Max

(This one's for Aunt Colleen) Here's our cool cat, Max, shown here with a giant stuffed lion:

xoxoxoxo

Ha Ha Tonka

The family and I spent Saturday at Ha Ha Tonka State Park (just south of Lake of the Ozarks). It was 65 degrees out, a bit cloudy, but still wonderful. I was so glad to be outside, walking in the forest, getting exercise, and watching Holton soak it all up. He was great in his backpack -- didn't mind it one bit -- so Chris and I took turns shouldering our precious load. Below is Holt in his first sandbox, check out his expression:

Balancing Rock:

Having lunch at the castle ruins:

Check out these actions shot of Fin. Have you ever seen a dog get so dirty?

The old castle:

We had a VERY lowkey Saturday night. I watched the most hilarious movie I've seen in a long time and I recommend it for hearty laughs: You Don't Mess With the Zohan. It's an Adam Sandler movie, but not a dumb one. You should totally rent this.

And here's a quote I ran across the other day that I'd like to pass on:

"Strange is our situation here upon Earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of other people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received. "

--Albert Einstein

And finally, in that spirit, I'd like to thank my husband for getting up at 6:15 this morning with our wonderful son (hence letting me stay in bed) when he would not go back to sleep, even after multiple hugs, ssshhh's, a diaper change, and just ignoring him wouldn't work.....and then letting me take off for 2 hours this morning for a fabulously restorative yoga class. Thank you, Chris!

Ready or not, blogworld, here I come

H-man playing ball with Fin and enjoying our recent snow.

Hey friends,
Welcome to my blog! I hope you'll enjoy the latest pictures of our adorable monster and can tolerate my ramblings. Who knows how often I'll update this thing, but my intentions are good. The current lowdown on us: I am working nights in MICU, which is going really well. What a change from the ER! (for the better) I love working only part-time and thank my lucky stars constantly that we can afford it. Carson-Mitchell is keeping Chris busy. He's got some good projects right now that he's excited about it and that aren't stressing him out too much. And Holton, oooohhh Holton, is growing up ever so fast! He runs, climbs stairs (but needs help getting back down), opens and closes every door and drawer possible 8000 times a day (emptying its contents), is obsessed with the dishwasher, giggles, and generally acts as goofy as possible. Here is a sampling of photos from the past few months just to get the blog going.

These were back in the fall, Holton's Halloween Birthday party and a hike with Dad.

Here's our little guy with his favorite big girl, Madison Grace.

This is Chris and me in Boston last November in front of a statue of Paul Revere and at a Celtics game. It was so nice to be together, out of town, sans Holt, for a week!

Thanksgiving in Memphis! That's Bon, Leigh, Meg, me, and Sache at the cocktail party Becca threw for us. Definitely a fun night.

Finley and Holt at home goofing off.

Christmas morning and Holt's first train set! (thanks Aunt Barbie)

And the whole Carson Crew on Christmas. I love this huge family!

Well, that's it for now. Hugs, kisses, abrazos, y besos. Que le vaya bien.