Our future zoologist

Of course we think she's brilliant. :)

76 years young

My dad's birthday was on Sunday, so of course the family got together to celebrate. :)

The birthday boy with Sara and me


Sara has kisses for Tante Tanja


My mama and me


Tanja and Eric


Carla, Alex, and Baby Kyle


Mowles Family Photo


Happy Birthday, Daddy! We all love you! You are a wonderful father and an amazing opa!

Play date

Last Thursday we had a play date with Emily and her twin boys Gene and Cruz. Sara loved playing with their many, many toys and having the boys' attention. She did manage not to kiss anyone this time around!

Sara and Cruz:


Emily and Gene:


High five!


Perfunctory high-five


Let us out!


What a wonderful morning! Thanks for hosting, Emily!

Sara's words as of 3/29/09

1. nana (banana)
2. ning (swing)
3. cheese
4. chee (cheerios)
5. up
6. out
7. mama
8. dada
9. button
10. bye-bye
11. hi
12. wawa (Sara)
13. shoe
14. milk (sounds like "kkkkkk")
15. that (a question--like "what's that"?)
16. duck
17. more
18. eat (sign only)
19. ball
20. ish (fish)
    
    
and sometimes...


21. na (nose)
    
22. eye
23. boo (book)
24. meow
25. ca (cat)
26. da (dog)
    

Baby boom!

Without even trying, I can list about ten friends and family members who are currently expecting babies between about June and September. There definitely seems to be some kind of a 2009 baby boom going on!

Even within our little family, there are currently two babies on the way. Alex and Carla are expecting their first, a baby boy, in early August. His name is Kyle Alexander. We all love him already!


At the same time, Tanja is hard at work creating a sibling for Ryan. This one's sex has yet to be determined, but s/he will join us in late September.


I'm so excited for these beautiful new babies to join our family. They are already so loved!

Although not blood relatives of ours, our dear friends Brian and Melissa are also expecting a little brother or sister for their sweet Zoey. We can't wait for this little one to join in the fun in early September (just in between Carla and Tanja).


I know this all points to the inevitable follow-up question of when we will have another. No, we're NOT expecting! We very much want to give Sara a sibling, just not quite yet. :)

A very Disney week

Last week Sara and I visited the Disney parks three times.

First, we visited California Adventure on Monday with Tanja and Ryan.


On Wednesday we met up with Christal, Sean, and Miranda at Disneyland.


On Friday it was back to California Adventure with Vanessa and her daughter Isabella.



It is such a treat to live within driving distance of Disneyland. How wonderful to be able to share it with dear family and friends!

To know him is to love him

We took Sara to Whittier Narrows Recreation Area on Saturday. These pictures say it all.



Oh, how I love this man. I could not have picked a better hubby or a better Daddy for my baby girl.