We're Mobile!!! (Finally!)

Eleven months later... We are mobile!

We got a car this week and took our first road trip today! We drove to Cambridge - anything to get out! Note to selves: there's not much to see before 10am on a Sunday but by noon, it's swamped! Students are up (looking rather bleary from Sat night), tourists are out, buildings are open and the market is up and running. We never thought it would be as chilly as it was! (Lots of ice on houses and cars!) Luckily, it was only a quick trip. Not much sightseeing today!

Cambridge is a gorgeous town/ city! We need to go back for more than a quick stroll and coffee and scones (anything to get out of the city!)! I played typical tourist and took tons of pics, much to Greg's chagrin!

Overall, the small trip was a success: Greg did a FANTASTIC job driving - thanks to his new girlfriend TomTom Jane (no relation to Tarzan). Gotta love her directions (fully equipped with the British accent)! There were no car incidents to report: No mirrors were taken off, no shrubs side-swiped (note this, U.Jim!), no little men nudged (note to you, A.Julie). It was a huge success! Next time it's Sara's turn to drive.... eeek!

Greg in the right-hand drive! (Driver's seat passenger = nail-biting seat!)

Sara and Julia on the bridge over the river with the punt (boat) rides. (Not sure what it's called.)

Julia playing.

One of the schools, or a cathedral???

It was all exhausting for the little man.

Julia at 2 1/2 (going on at least 5)

Julia after a long day...Just chillin' and waiting to go to bed.

Julia and Sarah have the same jammies!! So fun!

A girl is just trying to learn how to pee! Can we not get any privacy, mom?

Hi! It's Julia again! I'm now 2 1/2 (or 5, depending on when you ask). I weigh 15 kg (30 lbs) and I'm not sure how tall I am but mom says I'm growing fast because my pants are all getting short. I'm getting bigger every day! I like to do lots of fun things: I like to play with my friends Sarah (see above), Laynie, Lea, Louis and Victor. I like to go to the park, to tumble tots and, of course, to school. At school, I like to read, paint, play in the kitchen and to sing. I'm in Miss Chloe's group and I LOVE her. I like all my teachers though: Miss Chloe, Miss Laura, Miss Pip and Miss Kim. I also like to brush my teeth. I do it at least 3 times a day. I have a Dora toothbrush and Dora toothpaste. I have bright shiny teeth! I'm sure Dora helps keep them clean!

My favorite shows are Dora the Explorer, Diego (her cousin), Max & Ruby, and Little Bears. My favorite movies are Sharktale, Madagascar and Nemo. Mom lets me watch them on some weekends and when I'm sick.

I'm almost ready to wear big girl undies.... I'm almost potty trained (see photo above) but not quite. Mom says I'm pretty close and that I will get a special treat when I'm all done.

I like playing with my brother, Marco, but I don't like it when he plays with my toys. Mom says I have to share because it's a nice thing to do but I'm not sure I believe her. Marco just puts everything in his mouth. He also follows me around which makes me mad. I do like it, however, when he laughs at me, which he does all the time. I must be really REALLY funny.

I sleep in my big girl bed every night. I like it alot. I can jump really high on it. Mom scolds me when I do this. She says I'm going to hit my head like the three little monkeys but I'm not too sure. I think she might be kidding. Doesn't she know that's a song?

I still talk alot. Mom still says I have the gift of gab. I'd like to think I can get my point across. She says I sound like a grown up sometimes and that someday I'm going to give dad a run for his money. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but it makes her laugh..... Mom also says I'm really loud and that I take after my dad's family. Dad doesn't agree.

I don't like going to bed at night (what am I missing?). I usually get up at least twice - to get kitty, to tuck in all my animals, or to sing. Daddy gets mad but I can hear him laugh and tell mom that he thinks I'm funny. I also don't like to eat vegetables and to get my hair washed. Mom and dad make me do both. Not fun.

