Mulch and a listing

We had someone come and put mulch in for us in preparation for putting the house on the market. We've done it before ourselves with okay results (after watching the professionals I realized that we have always spread it to thin-- it's at least four inches deep). My boys LOVED the show. They followed them from the front window to the back window the entire time they were here. Luke kept making comments like, "You have to be strong to do this job." He was throughly impressed.

We were very pleased with the results and the amount of time it took them versus how much time it would have taken us.

Watching the mulchers

One of the front beds after. I REALLY wish that I had taken a before picture. We pulled out so much stuff and this really highlights what is there.

We signed our freedom away to a realtor on Thursday afternoon. Showings start on Monday (READ our life in this house ends-- no messes allowed). If you are interested in the listing go here and then look at 630 Frederick Lane. You don't have to look if you're not interested but I always think real estate listings are fascinating (even if the market ain't what she used to be).

Au Revior, Raymond

Raymond, our pet goldfish, went back into our neighbor's pond to swim for the summer. Luke agreed to it but has been a little weepy since then whenever he thinks about it. We have agreed that he can get a new fish when we get to Maryland. He drew a picture of what the new fish will look like and boy, we'll be lucky to find such a creature. We were sad to say goodbye but glad that we don't have to worry about keeping his bowl clean in the midst of keeping everything else clean while the house is on the market. Also, I couldn't quite figure out how to move a goldfish without killing him. It's for the best, really.

One year down

Luke had his last day of preschool this week. These are pictures from the closing picnic. The program was adorable. Nat and I just figured out that if he is in school as long as his dad this is just the first of 24 years of school. I don't think I'll share that with him-- he might get discouraged.

Unrelated Pictures...

So these first three pictures have nothing to do with the rest, but I just think Addie is adorable. She has started to figure out how to roll from her tummy to her back. It's pretty funny because she always looks surprised when it happens.

These are from Aaron/Eliza's birthday party last Sunday. Here's Alex and Addie hanging out. I would have gotten more of them but the batteries in my camera died.

I realized that besides Aaron, Spencer has the least pictures in the family. Here he is reading a book at Emily's house.

Here, finally, is Aaron. I LOVE this picture. Look at those smiles.

Blowing out the candles. Ian thought it was his birthday too. Hey, if it makes him happy...

The doctor

Nathaniel (or Nathan, as he was introduced-- why couldn't she just read the stupid card?) walked in commencement on Friday night (he still is two or three months away from defending). Here are some highlights:

This is Nat's professor, Dave. He has been very good to us for the five years we've been here. Nat graduated with two others from his lab, Chris and Xianghui.

Thanks to Doug, Barb, and Courtney for making the trip up!

Some more Florida

In no particular order

Been doing this

We just returned from a fabulous week at the beach with the Fredins. Florida's gulf shore was perfect this time of year and we all loved it. I am into my second trimester and feeling encouraged. Now, to unpack...

The Bell Family

Because of the Bell family's self-professed inability to post, I thought I would put some pictures up for them. ( I just realized that I don't have any of Aaron. Poor guy- he's the invisible dad.) These were taken last Sunday at Jenn's birthday party. Here's Emily and the two older kids admiring my handiwork...


Ian was loving the jasmine rice Mom cooked for dinner. (We had yummy burritos.) He finished eating and I swear that as much rice made it onto his shirt as into his stomach.

Jakob played a game with Spencer and Caleb. He loved it. Caleb said it was fun to play with Jake because he was old enough to understand the rules, but young enough that he was really excited about playing. As you can see, Spencer is upset because his character got turned into a toad. (Yeah, it's that kind of game.)

Here's Jenn blowing out her candles on her delicious chocolate pie. (Which I ate and loved...until I remembered that Adelaide does NOT like dairy. I'm not sure if it was worth it or not.)

And here's the artsy photo of the day. I was enchanted by Eliza's freckles and I thought everyone else should have the chance to see them too. Look at those lashes.

Our Baby Has A Button...

I was trying to get Addie to smile...


Yep. It really happened. I found the puke button.

Yay I can post video!