing up, which is what landed her in time-out in the first place !?!) she learned to turn the light switch on and off. (She can reach the switches from her chair, but only if she is STANDING on it.

I think she perhaps got the message about standing on the kitchen table. Later in the afternoon, she climbed from the sofa onto the sofa table behind it. You have got to be kidding me. As I was taking her off the sofa table I realized I was really hot. Thinking it was frustration I let it go. About an hour later I thought I was going to melt. The furnace was turned up to 75. Guess who????? Sweet Megan Kate. Apparently she can reach the furnace from her time-out chair. Yes, I need to move the chair but I really need more creative solutions here.

I'm having a contest. I need a solution that really works. I will give the "Stay-At-Home-Mamma-Drama Award" to the individual that provides me with detailed plan of dealing with Megan's behavior. This plan must actually work. The recipient of this award will be lavishly praised on my blog.

This is all I have so far to go on.............................I'm trying to bring some humor into this to grab your attention...................

Most likely to tell me what Super Nanny would do - Dena

Most likely to tell me to construct an indoor climbing structure to give Megan an "appropriate" place to climb - Andrea

Most likely to wonder why I'm having so much trouble with such a perfect little specimen like Sweet Megan Kate - John

Most likely to have no idea how to help me because their own children are perfect angels, and they always have been - Ruth and Laura (did I mention their children are brilliant too?)

Most likely to tell me to SCRAPBOOK? Megan's unproductive, ridiculous time-out - Katie

Most likely to have no time to help me because she is on the porch with her neighbors - Nana

Most likely to begin giving me a good solution, then have to go because one of her kids just went potty in the dog's dish while she was getting the others dressed for a trip to the Emergency Room - Sara (disclaimer - this event did not actually happen but was based on a serious of other events of a similar nature! ha)

Most likely to tell me Megan needs a chiropractor and double check that I am feeding her organic products - Mary

Most likely to offer the world's most perfect solution, receive the "Stay-At-Home-Momma-Drama Award" and have Lisa create a blog all about how great you are - (insert your name here)

The winner will be announced right here.........stay tuned

I Need Some Help

Yes, that is the kitchen table and yes, that is my daughter on top of it. I did say I needed help, didn't I?

Megan won't stop climbing on top of the kitchen table. On the day I took this picture, we were all ready to go out shopping. I had to run upstairs to get my socks and I came back to find her in her new favorite spot, dancing on top of the kitchen table. I was gone for no more than 30 seconds!

I need some advice. Real advice. Please don't tell me not to leave her for 30 seconds. (Only someone who has never stayed at home with kids will think that is possible anyway.) A few times a day (ha) I must look in a direction that is not hers. While I am doing so, I must be confident she is not dancing on the table.

I've read three books on toddlers from cover to cover and still don't feel like I'm in control of my pint-sized climber. One book says it is ok to slap on the hand in a dangerous situation to get the child's attention quickly and to let them know in no uncertain terms that their behavior is unacceptable. (ex: running into the street) Climbing on top of tables????? Well, I tried it. I slapped her hand and she cried. Then she climbed back up on the table. I continued this cycle until I realized IT WASN'T WORKING. I don't want to have to hit her - I really don't. I'm especially not going to knowing it isn't working.

The same book said to try putting the toddler in time-out to allow for introspection. Are they serious??? INTROSPECTION?? My child introspects nothing right now!!! On the the next book.

The next book said to let the child learn from natural consequences. For example, the natural consequence of throwing your food is that you cannot reach it and therefore don't get to eat it. This plan doesn't work in all circumstances. It would be crazy to let her learn about the natural consequences of climbing on the table by falling off. Besides, she already fell off once (remember?) and obviously didn't learn her lesson. (note the sarcasm)

The third book said to count to three out loud to give the child a chance to change their behavior. (Katie tried this, by the way, to which Colin replied "4 - 5 - 6 and 7.....yea," so pleased with himself he could count.) Not exactly a glowing review for this particular plan. Anway, the book says if the behavior doesn't change, pick the toddler up and move them to time-out. If they leave the time-out area, DO NOT hold them in it. It gives them attention, which you don't want to do. It says if they leave the time-out area, use a playpen to contain them for one minute for every year old they are.

