Ainsley and Dagny make 4!

Dagny sees "SNOWY DAY."

2012-01-29T19:41:00.006-05:00

For a friends birthday, Dagny went to see "Snow Day." They were adorable sitting together in the front row.

After the show, Dagny and her BFF played, danced and sang on the outdoor stage.

Dagny and her Manatee friends practice for their performance.

Ainsley is a DAISY

2012-01-29T19:38:00.004-05:00

Here is Ainsley at her first Daisy Troop event at Color Me Mine.

Someone lost a tooth!

2012-01-16T19:25:00.002-05:00

Sadie! :-)... And Ainsley!

Ainsley's gray tooth (the one she damaged when she was 18 months old when she smacked her teeth on a table) finally had to come out. Over 4 years later, she hit it once again on a cart at Target :-). This time the damage caused an infection. She was a trooper!

Sadie lost a puppy tooth earlier this month.

Both received visits from the tooth fairy :-).

Dinner at the Hilton

2012-01-15T14:34:00.004-05:00

The girls were very excited to go to the Hilton for Christmas dinner and see where Mommy and Daddy got married.

Christmas in Florida

2012-01-15T14:30:00.004-05:00

The girls were so excited to wake up and discover that Santa had found them in Florida!

Winter (and Hope and Panama)

2012-01-15T14:25:00.004-05:00

We headed to Clearwater to visit Winter. Ainsley, Dagny and Caiden had all recently watched the movie and were really excited to see her in person. We held her prosthetic (or rather an older version) and watcher her swim with and without the prosthetic. We also met Panama and Hope, two dolphins who also reside at the aquarium, unable to return back to the ocean. Hope was the dolphin they found at the end of the movie, Panama is Deaf.

Seaworld!

2012-01-15T14:20:00.004-05:00

On the spur of the moment, we decided to take the girls to Seaworld. It ended up being a perfect day to visit, the weather was beautiful and the park wasn't too crowded.

Sunny and Warm!

2012-01-15T14:11:00.006-05:00

We were lucky to be able to head down to Florida to warm up before winter is in full swing. We welcomed in winter by sitting outside and listening to the waves.

We spent a few days with Stacey, Chris and Caiden before they headed back home for the holiday.

Ainsley reads with her dad

2011-12-16T22:29:00.000-05:00

Eating Chicken Soup With Rice

2011-12-16T21:58:00.002-05:00

Ainsley and the Herons performed this song at our last Community Meeting. She and Dangy LOVE to listen to it daily :-).

SANTA!

2011-11-29T19:32:00.000-05:00

We actually got them both with Santa this year!!!

Letters to Santa

2011-11-25T18:49:00.002-05:00

Ainsley wants just a few things.

Dagny has a narrative for hers that basically asks for a stuffed kitty and puppy.

Christmas Tree

2011-11-25T13:54:00.000-05:00

Though not as adventurous as going out to the middle of the woods, we still had fun picking out our Christmas tree this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T22:21:00.004-05:00

This year for Thanksgiving we ventured out to a small restaurant called Normandie Farms. The weather was BEAUTIFUL! The food was delicious... including the pumpkin soup!

The girls loved running around outside after we ate. They especially loved climbing the tree.

Sadie Gets Groomed

2011-11-15T13:51:00.000-05:00

The girls were very excited to take Sadie to her first puppy grooming.

Welcome Jordi!

2011-11-15T13:46:00.000-05:00

We loved having Aunt Jordi come and visit us for a few days. After spoiling ourselves in the morning, we took the girls out for "dots" and some playground time... which wouldn't be complete without a trip to Nordstroms :-).

We were also lucky enough to see "The Preening Swan!" Awesome movie Jordi!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-10T21:32:00.003-05:00

The girls had a great time this Halloween. Ainsley was a witch, Dagny was a Princess and Karl and i were...well....just wait for it.

Ainsley enjoying the River School parade

Dagny enjoys her time as well as her unicorn

Melissa as a Fairy..although hard to tell with her heavy winter coat

Karl as a prince...dog came with the princess, not the costume.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Time for the Faire

2011-11-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

It had been a little while but we made out way to the Maryland Renaissance Faire...nothing changes.

