More time with Grandpa

Marin & Grandpa chilling out after big meals.

Bella and Marin with Nana & Granpda

Grandpa was a hit with smiley Bella and Marin.

Family Get Together

Nonnie, Uncle Jon & Bella

Oh look - Mommy is in a picture.  With Uncle Jon, Caleb and Bella.  Of course Bella would turn her head and smile at everyone instead of the camera.  It was quite cute.

Uncle Jon had his share of time holding Marin.

Mommy, Grandpa and Uncle Jon with Marin.

Bella was jumping and dancing with Uncle Adam and Aunt Amy.  She made sure she knew where Uncle Adam was all night.  She just didn't want a different dancing partner.  That is until her Daddy arrives.

Playing outside with cousins

Bella just loves the swings.  Her cousins have a rockin' swing set in their backyard so we played there for quite awhile.

Bella, Marin and Aunt Amy taking a time out from all the fun in the grass.  Yes! Grass!  Bella has been trodding through it and having a great time.  We might have to get Daddy to put some on our porch!  or maybe not.

Too cute.  Aunt Amy's bundle of joy is expected soon so then there will be even more little feet running around.  And Cousin Emma is the ring leader.

Jon Michael is 2 and Bella 2.5, they had fun rolling in the grass, running and kicking the ball together.

Grandpa & Nana's BBQ

Uncle Jon, Grandpa (with Marin), Aunt Amy and Aunt Colleen all gathered around our favorite chip dip.  We couldn't get enough of it.  Of course that would be Mommy who they had to keep away as she just dove in.

Grandpa and Marin

Uncle Jon was the favorite as he threw the kiddos in the air and twirled them around.  Bella, Cousin Caleb and Cousin Jon Michael were learning how to take turns.  Which ended up  in this picture of everyone vying to be next.

Figuring out the fork

Good thing she has mango and not peas to eat!

Uncle Adam taking over where Daddy left off and helping Bella with the fork and mango.

And...yes she has it!  It must take a lot of engineers to figure out how to teach a 2 year old to use a fork.  Starting with Daddy, Uncle Jon and Uncle Adam - they all added a fit of their own finesse.

Breakfast outside

Bella sitting up high with the adults and loving every minute.

Enjoying some blueberries with Grandpa John.  He had her well fed this morning with yogurt, fruit, eggs and toast.  Her belly was nice and full.  Oh, and milk too!

We love the stairs

Bella found the stairs and loves to go up and down, up and down.  She is becoming very good at them fortunately.

The Girls

Hi Daddy - we miss you!

A Night with the cousins

Aunty Colleen has Marin all snuggled up tight and close.  We have found Marin this way a lot actually.  Should we tell Uncle Jon?

Bella building blocks with Caleb and Jon Michael.

Aunty Amy with Marin, Emma, Caleb and Jon Michael.  The cousins were so excited for Bella and Marin to arrive.  They stayed and played forever.  We had such a great time.

At the Nail Salon

Smiling with Aunt Amy.  An hour off the plane ride and we were in the nail salon.  We definitely know how to pamper ourselves.  Bella was an observer this time, but she did keep sticking her foot, sock and all, in the foot spa.

Aunt Amy & Bella, with Nonnie and Aunty Colleen.

Long Haul Flight to US

Marin all nice and cozy for 12 hours on the flight.  She was a gem sleeping and only waking to feed.

Here is Bella watching her Sesame Street videos.  She loves to watch Zoe dance.  Bella was a good flier as well.  Though she found it much more difficult to sleep.

Snoozing with Mommy

Soccer star

This was Annabella's first time outside on the grass with the soccer ball. And she was excellent at kicking the ball and running after it with Mommy. We had quite the game going on.

Taking pictures together

We tried to take pictures of the girls together in their adorable matching dresses. It was quite the experience as each girl took their turn in smiling while the other was wanting to do something else.

Smiles from Marin

Playful Annabella

Daddy's girls

Cute closeup

Independent Bella

Making tea on her own
Driving the car on her own
Practicsing her art skills - on her own
So cute with Nonnie

Nonnie visits

We have put Nonnie to work. What hard work it is to snooze with Marin. Bella made sure she was awake ready to play with her. Playing and sleeping - perfect activities for Nonnie.