Happy New Year!

We rang in the new year by going on a family walk over to Broad Street to enjoy the Mummer's Parade.

Our 2009 felt like The Year of Advent with most of the year focused on the arrival of our little Alma. (She was definitely worth the wait!)

However, in glancing at the photos we snapped this year, our year was more than simply waiting. We had a great year with family, friends, trips, work, outdoor adventures, weddings, birthdays and so much else. This might have been my favorite year ever ... I really enjoyed 2009.

Here's to a joyful 2010 with time to wonder at all the blessings in our lives.

Phillies are the ___ Champs!!!

Things around here have been crazy:
1. Joshua turns 30!
2. Phillies win the World Series less than a mile from our house
3. Halloween wonderfulness with the greatest neighbors ever
4. Fall colors are almost here!
5. Simon cuts open his face ... the big scar is forming now. Poor puppy.
6. The computer breaks: we are forced to delay blog posts and borrow photos of these events.

PHILLIES MADNESS (2 million people flock into the city to celebrate at the parade):


The beginning of the Fall colors with a classmate, Cathy and Simon:


More coming soon!

29 is not quite 30

Another great birthday weekend....

Friday night: Dinner at my favorite neighborhood pub, POPE, which stands for Pub on Passyunk East. (Although who doesn't want to drink with the POPE?! He's German so I bet he would be a great drinking partner.)

We got all dressed up and walked the few blocks to the pub. It was especially fun because the weather was great and it was prom night so there were lots of people-watching opportunities. Coming home we got caught in a sudden rain shower, which is always fun!

Saturday morning in bed: Yummy chocolates from South America (Thanks, Kate and Neal!) and presents. A beautiful shirt from the Gap, a lotus bowl from Ten Thousand Villages and a CD of meditation music. What a bounty!

Saturday: Hanging out the M&D, B&B and Little Flicker Francis. He is getting bigger and even cuter. Big event for the day was watching him take a sponge bath!

Saturday night: After Joshua came home from his rugby match on Long Island, we went over to a bbq at our friend's house. Dan and Sarah are great -- they made a cake and had party hats. It was really fun.

Sunday: Phillies vs. Cubs with a bunch of friends. Phillies lost in the 10th. The entire game was exciting, which I believe is somewhat rare for baseball. (Oops, we didn't take a picture of everyone, I guess.)

I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to hang out with my wonderful husband, family and friends all weekend! It really was a great birthday weekend. I'm actually looking forward to the next one!