The girls enjoy a little food before we attend the joust. Karl got his steak on a stake...all is well in the universe.

The girls LOVED the joust...we saw it twice.

Our little princesses at the end of the day - exhausted but had a great time. Faces painted, princess hats purchased, nap time in the car. Huzzah!

Fall Photos

2011-11-10T21:25:00.005-05:00

In early October we decided to take a few pictures of the girls and we got some great shots...really showing the girls and their personalities. It is truly unbelievable how fast these girls are growing up grown up.

Melissa Gets Older

2011-11-10T21:22:00.004-05:00

Yes - it happens every year - Melissa had a birthday. We had a great time.

Melissa blowing out her candles

Dagny helping her mommy out

...we got a dog

2011-09-18T22:15:00.004-04:00

Yes - we finally got a dog. It was one of the first things Dagny ever asked for besides milk so we broke down and picked up a dog from a great place in PA. I (Karl) wanted a Labrador and the girls wanted something a little smaller so we "compromised" and got a Yorkchon.....it gets bigger....I think.

Meet Sadie...she is small but cute and really feisty....the girls LOVE her.

Dagny takes a moment to enjoy our new dog.

First day of school 2011-2012 River School

2011-09-18T22:09:00.002-04:00

Right after Labor Day was the first day of school for Ainsley and Dagny - thankfully they are old pros at this and are having a great time.

The girls before we go to their new classrooms.

The girls and mom.

The four of us before Ainsley kicked us out and started her day.

Dagny and Karl

Wagons Ho for Lynchburg

2011-09-18T22:00:00.003-04:00

Over Labor Day weekend we had an opportunity to visit with dear friends Brian, Emily and their son Oliver. We had a great time - we enjoyed and appreciated their company and hospitality.

While in Lynchburg we went to a great Children's museum where we all worked on our gross motor skills.

and practiced riding ponies...

and raced bikes..Brian cheated.

Posing under some huge insect sculpture.

A great shot of Ainsley on the swings that Brian took.

Melissa hits NYC

2011-09-18T21:49:00.005-04:00

Around mid-August Melissa travelled to NYC to meet with Jordi and check out a show "Sleep No More" which she absolutely loved.

The view from Melissa's hotel looking downtown.

While there Melissa had to hit a favorite from way back Alice's Tea Cup

Melissa also hooked up with her cousins Christin and Courtney.

Melissa had a fantastic time.

Grandma Nancy in DC

2011-09-18T21:41:00.003-04:00

A few days after Erik and family left Grandma Nancy came and visited and the girls had a great time hanging out with her. We did the usual, zoo, park, etc and took time relaxing.

Time at the park...the girls always enjoy a new swing pusher.

and then it was time for the zoo where floppy hats are in this year.

Girls posing with grandma.

Girls had a great time and so did grandma.

Chicago Comes to Visit

2011-09-18T21:30:00.004-04:00

Late in July our Chicago Family (Erik, Sara, Faelyn and Lenora) came to visit us for a week and we all had a great time and took probably 1,000 photos. Don't worry - i didn't post all of them - only 800....we can't wait to see them again.

The National Zoo was a favorite for everyone.

Erik even found a new hat.

We had a photo shoot with the cousins...this is take 350 of 700..we got a few great shots.

While in DC we hit the sculpture garden...still trying to figure out what this was.

The girls take a moments reflection.

All girls photo...

Erik and Karl had one taker for theirs.

The cousins enjoying lunch - it was here where Ainsley/Dagny pressed upon Faelyn and Lenora the importance of Ketchup.

Disney World - Part 2

2011-07-19T12:23:00.005-04:00

I needed to put an addendum on the last post. We received some of the more professional photos from the Disney staff and I wanted to add them to the site. these are from the boutique the girls went to (see previous post) and this was the moment the girls could admire their beauty.

How we forgot to include this photo is hard to understand...nice hat.

Summer Trip to Disney World - 2011

2011-06-20T22:42:00.010-04:00

For our Summer Break this year we went to Disney World and had a fantastic time and while we can't possibly post all of the photos and videos we've tried to put as many as possible to show how much the girls loved it there.

Let the Memories Begin...

