happy birthday, little one.

to our sweet and spunky little four year old, Happy Birthday!  and get well soon ... you woke up feeling so puny today (sad face).

spunk. pizzaz. energy. brains. humor!

Messina Hof, winery .

Took a tour of Messina Hof Winery this July (yes, it was warm out there!) and wow. It is amazing to see and hear about these vines, what makes them flourish, what hurts them, and see the entire wine making process.  I can't believe I have lived here since 1998 (mostly) and never been here!  Highly recommend to anyone around the area.  The owners are also super nice . . . was really neat hearing how they decided to start making wine.  They are always around and enjoy interacting with everyone that comes out to their place.  Here are a few shots of their vineyard, and one of their places they have a Bed and Breakfast. Oh! And their collection of antiques is fanTAStic, too.  Cheers!

rockin' the new school year.

Bittersweet time of year . . . end of summer, beginning of school, first day of school jitters.

I've missed you this week, J!  But I know you have some very lucky teachers to have a sweet and joyful boy like you in their class.
Looking forward to some lunch-dates once pre-school starts for little sister!

(pictures from the pre-braces era. more including the braces to come in the future!)

NYC streets, 6.

Things can be quite colorful in Times Square.  I'm getting a little Village People vibe from this one!

Party Barn, May 2013 .

Every year Dad's side of the family has their Ranch Party at the "Party Barn".  Got to take Jackson and actually go myself this year with some of us!  Good time to catch up with some, meet some others for the first time at the reunion beforehand, sit and listen to the GREAT music they had, and enjoy the beautiful weather we had that day! (this was in May)

NYC streets, 5.