Random updates

So this update will play out a little like a Seinfeld episode. It won't be about anything necessarily, but all of your friends at work will be talking about it so it's best you keep reading.

This week was quiet, we had nothing to do and nowhere to go. The biggest items for us were ordering a new oven on Saturday, which is much to Sarah's delight. Saturday afternoon we also headed out to the pool for the first time. The kiddie pool was of very little interest to Reagan, she much preferred the big pool and watching the kids run and jump and swim. I have to mention that my amazing wife did a great job cleaning the house on Sunday, while Grandma Candy watched Reagan. Sarah was able to take care of all the nooks and crannies that babies can find their way into...now I just have to get the baby gates up tomorrow during my lunch break.

That was much shorter than Seinfeld, and no commercial breaks. Now, onto the pics...

Reagan cheesing for the camera (not sure where she gets this from)


At the pool


In the pool


With Mommy...

Drying off and warming up

That's all for now, we should have a good mid week update with some more pictures.

Busy, busy busy

This weekend had us off to another party, this one was up at the Lake on Saturday afternoon. After spending some great time with Grandpa and Mimi on Friday night, we headed up to Grandpa's family reunion. It was great to see everyone we knew and meet the ones we didn't. There were some people that made the trip from as far away as Arizona and some people that Bruce had not seen in 40+ years. It was really great to see everyone come together after all of those years and reminisce about the times they spent growing up.

Grandpa and some of the other men sharing stories...



Mimi, Reagan and Sarah


Sarah and Jeff


Reagan taking a break


Sunday we had planned to spend at the pool getting Reagan acclimated to the water, but for some reason, the high in July was only 70 today. Instead we opted for her first trip to the park. We found a nice little toddler park that had no one else there, so we made ourselves at home and tried just about everything. Reagan was not too keen on the slides or the horses, but loved the swing and the little clubhouse area. She was able to stand and bang on the little table that was set up inside.

Reagan on the swing



In the clubhouse



On Sunday afternoon, in an effort to put off yard work (which I eventually got around to), I decided to head out with the camera and tripod and work on getting some impressive shots. I thought this was one of them.

Eye Doctor

OK, this week's mid week update is an interactive one. About 96 times per week, I ask Sarah which photo she prefers between 2 (or 3 or 4). There is usually a very subtle difference as a result of some type of Photoshop tweaking. The more I experiment, the more I realize that it is like cooking, you can spend all day adding a few extra grains of salt. It is very subjective but everyone can agree when there is too much.

So, I have been working on some newer tweaks and instead of asking my very patient wife "Number 1...or Number 2", "This one...or this one", "Which one is clearer"?, I am hoping to get your feedback (since everyone who visits us appreciates the pictures).

So please us the comment section and let us know which picture you prefer. I know we get a few regular commenter's (and we really appreciate it), but I am hoping to see more comments on this one. Sarah really needs your help otherwise I will keep bothering her. You can find the comment section at the end of the post. You can also click on the photo to make it larger if it helps you make up your mind.

A.
1. or 2?

B.
1. or 2?

C.

1. or 2?

D.

1. or 2?

Don't blink, you'll miss us...

Whoosh...that is the term that best describes us lately. After a very busy week, we attended Reagan's first Hawaiian themed party on Friday night at our friends Bill and Vaneetha's house. we had a great time and Reagan had a blast. We especially appreciated Vaneetha for hosting and carrying Reagan around and entertaining her. It really allowed Sarah and I to relax and actually eat at the same time.

On Saturday, we headed up to my Fraternity's 1st annual family picnic outside of De Kalb. Last year when Sarah was about 10 days away from Reagan's due date, we had our formal 20 year reunion since we were (re)founded on campus. She was excited to meet the same people all over again, this time looking more like herself and showing off Reagan. As with the 20 year, it was great to see everyone and how they have matured. It was still the same group of guys, yet they all had lives, wives and families of their own. This is a tradition that I really hope continues over the years.

Saturday night we drove to Grandma Margie's and spent some quality time catching up visiting, with Grandma Margie playing with Reagan until they both were very tired. Sunday morning was more of the same, with a trip to brunch where Reagan sat quietly eating her Baby Mum Mum's and sipping water through a straw! It was then onto the mall and back home for more playing with Grandma until we left for home.

On a separate note, I think I have figured out the new camera settings, so here are a mix of shots with the small camera and the big camera - hopefully you won't be able to tell the difference.

Have a great week!



Reagan's first Hawaiian party

At the picnic:

Enjoying the lawn:

Cute:

In her daddy's first chair:

Reagan and Grandma Margie:

Happy Birthday to me!

Thank you all for a wonderful Birthday!

As has been our tradition lately, I am going to keep this post short and let the pictures do the talking. But first, I would like to say "Thank you" to everyone for their birthday wishes and to the greatest wife and family ever for their wonderful gift, a new Canon point and shoot camera. You may ask yourself why we need another camera - it's a fair question. This one is water proof, shock proof and freeze proof and has many options, just like our larger SLR. It seemed like the perfect gift since I truly enjoy capturing all of the moments with our family. This week we will take a slight departure from the veggie updates and include a few more pictures of me!

Bring on the pics (all shot with the new camera)

Me and Reagan:


Trying out the flash:


Reagan and her new musical table from Grandma Candy and Poppa Bob:


Sarah, Reagan and me

Reagan shortly after she learned she could crawl at Mimi and Grandpa's house:

Happy 4th of July!

Jeff asked me to write the post tonight so others could read what I have to say. He thinks I'm interesting but I think he asked me more so he could lay down and watch tv!

I tried to think of what we've done over the last week and I am at an utter loss! I can barely keep track of what today is. I'm sure that has something to do with the holiday weekend and the fact that I haven't been at work since Wednesday....and I don't go back until Tuesday!

Since I can't think of anything to say about us (the adults), I will give a few exciting bullets about Reagan:

• She pulled herself up to standing position and leaned over her crib which quickly helped mommy and daddy realize that we better lower the mattress before we are awakened with a thud and a scream in the middle of the night.
• She is working on tooth number six. I know this because a) I can see the white in her gums b) she is chewing on her thumb like it's coated in sugar and c) her "OMGmygumsarekillingmehelpmeoutwiththiswillyou" attitude.
• She is eating Gerber Puffs, little snacks that dissolve quickly. She can't quite feed them to herself but she's close!

Ok, now to the good stuff...

Miss 4th of July


Her disposition when she ISN'T teething...


Taken in between her continuous banging on Grandma Margie's coffee table!


With Grandma Margie...who's that blondie?