Ainsley getting her hair done at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Dagny's turn at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

The girls all dolled up afterwards...adorable

We saw Donald in Epcot...although I don't have a picture...Hunter had a hat just as big...fantastic

We all take a moment to relax before seeing Nemo and friends at Epcot

Ainsley Loved the PeopleMover...benefit to being almost obsolete...no line

Dagny loved it too!

The girls HAD to pose with this statue of course

The kids all take a break (not shown - adults passed out exhausted on grass)

Posing with Ainsley (and a hiding Dagny) - you can see our resort across the lake.

The girls took some time for some tea...Ainsley takes a sip

As does Dagny...with gusto!

And Then Came the Princesses - we had an opportunity to have breakfast with the princesses, a must for anyone who has princess loving girls (or boys) like we do (or just wants a fabulous breakfast).

Belle

Ariel

Princess Aurora

Snow White

Cinderella

Rapunzel and Flynn Rider - was the longest line for the "newest princess" - Snow White unavailable for comment, seen with a lot of delicious looking apples for everyone to eat...

Although not technically a princess...a moment with TinkerBell....Dagny just loves her.

Ariel comes by to chat with the girls.....a definite highlight of our Princess Breakfast.

Ainsley Turns 5

2011-06-20T22:34:00.007-04:00

Late in May Ainsley turned 5 and we just can't believe it...has it really been over 5 years since we started this blog? WOW!

For Ainsley's 5th birthday we went over to Lily Magilly's for cupcakes and utter chaos as a multitude of 5 years olds ran around crazy after eating 9 pounds of cupcake frosting...good idea Melissa!

They set up everything before we got there - very pink.

Ainsley and Dagny before the storm.

The girls all got to tour the kitchen first to learn where cupcakes come from.

Everyone started with a Shirley Temple and that's when the sugar ride began.

Ainsley had such a great time with her friends.

Mother's Day 2011

2011-06-20T22:27:00.006-04:00

Mother's Day was a great time this year - it was low key but enjoyable.

Melissa contemplates her options.

Dagny & Mommy share a moment.

Ainsley on stand-by to "help" Mommy open her gifts.

Melissa loves her new iPhone purse thingie (Karl's words).

Dagny Turns 3!

2011-06-20T22:06:00.005-04:00

Dagny had her birthday party at myGym this year and it was crazy....almost 20 kids running around a myGym....we had nap time right afterwards...for Karl.

Dagny takes a moment before the party started.

The party starts with some instruction.

Mom and Dag.

Dagny loved the tire swing..her in action!

Come on everyone - time for the parachute!

Time for cake!

Easter 2011

2011-06-20T21:52:00.005-04:00

For Easter this year we had our usual Easter Brunch and enjoyed the good food. The girls got to dress up in fancy dresses and LOVED it!

Mommy giving the girls the basics to coloring eggs.

Ainsley got REALLY excited!

The girls wait for the colors to set.

Girls pose together.

Four of us all dressed up.

Dagny gives a little love at brunch.

Ainsley & Mommy enjoy their breakfast.

Ainsley Performs

2011-04-24T22:05:00.004-04:00

The Bobcats performed at the most recent Community Meeting at school!

The Frogs Perform

2011-04-24T22:04:00.004-04:00

Melissa's class also performed for the Community Meeting.

Introducing the Frogs as the NEW SEEDS ON THE BLOCK!!!

Dagny starts ballet

2011-04-12T22:14:00.003-04:00

Dagny started her first ballet class - below is a short video of some of her class.

Sweep the Leg

2011-04-12T21:57:00.003-04:00

Ainsley attended a birthday party at a tae kwon do school and she now is ready to paint the fence and sand the floor.

Some videos of Ainsley

You're a cream puff Johnny

Fear does not exist in this dojo, does it?

SPRING BREAK!

2011-04-12T21:55:00.001-04:00

In late March we had a chance to go down to Florida for the week and had a great time swimming, hanging out at the beach and doing nothing at all. We can't wait to go back.

At the Anna Maria Pier

One of many beautiful sunsets

Ainsley beginning her sand castle

Dagny catches up her reading...note - Wizards and Glass

Dagny loves her ice-cream

The girls practice their scales

Took some time to visit with Nanny...the girls loved the time

The girls enjoy their beach time

Ainsley and Dagny strike to pose

Ainsley & Dagny play at the beach

Ainsley & Dagny practice their jumping into the pool (Ainsley can swim all the way across!)

