Esti's First Tooth!

Well you may not be able to see this, but one is breaking through on her bottom left side.  This explains why she's been a bit fussy the past couple days.

Phoebe

My good friend from New York Rachel  was able to finally adopt her little girl Phoebe after years of waiting and dealing with "red tape" in China.  Her family came to Utah this summer to have Phoebe sealed to the family for eternity in the Bountiful Temple.  I was so happy to be able to witness this.  

(I'm sacrificing a bad photo of me cause it was the only one with all our eyes open!)

Family Time

We still can't get over how enjoyable it has been to be close to family.  It's been such an exciting and special treat for us and the kids to have so many opportunities to connect, which is something we didn't do very often alone in New York.

Taking a walk with my family in our lush neighborhood

Cy loves to spend time with Grandpa Tom who has so many interesting stories being a "real" cowboy, a smoke jumper, and a wonderful chef and gardener!

Grandma Coleman and Esti (ready to fall asleep)

Drill Golf Classic

We thought when Madison decided to quit Ballet West we would finally have a break from the 6 days a week dancing...not so.  She is on the Drill team now and seems to be dancing just as much this summer, but she loves it  and has made some wonderful friends.  This past weekend they held a fund raiser golf tournament that Mike, my brothers and a friend participated in.  They had a great time and looked pretty hot (in more ways than one) playing golf!

The hunky foursome: Christopher, Michael, Dane and Tom

Cutest Baby Ever

I'm not sure if it's the photographer or the model, but I think this is the cutest baby of 2011... thanks Ann Stucki for the amazing pictures!  Here's a sneak peek of Esti

for more 

Check out more!!!  https://picasaweb.google.com/stucki.brian/Esti

California Love

It's been years since we've visited the west coast so we decided to take a family trip to Solana Beach.  The kids had such a great time playing in the ocean (minus the sting rays and sand sharks....yikes).  We even visited with some of our relatives and Madison participated in a surf camp.  I think this is a vacation we will be taking every year as long as we are here in the west!

Auntie Shawnie visiting!

Visiting Uncle Pete at his house in Coronado (to die for)

Dinner in old town San Diego

Playing tag

Esti LOVED the water and felt crazy on the beach

Cy loved seeing (and feeling) the air force jets overhead

Surf Camp in Del Mar...she could pass as a local

My lovlies in Del Mar

A much needed bottely break in Huntington

Snuggle time for Dada

If only body rolls were this cute on me!

This sums up how excited Cy was

Birthday Weekend

This was a very eventful (and chaotic) weekend.  I attempted to pull off a surprise birthday dinner since Michael turned the big 40 and also hosted Madison's birthday party packed with a  dozen beautiful male magnets.

calm before the stormS

Let me just say Mike's party was the most stressful.  I was expecting over 20 close friends and spouses (several from out of state), but as luck would have it one by one I was getting cancellation calls within 24 hours of the big event.  I had a total of 12 people not show up for various good and not so good reasons...not good when you are baking and setting places for each person.  On top of it, my caterer (taco stand guy) never showed, called or picked up his phone.  Thank goodness for our new friends and neighbors who rescued me by recommending and picking up some great take out for everyone.  I can safely say I will never throw a surprise party again.

Pre party fun throwing my son (ahhh)

Saviors of the party!

not my night on many levels...horrible photos

Madison's party was more damage control than anything.  Trying to keep the boys out of our gate was no small feat.  These girls are just too cute.

Cy enjoying a ride with the ladies...if only he could be this lucky when he's older

I'm assuming this was the work of adoring boys

Esti at 5 months

If you go to the very first post on my blog you will see a very similar video of Cy at exactly the same age Esti is here.  So sad how fast time flies....I love my babies.

Best Friends

Cy's old friend Cal who was like a brother to Cy when we lived in New York recently came to Utah.  I thought Cy would certainly forget about how much he loved little Cal and the connection they had after being apart for over 9 months.  Not so, these little trouble makers got along so well playing outside in the creek and just being naughty (and adorable) little boys.  It was a good thing too, because Jenn (Cal's mom) and I ended up talking non-stop for 7 hours!  I miss our little Cal and my friend Jenn.  We may have to take another visit out there this Fall to get our friend fix!

I love these boys

Trek Trooper

  Madison recently took part in a 3 night 28 mile Pioneer Trek adventure in the wilderness with no tent, minimal food, and some old school wagons that she had to pull.  After her experience which included a horrible wind storm,some heavy rains, and a lot of bugs, I have a newly found appreciation for the struggle it must have been for the Pioneers (and dear Mads).

Summer Fun

We've been enjoying being closer to family this summer and have had several BBQ's, guests, parties, and play dates.  It's been wonderful to have all of these activities and people so close.  We love and miss New York and our amazing friends and schools back East, but life certainly is a bit more comfortable right now.

Uncle Christopher

Family gatherings

Cy and cousin Sam

My perfect

Little cousin Olive

My baby girl

My big girl