Baby Sylvie 2016!

Allison and Dan had the most gorgeous little baby girl. Babies are not actually supposed to be so good-looking this early on, but here's the proof.

Sylvie. For when people ask later, yes, she was born that beautiful.

And she's going to have the best life! Her parents are the doting kind, just ask their two fur babies. There will be so many fresh blueberries, hikes, intelligent conversation in her life.

Baby girl and mama

Peekaboo dad! 

I think I've been waiting for this baby longer than anyone else has, sometimes not so quietly as I should have, haha. And she's here at last! I can't wait to meet her!

Atlanta with Chrissy and Allison 2014

We went to Atlanta! Chrissy has been nursing Owen back to health since April 2013, so she was overdue for some relaxation and girl bonding time. Coordinating was a little tricky but Allison, Chrissy, and I could all get a direct flight to Atlanta, so off we went!

Allison, me, and Chrissy- together!

We decided to stay in the Buckhead area close to our hotel to make the best use of our 36 hours together. Allison and Chrissy arrived before I did on Friday so they had dinner at Cook Hall and drink on the patio, and when I got in we had drinks in the W's lobby, affectionately called "The Living Room." We were off to a good start. 

First order of business the next morning was sleeping in late. This was super exciting for me, and I suspect for Chrissy too since she also has two kids. Allison was an angel and kept quiet for as long as she could handle and then ran out to get us coffee and breakfast goodies. Also, we had to Facetime with all our husbands and kids before we got going, which was actually pretty fun as we crossed over into each other's conversations and Allison and I got to see Owen, Hailey, Jason, and Dan, and vice versa with all our families.

So we missed brunch where we were going to go, it was late and the place was overrun with football fans. But we did a little walking tour of Buckhead and a local Uber cab driver recommended a place to us. It turned out to be one of the best tapas place in Atlanta, Eclipse di Luna, and the music was all Cuban salsa. We were beyond pleased.

Allison and Chrissy with a Palm Tree hat at Eclipse di Luna

Somehow we ended up at the mall which was not the original plan, but it kept us out of the rain. Allison and Chrissy had big frozen yogurts and I saw my first ever cupcake ATM. I almost took a picture of it, but it's one of those things... it looked like a pink ATM, the picture wouldn't do justice to the genius of the idea.

It was time for more lazing about. We went to check out the hotel pool, but the people there were all quiet and intense, and we're loud and relaxed so we passed. We sort of nap-rested, which was necessary after sleeping in(!) and then got ready for dinner.

Buckhead Diner- Actually an upscale restaurant

We had dinner at the Buckhead Diner which does look a diner from the outside- and how appropropriate to our Jersey roots!- but is actually an upscale restaurant on the inside. Apparently, celebrities are seen there all the time, but we didn't see any. So we pretended with the celebrity photo wall. And we had lots of delicious food and drinks.

Chrissy, Billy Crystal, and me

We walked to and from dinner, so I'm sure we burned off all the calories from dinner and our after party. Right? We went to Whiskey Blue which ended up being kind of clubby bar with nice views of Atlanta on its porch. We even made some friends. Then it was back to Cook Hall so we could sit on the patio and have loud inappropriate conversations by ourselves. Definitely some quality bonding! Time to plan our 2015 getaway!

Porch at Whiskey Blue Bar- tried and failed to get Atlanta's skyline in the picture

Happy birthday, Chrissy!

• Last visit with Chrissy, August 2014
• Last visit with Allison, June 2014
• Last visit to Atlanta, May 2012 family roadtrip!

Owen and Family 2014!

My friends Chrissy and Jason's 4 year old Owen IS CANCER-FREE! This is simply the best news ever. We were so excited when they came to New Jersey and had some time for us. So excited! The trip did not disappoint one bit. I practically cried with joy a hundred times.

Gwen's family + Regan's family + Chrissy's family + mine!

Seeing Owen and James play is such a sweet pleasure, and it was the first time I met Gwen's daughter Alana. It was Miranda's first trip to New Jersey and everyone's first time meeting her.

Chris brought the bubbles- brilliant!


Owen chasing bubbles! I love it!


Alana and Hailey


Even Miranda got a bubble!

With so many kids it was great to have so much room. The kids played in the front of the house, the backyard, and the basement. I have so many childhood memories of my own at Chrissy's house (even my Sweet 16 was here!) that it was so fun and strange to see our kids playing there. Especially, since my kids have never been to the places I lived as a child.

A weird kick ball game that involves two balls!

Two little birds laying eggs.

