We had another great trip to Mexico in February. The timing couldn't have been more perfect for me because it came the day after I had a huge in-training exam Seriously, getting away with this family is the absolute best.
At airport waiting to go! Mac is pretty busy on planes for the most part, Fin? Well, Fin you probably wouldn't ever even know he was there! He's super stoked to watch movies and eat the airline cookies ;)
First airplane ride as a family!
Sweet Lu's first flight! She's so cute!
Heeeeeere Weeeee Goooooo!
Mac and Lu did pretty well on the way there, still some melt downs but overall they did great. Very exhausting for Mama and Dada!
A Room with a View....of beauty...and tranquility. Such a great spot. Very low-key, very relaxing.
Hard to see but three off those specks on the beach are Jeff, Fin, and Mac.
Per usual, every day was spent wondering, beach or pool? We almost always did beach in the morning and pool in the afternoon. Mac was braver around the water this year and we're thankful we kept a lifejacket on him. He did some good kicking. Fin made huge strides too--jumping in, swimming underwater, snorkeling. Lu, smiley Lu, loved being in the water too! She is so joyous and giggles so much.
Mac is a goof! "Relaxing" on a chair!
We play hard, we sleep hard.
Nana and Lu!
Sleepy Lu during happy hour! It's not quiet but she napped just fine!
The kids. Our hearts.
beautiful sunrises!
Keeping this girls skin from burning is a full time job!
Happy hour and play hour in the pool! One day Fin was able to ring the happy hour bell--are we terrible parents?!Hahaha
Mango Smoothie!!! At the Blue Gecko!
Fin had a violin concert the day after we got home so we decided to bring the violin with us to practice. It was very sweet watching him play for everyone. And he did practice without too many objections!
Mulligan Boys
And Girl! Yep, smiling.
During this time there was a straight up blizzard in MN. Clearly we were on the winning side of weather.
Dada and his kids.
Me and Lu!! At Fish Fratanga!
There's a tree that Fin climbs a few times every year. He's getting so big!
Pool time!
Seriously. These guys are so much fun. So silly, so much giggling. So engaged.
Last dinner at Blue Gecko
The family indulged me for a photo shoot---I'm so glad they did :)
Little Lu all bundled up and sleeping is SO adorable. She really did a great job traveling and sleeping and eating and smiling.
At one point on the flight home Lu and Mac were both just SCREAMING for Mama. And then they passed out. Sweet sweet kids. And Poor poor passengers.
The day we got home! Right into the snow!
Fn's violin concert! He made a small mistake while playing and a) it didn't phase him, he kept going and b) he never mentioned it once afterward. Pretty impressive guy. Very proud of him.
Fin is taking tennis lesson and loves it! He's doing pretty well too!
Fin and Dada took a trip to Denver together for the US Squash National Championship. Fin was in 100% heaven with Dada and the squash crew.
Hiking in Red Rocks with Evan and Sheldon-his buddies! Apparently his breathing was much improved in the drier climate and he didn't need to use his inhaler once. His energy was also through the roof (which is crazy hard to believe considering his baseline is stratospheric) and he slept wonderfully. We're definitely considering a move for a job if necessary to help the little guy out.
In the new Union Station in Lo-Do (lower downtown Denver). Fin asked for his picture to be taken...his best Blue Steel.
Fin, Ivan, Sheldon, and Jay cheering Dada on!
Shooting hoops at the DAC waiting to meet up with his buddy...
Fin and his buddy (oh, you know, just Governor Hickenlooper). Apparently John heard Fin was there and walked all over the party trying to find him (they had hung out the year before at the US Nationals in Buffalo)!
When Dada and Fin were away, Mama, Mac, and Lula went to meet up with our friends at Sara P's farm. Mac and his buddy Shea (Shea-Shea) were in heaven on the farm. They played with farm equipment, the dog (abby!), and lots of hockey! Pretty darn cute.
It was a really special weekend as five of us girls have been friends for over 20 years and all had babies within 10 weeks of each other!!! Amazing.
It was a really special weekend as five of us girls have been friends for over 20 years and all had babies within 10 weeks of each other!!! Amazing.
These two!
Friends for over 20 years together with our babies! Sara surprised us with a professional photographer to capture the great weekend.
What an awesome weekend. We've been through so much together, honestly am awestruck that we get to go through this stage in our lives together too.
On the way back from the girls weekend we saw Jason and Bev too! Always nice to see them.
Grumpy ol' Lu!
