The Newest addition to our Family

Last weekend we stopped at a thrift store in Salem, looking for Jeremy's LOST costume and we ended up with more than a jumpsuit. We adopted a new member into our family:

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!

Now, before you jest - I found this Buzz and we got him for $3. When Maeby say him she raised him high up into the air and said "Buzz yiteyea to de yescue!" translation: "Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!"

She has not let him go since - he goes with us everywhere. She sleeps with him, she eats with him and he comes with us in every car ride. He not only a new member into our family, but a key part of Maeby's posse which includes Buzz, Jessie and Shirley Bear.

She also loves making Jessie and Buzz kiss - however, recent developments may include Maeby getting jealous of their relationship as Jessie is frequently thrown out of the crib while Maeby and Buzz and Shirley remain in bed.

Dharma Baby

If there is one thing anyone who knows our family knows about us, is that we are HUGE LOST nerds. Yup, we are and proud of it. In fact just yesterday I met a lady who said "Oh, you guys are the LOST family". Never met the woman before in my life, just a friend of the in-laws.

On May 23rd we said Namaste to our beloved show in grand, LOST party style complete with costumes, themed food, submarine ride (yeah, you heard me) and initiation into our Dharma Barracks.

Since Maeby's been born she has had a LOST shirt for every premier and finale.

Her very first LOST shirt (2009):

For Season 5 Finale:

Season 6 Premier shirt (says "You All Everybody, Demo Tape"):

This was her final LOST shirt - on the back (not pictured) it says "It only ends once":

Its CRAZY to see how much she's grown.....

Maeby and I dressed up together for the finale (I was dressed as a Dharma Medic):

I made a cake for our party. In case you can't tell (and I wouldn't blame you if you couldn't) Its a backgammon board (yes, the dice are even edible):

Now that LOST is over we are completely at a loss.....what excuse will we have now to dress up in costumes for a TV show, make nerdy clothes for Maeby and find ways to eat a LOT of food one night a week with friends? Who knows.....who knows.....

Ms. Mae Goes to Washington! And Other Grand Adventures!

Some of you might know, but others may not, that recently Maeby and I headed to the Nation's Capital for my sister Amy's wedding.

If Maeby could have done this (see below) the whole time we were back east, she would have been the happiest kid alive!

Sights of DC:

Washington Memorial (view from Lincoln Memorial):

Mr. Lincoln:

Vietnam Memorial (aka "the wall"):

Outside the White House - yes, she is her father's daughter:

Mount Vernon (Pres. Washington's House):

Maeby was standing there talking to this dummy for the longest time until she got annoyed that he wasn't talking back at her.

Most of her naps were taken in the car between sights. She slept pretty well on the road:

Cafe Deluxe - while not a National Monument, a ridiculously good eat and Maeby gets her first taste of Diet Coke thanks to her grandpa.

Marine Memorial:

Maeby & Grandpa Eskelsen:

Arlington National Cemetery:

National Cathedral:

Maeby's self portrait - she grabbed my camera, turned it upside down and clicked the button, I LOVE this picture:

Durring the sealing (aka wedding) while we were in the D.C. LDS Temple where my sister was married, Maeby was being watched in the visitor's center and after running a few laps around the inside crawled behind the curtain and fell asleep.

D.C. LDS Temple & Wedding Pictures:

Grandpa with Ilse & Maeby:

Maeby and I with my parents:

Maeby and her two cousins who were there; Tommy & Ilse:

D.C. LDS Temple:

After the marriage in D.C. we drove down to my parents house in Concord North Carolina. As per family tradition we were put to work.

Maeby and her Great Grandma Jan were supervising the spreading of mulch:

After a wonderful snack of yogurt she decided to use her spoon to help:

After ending up such a mess that my family looked weary of her entering the newly cleaned - ready for reception house, Maeby got hosed down:

She did escape her cleaning and her uncle David brought her back to finish the job and get a towel around her:

Cooling off in Nana and Grandpa Eskelsen's pool:

It was really fun for me to watch Maeby play with toys I played with as a kid:

Maeby with her aunt Amy and her new uncle Josh:

She was a fan of the food:

She was also a fan of opening presents:

Even though it was a long trip Maeby was a good little travel buddy and had lots of fun and giggles the whole time. She did awesome.

We're very excited for Amy and Josh and wish them all the happiness in the world!

Under the Sea!

I teach the WaterBabies and WaterKids classes at our local pool. Every session we take underwater pictures of all of the kids and even though I take Maeby at least once a week I have NEVER gotten any underwater pictures of her, that is until now!

Yup, me in a swimsuit.

I love taking our little swimmer to the pool and she makes an excellent demonstrator, even when she throws tantrums. She LOVES water and I'm so glad I get to teach her how to have fun and be safe in water - its a great thing we get to share together, not to mention the fact it wears her out and she always sleeps REALLY well after swimming :)

Isaac & Maeby Playtime

I took some video of Maeby playing with one of her friends, Isaac. He has probably been Maeby's friend the longest. So fun together.