Weekending

 On Saturday while we were working on getting more of the house packed up I came across these two disposable cameras left over from our wedding almost thirteen years ago. They still had pictures to be taken so I set them aside to show to the girls when I had a moment. For as old fashioned as they are a camera with film was totally mind boggling to them. "I look in where?" "I wish I could see the pictures!" "Developed?!" Once they understood they had such fun taking pictures. Now, just to find somewhere to get them developed. It's been ages since I've needed to do that!

 Since Dave's parents and Donna and Peter had been out on the Cape they decided to stop by on their way home so they could celebrate David and Grace's birthdays with them. 

 The cool thing about having a grandma who's a college Chemistry professor is that you can score some pretty cool lab equipment for your birthday! 

 She was fascinated by the various slides that were gifted to her with the microscope. 

Thank you, Grandma Joan and Grandpa Ron for the fabulous microscope! 

This gift will surely be loved for years and years to come! 

Later that afternoon it was off to the mall with Aunt Donna and Uncle Peter for a special trip to the American Girl store. When the Doll of the Year is named Grace like you are and lives in Massachusetts like you do it just needs to be your birthday gift! Thank you, Donna and Peter, for such a special trip in honor of her upcoming special day! 

 Sunday we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the Wayside Inn and were very enchanted by these sweet soldiers in the gift shop. 

 Then it was back home and right back to packing. These two never cease to amaze us with their dedication to whatever the project or task at hand is. We are so grateful and so blessed to have such incredible helpers. 

Looking at this pile of pictures I was struck by how much living was represented here. From college to our wedding to life as a family of four this pile represents all that's gone on in our lives since we graduated from Hartford in 1999. It's incredible to think that we're packing up our house to have the wounds from the Epic Winter That Was finally fixed (along with some projects we've been looking forward to doing since the day we bought this sweet place back in November 2003). It's going to be quite a journey over the next several weeks and we'll be sure to keep you updated along the way! xo

{This Moment} A Dream Come True

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single  photo - no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you the loveliest of weekends! xo

Tuesday Night. At The Mall.

There was.....

trying on funky sunglasses

and lovely headbands.  

a visit to the American Girl store. 

dessert (of course).

And looking fabulous while waiting for dessert. 

Followed by enjoying dessert while walking through the mall like they're 15 and 16 years old. 

Which lead to a visit to "Daddy's store" (of course) 

where they checked out all the super cool new things and entertained David and his friends with all their stories.

It was such a delightful way to spend the night. The mall was quiet and Grace and Emma were the only littles there (at least the only littles that I saw). It was amazing and wonderful and truly fabulous. As we wandered through the mall, the three of us hand in hand in hand, I couldn't help but (once again) think how truly blessed we are to live this most amazing lifestyle. I love that there was nothing stopping the three of us from heading out to the mall on a Tuesday evening. I love how much they love being together (with each other and with David and I, too). I love seeing them check things out, show things to each other ("Emma, you've just got to see this!") and how they can window shop with the best of them. I love how they love to surprise David whenever we are there and how they have all sorts of stories to tell his friends when we are visiting (Emma's tonight all started with "Don't forget...."). On the drive home, with the windows down and the three of us singing along to the songs in our iTunes playlist, I realized that this is what bliss is. I found myself thinking ahead to life ten years from now, and then twenty, knowing in my soul that this bond that the four of us share, that this bliss that exists, will always be this strong. And just when I think I couldn't be any more grateful for all that this incredible life has given me I am!

Grace and Emma Take Gramma to American Girl

On Friday Grace asked if we could take Gramma to the American Girl Store.  She had been wanting to take Gramma there since the first time we went and so it was decided that we would head over there for dessert after we had a small lunch. 

And it was after this picture was taken that my camera died.  We spent a couple hours poking around the AG store.  It was longer than we had poked around before.  Lots of dreaming was happening, and I think it's safe to say that it was not just the little girls who were capitvated by the magic of this place.