Pretty mamas and their littlest ones

I wish we all lived closer so we could do this all the time!

Indoor chaos is fun!

Great visit!

• The previous visit to Chrissy's family in October 2012.
• The previous visit to Regan's family in February 2014.

Visiting Wendy and Clark Upstate 2013

We arrived Monday afternoon. First, let me show you what it looks like around Wendy and Clark's house. It kind of makes you wonder why the rest of us are doing everything wrong. Haha! No, really.

The forest all around their home

James making himself at home - notice the forest outside all the windows.

James taking notice of his two-day obsession, the record player

They live on the New York border close to the Berkshires in Massachusetts. So after some cheese and bread snacks, we drove into the small town of Stockton, MA to go for a walk and to give Jame some time at the playground.

James in Stockton, MA

Stockton playground with beautiful view of the mountains

Possibly the last roundabout in America- Kevin is trying to keep James from falling

Clark had work on Monday, but when he got home we had a delicious dinner Wendy made. James ate a little and then played on the dining room floor with some toys Wendy got him while the rest of us finished. After James got a bath in the deep bathroom sink and went to bed, we all retired to their studio. It's huge and filled with instruments and sound equipment. It was one of their main requirements for a house, and it's really impressive. And since they live in the woods, none of the neighbors can hear them practice. It's the perfect setup. We had a good time relaxing and talking.

Tuesday, James and I got up early and it was pretty chilly, so I grabbed my car-snuggie and put him inside it kangaroo-style. Haha. Clark took off from work so we could hang out all day, so mid-afternoon we set out for Great Barrington, MA which is also in the Berkshires. We did a little window shopping and got some ice cream at Blue Marble because we recognized the brand from Brooklyn.

James loves Great Barrington

Clark checking out some threads

 
Rock n' Roll

On the way to Great Barrington, we passed the Circle Museum in Austerlitz, NY, and I demanded we go on the way back and check it out. Again, I love this crazy stuff. (If it makes for a fun picture- pull over! I need to go to there!)

Wendy, James, Kevin, and me at the Circle Museum

The sculpture garden has a great view of the mountains

James is either looking in, or blowing the horn

Clark was the chef this evening. He made several delicious pizzas from scratch, and even got Kevin involved picking out all the toppings for one. We all ate tons more pizza than we needed because it was so tasty.We picnicked outside which we really enjoyed. Although James was pretty determined to go jump in the bog in their yard or at least break their grill,so Kevin had to run a lot of interference. Thank you for a lovely two days, Clark and Wendy! We love your new neighborhood. (Sorry we never visited you in the Bronx!)

Clark making awesome pizza from scratch

Kevin adding toppings to the pizza

Wendy opening some wine

He looks a little out of it but James loved the pizza and said yummy yummy while eating

Clark and Wendy had just returned from visiting Clark's father when we visited. Sadly, Clark's father passed away from cancer this week, very close to the anniversary of Wendy's mother passing. Our hearts are with Clark and his family: Wendy, his mother, and his sister.

Wendy Visits 2012

Wendy came over to visit us. Last time she saw James, he was just 6 months old and going through a "stranger-danger" phase where he would cry when introduced to new people or people he didn't remember. This time he blew her a kiss when she arrived.

As James was getting ready for his bath before bed, I realized that I hadn't gotten a photo of them together. Just then James ran out naked and sat down. I grabbed my camera (the batteries were dead- oh no!) and then the phone. I love everything about the photo we got. James looks scandalized that I'm taking a nude photo of him, and he looks like he purposely used the block to protect his modesty. Awesome.

Best photo ever of James and Wendy

Afterwards we went to a yummy sushi dinner at my favorite local restaurant. We ate it Ash-and-Michele-style. That's where you share all the rolls, try each roll at the same time, rank all them, and then eat your favorites. We were slightly less methodical about it than Ash and Michele, but then we didn't even finish all the sushi, which Ash and Michele definitely would not approve. We had crazy philosophical conversations on the nature of happiness. Seriously. We don't have any answers, but here's another picture to contribute to your happiness.

James dive-bomb-mooning Wendy

Meeting Hailey 2012

Chrissy and Jason, and their two kids Owen and Hailey live in Ohio, so when we heard they would be visiting New Jersey we jumped at the chance to go see them and their family. For one thing, I needed to meet my new little girlfriend Hailey.  She's 3 months old now, the same age as her brother Owen when I met him for the first time.

Meeting Hailey! What torture to have to wait so long! 

