Get Well Wishes

Our brother-in-law and Mary's Big Uncle Dave is in the hospital this week. He just had surgery to remove kidney cancer. His surgery was very successful and he should be feeling like himself just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

We just wanted to remind Uncle Dave and all the Broadbents that they are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending lots of love from Maryland!

P.S. - This is far from a complete family photo. Sorry Muffy, Alex and Oliver. Maybe next year Mom and Dad will invite you to be in the picture :)

Twenty-three months

MC turns TWO in exactly one month! Life with an almost two year old is anything but boring. She has favorite songs (Allergies by the Bare Naked Ladies), favorite shows (Max and Ruby) and favorite foods............. oh wait no she doesn't. She hates to eat in the presence of her parents. It is very frustrating at meal times and often embarassing. Our apologies to the patrons of Potbelly Sanwiches in Annapolis last Saturday afternoon.

But all screeching aside she is a perfect little pumpkin and we are enjoying watching her grow.

One of her favorite things to do lately is to walk with Mommy to get the mail.

She always starts out very excited about the adventure to the mailbox.

Once that mail key is in her hand she is all business.

It is at this point that she usually starts asking if there are any lollipops in the mail box for her. That isn't even our mailbox. Ours is too high for her to reach so she pretends with our neighbor's mail box. Which is fine until she breaks the key off in their lock and is arrested for mail fraud. Once the mail (and sometimes lollipops -thank you Nana) is in our possession it is a mad dash back to the house to sit on the steps and see what treasures our mail lady has delivered.
This day she was thrilled to learn Lands End was having a sale on anoraks. "Ook Mommy, Mimi jacket". And this photo was taken seconds after I suggested we go inside and have dinner. She has perfected the Throw Yourself on the Ground and Go Limp.

By the time we get inside and she gets in her book basket all tantrums are forgotten. Being almost two sure is fun :)

Cookies or "Is my kitchen THAT cluttered?"

Large iced coffee...check
Multiple dish towels hanging from or sitting on most free surfaces...check
Window flair....check
Something on every square inch of my counters and island... check

Oh.my.goodness..... my sister was right! Eventually we all really do turn into our mothers!
(In my mother's defense, she would never have that much stuff on her fridge.)

Notice the pug at her feet praying for a dropped cookie

Mary 's first time "baking" with Mommy. Showing off Mimi's now famous Slice and Bake Pumpkin Cookies.

Trying to resist the temptation of the cookie doughYup. I let her try it.
Waiting for the cookies to bake was the hardest part.

And this is the face she gives me when I ask her to smile for the camera.

The cookies were a big hit. She shared them with the neighbors, her Daddy and her friends at daycare.

Edit: After posting this I was looking through old pictures online and came across this gem. It fit the baking theme and made me laugh out loud so I just had to share it.

Time Flies

When did they turn into little girls who love hand bags, pretend make up and pushing doll carriages?

Mary and Kennedy yesterday afternoon

Those same little sweethearts just about one year ago!

Last year at this time Kennedy's parents just found out she was going to be a big sister. It won't be long before Mimi and Kennedy are dressing this little guy up in doll clothes and forcing him to ride around in their doll carriages.

Don't let the serious expression fool you, he is quiet the love bug.

Would you like Fry-Fries with that?

Mary: "Where Daddy go?"
Me: "He's at work."
Mary: "Oh yeah, make money". "Where Georgie go?" (George is our pug)
Me: "Georgie is at home waiting for us."
Mary: "No, Georgie at work.....make fry-fries (french fries)."

So THAT explains the furry little polyester uniform I keep seeing in the laundry!

3 years ago.........

Three years ago today Chris and I were celebrating our marriage with most of our friends and family.

Just about every detail of that wonderful day still resonates with me. From the picture perfect weather (which I am sure was a wedding gift from my Dad) to hopping in the garishly decorated car at the end of the evening and every moment in between.

The two of us have grown to a family of three since Labor Day Weekend 2005. We've had our fair share of ups and downs since then. Luckily we've been blessed with more sunny days than cloudy ones.

Here's to spending a lifetime of sunny days (and cloudy) with my best friend!

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!