First Day

Last week Monday Andrew started his new gig! It's been going really great so far. Here's Andrew and Connor heading off to work and school on Andrew's first day (Connor told Andrew he could take his firetruck lunch box to work instead of his briefcase because his new co-workers would probably think that was really cool). I do believe they switched back though ;)

Could Connor look any more proud??

Stamford Nature Center

We had a really fun impromptu playdate and picnic at the Stamford Nature Center today. This has recently become our playdate "crew" and I'm so glad- its a really fun bunch!

Silly face picture.

Happy Birthday to Andrew!

Wishing a very happy birthday (yesterday) to my (much) better half. He requested a cookie cake this year. Must say its probably the yummiest thing I've ever made. Of course I had a great helper.

Lunch with Leyla

Couple pics from lunch with our little lady friend today (Connor was at school). Andrew starts his new job next week!

March 11th

March 11th came and went without much event this year, a far cry from last year. I can't believe all that's happened in the past year, and that after such a terrifying day and weeks and months to follow, we were able to land on our feet again. 20,000 people lost their lives that day- that number is just staggering to me. I will never understand how that was allowed to happen to those people. We traded emails with our Japanese friends, letting them know we were thinking of them on this sad anniversary. It was great to hear from everyone. One reminded us that although it was a very sad day, the cherry blossoms will be coming soon, and with that another new beginning. As always, my thoughts and prayers are with Japan and its truly amazing people.

Sonoma, CA

With our kids in awesome hands back in Michigan Andrew and I left for our first "plane ride away" from the kids. It was both heart wrenching (one night I missed them so badly I could hardly sleep) and glorious (ha) to be away on our own like that. We met our friends the Jensens there and the four of us just had a really really nice time. The last time I was in Sonoma I was pregnant, so it was really fun being able to properly partake in the wine tasting experience this time around!

Our hotel was one of my favorite parts of the trip. It was really beautiful.

The pool and spa just behind.

Andrew, me, Trish and Seph. Night number 1, dinner at the hotel. I was jet lag city (esp. since we were up at 5am that morning) but it was still really fun with lots of laughs.

Went out for a run my first morning there. Stopped to take these pics from my phone. The views in every direction were just so awesome! My pics don't do it justice.

Gary Farrell winery (easily my very favorite!)

Gary Farrell makes our hearts happy.

My Aunt, cousin Hanna and her adorable son Kai (who all live in the Sonoma area) came and met us for breakfast one day. It was so nice to see them!

Frolicking in the vineyards at B.R.Cohn.

Trish and I.

Well hello lover...

Gloria Ferrer champagne cave and vineyard (my 2nd favorite!) We had the best seat in the house and I could have easily stayed there all day!

Dividing up the acquired goods to ship home. That was a really fun package to receive a couple days ago!!

I know its a total luxury for parents of small kids to get away by themselves and I'm so unbelievably thankful (to the Eichs!) for being able to make this work! I consider it both a luxury, and a bit of a necessity (for us) too. Andrew and I had so much fun just being together. We held hands the entire plane ride home. The flight attendant even commented to us about it afterwards, telling us that you just don't see that anymore. She asked if we were on our honeymoon. Obviously not, but it sure feels like one traveling without kids, ha!

Michigan

From Cleveland we drove to Andrew's parents' house in East Lansing, Michigan. We stayed with them for four nights. It was really fun, very relaxing, and just what we needed after being on the road for almost a week. The kids had a blast playing with their Nana and Grandad and as always the Eichs were such gracious hosts (so much so that we left the kids with them for 3 nights so that Andrew and I could steal away on our own, ha!) A few pics:

A HUGE thank you to the Eichs for the wonderful visit and for watching over our littles while we were gone!!