Melanie's First Birthday!!

Hooray! Mel turned one on Friday. It was a fun day. We took pictures, petted a cute cocker spaniel, opened presents, ate cake and had a party!

Good morning Birthday Girl!
Opening presents, Meg is helping.

We love CAKE!!

Cupcakes

Mel's Cake

Nothing Much

We haven't been up to much. Russ started his 6th and last semester of school. We are so excited! We are also getting ready to celebrate Mel's Birthday next week. We are wondering, Where did that year go?

So I was cooking dinner when the cumin fell on the floor. No worries, I thought, the lid is on so I will pick it up in a second. When will I learn?

Magic Wings

On Monday, we went up to Deerfield MA to the butterfly conservatory. It was amazing. I tried to take so many pictures and videos, but none could really capture what it was like. It was two medium sized rooms filled with topical plants, birds, and a koi pond. And there were thousands of butterflies flying free. Poor Russ wore a sweater and it was 80 degrees and humid, so he was hurting. Megan was a little unsure about the butterflies getting close to her, but she loved the quail running around. Mel just sat back and experienced.

The butterflies were really hard to get a good picture of. They don't like to hold still.
That green one was amazing.

Russ tried to get a picture of the butterflies in flight, but couldn't. But they were literally everywhere

This little guy loved me.

House Hunting

Since we have a job in Provo now, Russ and I have decided that it was time to do some house hunting. This is what we have picked out:

But since it is Rhode Island, it will only be a place that we can spend 6-8 weeks during the summer. But, as you can see, we will have plenty of room, so we will expect visitors!

Just kidding. This is The Breakers, the "summer cottage" of the Vanderbilt's. They really only used this place two months out of the year. Their home in NYC took up an entire city block. They didn't allow pictures of the inside, so I encourage all of you to do an image search to see the inside. Right outside of the house was the Cliff Walk that led you around to all of the mansions in the area. It was really pretty.

We ate at Mystic Pizza on the way back. That is an actual lemon.

I don't know where they get this from.

Christmas

After a long and fun Christmas vacation we are back.

Mel going through tunnels.

Santa has to be good with rejections.

Ole Boy, you got me clothes. Thanks.

Megan was running up and down the hallway and Mel was trying to catch up. Maybe next year sweetie.

Hanging Around

What we have been up to:

Posing.
At Dad's Christmas Party. There is a frog on her hand and she made a cookie.

Her best friend's birthday party.

Russ is excited to show you his snowman he made.

Mel is the life of the party.
We helped Dad out at a clinic fair.
Meg.
First Snow

We are heading out to enjoy our Christmas Break. Merry Christmas Everyone.

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.