Tippets Family Reunion!

At the beginning of August, we took our first (and only) family summer vacation trip to Williamsburg, VA for a special treat: a Tippets family reunion. This was also our first road trip in the new family car, a Ford Explorer. As of right now, there are 28 members of the family, with 16 grandchildren. Aunt Alisa designed cool shirts for everyone and we all wore them for the great family photo (above).

From August 3-6, we all stayed in suite-style apartments for 3 days, courtesy of Jon's parents, at the Historic Powhatan Resort. Each suite had a kitchen, dining area, living area, large bedroom, outside patio, and hot-tub!

We enjoyed a Progressive breakfast at everyone's apartment on our first day there, then a family BBQ at the pavilion, and walks around the resort and historical sites later on. At the Friday BBQ after the photo shoot, Grandma and Grandpa gave all of the grandchildren copies of the family tree and shared family photographs, which was really neat.

Kira serves her cousins juice and donuts at the Progressive Breakfast

Kira also enjoyed finally being able to play with ALL of her cousins, and meeting Ben, Kelly, Teirza, and Taegeon for the first time was a real treat. While Kira didn't get to do all of the fun things her older cousins did, she still seemed to enjoy herself and have many "firsts." She got to go on her first sightseeing trip to Jamestown on a warm afternoon, and she went swimming for the first time in the resort's pool our last evening there.

Here are some of our other favorite photos from the trip.
When I look back at these pictures I think Kira really looks like Jon in these photos! Can't wait for the next reunion in 2013! :)


Kira enjoys the apartment and going for walks around the Resort:
























































Luckily, Kira seemed to really enjoy her stroller, which made it fairly easy to explore Jamestown, and even though all the paths were gravel and rather bumpy, she didn't seem to mind. She was a very pleasant traveler! :)

Extreme Couponer!

Caught red-handed...or should I say, coupon-handed! I guess I can't really say that Kira is clipping coupons so much as crumpling or tearing them beyond recognition. Good thing I only left out the expired ones! :)

First solids!

Today, Kira very happily tried her first rice cereal mixed with breastmilk. After we had Kira's 6 month appointment, we received the pediatricians "OK" to start solids. I'm really happy that I can say that Kira was breastfed for the first 6 months, and I didn't have to try giving her any cereal earlier to help her sleep. I think she likes it (and her bumbo chair)! :)

Way to go daddy! You're a pro!

Kira is a singer!

Lazy morning in bed... Kira is singing to wake up! :)

Happy 4th!

This year, we celebrated America's independence with Omi, Opa, Aunt Lisa, and Gershwin. Jon put together the new grill and made fantastic burgers while I fixed a ton of appetizers and snacks. Kira enjoyed her first 4th of July by hanging out for a bit in her swing while we dined and listened to the Capitol 4th on TV. Then it was time to head outside for fireworks in the backyard. Kira seemed to enjoy the fireworks, but Gershwin did not! He was especially frightened by the aerials that neighbors were setting off. It was quite a show, but Gershwin could not get himself far enough under the couch. Poor puppy!

Kira's first Orioles game!

Today, we enjoyed our first Orioles game at Camden yards as a family. Thanks to Matt and Amanda, we had fun taking Kira to her first game. While she was extremely cute in her Orioles outfit, unfortunately at the first good play by the Orioles, the crowd noise really scared Kira. She burst into tears and couldn't be consoled until I took her down to the concourse and walked her around. I had to gradually ease back into the stadium and every time the crowd erupted again, I was able to keep her calm by singing in her ear.

I also have to mention that the fan assistance at the stadium was AWESOME. They took us up to the club level so that I could feed and change Kira in privacy. They had converted old phone booths to "mom booths." Jon enjoyed walking around and getting to see the Orioles memorabilia, including the '83 World Series trophy.

Memorial Day BBQ

Memorial Day means two things: 1) Remembering and giving thanks for all those who have served our country and defended our nation so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have. 2) School is almost overl!!!

I'll be honest -- It has been tough these last few weeks, but luckily I was able to ease back into work by having to work for just a week before it was Spring Break, and then the end of the school year just flies from there.

Going back to work was difficult emotionally, but it was even more tricky trying to juggle childcare, lesson planning, grading, and all the other chores to be done. Luckily, Jon is such an amazing partner and daddy that we really share the responsibility of everything around the house (perhaps he even does a bit more). Well, I guess I do most of the photography... :)

First Mother's Day

For my first Mother's Day, I celebrated by going to Sears a few days before and having portraits taken with miss Kiraline. I wasn't expecting to love the pictures as much as I did, but the photographer was excellent and somehow managed to make Kira smile in every picture. So... I splurged and purchased the overpriced disk. You only have your first Mother's Day once, right? :)

Kira and Jon gave me a beautiful sapphire and diamond necklace and they each both gave me a dozen roses and some other goodies. Later that day, we went for a beautiful walk around our neighborhood. The temperature was perfect and the sunset was gorgeous over the mountains. Only a few more weeks until summer vacation and I get to spend all of my afternoons with my Kirabug! Here are my favorite shots from the studio:

Happy Easter!

Kira's first Easter was lots of fun... or maybe more fun for me because I had an excuse to put her in a basket and try out the bunny ears. She seemed to enjoy herself (for the most part!)

Kira is wearing the sweater and blanket my grandmother (Omi) knitted for my birth 30 years ago! :) Then we went outside to pose in the front yard with the beautiful daffodils.







































We also went to Omi and Opa's house during spring break, but Kira fell asleep. Here are the Easter baskets at our house. Can you guess which one I made for Jon? :)

Dancing feet!

At 14 weeks old, Kira loves to lay on her back and dance. I just need to find some music to add to this video! :)

Happy 30th Jon!

Well... no wild and craziness here! Just a little silliness! We went out to lunch at Alexander's in Buckeystown, then returned home for my mom's homemade German apple cake to celebrate her 65th birthday (on March 19) and Jon's 30th birthday (on March 20). The birthday boy wouldn't have been complete without his birthday hat, burp cloth and baby. :)

Lasses in Sunglasses

Like mother, like daughter. Just couldn't resist! Best $1 accessory ever!

Snowsuit and sass

Now that we are nearing the end of March, the chill is starting to disappear and most afternoons are warm enough to go for a daily walk around the neighborhood. Kira gets snuggled into her bear snowsuit and we grab the music toy, pacifier, and froggie blanket to get buckled into her carseat stroller for 30mins to an hour. When I'm not breaking a sweat at a quick pace, Kira puts up with my desire to put sunglasses on her and snap photos.