Happiest. Baby. Ever. How is she so joyful all the time?! Gah! Her face is so sweet!
And these two. They love each other and can drive each other crazy so easily. For the most part, nothing but love between them.
I love catching the kids in these types of moments: Mac silently reading a book by himself.
In case you were wondering, she is so smiley. Did I mention she's joyful? She is.
Fin is a HAM! He is working on his comedic chops for sure.
Fin got to help present at the Virtues Assembly at school. He sang a song with his class. NanaBob were able to sub in for Mama and Dada since we both had to work that day.
Not joking, she woke up like this.
Pajama Party!
I'm thankful that the kids like to help out in the kitchen. It is one of my favorite things to do with them. And they like to too! Especially licking the batter and eating the outcome.
Mac is also a total ham! Here he is doing his best Mick Jagger (I'm not even kidding!).
Fin still heads up on Saturdays for squash with his friends and Dada. After they play, juice boxes and snacks for everyone. They LOVE it. Fin loves being at the club and hanging with his buds!
Orange hair-woot woot!
Fin and I drew a sinkhole in the sidewalk--he almost fell in!
Nice self face-paint job by Fin.
Aaaand she's crawling. Lu started crawling around 6.5 months and pulling up to stand around 7.5. She watches her brothers very closely and undoubtedly is trying to keep up!!
Losing more teeth! Also, the jig is up on the tooth fairy. Fin walks in one morning and states that he doesn't think the tooth fairy is real. I ask why and he says, "Because I lost a tooth last night before bed and didn't tell you guys and the 'tooth fairy' didn't bring me money." OMG! This kid! I really respect his hypothesis testing!
Chowing down on Pho!
Both the boys love pho! Mama does too so we're a good combo :)
Fin went with Dada to the Commodore for a squash tournament and had the best time helping out! He checked people in, sold snacks, helped with games--really loves being around people and being Dada's assistant.
He had his Spring Recital in May and I was on call. I spoke with a colleague of mine and she covered the hospital for a couple hours so I could go watch Fin play! It was so awesome of Asha to do that! Fin played great.
mac and fin get zen.
I'm so thankful that Jeff is so active...and the boys are so lucky too. Practicing headstands in the living room.
Fin's graduation/chef's hat.
One of my absolute favorite pastimes with the kids is cooking or baking! They are so helpful in the kitchen and they learn all sort of things like counting, delayed gratification.
Jeff and Fin have golfed together quite a bit this summer. Fin plays every Wednesday with a golf camp and then with Dada another day or two. He's even playing in a tournament in a couple of weeks! I can't wait :)
Jeff and I went to a friend of our's wedding in the Domincan Republic in May. Nanabob watched the kids. It was a lovely getaway and the wedding was SO much fun! Liz and Sohale were so calm and the wedding was very joyful. Really happy celebration. Tortuga Bay is easily the nicest place I've ever been.
Getting Fancy!
Gang's all here! Anesthesia unite!
Post-ceremony, taking our prom-pics :)
The location was dreamlike.
Ladies who brunch- Adare, Ash, and Asha!
Jeff and I went hiking around a nature preserve and found a super friendly duck. Also went swimming in really beautiful lagoons.
Um, this kid is too cute for his own good...and he's crazy stubborn. But then sweet. All of our kids present us with their own challenges and it's interesting how what worked for discipline with Fin does not work with Mac. He's a super funny, charming, sweet kid who is also stubborn and strong. Really fun to be with.
Auntie Haley came for a visit and the kids were SO happy!
Bedtime with Haley
Dada making the kids laugh.
I had a quick trip to DC for an Anesthesiology conference and saw Aunti Noreen briefly. We definitely maximized our quick visit though and walked around the Mall! It was a beautiful night.
WWII Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Me and Einstein! His nose is all polished from people touch it for good luck!
Dada's birthday :)
Parent Day at school! I happened to be either off or post-call and was able to attend! Fin made our family and made the birds all of our favorite colors!
Fin graduated from his Twinkles and we had a little ceremony for it! He was so happy to get his first certificate!!! So proud of that buddy.
One day we were taking a family shower and Fin and I get out. Mac stays in and I hear what I think is my electric toothbrush...and then I hear screaming and crying. I go sprinting in and see that Mac had gotten ahold of Jeff's head shaver and buzzed a stripe down the middle of his head! He was crying because of all of the hair in his mouth!!! Lol!
mac missing some hair....needless to say he got a proper haircut thereafter.
Lula having a blast in the park.
