Our new(ish) range

It's funny how something can completely transform you....
When we did our kitchen project, we upgrades to a Viking gas range and man, am I in love. We've made pancakes every weekend that it's been here and I can't seem to stop the urge to make cookies! It's transformed us. Last weekend for the cocktail party I made 120 blue cornbread muffins and today oatmeal rasin cookies for our Thursday playgroup. The baking has just begun....
My sweet neighbor even gave me these adorable little veggie dishtowels that hang ever so beautifully on her handles, yes, something so beautiful is a girl!
Here are a few pics of this beauty- she needs a name!

Potty time!

Doing her business!

She climbs up herself too!

Can I have some privacy, MOM???

We've been sitting on the potty lately-Linden is starting to really like it on there! And she gets a sticker if she sits nicely! She pulls out her seat and puts it on the potty- today she climbed up herself and sat so cute! Can't wait till the day I don't need to lug home a giant box of diapers from Costco!

21 months today

21 amazing months

Memorial Day at the Casey's

We went over to the Casey's for a Memorial BBQ and pool party today. Jen and Dan with Lincoln were there and Cat and Rob with Jake and Matea. It was great to see everyone and Linden took a dip in the pool- it was a chilly 70 degrees in the water- as you can tell by the look on her face!
Avery and Linden got to hang out and chat it up with one another- it's amazing to see how much they have changed. They even gave each other a hug and a kiss before screaming "goodbye Linden", "Bye-Bye Avery" to each other!

Dinner and Taboo with Neighbors

We had The Smith's over for pizza (Sunday nite tradition in our house) and then played Taboo. Ba-joon ( aka Benjamin) played with Linden on her new slide and then did an obstacle course in the backyard- don't get any ideas Linden!
It was great to hang out with them and the girls beat the guys by 4 points! Kent wants a rematch!

Brunch with Sheri and Kyle

Sheri and kyle came to San Fran for a getaway weekend from Chicago. Sheri and I worked in Chicago together at a few studios and have kept in touch since moving out here. It was such a pleasure to see some friends and I am glad that they had the time to hook up. We had brunch in the city on Sunday and then Brett, Linden and I went to the Ferry building on the bay. It was a great morning with dear friends!
Linden even bet Daddy that she could walk all the way up a sharp hill in SF-and she did all by herself!

Willow's Annual Cocktail Party

I was on the planning committee for the neighborhood cocktail party- it was a wonderful event! We had a Caribbean theme, I was head of decor and it looks beautiful. There were over 75 people there, a steal drum band, a welcome punch that was fantastic (ask Brett), it was a wonderful night with friends and neighbors. All ready looking forward to next years!

underwater reach

underwater reach, originally uploaded by lhphotostyle.

Our new pool for the back yard- Linden likes jumping up and down, up and down!

poolside

poolside, originally uploaded by lhphotostyle.

Quinlan turns one!

We went to Quinn's first birthday today at a park in Los Altos, where Mark and MB just moved- it was great to see everyone. Linden loves seeing her pal Avery!! She also loved it when we were bouncing on the ball. A wonderful, sunny afternoon with friends.....

pool playdate

We had a pool playdate with Melania on Friday. It was so cute to see the girls splashing around the pool together. Linden loves the pool so much she cries when we have to go. Also, to note, it's been record highs here for the past 4 days- around 100 degrees- which is really abnormal. We've been trying to chill out and not over do it!

Sweet Home Chicago

Took a trip to the Brookfield Zoo with Madeline and Nicole

The girls got to hang out in the wagon- it was great to see them together!

On Papa's tractor

"Papa's the best!"

Uncle Matt and his girlfriend, Satcey

Pappy was soo excited at the wedding- another Salerno affair!

Brett thinking he can keep up with the kids on the dancefloor!

Mother's Day brunch with Nana!

A smile for Mom's Day!

The bride and groom- my cousin Jason and his new bride Jen.

Pappy cracking people up- his usual!

Linden clapping when the announced the bride and groom! Nana made Linden's dress- it was soo beautiful- she'll be wearing it for the next 4 years! Thanks Nana!

"happy-Pappy" showing Linden his knee after surgery- look at those legs!

Linden thinks the world of Uncle Matt!

A kiss from Daddy!

Getting the paper with Papa!


We had a nite out while Linden was at Nana and Papa's. Dinner with old friends- such a treat!


I miss Poodle soo very much!

Brett, Julie and me- Julie was the first to go home- a first! She had to take care of her new pups!

We had a chance to hang out with the Papedis'- Chloe and Linden bonded over chicken nuggets and ravioli!


Chloe- soon to be a BIG sister! So darn cute!