Iowa City retreat

Well, I just spent most of the past week in Iowa City, Iowa. The main purpose of the trip was to attend the State Public Defender's Office seminar. When I wasn't at the seminar, Ali, Mom, Dad, and me spent time together at the condo. Also, Mom and I were able to do some shopping for the twins - Carter's and Osh Kosh at the outlet mall need to restock their shelves this week! I also made a few trips to Reminisce, picking up quite a few scrapbooking supplies! Ali had fun exploring the library, the playground equipment on the ped mall, and chasing the ducks at Morison Park in Coralville! We could not have asked for better weather, either. It was a relaxing trip, for the most part - until Dad's mishap on Friday evening when he ended up at the ER with a broken ankle! But all is well and we are all home safe - quite a relaxing trip!

Father's Day

Had a very nice, relaxing Father's Day yesterday. After Ali and I took Eric out to breakfast at Horizon, we spent the rest of the day mostly at home (with Ali and me both taking about 3 hour naps!!) and then to my folks' house for dinner. Ali played around in her little coupe car, greeted her cement animal friends, and ran around the yard with Brian and Dan, playing football and tag. She really enjoyed it when Grandma brought out chips and dip - but mostly just wanted to lick the french onion dip off of her chips and then hand them to Mommy! Great-Grandma, Mickie and Bill were also at dinner - great steaks, Mom's homemade potato salad and coleslaw - who can ask for anything more? There was a little bit of rain but the storm held off until we left. Ali enjoyed playing outside and in the house with her new jump rope, and I don't think it will be too long before she has the needed coordination! Overall, a wonderful Father's Day - hard to imagine next year the "little guys" will be enjoying it with us!

How can we resist this face?

Tribute to my Father

I don't think I say it enough, Dad, but thanks for everything you do.

For knowing how to read me like a book, I thank you.

For integrating in me a strong work ethic, I thank you.

For giving me a love of reading, and now passing it along to my daughter, I thank you.

For your marriage advice (solicited or otherwise), I thank you.

For the e-mails you send me that brighten my day, I thank you.

For loving my Mother, I thank you.

For teaching me how to handle my emotions, and understanding those emotions yourself, I thank you.

For our fall trips to NYC while I was in college, I thank you.

For giving me roots, I thank you.

For giving me wings, I thank you.

For loving my daughter, and somehow knowing just when we need a break, I thank you.

For your unconditional love, I thank you.

Dad, on this Father's Day, I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you do for me, because I know I don't say it enough. Watching you with Ali makes my heart swell with love and pride - she is learning so much from you, and at such an early age. Thank you for being such an important part of all of our lives. I love you.

Love,
Moj
6/18/06

Welcome!

Well, I've decided to enter the world of blogging! I think this will be a great idea to keep family and friends up to date on our lives, as well as create somewhat of a journal for me to use for scrapbooking purposes!

Please e-mail me with any comments or suggestions!

Those Twos!

The "terrible" and "terrific" twos! Ali is constantly between the two! She has such a roller coaster of emotions at her age. She's really working on consanant sounds right now - I'm convinced she could speak more if she wanted to, but she's just taking her time. Ali doesn't do much of anything she doesn't want to do (I wonder where that comes from?)

She tried to run out of the pew at church tonight - and squirmed around the entire time! I think she wanted to play with the kids next to us - in fact, I think she wanted to do anything but sit still!

Like any child her age, when we get so frustrated and don't know what we're going to do, she'll come up and lean into us to give us hugs. Who can resist that???