I know, it's been awhile.

Phew. I apologize to those who check in to see what is going to notice that we don't update very often. We haven't posted for two weeks! That has been a long time for us, but we do have excuses to back up our lackadaisical attitude.
Kim went back to work so the scheduling now has been crazy. Marc has main duty during the day, Kim at night. Tonight we had our first dinner together in almost two weeks.
But, we do have some news, Finn LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH! Here he is at New Seasons realizing that he had a loose tooth. Notice the freak out look on his face.... (thanks uncle butch for the photo, how fortuitous)



Here he is post tooth fallout, umm, actually swallow. Poor guy swallowed his first tooth, and we aren't going searching for it...



And here are some great recent pics of the boys. Finn adores his brother, I wonder how long this will last?



Can anyone believe he is 16 pounds now?? I know I can't believe it.

I love our 'hood.

Being home this summer has made me realize how much I love our neighborhood. Every year I feel that we use Peninsula Park more and more. Each year it has been for a different thing. Last couple of years Finn had some cool classes, but this year, it has been great for just getting out and playing. Right now the park is so beautiful. The roses are in full bloom, the fountain is on and kids and adults get in and just play. When we moved here, we didn't realize how much we would end up using this park, and low and behold, in the summer and fall and odd nice days I find us heading over. The school next door to our house is building a play structure. It will be neat and nice and hopefully help build some community within the neighborhood, but I hope we still make it over to Peninsula.

Marc had an afternoon off today, and we were all finally feeling well at the same time. We were hungry, wanted to get out of the house, and I did not want one more meal from New Seasons so after much debate we decided to go check out Pho Jasmine. We tried it years ago and we were disappointed. Then recently I read a favorable review in the Sentinel so we decided to give it another go. After Than Thao left we have been pho-less in our neighborhood and that has made us sad. I also think that we had alterior motives as well- I wanted Marc to peek into the Florida Room, and he wanted to see the changes going on at the Chapel of the Chimes. But really we were hungry and wanted to walk in our 'hood, as the weather today was perfect.

We took a nice route, Finn of course is always a half a block behind. Even if we slow down for him, he slows down even more. I know it is because he is always checking things out, I forget how amazing the world is half of the time. I am glad he is here to remind me how cool the trees and ants can be. We even ran into our friend Vickie of Mini-Mart a la Carte fame. So nice to meet up with our neighbors.

Lunch was fantastic. Marc and I both had the bun, and Finn had pho. The broth there is so good. We were both pleasantly surprised. It was about 7 bucks, I highly recommend the place. The lady who waited on us was so nice. I am happy we went back and gave the place another shot. We will definetly be going back (Also, we are suckers for anyone who oogles over our absolutely perfect baby)!

Before I finish this post I also want to recommend The Florida Room to anyone and everyone. I went in on Tuesday night after the kitchen closed so I can't say too much about the food, but I did get a chance to try their chips and salsa. I do believe that it was the best salsa I have ever had. The jukebox was awesome and the menu looks yummy. The atmosphere is great and I hear rumors that their patio is pretty cool. Best of all it is within walking distance of our house. It was opened by some ex Mcmenamins employees- crazy enough with a Mcmenamins going in right across the street. I would love it if this place sticks around so we have someplace our speed to visit, and also, how can you go wrong with deep fried avocados.

More Party Pics!

Here are some pics of the peeps who were at the party.


The Minor Thirds in action.

The little man playing his drums. (See video below)

And no post is finished without a picture of the baby Declan. Here he is with his girl Joanie getting some love.

Finn's Rock Debut

Hittin' the skins for his pals tm3 in his first public appearance.

Addendum to rehearsal...

I wanted to get these pics up tonight because I loved them.

This one is from band practice yesterday. Finn and Casey traded drums for a brief moment.

'
The next is from today and shows how inventive a bored Finn can get. He had strung red yard all over in a pattern that made Charlotte's living room look like Mission Impossible (without Tom Cruise, thank goodness. because I don't think she would even let him in, and I doubt her couch could handle him).



This last picture is from yesterday when Declan was actually napping during the day. Yes, it does occur on occasion while the sun is shining. I thought he looked nice and peaceful.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today we went over to Charlotte's lovely abode for a fantastic meal to celebrate Chris getting a little older. I love it when Charlotte has shindigs because A. she is one of the best cooks I know (Marc, I said one of...) and B. Finn always has a fantastic time running around the house jumping on whomever will catch him.


First I will talk about the food... Charlotte had a spread of Middle Eastern fare which she made and thankfully for us meat eaters she threw in some steak. I LOVE steak! Thanks Charlotte for making my day! But the picture is a lovely and delicious potato dish she made. I thought it was properly fantastic and pretty to look at to boot! Charlotte also made her fantastic cous cous and some yummy baba ganoush.


After dinner Declan got to be oohed and ahhed by the pretty girls, I think he took quite the liking to Joanie and Casey, who also seemed to take quite the liking to him. I love having boys because the pretty girls always fall for them... Joanie already admitted abit of a crush on the young lad, I can't blame her myself.




For dessert we sang happy birthday to Chris and devoured a monkey cake. I wish I would have taken a picture of the remains of this thing, because I think that would have been better than the beginnings! I love monkey bread. I think it may have been the best thing to come out of the '70's, well, I am partial to disco, but monkey bread is high up there! Especially when Charlotte makes it.


Thanks Chris for having a birthday so we could celebrate! Can we celebrate your birthday every month instead of once a year??


Then, the most exciting part of the day for Finn, the time of day that he was yearning for since he woke up... band practice. The Minor Thirds are playing a house party this Saturday, and Finn is playing in one of their songs. Being a part of tm3 is turning out to be really important to Finn and it is also a lot of fun for him. If you want to come to the house party shoot us an email and we will give you directions. (See video below for what to expect.) So this pic is right after they set up his drums before practice. I wish I would have gotten a shot of practice, but I am sure we will have plenty from the party to share.



So, we all went to bed a little late, but happy and exhausted as can be. I just hope that both boys will sleep in a little so I can catch up myself.