Parting is such sweet sorrow

The week building up to the dreaded "leaving day" was filled with lots of family events. We did a few Cincinnati's lasts, Monday - Skyline Chili (pretty sure Arizona Chili is much, much different, no spaghetti for starters!). Tuesday the adults went to the Boathouse. Wednesday was s'mores around the fire.





Thursday, Mom didn't want to miss Izzy's first birthday celebration so we did a pre-birthday cake for Isabelle. From Nana and Papa Isabelle also received some outfits and a very noisy ride along car with lots of buttons to push. Izzy loves it of course, Michael and I, not so much.



Michael mercifully made this one black and white to hide our red eyes and streaming tears. We are so proud and excited for Mom and Dad for taking the next three years away from their family to serve the Lord. We know they'll do a wonderful job with the missionaries in Phoenix. We love you Mom and Dad!

Moving Mayhem!

Well, it finally came time to pack up our house (for those not up to speed, we are house-sitting for Paul and Debbie while they are away for 3 years in Phoenix and we decided to sell our home). Izzy was trying to help but couldn't quite figure out that we were trying to put things in the box not take them out (she was much more help unpacking). As her crib was one of the first items to be packed we had to find alternative methods to contain her. 



On Monday we rented a truck to move the big items. Big thanks to my Brothers-in-law Bill and Tyler and my neighbor Rich for helping get the furniture in and out of the truck.



As we were emptying the outside freezer we stumbled upon the top layer of our wedding cake. We thought we'd give it a try, it was pretty gross but that's what you get for 6 year old cake!



As we say good-bye to Eastwind Court we are reminded of the great memories we've had in our first home.

Family Reunion

Isabelle's Great-Grandparents (GG-Russells) came to Cincinnati along with all of Debbie's siblings for a long weekend. Here's Isabelle and Nan and Earl.

Four Generations of _____ ladies (all with different last names, except Izzy, so don't know the "right name" suffice it to say that it's a pretty cool picture).

Izzy does her dad proud as a water-baby and loves to get into her tube in the pool. This is Isabelle's version of peek-a-boo, still hasn't figured out the hands go over the eyes not the ears. She has figured out how to repeat little words back parrot style! Best accomplishment so far..... butterfly (1 time only though). Guess we have to be careful what we say now!

Izzy has a love of eating (haven't decided if it's the American or the Italian in her). She's a bottomless pit and has yet to refuse any food given or found on the floor. Daddy has been testing her out with mild curry, tomato's, olives. Her current favourite is being left alone with an ear of corn on the cob.

She's learning to share, I should say, we're learning to share our food.

Happy Birthday Tiff!

We celebrated Tiffany's birthday last week with Ice-Cream cake from Dairy Queen, (Tiff had to choose the year I've sworn off Ice-Cream to decide to want an Ice-Cream cake). I can't miss taking this opportunity to wish my best friend and my sweetheart a happy birthday!

Biker Chick

It's sometimes said that you know you really a dad when you turn in that snappy 2 seater sports car for something a little more "practical". Well I've never had a sports car but I do have a fairly snappy two wheeler (awesome birthday present from Tiff last year). My excuse for not riding my bike as frequently as I should seemed to revolve around some variation of the excuse "I just don't like coming home from ___ and then taking off on the bike and not helping with Izzy". Introducing the baby seat for the bike! Now I can give Tiffany a few moments of peace and quiet whilst I take Izzy for a spin. 

Off the bike Izzy hair is growing like weed...in some places. Her hair is the perfect length down the middle for a fauxhawk. Tiffany, in a rare display of complicity, transformed our sweet, beautiful and fragile daughter for the afternoon.  





Well she's still fragile and beautiful. Fauxhawk or not she's still our sweet Isabelle.