Melissa takes a big step and donates her hair

2011-04-12T21:52:00.003-04:00

Melissa donated to Locks of Love a few weeks ago - we are so proud of her.

Before

After

Lets review the tape

Dagny sleeping

2011-03-13T20:41:00.005-04:00

This is how Dagny falls asleep...

Fairies by Ainsely

2011-03-13T20:39:00.004-04:00

Ainsley is becoming a skilled visual artist as she replicates her favorite subjects, the Disney Fairies.

Can you find Tinkerbell, Vidia, Fawn, Rosetta, Silvermist, and Iredessa (sad that we know these right!)?

River School Auction

2011-03-13T20:36:00.004-04:00

The only picture we have from that night, but we had a GREAT time! The event raised hundreds of thousands for the scholarship fund and Melissa had the BEST $12 Mohito ever (sorry Chris :-)!

Melissa and her co-teacher Jeanne "Speakeasying" it.

Laurie Berkner Concert!

2011-03-13T20:33:00.004-04:00

Daddy and Ainsley had a fun adventure going to the Laurie Berkner concert!

Dagny's sick day!

2011-03-13T20:29:00.004-04:00

Dagny had a fever at school and couldn't return for a day... so she had a fun day off!

Posing with her puppy!

The poor unicorn...

Our tap dancer...

2011-03-13T20:26:00.004-04:00

Trip to the park

2011-03-13T20:21:00.004-04:00

It finally warmed up enough to go to the park. This girls missed it and can't wait for warmer weather!

A puggle comes to visit!

2011-03-13T20:18:00.003-04:00

Over Presidents Day weekend we had a wonderful visitor! The girls really missed Lucy after her mommy and daddy got home.

Dagny Loves to Eat Kisses

2011-02-13T22:08:00.003-05:00

Dagny being her silly, silly self.

GT Cupcake Event

2011-02-13T21:59:00.004-05:00

One Saturday afternoon Melissa took Ainsley to a Georgetown Cupcake event where they made their very own GT Cupcakes - both were in heaven.

Both girls - all smiles.

Ainsley had many favorites - this is one.

She especially liked the candies.

She liked them a lot.

Monster Truck Rally 2011

2011-02-13T21:52:00.006-05:00

We ended January with a trip to DC to see a Monster Truck Rally. Something new for the girls to experience. We think they had a good time although Dagny did manage a nap.

The kids before the show - very excited.

Our favorite was this one - CRUSHSTATION - a giant lobster truck.

Very BIG Trucks.

January is a time for birthdays

2011-01-16T00:29:00.003-05:00

A big "Happy Birthday!" goes out to Grandma Norma. Sorry we couldn't be there to celebrate with you!

Chiqui's birthday is also this month and the girls "helped" her open her presents.

Karl makes it another year

2011-01-16T00:21:00.002-05:00

For Karl's birthday this year we went to a restaurant near us.

They have a special seat for special people...in the kitchen.

Where they sing Happy Birthday.

The Girls LOVE the Attitude

2011-01-16T00:13:00.002-05:00

Ainsley working the winter gear.

Dagny sippin' the milk and chillin' like a villain.

X-Mas 2010

2011-01-15T23:33:00.003-05:00

Christmas this year was fantastic - we had a few visitors and everyone had a great time.

Making cookies for Santa.

Ainsley and Dagny come down the stairs on Christmas morning.

Opening presents on X-mas morning.

Ainsley showing off her new princess dress...she wants to wear it everyday.

Chicago Chicago Chicago

2011-01-15T23:08:00.005-05:00

In early December we took a quick trip to Chicago - had a great time and hated to leave.

Ainsley having some fun on the airplane...they fly better than Karl does.

While in Chicago we had to get our hotdog fix..below is Ainsley without her hotdog.

With hotdog.

Burrito Grande...both Erik and I ate one of these monsters.

Erik and the girls at the Science Museum.

A little butterfly bench the girls loved.

Dagny trying her hand at the crane.

Lenora enjoying her Mac-n-Cheese.

The girls had such a great time together.

