Pond Picnic

Now this is my idea of heaven- picnic at the pond after feeding fish and stomping in puddles. The only thing that could have made it better is if Michael could have been there too.

And I know the picture above is blurry, but I couldn't resist that smile. He's grinning like that because I'm blowing on a dandelion that he's holding.

Thunder Over the Coconino

Yesterday we drove over to the Valle Airport (about 45 minutes away) and went to an antique car and airplane show. Heaven for a couple boys in this family.

The joys of kitchen remodeling

Exciting work going on here. If we survive the mess, the new kitchen will be wonderful. We're using the parts from our former barn set up. More pics after the camera is recharged!

Smiley Boy

Walking Around the Pond

We had a walk-around-the-pond exploration yesterday. After the monsoon rain lately the water is way up. Our family loves nature, but still find we are not going out as often as we'd like.




































Recently we've been given a subscription to Your Big Backyard magazine (thank you Grammy!) And they promote children going outside for at least an hour a day. http://www.greenhour.org/. The idea is simple, but not always easy to do.



















On that vein I decided to start taking James out to the same spot in nature each week to see how it changes over the seasons. The pond is our spot. I created a little web page too, because I thought James would like to go look at his pond pictures. You can go visit it at www.smallexplorer.blogspot.com.

Holding Leland

Uncle Scott

Scott came over the other morning and we cooked pancakes. As soon as Scott got into the kitchen James declared that he needed this apron on. What do you think- Looks good huh? Below that is a photo of Leland happy (and funny) in the flying baby hold.

Hints of Brotherly Love

I put Leland in his chair in the kitchen while I fixed lunch the other day, and when he started crying James went and dragged his own chair into the kitchen and sat by his brother. He's gradually coming to accept and possibly like this little interloper. "I'm smiling at Leland Mama!"
"Mama, I want to find Leland on the camera!"

The First Week

The family has survived the first week as a foursome! My Mom was out and has been indispensable in helping with James, cleaning, laundry, etc. and has allowed Alissa to recover. Leland is doing great and is more alert and active every day. James, well James is slowly adjusting to not being the center of the universe. "Don't want Leland." has been uttered more than once, but he is starting to take interest in him with diaper changes, socks, blankets and the like. If you link to the album, Mom took many photos this week. There are some of daily activities and then the series of James and his bubbles and fishing was at the Celitic Festival on Sunday.

Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/TheFirstWeek?authkey=4FH8O8BEuH4

Leland Richard Marquess

We are welcoming Leland Richard to the family. He was born last night at 9:26pm and weighed in at an enormous nine pounds six ounces and 21 inches long! We started at home with the Midwives, but ended up at the hospital as he didn't want to come out. He was facing backwards and had a bit of cord wrapped around his shoulder so the Midwives decided to transfer us up to the hospital in case we needed assistance. Of course the jostle of pushing labor in the car and walking into the hospital worked the baby around. Alissa had natural childbirth within ten minutes of entering the hospital. The Doctor arrived in time to pull the shoulders out. Healthy baby and mama. We were discharged this morning at 11am. Feel free to call - if we don't answer we are sleeping and will get back to you. Visitors, please give us until Wednesday, thanks.

A sidenote here - I guessed the date of birth to the day and Alissa owes me a Lemon Meringue Pie!

Photo Album http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/LelandRichardMarquess?authkey=7CJ3mpuMRKE

Man Nesting

O.K. - It is not exactly cuddly blankets, a new crib, or stuffed animals, but its Man Nesting. I have been doing some drywall (with Scott assistance), ripping out nasty flooring, running some electrical, and sealing the floor. Throw in a little mess and its enough to throw a woman into labor - or not. No baby (as evidenced by the photo of Alissa sewing), but everything looks good according to the Midwives when they visited last night. Maybe the newest Marquess tomorrow.....

Yes, we have no baby.

The baby was due July 2nd. Yes we have no baby. At least we are having beer pancakes made with stout this morning. If Alissa gets any bigger, she won't fit in the kitchen!

The Beer Garden

Uncle Rob and Jill were over and took many photos last weekend as we grilled skewers, brewed Alissa's After Baby Porter, and sampled the finished beers from the past several months. James even helped by adding the hops to the brew kettle (those are hops in the sock he is smelling and running around with). James also spent a fair amount of time helping the dogs get dirty... as if they needed help.

Album http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/BrewingWeekend?authkey=SrS0XKmk6bQ

No baby yet.....

Doing the photo thing.

I am testing my ability to put a photo and a link to an album. Here is a photo of James and I in the Model A with his special seat.

Hit the link to see the album: http://picasaweb.google.com/TheLissybug/MichaelSTestAlbum?authkey=-M5oepvT7oI

Baby photos will be posted when the little rascal makes an appearance. Bets on August anyone?

MM

No Baby Yet!

But while we wait here's a picture from exactly 1 week ago. I stick straight out and James thinks it's very funny that he can see the bottom of my belly most of the time.

Busy with scissors

I thought it was a bit TOO quiet

Do not attempt to adjust your screen...

Michael here. I am learning to use this new-fangled blog thingy so when the time comes, I can post a few pictures and comments on the new baby. Bear with me as I try a few posts and then some photos in the coming days.

Elizabeth and James

Sandbox Fun

Michael made James a great sandbox. You can see Jamie's latest haircut in that last photo- he's looking SO grown up to me!