"Mama's going to get you!"
jeff went golfing one day and when he came back Fin had changed his clothes to match!
Fin and his friend Isaac from school!
Naty's student visa was not approved so we ended up getting a new Au Pair from Brazil! Shandra (or Chandra) is AWESOME! Really smart, healthy (runs/bikes/swims or goes to the gym every day) and eats very healthful foods...and is a great cook! Her energy is amazing. We feel so lucky to have matched with her.
Pool time with Chandra.
Fin's graduation from kindergarten. How did this happen so quickly?!
Fin and Emmy. Good buds.
At his graduation.
Last day of school!!
Look at that beaut!!! She has discovered her tongue and it's hilarious.
Playing at Peace Plaza in the fountain.
Dada took Fin to see Captain Underpants the movie...so happy.
Making a smoothie
Chandra makes such fun foods for the kids and they LOVE it.
My loves
Fin starting a stand to teach kids how to draw.
Father's Day
Post-Father's Day Waffle sprint races around the house!
Look at that lead! I won the first...
...lost the second.
Golf cuddles
Then took the family out to Whitewater State Park to hike so Jeff could watch the golf tournament in peace :) It was SO fun and the kids did SO well! We hiked for hours and they just had a blast.
Lookin' fancy post shower
At the Children's Museum having a good ol' time.
Mac did his own facepainting
Bath time! All three of our kids love the water and would take the longest baths if allowed! Eventually the water turns cold and they need to get out...
My grandpa Dahl made this rocking horse for me. Pretty wild to see Mac riding it now!
Rochesterfest parade 2017 with Miriam (and Nana in the back)!
Rochesterfest parade 2017 !
Watermelon time!
Summer is so much fun.
Oh hi Lu!
Fin grooving to Fin's sweet music.
Living on the edge. This summer has been lots of time at the park or at the pool!
Date night/Anesthesia banquet!
These three had a pajama party!
What an awesome crew.
Visiting Mama at work! 24 hour call can be brutal but not when these guys come visit!
The face of concentration. Birthdays are serious business.
Fin is having a good summer. Golf camp on Wednesdays and then kids club after that where they either swim or rock climb or something. The other days he either goes to the squash club with Dada or plays around the house with his neighborhood friends. He's definitely growing up: exerting a desire for more independence. It's so wild to see. We know this is the natural history of raising children but it is crazy when you see these little people growing and changing. He LOVES fruit and hot dogs and pizza. He is reading a lot and still is very sweet and sensitive and is also very into music (actually all the kids are). Huge heart. I love his cuddles and hugs.
Fourth of July anesthesia cook out.
We had a quick weekend up to Duluth to hang with Jason and Bev-a brother/sister weekend because we hadn't seen them in soooo long. It was really nice to spend time with them and chill out. Chandra LOVED Duluth saying it was the first truly beautiful places she's seen in the USA. It also helped that the weather was perfect.
Great-grandma made Lula another quilt!
We went to see Keri, Patrick, Shea, and Keenan...and surprise, surprise they ended up playing hockey :)
Train ride up the North Shore
The ginger hair kills me.
Waiting for our malts at the Portland Malt Shoppe....
and waiting...
and finally!!! Seriously, these are THE best malts.
Time to go home...
Mac is speaking like a grown-up and likes to push Fin's buttons..and be with him. He is a good sleeper and could be potty-trained but refuses when we ask him; has to be on his terms so we don't push it. He is a good eater and loves golf too! And hockey (much to our chagrin). He can stand about 5 minutes of cartoons until he's bored and is always asking "what's that?" about everything. A curious kid. He also says yes in the cutest way. Melts us daily.
Lula being sweet. She is 9 months old now and crawls very fast, can walk when holding onto something, and loves eating! Maybe avocados are her favorite? Probably unimportant as she pretty much likes everything we've given her. She is also EXTREMELY persistent--at least our kids are consistent. If we move her away from something she wants to play with she goes right back to it, no matter how far away you remove her from said thing/place/object. She also is still nursing and gets up about once a night. Over the last two weeks her first two teeth came in! She's not a huge fan of pacifiers but typically goes to sleep pretty well. She really does love watching and following her brothers though. She wants to be where they are, play with what they have, and know where they are. The boys are great with her..for the most part! Mac is a little less tolerant being a two-year-old and all but still they say sweet things to each other and for the most part look out for one another. Oh, and I'm not sure I've been clear about this so let me spell it out: Lula is ridiculously joyful!