Ainsley Makes Cookies

2010-12-06T23:12:00.001-05:00

Ainsley explains what is on the menu...

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-06T22:47:00.005-05:00

For Thanksgiving we decided to ditch the pots and pans and head south to Mt. Vernon for an old fashioned meal of roast hen and sage dressing with giblet gravy and mashed potatoes. We even got to shoot our own pheasant with a musket. In truth we had all of the usual fixings and had a great time. Below are just a few of the several hundred we took.

Getting ready for the day

A great little restaurant

Right near the front entrance of Mt. Vernon

Dagny waiting for her dinner..pondering what little mischievous thing she could do next

Ainsley had just a great time the whole day

Autumn Fun

2010-12-06T22:33:00.005-05:00

Before the weather began to become a little colder we took advantage of a nice day to play in a park...the girls never want to leave.

Swing..Swing...Swing!

Higher...Higher...Higher!

The slide was a favorite for both

Again and Again

Over and Over

Enough Already!

Trick or Treat!!!

2010-10-31T22:15:00.002-04:00

The girls had a great time on Halloween, trick or treating around the neighborhood and then passing out candy to all of our visitors. Once again the weather held out and was only a little chillier then last year.

Ainsley as Princess Ariel and Dagny as Tinkerbell (their choice!)

Halloween Performance with the Bobcats!

2010-10-31T22:02:00.003-04:00

Ainsley performs with the Bobcat class!

The River School Halloween Parade

2010-10-31T21:21:00.005-04:00

For the third year in a row Ainsley has walked in the River School's parade. This was Dagny's first year. The weather held up as the children all dressed up for Halloween walked around MacArthur Blvd.

Dagny lining up.

Ainsley walking with friends.

After the parade both classes had parties filled with lots of fun and yummy food!

Dagny's party!

Ainsley's party!

Halloween party at Kendall

2010-10-30T22:28:00.002-04:00

Since we continue to attend KDES' family ASL classes we were invited to the annual Halloween party. The food was great and the festivities a lot of fun. We had to rush off to Ainsley's dance class, otherwise we could have stayed there all afternoon.

The girls all dressed up for the party!

Dagny playing in the leaves

2010-10-30T22:24:00.002-04:00

Dagny enjoying herself in the beautiful fall weather!

Pumpkin Carving!

2010-10-29T21:54:00.002-04:00

In preparation for halloween (and because mommy needed the seeds inside the pumpkin for school) the girls created their pumpkins with daddy and mommy carved a face in them. They actually didn't make it to Halloween, one muggy, warm, rainy day did them in!

Mommy turns 33!

2010-10-29T21:51:00.002-04:00

Mommy had a GREAT birthday filled with lots of fun and her favorite... chocolate cake with caramel and chocolate icing!

Out with the old....

2010-10-02T22:52:00.006-04:00

The time finally came - we had to say goodbye to our Saturn of 6 years. We put some real miles on it and brought home both of our babies in it but the time was right to trade it in.

Old 2004

New 2011

First Day of School

2010-10-02T22:48:00.004-04:00

The day finally came - the first day of school for the 2010-2011 school year. It was Ainsley's 3rd year but Dagny's first.

Dagny (Firefly) talking with one of her new teachers.

Ainsley (Bobcat) finding her cubby for her backpack and lunch.

Labor Day Weekend

2010-10-02T22:32:00.005-04:00

Over the Labor Day holiday Chris, Stacey and Caiden came to visit. The girls just loved playing with Caiden.

They had some great time in the little pool.

Caiden at his cutest.

All of us near the house after lunch.

The kids feeding throwing bread...there was a sign that said "Do Not Feed the Waterfowl" so we were fine..we were just feeding the ducks.

Before School Haircuts

2010-10-02T22:27:00.004-04:00

As the first day of school approached the girls needed haircuts.

Ainsley is an old pro.

Dagny's first haircut...unsupervised by mom - dad was a little nervous he'd get it done right.

The End of Summer

2010-10-02T22:18:00.003-04:00

After a huge trip during the last part of July into August we decided to stick closer to home for the remainder of the summer. We still managed to stay busy but tried to relax...like maybe a little time on the green with the girls. They might get the hang of it.

Ainsley 3 putts.

