Happy 2nd Birthday, Crosby!

We had a party for Croz on Sunday and he had so much fun! We had practiced blowing out matches so he would be ready to blow the candle out on his birthday cake. Thanks again Nan for making such a special dinosaur cake.

I cannot believe Crosby is two. He learns so much every day. He loves trains. He loves to be a tease. He loves to walk around the block with his lawnmower every day. Rain or shine, he dons his hat and mittens and being outside is the best part of his day! His favorite letter is "O," and he wants to spell his name before his naps and before going to bed each night. D and I are suckers for the fact that he wants "one last snuggle" each night before bed as well. He's been snuggling in Dad's lap the last little while to spend some extra time. I love that when we read Curious George he says, "jew" for George and "munga" for Grandma. Right now as I'm writing this though he is tatooing his hand with a pen and now mine too. Keeps us on our toes! Love you, Frog!

Vancouver, I Love You

I took so many pictures while on my trip to Washington/Canada with Jess last month! This will have to be Edition #1 of the pictures because boy am I in a Vancouver mood. With the Olympics starting today I am so pumped to watch the opening ceremonies and all that is to follow. So in honor of the LOVELY city of Vancouver, I must post some pics!

The diamond rings by the water were one of my (many) favorite sights. The artist made them in honor of romantic unions... Valentine's Day here we come!



Jess's parents live in Mt. Vernon, WA which is about an hour and a half of a drive from Vancouver. We left early in the morning for Vancouver, and this was the scene on our drive.



Jessie and I are OBSESSED with photos. We get together, we get outrageously girly and cheesy, and we take hundreds of them. Love ya Jess!



There was this display of funny sculptures, all of their faces/gestures really detailed.



I don't think I have emphasized enough yet how much I loved Vancouver. The second we stepped foot on the streets, there was this feeling. It reminded me of New York or Venice. The city has a distinct soul, and I could feel it! If I had to choose only two adjectives: diverse and sophisticated. I've never been to London, but it reminded me of a mini-London. And the mist over the trees, the way the city blends into the forest, blends into the beach... I immediately was dying to live there.



Not to mention their food. I ate the most incredibly mouthwatering Greek wrap - gyro I guess - I can conjure the bite of that yogurt sauce right now. I ate two within the (36?) hours we were there! And this Spanish hot chocolate spot we found. Really the shop was the cutest, the ambiance, and the hot chocolate was out of this world. Can you see the hunk of it on top melting in?



Speaking of chocolate, it was not in short supply this trip. Gotta have it around in the hotel room, right?!



Guilty as I am to admit this... I frequently (maybe once every 2 months) purchase a Ritter Sport. Thank you USA for selling them in the stores.



All Ritter Sport chocolate is quality and good, but if you have not tried this particular flavor - Butter Biscuit - you are really really missing out. You can get them at Target now!



So we got decked out in blue and painted the town that night. Spent hours in our room putting on makeup, dancing to music, making up and playing crazy games, and taking more pictures :)



Those British Columbians aren't shy, are they?



We took a detour into some neighborhoods and I was gawking at the houses.



I've always wanted to be Swiss but now I might settle for Canadian.



Our hotel was the perfect location too, and overlooked the water.



Checking out the Olympic scene; here is the stadium that tonight will be filled to the brim!



Maple Leaves galore



Here is the science center for kids. I thought it was beautiful.



Is it wrong to use the same eyeliner for almost four years? Ha, shows how often I get "really" made up. That being said, 'twas time to pay a visit to the M.A.C. store. I really love that place. It was across the street from the countdown clock-



This is the Inukshuk, which is the symbol of Northern hospitality. I loved seeing the true inspiration behind the 2010 Olympic logo. It is such a cool sight against the water.



Have I inspired you to visit Vancouver? If so, take me with you! Cheers ;)

Some Snapshots

We were all on the Saints' side this Superbowl; I can't believe we each happened to have ugly gold shirts!



Did anyone else eat WAY too much yesterday? D, Sabita, and I made Saints/Colts cupcakes. One dessert among probably six others.



We have been getting Sabita out for walks, and it is so good for all of us.



Some good bonding time too.



Crosby is her cute little helper; now instead of hiding her cane, he goes and finds it for her (most of the time), he holds her hand to help her get up the porch stairs, and at every meal when it's time for her meds, he places each pill into her mouth.



Croz and I had an afternoon to ourselves the other day. I turned on some music and went to wash some dishes but didn't hear anything for a while. I found him sitting in Grandma's wheelchair, just munching on a cracker and listening to the music.



Crosby is a passionate child. He is introspective too; listens carefully to music and stories and some of the looks he gives... is he 24?! His smile is the best.



On this same afternoon I was boiling some potatoes and the windows got fogged up. You can imagine the fun we had with that... here's Croz getting really intense with the drawing-



He had the greatest time making swirls and designs on the windows.



Then later he decided to nab the whole box of crackers; smart idea! Love you, baby guy who's almost 2.



<3 Have a great V-Day week! <3

Motto for a New Month

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

-Mary Jean Iron

(from Sarah's blog)