Sister time

It rained a few days again this week, so the girls kept busy hanging out with each other inside.

Caroline loves being on her tummy and is really getting good at keeping her head up for long periods of time. She's been practicing sitting but is still a little wobbly.

Annabel is sporting her first bloody lip after knocking heads with Daddy. As you can see, it wasn't too traumatic!

Five Months Old!

Caroline is all smiles about turning five months old yesterday!

More Monday Fun

Neighbors and babysitters Kate and Caroline came over to play with the girls. They gave Caroline and Annabel new hairdos and snapped a bunch of pics of their makeovers.

No guts, no glory

While Caroline napped, Annabel and mom played outside. Since she's not allowed to play in the street, her ball soon lost its appeal as she ran to the back gate for the pool.

"Hey mom, the diving board is bouncy! And look, a leaf!"

After watching the big kids in Long Island navigate the stairs, Annabel tries a new method. Look for a future blog entry titled "Live from the ER."

The girls are entertained by Jack Black on Yo Gabba Gabba while Mommy perfects her Disco Roll. "Up down, up down, up down, up down and roll and back and roll and back"

It's Official!

Today we finalized Caroline's adoption.

In a very short hearing, the Judge Colin swore us in, and our lawyer Amy made sure we were officially who we said we were with the help of our notary, Kristen. Amy then asked us a few questions, the judge asked a few more, and then he said "Congratulations!"

We are now, in the eyes of the government, a family of four. Of course we've been a family of four for almost 5 months now. Mommy and Daddy love you, Caroline and Annabel.

The judge and Amy on the phoneThe picture the judge had of us

After finalization with Kristen, our notary

Long Weekend in Long Island

We had the best time last weekend hanging out with Sean and Sharalyn, Jen and Gary, Matt and Kim, and their families. We enjoyed lots of yummy meals and refreshing beverages. The kids had a great time together swimming and playing in the yard and on the dock. Of course we had time to play many late-night rounds of Taboo and Pictionary. Thanks to Jen and Gary and Matt and Kim for hosting us in their beautiful vacation home!

Kids' group picture
Left to right - Miles, Peyton, Caroline, Annabel, Zachary, Jackson, Olivia, Grace

Also, as of Sunday, Caroline can now roll from her front to her back!

Happy July 4th!

We had a great lazy Fourth of July. We went swimming, lounged, played with Sophie, met the new neighbors, and ate hot dogs.

We finished the day watching fireworks from the fairway. It was a beautiful breezy night, and we were unprepared - good thing we have hot-natured kids! Caroline snuggled up in a spare sheet and slept through it all. Annabel pointed and ooh-ahhed at the fireworks, but had more fun stealing shoes from a nearby family's blanket.

Caroline's First Sacrament

We were very blessed to have our dear family and friends at Caroline's baptism on Sunday, June 28.

Father Jacek presided over the baptism of Caroline and seven other infants, and Daddy read the Old Testament reading from Ezekiel. Caroline's godmother, Jennifer, placed the baptismal cloth over Caroline, and Uncle Evan, Caroline's godfather, lit the baptismal candle from the Paschal candle.

Caroline's godparents - Jen and Evan

Caroline's Grandparents

Colorado Cousins!

Last Saturday, while we were driving home from Connecticut, Grandma and Grandpa B played limo drivers, picking up Uncle Stu from the train station and Uncle Evan, Aunt Shannon, and cousins Wyatt and Georgia from their flight from Denver.

We're so blessed that everyone was able to gather together for Caroline's baptism the next day. After leaving us, the Colorado part of our family continued their vacation with a visit to the Jersey Shore and sightseeing in NYC. We all had a great time and we already miss our family.

Connecticut Cousins!

Last Saturday, Caroline made her first trip into Connecticut for the girls' second cousins' graduation party. We hadn't seen the Connecticut family since Grandpa W's birthday last April, and it was so fun to see everyone again!

Congratulations to high school graduates Joe, Colin, and Dave and college graduate Tom!

Annabel with her first cousin once removed Terri (and Terri's shades and phone)

(Wikipedia has a great chart for figuring out all kinds of cousins)