Dagny putting for the dough.

We also spent a lot of time in our neighborhood...on the weekend nights we have live bands and Ainsley is not shy about doing some dancing...she totally gets those moves from Karl.

We also spent quite a bit of time all summer at the playground - here Ainsley shows off her new skill on the monkey bars...much to the spotters chagrin.

Bozeman in late July..a lovely time to go

2010-08-03T23:21:00.008-04:00

We ended our trip with a few days in Bozeman to visit Marisa, Robert and Rowan. We can't wait to go back. Everyone had a great time and in the end the girls tried to pack the dogs up to bring home.

The girls take some time at the Bozeman Children's Museum to practice their boating

We took a hike to some falls - girls loved it and so did daddy's back when he carried Ainsley on his shoulders half way up.

The four of us at the falls during our hike

The girls loved the falls

Some time at some hot springs near Bozeman...Melissa wanted to move there

Went for a float one afternoon - Captain Robert took us down river

A shot looking backwards up river

During the float we saw a bald eagle...just amazing in the wild

At the end of the float Dagny was a little spent

Ainsley was done too but all had a fantastic time

Robert had a wonderful time entertaining all of the girls...they now want a pony. THANKS Robert!

Moving our way up to Yellowstone

2010-08-03T22:39:00.013-04:00

After Rock Springs we moved ourselves up north through Jackson to Yellowstone...always too short.

Jackson's residents cry for art so they get it...in the form of an arch of elk antlers

The one thing this area has - lots of beautiful scenery

The girls at one of the hot pools

A shot of the Old Faithful Inn - just a beautiful place

Coming around a corner revealed a lonely buffalo

A shot of us in the park... Melissa took this one.

Not this one...

Old Faithful was as faithful as ever...give or take 12 minutes

After the park we took some time to go to a bear and wolf preserve...the bears were out

They came really close

Ainsley and Faelyn take a ride

Dagny and Lenora enjoy the playground

Ainsley and Dagny find a bear they wanted to take home...we didn't

THAT is a buffalo!

Rock Springs...Yep, it's still the same

2010-08-03T22:09:00.006-04:00

Late in July we made our way West to Wyoming for some friends and family...far too many pictures to post here but take a look.

The girls practice a little before our photo session.

The Rock Springs crew get together for a little BBQ.

Dagny just LOVED this monkey.

Grandpa was his usual self...crazy. I think this is where Karl gets it.

Posing was a theme this trip - Dagny had other ideas.

Uncle Erik playing catch with the girls...

Welcome back to North Carolina

2010-08-03T21:55:00.007-04:00

At the beginning of July we took a short trip to NC - had a great time with some new experiences.

Chiqui and Ainsley enjoy the 4th of July parade

No trip to NC is complete without Grandfather Mountain

The girls loved the Mile High Swinging Bridge

We end the trip to the mountain with a nice hike

We Love Hiking...as long as daddy carries us most of the way...

Ladies loved Linville Caverns...to quote Dagny "too dark"

Happy Fathers Day!

2010-08-03T08:12:00.006-04:00

To celebrate Father's Day, Karl wanted dinner at Outback (yummy!) and Dairy Queen for desert (yummy)!

Ainsley helps Daddy open cards and gifts

Then goes over to help Popeye :-).

Larry and Dave come to visit

2010-08-03T08:00:00.003-04:00

Larry and Dave came to visit - we had a great time and the girls even warmed up a bit.

Updates on the girls...

2010-08-03T07:11:00.000-04:00

We took them for their now annual exams and shots and here are their stats...

Ainsley...

40 inches tall, putting her in the 60th percentile
36 lbs, putting her in the 60th percentile
BMI of 15.8 (I guess they calculate that now :-) putting her in the 65th percentile
20/32 Vision

Dagny

34 inches tall, putting her in the 50th percentile
26 lbs, putting her in the 37th percentile
17 inches head circumference

Thank you Grandpa Joe and Grandma Norma!!!

2010-06-06T01:06:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Grandpa Joe and Grandma Norma we had a wonderful stay on the beach with them, all 4 of us and Aunt Stacey, Uncle Chris and Caiden.

The girls loved morning walks to the pier to get donuts!

The cousins walking together :-).

