4 1/2

Before we start with the Xmas blitz, some random thoughts I want to jot down before I forget:

Vienna, the tomboy, loves to climb - on trees, monkey bars-- just like her poppa-- skinny but strong. She loves to say 'poop'. This morning she was singing, Rudolph the red-nose poop!

Her spontaneity has a sweet side, she says 'I love you' the most and at random moments. She's stubborn when she sets her mind, there's no negotiating with her--- I try to win the war, since alot times, she wins the battles. Speaking of stubborn, she is slow as molasses. Not only is she slow in comparison to Laurel, but according to her teacher, the slowest in a class of 22! At home, I have her 'following' Laurel , otherwise, she gets distracted and it can take forever to get ready!

Laurel, the gentle soul. She says 'my daddy', 'my mommy' and let's us know, she misses us when she's away from us. She's still my cuddle-bug, esp in the morn when they wake up and climb in bed with us. She is sensitive, like momma, she cried during the movie, Tangled. She's still more girly and has way too many dollies. Her outfits are more coordinated than her sister's (Vienna would pick a favorite shirt and wear it everyday if she could).

Her tough side, she is more competitive. She focuses and wants to do well. When they fight, Laurel almost always wins. She's just as outdoorsy as Vienna-- and has already decided which truck she or Vienna will inherit from poppa when they grow up!

They don't nap consistently anymore, esp during the wkends, when we all sleep in. If they do nap, it's for an hour or less. They're growing, but still VERY petite (maybe 5% on the charts). Vienna is about 27 lbs, Laurel 29 lbs. Who knows when their growth spurt will kick in, maybe in college, like their poppa!

In spite of their different personalities, they play so well together. There are some squabbles (you're mean, you're a diaper, I'm not gonna play w/you, and so on), but 95% of the time, they truly enjoy each other's company. They (esp Laurel) are getting into board and card games, which momma enjoys too.

I know I'm biased, but my babies are growing up to be sweet, adorable kids!

THANKS for 5 yrs!

To celebrate our 5-yr anniversary and my 40th bday, we took a trip to Maine! Without the kids!!! Our first trip w/out the kids! Otherwise, we've always traveled as a family since they were months old--- they already have a few stamps on their passports!

They had such a good time w/gramma D, they barely missed us. She took them to all their activities/parties, shopping for new sparkly shoes, the play ground, school, etc -- you know, 4 yr olds and their jam-packed schedules!

And we had a blast! We figure we would do something we couldn't (enjoyably) with the kids: hiking and eating lobsters!

Packed sweat pants, sweaters, hat and hiking boots--comfy clothes---my kinda trip! Ate lobsters, sweet sea-tasting lobsters EVERY day--- my kinda trip!

Sleeping in and waking up by the bay to a gourmet, home-cooked breakfast---our kinda trip!

If you love nature, you'll LOVE hiking Acadia park--- Eric's kinda trip!
It's where you'll see:

the ocean coastline hugging the mountains


the sun sets in magnificent hues every night


picturesque mini-waterfalls and streams


to thundering cascades



historical trails and bridges



to a pond with sandy beach! Acadia has it all!!


Thanks baby for 5 wonderful years! You're such a great guy, husband and father!

We Heart Autumn!

How many different events can you count? Too many!
Yes, we get into Halloween! After summer, fall is our favorite season!

Our Athletes

if you know me, you know i'm a bit 'athletically challenged'. i play some tennis and that's about it. but i wonder, if i had been more exposed as a kid, i might be more coordinated today (like eric, who plays most sports effortlessly).

sports is a total win-win. kids learn camaraderie, team work, hand-eye coordination and keeps them healthy & active throughout their lives! (life is short, get off the couch!!)

so if i push the girls alittle, it's so they dont have the same 'what if?'.
and so far, it's working, our mini-athletes:

More Toys

ppl ask me why eric started a side business when he works full time as an IT manger for this company. i answer, he knows i want to retire by 55.

these may be the real reason. after breaking even in 3mos, mr. sucessful business man rewards himself with this:




as an upgrade from this (note only 4 puny vs 6 powerful tires).
i have to admit, all the kids (young and old) enjoy riding in the 'rocket cars':

Wind Swept

salty ocean breeze to crisp mountain air (ck out the mountain goat in the back giving us the 'those tourist' look)




our annual summer trip to visit gramma D in hilton head. some highlights:

- sunny, sunny days. it never rained except maybe once at night. June is the best time to head south before it heats up.

- warm, super shallow waters. the girls rode (and rode) the 'bumpy' waves in their tubes and boogie boards

- visiting with three sisters who are three teachers. the girls love the attention which means less work for us (-:

- a fun day trip to Charleston, touring the old homes and checking out their aquarium with a cool penguin exhibit

- six full days of beach and pool. enough for us, but the girls could have stayed another week.



for our end of the summer trip, we decided to visit Colorado. Eric's dad was born and raised in CO, so we spent a couple of days visiting family before heading to Denver.

some highlights:

- the girls got to met most of Eric's paternal side of the family, esp Aunt Alma who is 96. they're too young to understand, but it was neat showing them part of their heritage. from the acres and acres of farm land to cattle-raising and live stock kept in the Deterding family for generations. now I get why Eric loves rocks, Indian heads and 4-wheel driving...it's a different world and life style, the heart land.