Our wonderful husbands and cute little boys played some street kick ball while the 3 ladies had girl- time.  When we were inside we also got to spend some time with Gwen, her little boy Matthew, Mr. Kaulfers. (I know that theoretically, "Walter" would be okay now, but unh-uh, I'm still 13 when I'm in the Kaulfers' house.)

Our boys playing

Auntie Gwen, Cousin Matthew, Grandpa Walter, James, Kevin

Owen and James have a 16-month age difference between them, which makes things a little touch-and-go right now, but they can rally around cartoons together. I caught this photo of them snuggling up to each other.

I love them!

I love group pictures. We took one with the Vonderhaars just last May, and now look! There's another little Vonderhaar to love! (Full disclosure: Absolutely none of these children wanted to take this picture. But look how cheerful the adults look!)

Hailey at 3 months, Owen at 2.75 years (33 months), James at 17 months

Visiting Cate and Matt's Family 2012

On the way back from Maine, we planned to stop and visit Cate and Matt. We don't get to see them nearly enough, ad their two beautiful daughters Phoebe and Vivienne are growing up so fast.

Matt, Phoebe, Vivienne, and Cate in front of their house

Kevin, James and I played with Phoebe and Vivi while Matt and Cate got lunch ready. James and Vivi particularly got into a little rock trading game they invented. They had a pretty elaborate rock economy.

Matt helping Phoebe with the puzzle we got her

Vivi playing with the Mr. Potato Head we brought

Cate and her sweet baby girl

Vivi and James exchanging rocks

Cate and Matt made us an amazing lunch, and we got to spend time with each others kids.  Sadly, we couldn't stay as long as we would have liked because James was desperate to nap. 

The girls: me, Vivi, Cate, Phoebe

Baby Hailey 2012!

Our friends Chrissy and Jason had a beautiful baby girl who they named Hailey Maureen, Maureen after Chrissy's mother.  She was born a few days after her due date, so she was born in July instead of June. She's beautiful and everyone is crazy about her. I can't wait to get my hands on her! I wish she didn't live so far away.

Hailey Maureen, about 5 days old

Her family: Owen, Jason, and Chrissy (photo I took in May)

Visiting Allison and Dan in Cape Elizabeth 2012

Our friends Allison and Dan moved to Maine after they got married. At first, it seemed impossibly far away, but then Allison pointed out that she was only 2 hours from Boston, and that Dan commutes to work in Boston a couple times a week. So, we all piled into our two-door car (my own circle of hell) and off we went to Maine. You don't have to tell the Clous twice to come visit you! Allison and Dan have a beautiful house in a beautiful town.

Allison not only took us to the sites, but we ate lobster rolls twice. She certainly knows the way to our heart! We spent some time in Cape Elizabeth and some time in Portland. We went to the Fort Williams Park and the lobster roll food truck there (yum), the Portland Head Light, Two Lights, Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth.

James, Allison, and me in front of Casco Bay

In front of the Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, ME

James loves Maine!

Strolling around Fort Williams Park

Yeah, they get to live here, all the time.

Dan, trying to get some work done on the back porch

In Portland, we got delicious sandwiches at Duckfat and took them to Fort Allen Park to picnic.  We also made a stop at Shipyard Brewery. There aren't any photos of our lovely picnic in the park because I spent a little while chasing James around and trying to keep him from bashing himself on the many cement monuments.  Mercifully, Kevin and Dan took James back for a nap so Allison and I could enjoy the rest of the afternoon. We also got some amazing licorice gelato at Gorgeous Gelato in Portland.  Apparently there is quite the gelato rivalry in Portland, and Allison is committed to Gorgeous, so I won't threaten our friendship by mentioning the name of the competition. Suffice to say, I didn't try the other gelato place.

Fort Allen Park in Portland, ME

We didn't have to venture far from the house for lovely sights and activities though. For one thing, Allison flattered me by asking me to take photos of her family. I might have liked this better than lobster rolls (but maybe less than gelato). We went on a long walk with James through a path in the woods near her house. Kevin even went on a longer walk/hike in a different part of the same woods (sans James).  They also live near a a scenic rocky beach.  We would have stayed longer, but you know, James tried to eat the rocks. Thank you for all your wonderful hospitality, Allison and Dan!

Allison and Dan volunteered themselves for an Ericka-style photo shoot

Beautiful walking path near the house

Allison, James and I at the beach

Failed attempt at a family photo- but we have a lot of those

Photo bomb! And it's a better (accidental) family photo!

Coco got her own shoot too