Evangeline Christine,...
-is 13 months old
-21lbs, 30"
-eats corn like she's playing the flute-signs all done, more, please, daddy, telephone
-follows directions well
-asks for her (or anyone's) shoes to be put on her
-loves playing with her friends
-eats all day beginning with wanting to be placed in her highchair directly from her crib each morning
-prefers water over milk
-likes to close doors, dishwashers, cabinets, and closets
-does not sit still for diaper and clothes changes
-climbs out of the tub
-loves to be up-side-downand she's a dream of a child that we are blessed to call our daughter!

We're at a great turning point in the house,..the two are starting to play together. Although they still work against each other most of the time here's proof that cooperation and giggles do actually happen simultaneously.

Guest blogged for a popular Mommy blog in town.
Check out the post @ Malta Mama !

Here's the dress. For Evangeline's 1st Birthday I made her a sundress. I was gifted the book Making Children's Clothes: 25 Stylish Step-by-step Sewing Projects for 0-5 Years along with some gorgeous fabrics. Therefore, I perused the pages and I embarked on creating the toddler dress for Evangeline. Of course, I waited for my talented Mother-In-Law to visit so that she was on hand for instruction and correction! It didn't take long but the mind work for creating it is intense. It's lined and could be worn reversed in a pinch if stained. The ties are sewn of the same fabric, there is a ribbon detailing on the bottom along with a homemade yo-yo to add flare to the front. I pray that she's wear this now, with undershirts as the weather cools and as a shirt with shorts or pants in the years to come. Making it was a memory of time well spent with my Mother-In -Law and as a precious gift for our beautiful and sweet Evangeline.

July at the Lake House we found ourselves diving into the heat of the summer with The Le's, food, and fun. What a hot blast!

We all swam morning, noon, and night and had fun just being around the lake house with family.Together, we celebrated Jill's Birthday, Fourth of July, our 6th Wedding Anniversary and Evangeline's 1st Birthday!
And, once a year we hit the village arcades and it fuels our laughs for the rest of the year!

Happy 1st Birthday Evangeline!
July, 18, 2010Can we believe our little girl is 1? Wow, she's coming into her looks, personality, and family traits! We are so glad we can share her with our family and friends and we love that you are all a part of her life. Thank you for your support over this past year, it was a tough one, and we look forward to growing with Evangeline & Rowan as they develop as God's children in our lives.

For Rowan, it's all about the firetruck. For play, he's either riding or servicing a fire engine, fighting a fire, rescuing someone, or working the ladder truck. Thank you local firefighters for satisfying the joy of experiencing it all!

Memme and Grandpa Visit

Summer sun, hot days, cool meals, and fun times made for a wonderful week!

The day after shopping Ballston Spa we headed to Strawberry Picking at Ariel's Farm
Then, a day trip to the Lake House for grilling, swimming, and playing.
After dinner in Saratoga, it was the Ballston Spa Fun Day where Evangeline found the sand and Rowan found the water (that's him in the background)! Plus,Grandpa was very busy in the basement, we churned some homemade ice cream and there was even some extra time to measure Evangeline for a new dress. But, more on the dress later.

We love you Memme and Grandpa!

Evangeline is enjoying her new found talent, that her Mom finally let her explore, of feeding herself!

We inherited rhubarb when we moved into Greenwood Drive. Harvesting the rhubarb is one of my favorite activities to do with Rowan. He points to the stalks he thinks are ready (big) and I cut them. Then, he piles them and carries them to house. We clean and then bake the rhubarb into deserts and crumbles but it also makes very good jams and chutney recipes. I haven't been able to capture the finished product on film since it seems to be gone in seconds! We had the pleasure of enjoying our last cuttings this past weekend with visiting friends. It certainly says, Welcome to our Home!

Memorial Weekend 2010: a picture perfect weekend at the lake house!

Evangeline was a rocking bathing beauty and makes this vintage play pen look good!Alan casts the line but Rowan gets all the glory! Sunglasses were a must this weekend with the awesome weather. Here, even Pete made the pic!Here you can catch a behind the scenes look at the dock through Alan's sunglasses in this serene backdrop.

"Leaving on a Jet Plane" with two small children,...
Multiple Choice
(a) is very all consuming.
(b) people feel sorry for you traveling with them.
(c) makes you feel like you're the circus coming to town.
(d) strangers feel the need to comment, "looks like you've got your hands full!"
(e) all of the above