Shayla and Jason came over today with their kids, Terefech and Braxton, for a backyard BBQ and hangout. It was so great to see them! And here, the obligatory kids picture.  

From the bath, to the pool, to the aquarium! Baylie took Meryl to the aquarium yesterday for some sub-terrarium fun! I looooooved aquariums as a kid, so I can't wait to go back!

Well, almost all of us are smiling:) Reunion at the Mahan's new compound on Bainbridge Island. (Little do they know that we'll be making more trips out here to sneak on to their beach!)

Today was 'baby shower Molly' day! We met for lunch on Bainbridge Island and simply had to go toy shopping so that Meryl could pick out a few favorites for her cousin arriving in July. Meryl might have ended up with a few things for herself too. (Frank made a bunch of freezer meals as well.)

Charlotte flew all the way from Berlin to have breakfast with Meryl! OK, she's here to be the flower girl in her aunt's wedding this weekend. Going out to eat at times when normal people aren't is our jam these days. And it was so much fun to catch up with Lisa and Jeremy, hear about life in Europe, and swap kid tips and tricks.

Kristi and Erin jetted in from their vacation in Greece just to have dinner with Meryl! OK, they've been back for a bit, but it's a sunny night and we're grilling!

So I can keep posting pictures like these. (She could also easily fit-in in a retirement community in Florida.)

Good for brain development; or as Meryl has decided, good for hair as well! (Lummi approves too.) 

The temperature was in the nineties today, and while stocking up on freshly made tortillas from the tortilleria before heading home, I saw Mexican paleta popsicles out of the corner of my eye. While traveling, Meryl has been eating everything we've been eating...an escape from purees! Sharing a popsicle with Meryl was such a highlight to the weekend, she could not stop giggling and smiling! And then she craaaaashed. Learned our lesson, but girl, that was fun!

With tasting notes of leather and a little slobbery on the finish, but cheerful and fun! We braved the holiday traffic with our Cellar Dwellers wine drinking crew for a weekend of wine tasting and Mexican food for every meal. (I loooooooove Mexican food. And we will no doubt be coming back with tamales and tortillas, and as many varieties of jalapeño and spicy flavored chips I can find.)