Up in the Air



I could kiss this girl's squishy neck all day long...its so edible.

The weather was so amazing tonight (75 degrees) so we took a family stroll through the neighborhood. The girls rode their bike and scooter and we stayed outside and enjoyed the perfect climate for as long as we could. Hot Texas summers are just days away and the only time you can stand to be outside is on your walk to the pool....seriously, its uncomfortable.

So, these are the pics that Brian posted. In the last one, he thought he was so funny taking pics of me nursing Lauren...nice.

By the way, Lauren had her 4-month checkup this past week and she's in the 90th percentile for height and 20th for weight at a mere 11 lb. 14 oz. We need to get some meat on her bones! At the doctor's request, I started supplementing with baby food but she wants nothing to do with it...go figure. I swear the most stressful part of having a baby is teaching them to eat food...

Miss Bumbo 2009

Although Lauren has been smiling for a while now, this is the first "official" one since Brian was finally able to capture it on camera.

Miss Sis loves her Bumbo- I'm sure its because she has an upright and front row seat to the world all around her... And, its usually put up in a high place (the kitchen counter) and away from the grasps of her well-meaning, but extremely overwhelming sisters. Can anyone tell me when the novelty of a new baby wears off on a three and 4 year old????

I think we need to get a cat.

Goodbye, My Trusty Old Companion...

Oh....Friday was a sad day. I had to say goodbye to this lovely thing after our wonderful 6 months together. Now, before you judge- I actually needed it for the first couple of months and thats how long I was supposed to have it. But, the city only issues these stickers in 6-month increments and so I got a few extra months of great parking and wonderful access to the most crowded shopping malls, grocery stores, restaurants, and well, any other venue with a parking lot. It didn't hurt that I was pregnant at the time and since January, I've been 3-deep in kids, which should be warrant enough for close parking anyway, right? On a lighter note...I actually had two people on two different occasions stop and ask me if I really had a sticker to park in handicapped spaces and that was when I was hobbling around!

You will be missed!

Wondering how I got one? Just click here

Boston


Outside the Paramount Cafe in Beacon Hill

My sister, Claire, at the race

Emily, Jennefer and Jessica- notice the lovely shirts!

Boston Harbor from the balcony of our hotel...isn't it amazing??

Little Italy...we ate dinner here on Saturday night

Post-race at the hotel. Jim loved our signs...

Lauren and I just got back last night from Boston- it was such an amazing trip. I've never been to Boston before, and I absolutely loved the city. It reminded me of New York City, but with all of these beautiful historical sites sprinkled in between the skyscrapers.

We stayed at the Custom House Marriott, which is a Boston landmark and really was beautiful. On Saturday afternoon we picked up a quick lunch at Quincy Market, by Faneuil Hall. Then, we boarded a Boston Harbor Cruise. On Sunday, we went to church in Cambridge as well as toured the city by trolley....so cool.

Monday was race day...we got up early, made some signage for Jim, donned our matching shirts, got some breakfast by the harbor and then rode the MBTA to the 21-mile mark. Finally, we saw Jim running...he finished the race in 3:19- and roadkilled about 3000 people in front of him- no small feat for the Boston Marathon. Congrats to Jim...it was a great race and so fun to take in the energy on race day that was all over that city.

The final day of our stay, we walked all the way to Beacon Hill to get some breakfast at the famous Paramount Cafe...yum. It was such a cool walk- it was raining a little bit and the walk was long, but the neighborhoods and city sites we saw along the way were totally worth it. We had to hit up H&M while we were there so after b-fast we found our way to some shopping and then picked up a late lunch. Finally, we caught our flights back home.

It was so fun to see my sisters and to hang out. There's never a dull moment when the Jewkes girls are together- I'm sure Jim and London can attest to that! Thanks Jim for giving us a reason to get together and thanks Mom and Dad for making it all happen! So fun!

Miss Lauren...

Lauren and I will be leaving bright and EARLY in the morning for our first vacation together...to Boston. My brother-in-law, Jim, qualified for the marathon this weekend and so my parents and the Taskers organized a quick trip to see him cross the finish line. Matching family T-shirts might be involved (pictures to ensue)...
Anywho...I'm so excited for a little deviation from the normal day-to-day and for a chance to see some of my family while spending time with my little Lauren- and I cannot tell you how nice the next 4 days will be. But, her daddy sure will miss her- he's got a big crush on this one...can't say I blame him. Miss Lauren will be missed!!
All the while, I will be missing my two little bug-a boos- Kate and Taylor. Here's an Easter picture of our sweet Kate...best of luck to daddy over the next 4 days!

Easter Fun



We had an Easter Egg Hunt at Nana and Papa's house yesterday. The kids were unleashed on the massive back yard scattered with over one hundred eggs and they went wild. It was pretty funny to watch. They all stuck together, like a big horde, and followed each other around until all of the eggs were found and piled in their baskets. Brian and I have been able to spend a lot of time with his family this weekend because his sister, Nicole, and her family (see below) are in town. Its been so nice to get together and do so many fun things. We've been able to ride horses, go to the mall, had a family FHE (thanks Barbara, for the great lesson!), celebrated Hannah's 7th Birthday, went on an Easter egg hunt, and more! We LOVE it when family is in town!