Saturday Boat Cruise

We spent a great Saturday afternoon, cruising around Lake Union for sweet Anya Arnold's 1st birthday. The weather was perfect, and it was a GREAT way to see our beautiful city and all that it has to offer!!!

dressed and ready to board the boat! (classic Millie pose)

playing games on the boat

Uncle Billy with Esmee

Popsicles at sea!

At the Pub...

...watching pre-season Patriots with dad! This is just the beginning, Esmee :)

Flower child

Giggle girl!

Wow....this has been such an incredible last 3 1/2 months!!! Sweet Esmee is the most perfect, incredible, amazing addition to our family!! I'm not kidding when I say she is SWEET AS PIE!! She is always smiling and cooing her sweet little sounds. She lights up when anyone comes into her view...especially Millie and Walter. She LOVES to be near us at all times and part of the action. She is an absolute angel and has the best little disposition. She started smiling pretty much from about 3 weeks on and hasn't stopped. The giggles followed shortly after. I have been trying to capture them with little success until now. Here she is laughing away at Mommy's silly (and annoying to most) sounds and faces. Thanks for bringing such incredible joy and happiness into our lives, Esmee....we LOVE you!!!!

BFF's!

The guuuuuuurls!!! Unfortunately, I am just now noticing that my lens had a smudge on it so Sweet Anya has a bit of a blur over her...but I just couldn't resist posting these pictures anyways. Anya came over for a playdate on Tuesday and the girls were having so much fun giggling and rolling around on the floor in the living room. Esmee was right in there with the big girls. There is about a year age difference in between the three of them. Sooooooooo cute!! One for the ages, for sure!!

Cactus!

A Visit from Uncle Ladd and Aunt Holly!

Last week we were treated to a visit from Uncle Ladd and Aunt Holly, who flew all the way out from Washington, DC to visit with us. We've been trying to put this trip together for quite awhile, so when they finally got here, we were all doing backflips! (ok, Millie didn't do a backflip until the 2nd day...but that's just how she rolls)

The first day was a little drizzley, so we opted to go cruise our former haunt in Fremont. Mr. Dangles was also invited along as a guest of honor, and truly seemed to enjoy it. Holly struck the notion to go to Dad Watson's, which hit the spot! Then we went for a visit with The Troll of Fremont, always a great thing to do when it rains -- he lives under a bridge!

Esmee was on MVP behavior, engaging in one of her favorite activities for much of the week, sleeping! But she also shared lots of smiles and cuddles with everyone.

Millie found this mirror and was psyched! Aunt Holly and her got into all kinds of little adventures during the week, on this day, in a cute little shop.

Uncle Ladd is a voracious reader, and shared some of his skills with Mill-Mill during some down time. We wish we could get her to sit that still when we read - what's your secret, Ladd?

Aunt Holly was brave enough to allow Millie to wield her point-and-shoot digi-cam, which enabled Millie's first publishable photo work, the above portrait of one Mr. Dangles, who was quite a reliable subject.

Add this to a great collection of Jules and Hols pics...good times!

Mt. Rainier came out in full force for Ladd and Holly's visit on several occasions. This shot was taken from a happy hour cruise we took around Queen Anne.

Full gang shot...Walter, thank you for participating in your own special way

Awwww

I guess we're the good kids and they're the cute kids!

The Arnolds hosted us all for a back-deck party on their last night. Pictured here are also Jo-Jo, Anya, and the legendary Mimi!

Mill-Mill and Aunt Holly in the midst of a play session. They were thick as thieves!

Great photo taken on an ill-conceived (Jaim's idea) 2.8 mile loop of Discovery Park. Actual estimated distance after getting lost several times: 3.6 miles! But atleast we were with loved ones who complained a lot less than Jaim did. Thanks for the visit, guys. We can't wait to see you again soon!!