Playing in the sand.

Dagny loved the sand.

Grandma Norma with the little ones... Dagny's not so sure about the water.

Ainsley, LOVED THE WATER!

Jordi and Jennifer also came for a visit!!!

Ainsley loved playing with Jordi on the beach and in the water!

The family out to dinner for Chris' birthday at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Walking the beach...

Aunt Stacey and Caiden on the beach.

Mommy and Dagny on the beach.

Ainsley's footprint.

Dagny's footprint.

Disneyland!

2010-06-06T01:05:00.004-04:00

We couldn't go to So CA without stopping at Disneyland!

First stop... to see the Princesses!!! Like cousins Sam and Elsa, the hour plus wait was definitely worth it.

Waiting in line...

Small World was a favorite... we rode it twice!

Riding Dumbo! Ainsley had to have the pink one and Dagny the yellow.

Its about nap time... Dagny and Caiden both fell asleep in their strollers while Ainsley went with Daddy and Uncle Chris to Matterhorn and Big Thunder Mountain.

In Critter Country on the Winnie the Pooh ride.

The cousins...

A stop to show the girls Grandpa Meck's window on Main Street.

Knotts Berry Farm

2010-06-06T01:04:00.004-04:00

We had to take the kids to Knotts Berry Farm!

Dagny wasn't so sure about those men :-).

On the Mine ride.

Outside of Camp Snoopy

Riding the rides!

Where else to eat but the Chicken Dinner Restaurant. It was great that Aunt Patty could join us too!

Ainsley rides the chicken.

Visiting Family!!!

2010-06-06T01:00:00.003-04:00

It was wonderful to see all of our So CA family.

Thank you to Aunt Cissy, Uncle Ed, Jimmy, Lizzie, Denny, and families for coming down to visit.

Thank you Debbie, Terry, Katherine, Ryan, Andy (and Kelly, sorry we missed you) for hosting.

Great company, great food and wonderful desert!

Dagny and Caiden enjoy the golf cart.

Ainsley and Maddison.

All of the cousins (well, Katherine and Ryan decided to sit this one out :-)

A perfect place for playing baseball.

We stopped by Aunt Cissy's for some great food and swim time!

We also got to spend some time with Jennifer and Cristina... thanks for dinner!

California here we come!!!

2010-06-06T00:59:00.003-04:00

We were lucky to spend our Summer Recess with family, friends and the beach in So CA!

The girls were very helpful!

Picking their seats.

Mommy gets a break.

Southwest found out that it was Ainsley's birthday and had a special celebration for her. They made her this crown of peanuts and stir sticks, had the whole cabin shut their windows and turn on their call button as "candles". After they sang happy birthday she "blew out" all of the "candles". It was really sweet!

Ainsley has her River School party!

2010-06-06T00:49:00.004-04:00

We also had a special celebration at school with all of her friends.

Singing to Ainsley!

All of her friends were candles and she went around to blow out all of the candles.

Cupcakes for all...

Yummy!

Happy Birthday Ainsley!

2010-06-06T00:24:00.008-04:00

4 years ago Ainsley was born...

We had a little party at home...

Blowing out her candle.

I think Dagny wants some.

Opening gifts!

Playing some games with Chiqui and Popeye.

Happy Mothers Day!

2010-06-05T11:24:00.000-04:00

Mommy had a special day filled with sleeping in (till 8:00 AM), Starbucks and Chili's for lunch!

Chiqui opens her cards...

Mommy opens cards with the girls looking on.

Dagny enjoys some breakfast :-).

Ainsley tries some of mommy's favorite lotion.

Happy Birthday Dagny!

2010-05-02T13:28:00.004-04:00

Dagny turns two!

We had a small celebration for Dagny for her 2nd birthday. We let her pick her decorations and she chose yellow.

Here are pictures from her 'yellow' themed birthday party.

The birthday girl!

Yellow...

Mom getting things ready.

Dagny sharing her farm toy with Ainsley.

Ainsley went with mommy to pick out Dagny's birthday gifts and she specifically picked out this giraffe (she ended up with one herself and each now have their giraffe babies... but that is whole different story!) This is Dagny's favorite gift!

Spotting it...

Opening it....

FINALLY!!!

