Oh the hilarity...

Cora and Emilia are really developing a great relationship that we HOPE will last throughout life! For now, Cora exhibits tremendous compassion towards her little sister and Emi is seemingly in awe with everything her big sister does. Cora LOVES to help.... with everything. This is great sometimes, as in when she goes and brings me a diaper or some more puffs for Emi.... and sometimes not so great, as in when she decides she wants to feed Emi babyhood and when she wants to bathe her little sister...

chilling in the den watching some PBS Sprout

"open wide"

"but don't swallow the spoon sissy!"

the end product

bathtime in the jacuzzi tub... that will probably be the last time we try that one...

Emi attentively learning from her big sister

what a poser...

Emi's artist look

reading the ingredients

cheers!

Our First Visitors!

Nana and Duke came to visit us this weekend! We've been very busy and didn't take many pictures, except the few below. They delivered some summer clothes we'd stored at their house and also brought us a lawnmower. We've spent time doing some house stuff and cutting our desperately long grass. Otherwise we met up with some relatives of Nana's here in the Memphis area. Finally, Greg and I were able to do some much-needed errands while the grandparents watch the girls.... it was lovely, thanks mom and dad!

Duke helping Cora feed the fish in our pond

Duke and Emi -- she's wearing a little army dress he bought her at Ft Benning that says "army princess"!

around the dinner table... NY style pizza from "Mama Mia's" -- it's pretty good

Michael and Judy Accardi loving on Emilia

around the Accardi pool

Angel and Meghan just getting their feet wet (an unheated pool is still FRIGID!)

Cora sad she didn't bring her bathing suit, but loving playing with the water cannons!

A family reunited!

This weekend we were able to get Finn back from Oba and Sofu! We met 1/2 way between Memphis and Michigan and stayed in Louisville.... We had such a great time hanging out and swimming at the hotel pool! Too bad it was for a short 24 hours.

Their first sniff...

Finn even gave Cora a kiss!

Emi and Sofu practicing walking

in the pool....

evening snack --- Cora had a hotdog and some mac n cheese and Oba had a bloody Mary!

Cora riding the luggage cart

Emi napping with Sofu

oh the joys of potty training... somewhere in TN off the highway

Finn exits the car at his new home :)

And he seems to love it!

Introducing...

Our new HOME! We've just closed on it and are eager to fill it with our furnishings, which are set to arrive next week. We've chosen to purchase in Collierville, TN, which is well-known for it's excellent schools and classic neighborhood feel. Greg's work is a mere 10 minute commute and Cora's about 2 minutes to school! This was the second home we saw of over fifty and we fell in love with the Cape Cod style and unique charm to it's layout and land. We have a little less than an acre in property and a lot of beautiful landscaping, including a pond with fish in the front yard. We have 5 bedrooms, which means we'd love visitors... hint, hint!

Here's a few teaser pictures... we'll post more when we have it filled!

121 Hillwood Lane

Bonny's landing

Cora brought the important stuff...

Emi hangs out

our first steps into our house as OWNERS

Cora and Bonny check out the backyard from the girls' future bedroom

Cora tries to escape to the sunporch through kitchen

Our sunporch

the backyard

our den and wood-burning fireplace

Emi crawls down hallway (don't mind the dust...)

the cutest light fixture in house... a spoon chandelier!

the kids practice their greeting position

Our next step is getting Finn back from Oba and Sofu in Michigan, we're so excited to see him as we've missed him A LOT!

Happy Easter!

the CUTEST little easter bunny! A fridge-worthy craft from preschool...

the girls in their Easter dresses (once again, we can't get a good picture of both together...)

Cora in front of the rose bushes

Emi showing off her teeth

Cora hunting eggs outside the apartment

"I found one!"

She was in charge of both her and sissy's baskets

Emi excited to feel what's inside her basket

YAY!

The Easter Bunny taking Emi and Bonny for a walk

Best buddies

10 months old already!

Still only 2 teeth, exploring everything with her mouth (a.k.a. trying to eat the world...), attempting to join every conversation, our little shadow (she crawls like Speedy Gonzalez), pulling herself up at every chance and MUCH MUCH steadier on her legs...

to those of you we spent a lot of time with in our late 20s, doesn't she look like she's about to start dancing like Greg?!?!

the Madea girls