to complete a year

In Spanish the word for birthday is made of the two words "to complete" and "year"-- literally your birthday is the completion of another year of your life. I'm realizing though, it's more than just a year of your life, it's a year of life for anyone who is part of your life. 

My Grapes turned 11 this last week. Eleven years of her life are finished: milestones passed and landmarks reached. Her journey to become the Grapes she was meant to be is fully underway.

But 11 years ago was also when I became a Momma; when we became a family, rather than a couple; and when life as we once knew it became a memory.  Things have changed in so many ways, and it has been both a blink of the eye and an eternity to reach this point. 

We celebrated (twice!)

First with family

Sometimes it's better to be British a little

Found this old video on my camera and had to share. 

FIVE months old

Are you seeing this deliciousness??

This girl is getting so big (and by big I do mean chunky!) But more than that she is figuring herself out and it's been SO fun to watch.

Will you be mine?

Valentine's Day Krispy Kisses 

The Doctor had to work on Valentine's day, so he and I went out on Friday the 13th. We were lucky though, because one of our favorite babysitters, "D" was able to come watch kids.

My dates for the actual night of love were these darling monkeys. Spaghetti and Meatballs and sparkling cider made it an evening to remember.

Lots of Love to you all!

Sometimes you need to vacate the situation

The doctor has had a few long weeks and rough shifts recently. It's a hazard of the job-- long hours and difficult cases.
The kids had a long weekend that coincided with three days off for him- so we hit the road!
It was a surprise mini-vacation to the exotic destination of Phoenix. A land of cacti and palm trees and weather 20 degrees warmer than where we live.
 We got a hotel room complete with transformer bed/couch. Pencil was positively giddy. He said about 100 times as he got ready for bed, "This is my life!"