Gotta go! Mom is putting me to bed. (So not fun!)

January Fun!

With all the lovely winter weather (cold and snow) we try to find creative ways to keep busy inside........

Rub a dub dub, two Milani's in a tub!

Look at the big crawler!! (Watch out!)

Marco's first playdate. His friend Max! (Max's big sister is Julia's friend Madison.)

Let it snow!!!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!!

Julia in her snow gear! Getting ready to walk to school (and make snowballs along the way)!

The view from our window!

We awoke this morning to a nice blanket of snow! There was at least 1 inch covering the ground! Fun for the kids, not so fun for mom and her 12-wheel ride (think: stroller). It was a bit slippery but fun for the little snow bunnies who like to make snowmen and throw snowballs... All the way to school.

Never a dull moment in cheery old London.

Julia's things....

It's January in London and wet wet wet. Luckily it hasn't been that cold...yet. It's okay though because I like wearing my big parka, my wellies and jumping in puddles. I also like riding the bus, going to school and playing with playdough. Here are some more of my favorite things:

Baking with Nana because she lets me take lots of tastes of the batter and she lets me lick the bowl.
Playing with my friends Laynie (above) and Lea (below).

Jumping in muddy puddles like Peppa Pig. My cute pink wellies and my Dora umbrella that my cousins Nina and Greta gave me. (Sadly, the umbrella was retired.... daddy couldn't fix it...)

Going to museums.

Reading stories before bed with daddy.

Shopping in museum gift-stores where they have the BEST things.

Bath time!

Marco LOVES his bath time!
Mom says I need swimming lessons soon. She says I might be the next Ian the Albatross, but shorter. She says I don't have a chance to come close to his 7 foot wing span - whatever that means. I'm perfectly happy flapping around in the tub for now! Check back in ten years though... I may be breaking records!

Marco at 7 Months!

We have all sorts of new "tricks" at 7 months! The big boy likes to eat real food in his big boy chair! His favorite foods thus far: Tortilla, Cheerio's, pears, pear and apple porridge and, of course, cookies! We are SURE he will like all the good food groups like ice cream, candy, etc.

Oooops, but sometimes this eating food thing is too tiring. After a long day and a good meal there's nothing like a little cat nap at the wheel!

Marco can also crawl -- not up on all fours yet but he gets around very quickly! He does the military drag (on elbows) and he's mighty fast! Watch out!!

His favorite toys are his sisters toys - all of them. And, vice versa: she likes his! (For the record: the ladybug purse is not his.)

Finally, Marco likes to play with his sister and her friends. He LOVES the girls to pay attention to him... little ladies man!

PS.....

Julia will miss Nana the most because she lets her lick the bowl.... literally!

Adios, Nana!!

Nana and Julia reading the Night Before Christmas on Christmas eve!

Nana reading to Julia and Marco.

Nana with us at the National Gallery.

Nana, Sara and Denise at Portobello Market.

Nana and Julia during one of their many cooking adventures!

After one tasty pasty, one chicken pot pie, several baking extravaganzas and numerous outings, Nana wrapped up a three week stay and went state-side. Our fridge will never be as full as it was. We will probably experience sugar withdrawal since most of the hundreds of yummy things are gone. Nevertheless, we all had fun. Julia and Marco, in particular, will miss their story hour with nana. No one can read a book like she can.

Miss you, Nana! Come back soon!!

Dress Up, Anyone?

I'm Julia and I LOVE to dress up! I like to dress up as a fairy or in my mommy's clothes and my daddy's shoes. Sometimes I strip down and just wear wings or whatever I can find! I also like to dance, particularly with my friend Alex. She has the BEST dress-up clothes and is the BEST dance partner!!



Catch the fairy if you can!
Dancing fairies!


Tiger ears, fairy wings and daddies smelly running shoes!!! The BEST outfit EVER!!!

Merry Merry Christmas!

