Mar. 29, 2007

Hi, I'm back from my fabulous vacation. Last Wednesday I flew to Chicago. My friend Toni picked me up and we stayed at her house that night. The next day, we drove to scenic Waterloo Iowa for a photography convention. The convention was really good. Friday-Monday we went to great workshops and seminars with wonderful speakers. I learned so much I'm not even sure where to start. Monday, we drove back to Chicago, and on Tuesday Toni and her girls flew back to Denver with me.

And while I was gone, I got a new niece. Hannah Elizabeth was born on March 22. She and her mommy came over for pictures yesterday.









I didn't get any candid shots with my boys, but later that night and out of the blue Alex said, "I don't like my new cousin Hannah. She is WAY to small."

So now it's back to your regularly scheduled programming.

7:00 Jeremy woke me up in Alex's bed. I had moved at some point during the night from our temporary futon bed. I think Alex had a bad dream because he kept calling for me between the hours of 2 and 3 am so I finally decided it would just be easier to stay with him. And I should add that Jeremy did try to wake me at 6:30 but I was not ready.

7:05 Ariel arrived.

7:15 Breakfast - apricots and hot cereal. It's a regular waffle factory around here with 4 bigs kids.

7:35 Changed a poopy diaper.

7:40 Ariel, Alex, Adam and I drove Jeremy to work. The original plan was for him to ride with Becky, but he wasn't ready at 7:00.

8:20 Got home. I changed another poopy diaper and then I tried to put Ariel down for a nap but she didn't fall asleep.

10:00 Toni got Margot's car seat loaded in Jeremy's car (hence the reason he couldn't take his car to work) and then Toni and I went to the Butterfly Pavillion.

10:30 Butterfly Pavillion - it was the worst possible combination of spring break and school groups. I've never seen it so busy and it wasn't fun for me. The kids had a good time though. Ariel liked looking at the spiders. I would have let her hold Rosie if there wasn't a huge line for that.

Dagny and Ariel look for Butterflies:



Margot hamming for the camera:



My boys posing:



And "I'm not smiling for you"



12:00 Left the Butterfly Pavillion.

12:30 Home and lunch. Ariel had mushed mixed veggies and string cheese. After lunch I changed her diaper, but it was too late. She had already soaked through her jeans.

1:00 Put Ariel down for a nap. I think it took her a while to fall asleep.

4:00 Ariel finally woke up. She watched a little TV with the big kids while I worked on the blog. I don't think she was watching much, she was having too much fun hanging out.

4:35 Pick up.