Enjoying her cupcake!

Daddy and his girls

2010-04-26T22:56:00.001-04:00

Daddy and his girls take a train ride around Cabin John Park.

Dagny prepares to become 2!

2010-04-26T20:31:00.004-04:00

Looking oh so cute on the couch.

Dagny practicing her Happy Birthday Song!

Ainsley Performs

2010-04-25T21:41:00.008-04:00

The Dragonfly class performed at the last River School Community Meeting...

She has her mother's taste for the dramatic.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-11T22:49:00.004-04:00

The girls had a great time hunting for eggs and getting all dressed up for the day.

Eating Brunch

Spring is here!

2010-04-11T22:44:00.001-04:00

The girls have some fun running around outside on a Sunday afternoon.

Ainsley & Dagny Dancing

2010-04-06T22:56:00.002-04:00

Ainsley and Dagny have a new favorite song and Ainsley has a new dance move she wanted to showcase...dad has mixed feelings.

Dragonflies go to the Vet clinic!

2010-04-01T22:43:00.003-04:00

We thought this was a great picture of Ainsleys class. They had a wonderful time and survived the long walk.

Spring Break!

2010-03-28T10:21:00.008-04:00

Mom, Ainsley and Dagny has some wonderful adventures this week while on Spring Break.

Enjoy the pictures...

Stop #1 - Trip to the zoo! It was a beautiful day and the zoo was pretty empty since most schools aren't on break yet.

Dagny, Ainsley and friend Marley playing at the zoo.

A stop infront of the zoos nutritional van... we thought this would make a good picture since Marley and Ainsley are learning about Veterinarians right now.

Marley and Ainsley.

Dagny infront of the Llamas.

We HAD to stop infront of the Dragonfly pond for a photo op!

All three girls running :-)!

Stop #2 - The Kite Festival

We had a great time looking at the kites and playing with friends Christy-Ann and Sam!

Looking at the planes at the Air and Space Museum.

Silly faces at lunch!

Running around!

Carousel ride on the Mall.

Mommy, Ainsley and Dagny looking at the kites.

Daddy and the girls at the festival.

Dagny, cute as ever!

Ainsley reads to Dagny

2010-03-28T10:20:00.002-04:00

The video is a little long, but it's supper cute!

Enjoy...

Another Masters????????

2010-02-28T20:29:00.006-05:00

For some reason, Melissa has decided to add more chaos to our lives by applying for a second MA program in Deaf Ed. Her ASL test is March 6th and is hoping for a 2+ or she will have to find an alternate route to getting this degree. Along with that she needed to complete a goals statement for the department seen below here. For our Deaf friends... feel free to critique :-), for our hearing friends the noise you hear is Karl turning the post-it paper written in ASL Gloss (couldn't memorize the full 3 minutes :-).

Ainsley goes....

2010-02-28T19:43:00.003-05:00

to the dentist!

A little nervous at first, but she did great (though this was her 3rd trip). She picked grape flavor for the cleaning and went away with a pretty new pink bag and new toothbrush.

Dagny Signing...

2010-02-28T19:41:00.003-05:00

Here are some cute pics of Dagny signing Mommy and Daddy...

Snowmagedon, Snowpolcalypse...

2010-02-28T18:48:00.005-05:00

Whatever clever term you want to call it, it's just plain TOO MUCH SNOW!

These are more pics after the second (with the snowman) and third (that following Wednesday) round of snow that we got... it still hasn't melted yet!

Blizzard 2010

2010-02-04T23:02:00.005-05:00

A little over a month after our last 3 footer... we get another one! Mom couldn't be happier...

At least we went outside and had some fun... Enjoy the pictures.

Daddy and his girls in the snow.

Playing in the snow.

The sun came out the next day for some warmer fun in the snow.

Mommy and the girls.

Our snowman!

...and the video!

Ainsley in the snow...

Dagny in the snow...

We are the dragonflies... the mighty mighty dragonflies!

2010-02-04T23:01:00.006-05:00

Here are some cute pictures of Ainsley in school over the last few months.

Dancing at her "movie" premier of the "Bear in the Bed and the Great Big Storm".

A trip to Science.

Cake decorating with friends.

Fun in the classroom