Lili is Six!

Lili turned six this Monday. She popped right up at 6:30, excited to open a few presents and have some pancakes with Audrey before we headed out to the AZ science center to see the Narnia exhibition. She wore a new birthday outfit from Grandpa...I think I am going to be washing that pink "It's a Girl's World" superheroine T shirt every day for a while. When she first opened it, she said, "I am DEFINITELY going to wear this the next time I see Uncle Jon." So Jon, if you are reading this, you'll be happy to know that you have passed your love of snug-fitting superhero T shirts down to your goddaughter, along with your love of Star Wars and U2 and the spotlight...Anyway, it was a great day!!

Recent Quotes

1. Lili saw the cover of the most recent Everyday Food and asked me, "Is that Emeril's wife or his mom?" I'm sure Martha Stewart would love to know that she could pass for Emeril's mother. I guess doing time really ages you...

2. We swam with the Burch kids and Audrey had her first experience with a diving board...Jack kept announcing his fancy dives before demonstrating them and after he executed "A pencil," Audrey got up there and yelled, "I am a crayon!" and did her best to copy him, which was actually pretty appropriate: compared to Jack, her chubby little body is definitely more of a crayon than a pencil.

3. This was actually from when we were watching the Angels' game in Anaheim. Audrey asks me, "Do you know who OUR Angel is...? Justin."

White Christmas in July

Please help me get a donut tomorrow

Here is another story from our trip to CA. We have been to visit Justin a couple times now and since the girls wake up quite a bit earlier than their uncle, we usually walk down the street to Rose's donuts and get breakfast. So the night we got there we were laying in bed saying prayers. The kids usually add their own intentions at the end. Lili likes to change hers up a bit, but Audrey's is always the same: "And please help Daddy be safe." I think this started when he was on a business trip or something but now she says it every night without fail, even if he's just in the next room. However, that night at Justin's as she lay in bed with her eyes already half-closed her special intention was, "And please help me get a donut tomorrow."

Our Fourth of July in California

Last weekend we drove out to spend some time with Uncle Justin in Corona del Mar. On the Fourth of July we went to the game and got to watch Justin pitch. It always makes me laugh to see the girls react when he comes out on the field. They truly think he can hear and see them and so they start waving and cheering like mad. After the game they got to go out on the field and watch the fireworks show. Audrey got inspired during the "I'm proud to be an American" song and started interpretive dancing with her flag: It was a great night.

Joe and Becca's wedding

OK, I know this is supposed to be about the kids but I just love this picture Bowker took of the happy couple.

We had a great time in Wisconsin getting to know the rest of Becca's family and the wedding itself was so beautiful and so much fun...Audrey was a "Folla Girl" and Lili got to bring up the roses for Joe and Becca to present to Our Lady.

2 months later

Okay, Luke has been making fun of my blogging laziness...I know, I know, I am the worst blogger ever. I keep telling him I am just waiting for our kids to do something entertaining so I can write about it. Anyway, here is what we've been up to this summer.

We spent an idyllic 2 1/2 weeks in Scituate with my family and managed to cram all of our summer traditions in. We made drip castles and boogie-boarded at the beach, rode the ponies at the Farmer's Market, and ate lobsters grilled by Papa. We also got to watch Joe's nerves slowly get the better of him as his wedding day drew near...