Lunch with Dad

I wish we lived closer to Ryan's work. Especially after a lunch that was so much fun. Marielle and I don't go to often because it means around 40 minutes of driving and havoc on the nap schedule, but when we do it is always so fun and such a great break from our regular routine. I met Ryan and we took our lunch outside to the patio and enjoyed a nice lunch in the shade. As soon as we were done eating we went to visit the koi fish pond. It actually took Marielle a little while to realize that these fish were the same as the fish in her books. But soon she was making her famous fish face and trying to reach in the water.

Both parents taught Marielle lessons that we regretted. I taught Marielle how to throw a pebble in the pond. Seems harmless right? Not if there aren't any other pebbles in the pond because they keep it so clean. Luckily the water was kinda murky so as far as we can tell the five or six pebbles have not been detected. We'll be watching his next paycheck for any possible deductions. ;)

Ryan taught Marielle how fun it is to put your feet in the water. So fun that you just want to get all the way in right Dad? Well as you probably guessed we had to escort Marielle away from the pond and back to baby safe areas rather quickly. It was still a really fun lunch. Thanks Dad!

Marielle's New Cousin!

Check out this new little cutie!!! Welcome Zoe!

Marielle Graduates!

Many of you may remember Marielle's birth announcement proclaiming her many great skills and high ACT score achieved in the womb, so it should come as no surprise that she has accomplished the unthinkable -- High School Graduation at age 19months!!! (And 6th in her class too!) All right, all right, the HS graduate was Ally! So all the honors go to the last and final Mullen at Eastwood which includes not only all five kids, but their mom too. How's that for loyalty? :) Included in this post of many pics, you will find: Mike sneaking into our pose with the celeb of the day photo, Kurt constructing a crime scene around Marielle, Dad and daughter smiles and the cookie table! Both Kurt and Marielle remember getting fed at this table and would sit at it waiting for someone to bring something sweet like a cookie. Lucky for them, most of the time it worked! Photos you will not find: Ally at her Piano Recital, the Eastwood Alum picture, and video of Kurt kissing Marielle. (Read: Ally or Megan, please send them our way and I'll update the blog. :)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good deal!

Mary Karlee woke up very excited yesterday morning. Although, we'd been out late dancing the night before, she was up and dressed before Marielle had even stirred. "It's like Christmas," she declared with a big grin on her face.

For those of you that aren't local, yesterday was the Longwood Subdivision annual garage sale. Longwood is a large subdivision neighboring ours that is filled with affluent families that have at most 2 kids - that means their baby clothes and toys are in great condition. Last year, the place was packed and by 8 am, when the sale officially started, most of the stuff was already picked over. So we were out the door by 6:45, and by we I mean Mary Karlee in one car, and Marielle & I in the other.

My Mission was to find a plastic playset. These usually go fast, as there are people in big trucks who snap them all up and sell them for a markup. My back-up plan in case I couldn't find one at a sale, was to locate one of these trucks and just steal one. Thankfully, I didn't have to put on my ski mask because I found this Little Tikes Cube Slide:

The Loot

So although I think I went a little overboard, I had so much fun! I just love getting a great deal. I spent a little more than I was expecting, but hey, look how much we got! And now Marielle's younger siblings cannot complain that Marielle got everything new, because even she has hand me downs. :)

The great thing about this year's sale was low crowds. Generally they put up signs the week before and people come out in droves. This year the signs did not come out until Saturday morning and the streets were empty until about 9:oo am. Some highlights for me: an American Flag (I'd been wanting one as long as we've lived here but who remembers to go flag shopping?), gymboree outfits that look brand new, a swimming pool inner tube, a little tikes scooter for $2 (!) , our play place of course, and a baby doll stroller which Marielle LOVES. Oh and of course the FREE desk. Saturday was also trash day and somebody put a desk out with their trash. I of course snatched it up because it seems to be in decent condition and I was looking for a small table to set up an art station. All in all it was a great morning!

Just Missed the Dump!

(Ryan again) I'll finish up with this conversation I had with my mother-in-law:

Ryan: So, I'm just curious, does this garage sale gene come from you or Dad?
Mom: Definitely me. You get such good deals. And my mom loved them too. Though in her day they were called rummage sales.
Ryan: Groan. So you're telling me this is at least 3 generations deep. Marielle's probably infected, too. At least my son's will be safe.
Mom: I don't know. All my sons love Craig's List.
Ryan: Ahhhhhh!

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Can Babies Live on Cheese Alone?

Marielle is having a cheese only day. I am having a please stop screeching day. So if she screeches every time I bring out something that is not cheese, is it bad that her lunch consisted of nothing but grated cheese? Sorry five-a-day, I tried.