My problem with that plan is that Megan sometimes sleeps in her playpen when we are away. I don't want her to get confused and think she is in trouble when we try to put her in bed away from home. Also, am I going to be putting my five year old in timeout in a playpen??

I modified the book's plan and sat a chair in the corner of the dining room. I sat her in it immediately after she climbed on the kitchen table. I set the timer on the stove to 1 minute and did not give her any attention. When I came back to get her, she was standing on the dining room chair!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Please, please help. I have a Master's degree in education, specializing in children with behavior/emotional issues. My area of expertise does not extend down to 15 month olds with a fondness for climbing.

Once we've solved this problem, I have others................screaming in the grocery store to get down, throwing all the food out of the cart on the floor, picking her nose in public, passing gas loudly in the library and grunting..........these are just a few of Megan's charming habits. Ideas??? Ideas, please!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leeds Farm - September 29, 2007

John's company has some sort of gathering for employees and their families every couple of months. This time, it was the Leeds Pumpkin Farm. Megan had a great time looking at the animals! Since his work paid for everything, we didn't think to bring any cash with us, only the trusty debit/credit cards. There was a feeder in the barn, but you had to pay $.50 for a cup of food for the goats. John and I both looked at each other and couldn't believe between the two of us we couldn't even come up with FIFTY DARN CENTS!! Those poor goats kept looking at Megan, thinking she might give them some food . . . but nope . . . her parents only had plastic. Sign of the times, isn't it?


We took a hayride around the grounds. It was fun!

Our little pumpkin.

Wow......she's getting so big!

Be careful, the pigs bite! They are cute, aren't they?


Those poor, hungry goats!

Bon Voyage

We set sail tomorrow from Fort Lauderdale for a cruise to Jamiaca and Grand Cayman.

It is so tough to leave Megan behind. I'll miss her so much, but know she is in good hands with Mom and Dad Keller. Keep them in your thoughts as they take care of the dog, the cat, the fish, and the toddler!

We'll talk to you soon!

I CAN USE A SPOON !

Megan's table manners are a little messy, to say the least. I've been wondering how to teach her to use a spoon. My friends told me to just give it to her and one day she would eventually figure it out. When that didn't happen as quickly as I thought it would, I started to get nervous my child would be at the prom shoveling food in her mouth with her hands. Yikes!

I tried to put my hand over her hand and bring the spoon to her mouth. That got yogurt all over the wall, the windows, and the dog. I think I found some in my hair later too. I tried to show her in an very animated way how much I loved spooning food in my mouth. She just gave me a strange look and continued to stuff her own food in with her hands.

Then one day, daddy sits down in front of her. He holds the bowl, gives her a spoon, and off she goes!!!! He yells to me, "Hey honey, look! She's using the spoon." I walk over, expecting to see Megan flinging yogurt all over the kitchen. Nope! My little girl was laughing with her daddy, spooning food into her mouth. Her aim was a little erratic, but she was doing it.

As I watched John and Megan together, I realized how important these moments really are. I realized I am married to one heck of a guy and an even better father. I realized our life together and the family we are building is the most important endeavor of my life. So what if he leaves his shoes all over the place. So what if I haven't seen the floor of his office since last fall. My daughter's eyes light up when he comes into the room, and mine do too.

Labor Day at the Cabin 2007

Here are pictures from the annual trip to "The Cabin" in Steamburg, NY. My family owns a cabin and some property in the Allegheny foothills. My parents, my brother and his two girls (Brianna and Austyn), my sister Katie and her husband Justin, their son Colin, John, Megan and I all stayed at the cabin over Labor Day weekend. My dad took the gang on tractor rides and they loved it!
Megan loved to climb on the small tractor and pretend she was driving. She even made a vroom noise!
Isn't she cute! My little John Deere girl!
"Driving" the tractor!

All tired out from a long day riding tractors and taking walks. How cute!
Megan and Mommy by the pond. I can't believe we used to swim in that when we were little. Yuck!
Our happy little family on the dock at the pond.