- aunt LouAnn and uncle Leroy made us a full breakfast and dinner for three days--delicious, local beef and yummy home-made pies! also had my first malt shake straight from their kitchen.

- going fishing where poppa and grandpa fished as a boy. the girls fished before, but first time they caught live ones!

- a quick stay at Black Hawk, a western-like town filled with casinos. mommy actually won some $$, before poppa ended up loosing it. forget how much i love casino buffets. the one at Ameristar can't be beat-- crab legs and cotton candy!

- Eric was right, the Appalachian mountains (of the East) are nothing compared to the Rockies. we drove up (and up) and right on the edge of Mount Evans. The drive isnt for the weak of heart but the view is awe-inspiring.

- wild mountain goats! they are so rare, and we saw a bunch! Laurel caught sight of them first and she was so thrilled. no moose or bears thou.

- checking out the mile-high city of Denver. it's a great town, full of culture and outdoor adventures. known for it's 300 days of sunshine and pristine ski-ing. who needs a thread mill when you have the mountains.

So many parties, so little time...

Sophia's 'wedding fantasy' bday party this last wkend. They got to wear their flower girl dresses from Aunt Louise's wedding, fully accessorized this time. All the mini-brides and (2) top-hat grooms were so cute!

I've lost count of how many parties the girls have been invited to this summer. It must be bday party season!

2 Weddings and a Party

Missy's wedding

Aunt Louise's wedding:

Marley's luau out party:


Summer is zooming by!

For Laughs

been super busy at work, a quick video for laughs.
check out Laurel's moves (our little dancer) and the (jumpy) masked one isnt so bad either.

Ballerina and SuperHero Bday Party!

Happy 4th bday my darling girls! Each year the girls pick the theme, depending on what they're into. They had a blast with all thier ballerina and superhero friends. And being surrounded by so much love and joy! After the party, it took two days to open presents! It's official, bdays are even better than Xmas!
Enjoy the pics and video. Big THANKS to Kim for being our photographer for the day, you did an awesome job!

Happy 4th!

Fireworks start way too late for the girls (maybe next year they can stay up), so we always have our own backyard version. VIP seats and just as much fun, esp the fireworks that fart!

Look what momma cooked up

I know you want one (-;

Summer Kickoff

berry picking in our front yard


rafting on the Shenandoah with friends and cousins

also hit the pool with gramma D and rounded out the wkend w/the viva vienna festival. we took ginger to the festival since it reminds momma of when we first bought her home one year ago, when she was the cutest puppy around. she has a blast w/all the sights, sounds, smells and occasionally doggy meet&greet. but this year it was too HOT and she only lasted a good 1/2 hour before eric had to drop her back at home. then poppa couldnt take the heat and we headed home after lunch (of chicken on stick, funnel cake, ice cream and cotton candy) and weary from the carnival rides. summer is here!

Horse Lovers

another bday party with pony rides. something about little girls and horses, esp at this age. does that mean we should get the girls a (miniature) horse? Eric does, he's considering it for their big 5th bday. Am I the only one who thinks that's a bit over the top?

What did you do for mom's day?

we went to virginia beach for monster trucks on the beach!

since vienna likes trucks, we figure she'd enjoy seeing BIG trucks. BIG trucks racing, jumping, diving, chomping metal! woohooo!!

the motorcycle drag race and the monster free style jumps were the thrilling highlights. vienna stated she would like a helmet, just like the winner on the red motorcycle.

Momma had a blast too!! laurel isnt as big on trucks, but she had the beach and indoor pool.
we've already booked a room for next year!

Now I know

What kind of bday cake to you want?

the tomboy: Iron Man

the girly girl: princess or ballerina

Who do you want to invite to your bday party:

the tomboy: Griffy, Sevi (Sebastian), Nathan

the girly girl: Ada, Britian, Tamsen, Ella

While in the town of Vienna, hanging out by the train park, Eric spots a karate classroom, 'let's go ck out karate, hichi punch!'.

the tomboy: I want to do karate!

What about you? the girly girl: no, ballerina

at the end of class, soccer coach asks, 'do you want a pink sticker?'

the tomboy wrinkles her nose, 'no orange'

at the school's playground pick up, the tomboy comes home w/scratches and bruises on her leg.

the girly girl is usually sitting on the teacher's lap.

each morning getting ready for school, the tomboy wears socks and sneakers.

the girly girl dons 1 pink croc and 1 purple croc (fashion statement?)

for xmas, the tomboy requests a 'rocket car' (just like poppa). she doesnt like to let anyone else drive and likes to wash and clean her car (just like poppa).

the girly girl got her prancing, ride-on horse.

at the store, they get to pick one toy with their gift cards:

the tomboy wants the spiderman snorkeling kit (she still loves to swim and dive).

the girly girl chooses (yet another) doll, one w/long hair to comb.

our three musketeers: