A visit from Grandma Smalberger

 Grandma Smalberger came to visit for a week and we had the most glorious time! She spoiled us totally, but even if we had never left the house it would have been wonderful having her here. We missed her before her plane ever got off the ground. Come back soon grandma!

showing off her garden

picnicking and playing at library park

a special trip to the coffee shop

it rained solidly for about 3 days while she was here, which was perfect for puddle jumping and searching for the perfect umbrella tree

we made a sign that was supposed to say "welcome grandma" but instead said "amdnarg emoclew" oops!

a perfect day for Reid Beach

dressing up for a girls night, just those of us above age 4 :)

farmers market

story time at the book store where the author of The Fairy Garden Handbook was there

visiting Wolfes Neck animal farm

making oatmeal with daddy

checking out a lighthouse in Arrowsic

a special seafood dinner at a restaurant called The Osprey

a tea party in a fort

dinner in our hotel near Boston

she loved to pretend to talk on the hotel phone

first time in the subway! there was a musician playing and she danced her heart out.

making a wish in a fountain in Boston Common

another dance opp in a park where public school kids were performing songs and dances

Boston has some amazing architecture. It really is a gorgeous city.

Boston public library-can you spot me and Livi?

while we rode the Subway Livi sang excitedly "I love the subway, I love the subway!" It was so cute.

ballet play time

"taking a tan"

special bedtimes with grandma

this is the perfect beach area. this rock pool was nice and warm and shallow-perfect for us.

playing chase with the waves.

Grandma went all the way in. crazy lady! BRRR.

farmers market

book store story time

after the Fairy House Handbook author read, we saw there was a fairy house area and all the things you would need to add to it outside the book store. it was totally awesome.

falling asleep on the wagon ride

delicious kettle corn

making jam

love this one

using my glasses to read the map

checking out a special book Nadxieli sent in the mail

we got to go to an awesome bouncy house place near our hotel near Boston

helping with Grandma's suitcase

watching Curious George in the hotel!

a selfie with my best girl

sweetest pictures

Girls Trip 2015

In April I got to take my first "real" girls trip with 4 of the dearest girls. It's difficult to describe the bond I have with this girls. College roommates, best friends, sisters. I've known them now for 15 years! We've been through some of the highest highs and lowest lows together. We are spread out from the midwest to the east coast, but regardless of the time and distance that separates us, each time we are back together it as if no time has passed at all. We are going to do our best to make this an annual tradition now. I sure hope we can! Their smiles and hugs fill up my soul.

Tiff was our gracious hostess this year. She lives in the most picturesque village in NJ and her home, true to Tiff fashion, is gorgeous. Her husband Brian took the boys, John (almost 4) and William (15mo) a majority of the time so Tiff could enjoy some girl time. The poor boys both got a tummy bug, though :( Tiff just rolled with the punches (as did Brian) and everyone still had a great time! Thanks a million, Tiff!

This was the first time I've left Olivia overnight. I was quite sad and thought about her AND talked about her pretty much nonstop. She and Jeff did great and we Skyped each evening, which was special. I think it was great for all of us and now we know we can handle it.

I wish I could write a book about each of the girls. We are all so different, yet our friendship is like the prettiest bouquet of flowers you've seen. All of our personalities seems to bring out the best in each of the others. Let me see if I can at least summarize a little.

Tiff: graceful, gracious, genuine, positive, optimistic, encouraging, gentle, beautiful

Sar: driven, sassy, funny, bright, thoughtful, real, caring, loyal, beautiful

Steph: strong, sensetive, hilarious, boisterous, easy-going, assertive, loving, kind, beautiful

Grace: empathetic, supportive, kind, attentive, warm,  funny, persevering, affectionate, communicative, beautiful

NYC, here we come!

making decisions and mapping the course

I know all those pictures are basically the same, but you should see how many I deleted! That's how it goes with us ;) Thanks to Brian for humoring our photo shoot (and thanks to Sar, who really doesn't love these special photo times ;)