Birthday Letters From Home...

We have an Aunt & Uncle themed blog today as we celebrate Uncle Joe's Birthday tomorrow and chronicle our trip to see Aunt Kristin this past week...

Happy Birthday Uncle Joe! For those of you who don't know, Uncle Joe is a Captain in the Marine Corp and serves as a WSO, NFO, or even GIB. Which means he flies in really cool planes and controls the weapons systems and navigates. He is currently deployed to Japan and will return home this spring.

These pics are of Uncle Joe and Aunt Leanda from this summer. Charlotte can't wait to see them when they visit this June. Hope you have some fun on your birthday and be safe out there!

Speaking of siblings, we also got up to Cleveland this week to spend the night with Aunt Kristin and Jon.

Kristin and Jon have a great house in Sheffield Lake and Charlotte had a fun time enjoying their carpeted floors- much easier on the knees than our hardwood.

Charlotte gnoshed at Cheesecake Factory and did some browsing at Crocker Park in the afternoon before attempting to eat Aunt Kristin's finger later that evening.

Charlotte stands with a little help from her rocking chair.

Charlotte crawls -yes she does now crawl, for short distances -onto Dad's lap for a hug.

Post bathtime excitement- hey I know you!

Always talking this little one, not that we can understand what she says..

Charlotte already mastered the art of getting new clothes..

It's easy- you simply pee through your outfit while at the mall, preferably in an expensive store, and Mom and Dad have to buy something new for you to wear home. Suckers!!

See, don't you like my new Tennis outfit? All you have do is wet yourself and you can have one too!

Charlotte had a great week at home with Mom and Dad on their spring break this past week. She was an excellent little baby as she let us get a lot of work done around the house. With a little luck our cozy little home will be on the market a week from now as we seek to move up to a bigger house to accomodate lil' Charlie's toys. Wish us luck, or if you are looking for a house- come buy ours!

Tryin' to hold on...

Charlotte turned 10 months old this past week and posed for her picture in her new adirondack chair in the front yard.


Charlotte likes her chair and will sit with mom and dad on the back deck as the weather improves.


Charlotte had a short week with granny as mom and dad only had to work four days.

Smiling at dad jumping out from the garage... she makes you work for a smile in pictures these days.

:)

We like this angle..

Spring flowers survived multiple frosts this week.

First visit to see the Easter Bunny at Worthington Mall, she was very brave and loved looking at the bunny.

Charlie seems to have moved past the "stranger" phase for now and is smiling at everyone she meets.

Bunny eh, you know that used to be my mom's nickname (because of her diet..)

Easter morning, Charlotte enjoys the fruits of her time spent with the Easter Bunny... her first Easter Basket!

Enjoying one of the five easter baskets she received on the day, this one is from Aunt Daphne.

Hanging with Dad at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Somebunny loves her grandparents...wow that one is cheesy, but I'll leave it in anyway.

Having fun with Grandma and Grandpa after Brunch.

Checking out the spring blossoms with Grandma B..

Happy Easter!

It means no worries....

Charlie sits with Elliott and Abram Larner in our suite at the Kalahari Resort.

Abram and Elliott are 2.5 year old identical twins and the sons of Jay and Amanda Larner. Jay was Jason's college roommate and one of his best friends.

Charlotte enjoys a break from fun in the water. As we suspected, she loved playing in the water at the resort.

Hey! This is a no wake zone!

Charlotte stands (assisted) in the kiddy pool.

Charlotte enjoyed riding in her "boat" in the kiddy pool and in the lazy river.

This pic is a little fuzzy unfortunately, but both mom and Charlotte have great expressions.

Dad even went on the toilet bowl water ride, making a bigger splash then all the little kids who were riding it.

Never too early for an enema....

Charlotte sits with Mom and Elliott.. for some reason I seem to only have individual pictures of Elliott.

Elliott... hard to believe something so adorable came from a big dumb animal like Jay.... must be Amanda's influence!

Elliott, do you know how much Beam your dad used to be able to drink?

And they say that too much bourbon, beer, pizza, wings, and debauchery can cause sterility...ha...take that "experts"

Perhaps this is why Abram isn't in many pictures..... he isn't shy really, actually he is just generally on the go.

The whole gang on our final day. Thanks so much to the Larner's not only for joining us but also for coming up with the idea - a yearly tradition was born for sure. Truth be told, it was a visit to meet Elliott and Abram when they were 9 months old that led us to realize we wanted one for our own (after they wouldn't let us just take one of theirs). So if you enjoy the blog- thank Jay and Amanda. We love you guys and can't wait to see you again!

Saturday in the park..

Charlie took her first trip to the park this past weekend.




She liked the swings, especially when there were friends swinging next to her.

Just a swingin'

Pump those plump little legs...

So... are you gonna push me again or what?

Charlotte isn't quite sure what to make of the slide, she rode down on Dad's lap, but isn't quite ready to ride down by herself yet.

Charlotte sits and thinks about her upcoming park trip.

Look, Dad dressed me in an outfit that matches!

Blue-gray-green eyed girl

Heyooooo!!

Charlotte is loving to stand against things now and wants to be on her feet whenver she can. She got a new play table that is fitting the bill for now. She is especially looking forward to this weekend's trip to the Kalahari Waterpark and the chance to meet Abram and Elliott Larner!! She has her swimsuit packed and ready to go, stay tuned for pics of Charlie and the two little cowboys from this weekend.