Many, many moons later...

Yeah, it's been a while, huh? Oops... Well, we're doing great, the tulips are out and the 'beach' is open at Whipple Dam - Lili is queen of the sandpile...

and loves the c-c-c-cold water...

She started horseback riding today and LOVES it:

See you next year! (Just kidding!)

The last few moons...

The coolest kid's ride we've found yet - Dizzy Dragons at DelGrosso's - daddy could ride along too and spin spin spin. Lili's not a huge fan of going on rides alone, so rides like this are the bestest. And I get to ride in a dragon too.

Sara and Lili before a beautiful wedding near Roanoke, VA...

...and the playground half way back from Roanoke, VA that made the drive back managable.

Look! Miffy and Bunny!

More good times with Pappy at Knoebels...

and Grammy too...

Check out my new glasses!

Finally, traversing the maze of cheese at Knoebel's...more to come, I promise!

Preschool fame

They handed out a brochure at Lili's preschool with her cute little smiling face on it, along with some of her little friends - I don't see the brochure on their website yet, but there she is on the page for the preschool! Clickety click, scroll halfway down, and check it out...

Please touch

Funny, the day before we went to the Please Touch Museum in Philly, we were checking out Lili's favorite toy store and saw a new sign on the huge ferris wheel that kids are always tugging at and pawing - "PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH". I can't blame the store owners, that poor piece of toy store window candy had been through years of abuse...
So it was a nice segue - see that sign, Lili? Tommorow we're going to the Please DO Touch Museum! It's a germ factory!

First, a nap...mmm...hotel pillows...



Then shopping...



Such a cool Merry-Go-Round/Carousel/Horsy thingy:



Then to a tea party with Cheshire Cat:



The hall of mirrors in Wonderland:

And the highlight of the whole place...
The dryers next to the water splashing goodness!!!

Six week delay

Yeah, we took this walk on February 1. But it's new to you, right?

...I want to jump in that puddle so bad!!!

Lili gets down in her fancy Minnie Mouse outfit. Like the new 'do?

Genetic Counseling research study

Anyone interested in the below study, please feel free to check it out - thanks!


Genetic Counseling Web-based Survey Research Study

Parents of children with Down syndrome and adult siblings of persons with Down syndrome are invited to be in a web-based, survey research study. The purpose of this Penn State study is to learn more about needs and expectations for genetic counseling. No prior experience with genetic counseling is necessary. The survey takes about 30 min to complete. If you are interested in being in the study, please, go to https://online.survey.psu.edu/downsyndrome/

General results will be shared with the Centre County Down Syndrome Society at the completion of the study. For more information contact Kathy Peters, MS at 814-865-1392 or kfp1@psu.edu.

Brighten up your day

Cheeeeese!

Christmas Bliss

First thing Christmas morning, taking in all of Santa's bounty. The stockings were hung by the corn stove with care.


Getting right to work trying out her new toys. Spiders + marbles + water spouts = good times... Note mommy in the foreground assembling many, many flowers. Yes, you read that right.

Playmobil, sweet Playmobil - Lili shook the first box she saw on Christmas morning and yelled, "Playmobil!!!" Here she checks out her new ice cream store, complete with about 4 trillion parts, including many, many unassembled flowers. Some assembly required.


Boxing Day at Grammy and Pappy's; showing off her new piano and tearing into round 3 or 4 of presents


Preparing for Christmas; baking cookies with mommy. The shutter kinda sorta opened for this one; I couldn't resist the intent stirring.


Roll it, pat it...


Mark it with a sprinkle.

Still here

Pardon the really long delay - we're back; here's a few photos to remind everyone what we look like...

Lili was a worm for Halloween; she insisted on it. She could be convinced to be an inchworm, even though she really wanted to be a slimy worm (eeeewwww, yuk)

Lili and cousin Henry had a great time trick-or-treating together.

Lili's doing awesome; she's loving school, and her dance class on Saturdays, and playing in the leaves, and playing with her friends...

Preschool!!!

Lili ready for her first day at Fairbrook

So...preschool. I have to admit Daddy-o was a little nervous, since last year's, um, pre-preschool experience was a little...let's just say it was a warm-up. But is Lili ready for school now or what! She goes to a preschool down the road for two days a week, from 9 to 11:30, and she LOVES IT! Her Grammie is her aide, and she can't wait to hop in Grammie's car and climb in Grammie's big car seat and go to school. It's tough on Thursday to tell her that she can go back to school in five days... She's been warming up more and more each day, and yesterday she was playing with the other kids, standing in line all proud, and having a great time. We are so proud of her!

Rock Star!!!

Turtle Magazine feels the wrath of the rock star!

DelGrosso's

We were talking about a trip to Knoebels last weekend, but the voice of reason thought of a closer, quieter park to try out before going all out on the two hour drive and commotion...and boy, what a great time Lili had at DelGrosso's. The train was a huge hit, and she even enjoyed a turn on the carousel with its fun, but loud music. We are so bringing swim suits next time - they have an awesome little waterpark that brings back memories of Attitash, Weirs Beach, or...cue heavenly choir...The Whale's Tale in New Hampshire for Daddy...

Lili telling us all about the carousel on the train



Did you really think the train was going to go fast? Come on, Daddy...

Side note - check out the Whale's Tale website and the video of the Plunge speed slides...Back in my day, you rode on those with a mat, face first on your belly. I might've had a little to do with their current rule of lying on your back with your arms crossed (not so comfy, btw) - I would launch myself off the first hump and land back on the slide about halfway down the bottom part. Probably not the best idea...do as I say, not as I did, Lili :)