From our little elves to yours! We wish everyone a Merry Merry Christmas, or as they say here a "Happy" Christmas, and a Happy New Year. xoxo

Greg with his mulled wine, nana, Julia and Marco in Covent Gardens.

We JUST missed mass at St. Paul's! RATS!!! Instead here's a photo op outside! BRRRRRRR!!! It's cold!

Mr. Moo and his new train!

Zee kissing bandit

Allo, my name ez Marco Mee-lani end I em zee kissing band-eet. I like tu kiss zee ladies... end zee men too but mostly zee ladies. I like to latch on end kiss kiss kiss. Eef u let me, I will 'old on for very long. Ere are pictures of me kissing....


Ere I am kissing my auntie Julie.

End going in for zee kill with cousin Brooke.

Oh yes, my Godmother Michelle.

End... Unkie Andy.

More pics!

Julia, Greg, Freddie & Cal at the zoo.....



Freddie, Marco & Cal.




Marco, Sara, Kevin Jose & Beth

Andy, Cathy, Greg & Sara in Carmel.

Pictures from California

Here are some pics from the past month!

In the tub with Freddie and Calvie.

Greg and the kids.

Alex, Marco & Julia.

The lost month!

We're back!!!!!

It's been a long time since our last posting. In the past month we've logged 6,000 + airmiles and several hundred land miles (traveling between Sacramento and the bay area). We've consumed thousands of kcals in foods that we miss (Vic's, Chinese food, Mexican food, Vic's, Jose's fabulous Spanish taps, Vic's, etc.). And, most importantly, we spent a great deal of much needed time with friends and family. We didn't get to see and visit with everyone but we did pretty well for only being state-side for a month. For those of you we missed, we hope to see you next time we are home, or - better yet - we hope that you visit us here in sunny (eek! erase that) - rainy, cold and dreary - ol' England.

Highlights from this past month include:

• Julia and Marco getting reacquainted with their cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
• Marco's ever-improving dexterity and hand-eye coordination. The little champ is sitting up by himself, feeding himself (well, he can hold a cookie which counts for something!), and grabbing everything that's not nailed down.
• Marco's evolution into the kissing bandit! Watch out, you may be the next victim!
• Julia's excellent singing prowess. She knows the words to several songs and she will sing on command!
• Julia's rekindled admiration for Calvie and Freddie, whom she bossed around incessantly. (Not sure where she gets those genes.)
• Sara & Greg taking a much-needed kid-less couple of days in Carmel. Cathy and Andy joined us for part of the time which was such a treat!
• Visiting with Ann and Dave who were out from Colorado.
• Marco's baptism with godparents Paul and Michelle.
• Good food.
• Vic's (in a category by itself, of course.)

More about MGM!

HI!!!

I'm almost 6 months old! Look how big I'm getting! I take a few spills here and there but overall I'm doing really well and getting REALLY big!!!

I have two bottom teeth coming in. I like to practice biting. I particularly like biting fingers (not mine). I also like to pull hair. I'm really good at grabbing things - hair, earrings, skin (which makes my mommy scream), anything that's within reach so watch out!

I've started to eat real food too! I eat porridge, apple sauce and peas. I'm not too keen on the peas but mommy keeps shoving them in my mouth when I laugh! NO fair!! Sometimes she tries to distract me with toys but I'm on to her. Somehow she sneaks that icky green stuff in.... So crafty, my mommy!

I'm very good at rolling around. Mommy cannot leave me on a bed anymore b/c I will roll off (which I've been known to do). Often I roll across the living room and get lodged under a chair! I think it's really funny!

I'm just starting to sit up but I still need some help. My sister thinks it's funny when I topple over. She laughs at me. I love it when she laughs at me -- I laugh back.

My favorite things are: My jumper (still), my playmat (see above), my excersaucer, my stuffed lion, Kenny the kangaroo, and, of course, my sister.

It's naptime! I've gotta run! (Well, more like roll over.....)