Off to Orlando!

Day 2 of the vacation started with a 2-3 hour drive up to Orlando. Along the way on the Florida Turnpike we encountered swarms of bugs mating...and splattering on our windshield. At the rest stops along the way they had high power washers to clear them off. Lunch was at Giordano's pizzaria in Lake Buena Vista before a walk through the Downtown Disney area. It also happened to be Sara's birthday, and Jeff picked out Logan's Roadhouse grill for dinner, which Helena enjoyed because each table had a bucket of shelled peanuts that you got to crack open to eat and discard the shells right on the floor.




Helen posing with the swans in the lobby of our hotel in Palm Beach Gardens




Helena with a Mickey Mouse statue in Downtown Disney




Helena and Daddy with Buzz Lightyear




Helena with Mr. Potato Head




Of course Helena goes near the Lego dog!




Helena posing with the Lego person

To Grandmother's House We Go!

Our vacation started out last Sunday with a 6 a.m. flight to southern Florida to visit Sara's grandmother. Despite the hot weather, the kids were able to relax in the pool. It was Jonathan's first time in a pool...and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Dinner was at a fish restaurant right on the intercoastal waterway in Palm Beach Gardens.





Jonathan and Helena waiting to check-in at the airport. Helena is suprisingly wide awake despite it being only 4 a.m.!




Helena enoying a lolipop to help with her ears popping





Jonathan out cold a few minutes after the plane took off




Enjoying the pool




Helena chatting it up with the ladies at the pool




Sara with her grandmother




Daddy wondering if his thumb tastes as good as Jonathan's




GG and the kids




Jonathan and Helena posing during dinner

Nails time!

Helena getting her nails done this weekend




Of course, she needs a snack while the work is being done!

Jonathan's 1st Birthday Party

An attempted family picture




Helena participating during the magic show




Jonathan showing off his dance moves




Jonathan is ready to eat




Blowing out the birthday candles




Cupcake decorating for the kids




"Let them eat cake!"




"I think it is time to open presents!"





"Pushing around this box is fun...but taking the toy out of the box to play with would be more fun!"




"Are these cards ever going to be worth any money?"

Spring Gala, Part II

Helena's class had another spring gala celebration last week.




Helena all ready for the "Bollywood" themed production




The dance routine




Even Jonathan got to watch the production




Thumb sucking must be contagious!

Jonathan's 1st Birthday Celebration

After a shortened day at daycare, Jonathan had his 1-year doctor's visit. He weighed in at a mere 21 lbs and 29 1/2 inches long (he has been sick on and off for the past several weeks so that has seemed to contribute to the lack of weight gain; he gained less than 1/2 lb since January). It does appear that two teeth are on the cusp - one on the top and one on the bottom, and two more will probably follow those shortly.






Jonathan opening his gift from Mommy and Daddy




Jonathan jumped right on his fire truck before Daddy had a chance to take it out of the box




Jonathan enjoying his birthday dinner - pasta and meat sauce




"Happy Birthday to Jonathan..."




Helping Jonathan blow out his candle (kinda hard when you have a thumb in your mouth)




Jonathan didn't hesitate to attack his cupcake




Helena enjoying her cupcake





Jonathan upset that there is no more cupcake to eat

Happy 1st Birthday Jonathan!

Wow! What a long year it has been, ... but looking back through all of the pictures to put this post together, it is amazing how quickly it went by. We are very happy to be celebrating Jonathan's first birthday as we have been able to watch him change and grow up, and we know this is only the beginning. We hope that all of our family and friends have enjoyed the same. Here is a walk down memory lane for the past year to show you how Jonathan started and where he is now.