Oh, what a weekend!

I hope everyone had as beautiful of a weekend as we did here. Without a real plan we decided to go to our old stomping grounds at the VA and well....just hang out, no dogs, no stroller for a run, just a blanket, Lily's lamby and nowhere else to be...

Then the fun continued in the backyard...

Oldie, but goodie..

Sorry there haven't been many updated Lily pics lately. It seems the whole working thing takes away from my picture taking ops.
Our sitter has been out of town and Nana and Papa came to keep Lily last week....and I think we were all in heaven....it was so wonderful having them here...but all the pics were taken on Nana's camera.....I didn't get one!! So, this week is DDC week, luckily Dave had spring break this week to cover and our babysitter will be back on Monday...but I do believe Daddy and Lily are having a blast...hopefully pics of that to come!
Meanwhile, here's a flash-back exactly one year ago...looks like it was bath time!!

Shower time!

Lily and I had a wonderful weekend in Knoxville. She got major one on one time with Gran and Jonathan, and I had the pleasure of co-hosting Lesley's baby shower with the rest of the girls. These are the cookie favors Mom made...which turned out so adorable (and delicious). She also made the runners for the tables and the "all candy" pacifiers.... we collaborated with the ideas, but she executed them....and she did such an amazing job. I am so grateful, thanks Mom!!

Introducing Campbell Pack member #6...our new bundle of joy!

Light Reading

Fortunately, I only have an 8 o'clock class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. That means Lily and I can sleep a little later and take our time on Tuesdays, Thursdays...and Saturdays (sounds familiar doesn't it?!?!)











This morning Lily and I enjoyed some brown sugar/maple syrup flavored oatmeal. While Lily was eating and I was chasing down my first cup of coffee, she decided to review some of the latest medical research in Emily's JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association). I am of course immensely disappointed that her first choice in journal literature was not something in the Public Choice or Austrian economics arena....but what the heck, the JAMA probably bodes better for my retirement estate!

The Return of the DDC

This has been a busy week! With Emily now officially doctoring in Bristol, Lily and I have had the opportunity to get in some QT. This of course has had a positive effect on the number of:

-"thinking outside the box" outfits
-eating through osmosis incidents
-19 month old decisions on what the 32 year old should be doing

While clean up can occasionally be time consuming, most of our fun makes for great photo opps.....

3 Cheers for Emily!!!!

Emily just found out that she passed her final medical board that was necessary for her to graduate from medical school! So now she is able to pick up her actual degree....and perhaps more importantly, start residency on Monday!!!

Way to go Em, I am sure I speak for many people out there when I say that we're all really proud of you!

Hodge Podge

So in light of the last two weeks' events, the blogging has lagged.
Here are an assortment of pictures from some of the latest happenings.
Sorry still no pics of the house...we're getting there, though.

All I know is it's a lot more to keep clean!!

Our very cool apartment for the weekend (Nicely done Mom!). It had unbelievable views, and was so pretty at night (I know, me saying the city was pretty...you know it had to be good!)



That's the Hudson out the window...and no we couldn't see the plane, it had already floated by.

Rockefella...'ella...'ella...

I told Dave I would bring him back an Omega....I'm good for my word, babe!! Mmmm...I think I'll have one of those too, please..

The girls before the show....I mean THE Show....Billy Elliott!!! By far the most entertaining performance I've seen in my life...it was magical!

Catching the view from Chris and Sonia's roof...not too shabby!! I'm so glad I finally made it there to see!

My new little buddy....ohh, Lily and Janak would have so much fun together....he's just a ball of love!

Central Park Monday morning before we left town...no, I have no idea what I'm doing.


I'd just like to publicly thank my mom for such a wonderful adventure, especially on the brink of a time in my life when such adventures will mostly be put on hold. I love you. Thank you!

Also, I'd also like to thank the Campbell's for their time and efforts made over the 'move week' including while I was gone galavanting in NYC!!! I am not capable of thanking you both properly. I love you both, thank you so much!

Now back to pictures!

I just thought this was cute...Gran took this picture. Oh yeah, she's also out of her highchair...about time, if you ask her. She loves her new seat, where she can sit at the table like a big girl!

Lily is trying out her new swing set!! She loves the swing, the only problem is that the weather has been so bad lately, that we haven't gotten out as much as we'd like....but the good news is that it's just in the backyard, ready when we are!!


THE NEW DO!!

Here's the new hairdo...yes, the baby mullet is gone!!! I can't wait to see what it looks like in the morning....more to the point, I can't wait to see if I cut it straight!!

Birthday Wishes

We tried to upload a video...of the Lil'ster, of course, but it just would not take.
So we're just going to have to put it in writing...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jonathan!!

Change....seems to be popular these days

Well, it has been a chaotic week, but I think we are finally getting things under control. We began by successfully closing on our new house last Thursday....and then things got exciting! With the significant help of our friends and family (Mom, Dad, Jonathan, Uncle Kevin, Bill, Edwina and Pete....THANK YOU!!!!) we were able to move most of our stuff on Thursday and Friday. Mom and Dad finished off the rest over the weekend, and cleaned the Taylor Ridge house. For most of the weekend, Emily was in New York with her Mom and Aunts.....funny how that works, just when the work starts she bugs out for NY! Something tells me she has got this marriage thing figured out.....of course I'm not complaining as she brought me back a Jim Cramer bobblehead.....bubububu-booyaa skeedaddy!


Wait a minute....there's something missing from this picture....the Hudson River seems a little too.....empty.....
Emily after the Billy Elliott show....notable for the story taking place during the time that Margaret Thatcher was in office.


As sad as we are to say good bye to Taylor Ridge, we are very excited to be in our new neighborhood. The new house is great, not least of which because it affords us a little elbow room as a family that had begun to be a little scarce at the old house. We also have a huge yard so that the boys can get in their exercise, Dad even helped me lay some wire for a dog fence (yes it was snowing, no I can't feel my fingers yet).


The layout of the house does include a "loop," which the boys and Lily have discovered and found to be great fun! Just imagine how many times an 18 month old can run through the kitchen being chased by her two dogs before becoming bored....and I think you realize we will need to be replacing the flooring earlier than anticipated.

Looking at this picture, I can't help but wonder if these two people don't have similar economic philosophies.....I want what I want when I want it, now!

A loss and a gain

Somehow it seems fitting for us to be moving on this day. My father was always involved in my major life decisions, and though I am (regrettably) a certified adult, I miss his counsel and his presence everyday, but especially on a day like today. I have such mixed feelings about leaving this house. Though he has been gone the majority of the time we have lived here, he still was here, in this house, at that table, in that room. His hands helped build our fence. But now, we must move on, and in doing so leave some of these last tangible things behind. I remember, however, that it is all for the good. I know he would be excited that I'm FINALLY out of school and soon on my way to my career..and this new house will provide Lily and the boys with more room to run around. We are excited, but today, for me, it's just tempered with sadness.

Cowgirl

The video that Thatcher never wanted to be seen...