Split open and MELT

We're sorry that there haven't been any blog posts lately, but that doesn't mean we haven't had the batteries in our camera charged. Some things you've missed if you haven't been here: Jason's Boston Creme Pie for his birthday, Anya sitting up, Jack and his FUTBOL adventures, Lucia's tiger roar to protest her TWO ear infections, and everybody (including el perro Chaplin) playing in the leaves.

super-sized summer posting

Coming up to Labor day and, man, it feels like we've put an exclamation point on summer! The photos below are snippets from grandpa Meyler's great visit, a Brewers' game, Jack's b-day and b-day fiesta, first days of school for Jack and Lucia, as well as many sweet moments in between.

summer 2011

Summer's in full swing! We've celebrated Lucia's birthday; we enjoyed our block party; Tia Maggie and cousin Elke came out for a visit (and took more pictures than we did - see their blog on the right); we've gone to a couple farmers' markets; and we've been teaching Anya to smile, laugh, pull hair, and shake a rattle. Loads of fun, no?

pasándolo bien con Anya

Hola y Feliz Verano: Truth is that summer appeared for about two days and we haven't seen really warm and dry weather for weeks. Been having a good summer though: gymnastics, summer playground, kiddie pools, block party, birthday celebrations galore. Aunt Maggie's coming out with Elke before too long and we hope others will make the trip to see one sweet little Anya and her siblings. Enjoy the pics...

Welcome Baby Anya

Our beautiful little baby was born on Sunday the 17th. Some notes of interest:

1. We're surprised to say it's a GIRL! (Jack and Lucia were not surprised)
2. Name = Anya Louise (middle name is a homage most immediately to great-grandma meyler and grandma stanley)
3. Born 7lbs 14oz - just like Jack
4. Anya has adorably chubby cheeks - somewhat unlike Jack and Lucia
5. Anya has two very excited siblings who are proud to be big brother and big sister
6. Anya is now home
7. Anya has a tired mother who is doing well with the new addition
8. Anya has a tired father who is doing well with the new addition
9. Anya thanks you for your well wishes and hopes you enjoy the following pictures -

it's almost time for the new addition to our family

April has arrived with some lingering cool weather, but we'll take the sun when it pops out. Speaking of popping out, the little one in mama's belly has dropped into pole position and is getting close to making its appearance. Mom and dad are filled with that strange mixture of excitement and nervousness, while the kids are busy planning all the things that they will teach they baby such as: going potty, doing summersaults, to dance, and to go to sleep. Keep your celphones charged as we're expecting the new one any day now...

busy times...

We had some busy times during the holidays as we were with loving families, great food, gnomes, cookies, rescue animals and more. We also missed being with other friends and family that we love so dearly...

last posting of the year???

"There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces you meet;"

Sad News

On October 19th, Jason's mother passed away. Enjoy these incredible pictures of a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt... What a woman!

Here's the obituary posted by the Funeral Home - HERE.

Hungarian vacation

We finally have a couple of new stamps in our passports thanks to our decision to attend Michael and Eszter's wedding in Hungary. We had a beautiful time enjoying walking the city of Budapest, drinking palinka, sampling the local fare (mmmmm venison stew), meeting new people and reconnecting with some former aquaintances, kicking butt in bocce, perfecting the Hungarian phrase for "I would like two more Jagermeisters please," dancing till dawn and then some, and, very importantly, sleeping until we woke up on our own accord. Please note we couldn't have done this without the generous offer from Grandma Stanley - aka abuelita or "beeta" as Lucia says - to stay with the kids. The last pictures below are from our return to Milwaukee. As jetlagged as we were, there was a bit of time to take abuelita to a Brewers game and one more night of story time together.

Block Partying and Baby Girl turns TWO

Summer is in full swing as we have our block party; Lucia has her birthday party; Jack meets his junior kindergarten teacher; and, mom and dad prepare for a trip to Hungary without the bambinos. We've got some great pictures to share and hopefully we'll have lots more after our short little trip.

99 pictures downloaded from the camera today

I'm sure many people have this issue with digital cameras: so many pictures taken, so long to download them and to share them. In this batch, you'll see grandpa nudge's visit, crazy hat day, our refurbished bench, Jack @ the farm, playing in the backyard, Kat's TRES LECHES birthday cake and our NEW little shade garden. Woohoo! We'll be sure to take many pictures of our summer adventures, but we can't promise fast turn around times on the downloading.

Breakin' in Spring

Spring Break is over and we are back to work, but we had a nice relaxing week.
We went "up North" for a few days and enjoyed sunny days chasing bubbles and watching the sunset over the frozen lake! Grandpa Nudge also came out for a few days and kept us company...overall it was a great vacation - as long as we don't include our NCAA brackets.

Come on SPRING!!!

Ugh - winter is still sticking around. The forecasters called for light snow showers totaling maybe an inch the other day and they got it pretty wrong. Dada walked up the driveway through about 4 inches. Our days have been spent mainly inside going to museums, the domes, open gyms and the like. Mama has been as patient as can be with us - dealing with our sicknesses and our high energy level. Enjoy this latest batch of pictures that help to tell the story.

Christmas 2009

We're so glad 2009 ended and a visit from Mack, BB and Callista helped us beyond belief. The holiday vacation is just about over, but we've made the most of our time by going to the domes, visiting the Sprecher brewery, making yummy food, eating said food, scraping ugly blue paint off beautiful wood, installing a new kitchen faucet, weathering incessant colds, sniffles and the occasional pink eye, shoveling a little bit of snow, lamenting the cancelation of Dollhouse, making snow people on top of snow pyramids, spending a bit of time with awesome friends and neighbors, and, celebrating the arrival of BABY BEATRIX STANLEY SANDER. In short, 2010 has started off normally and may it continue to be so for you and yours!!

Falling colors

It's been a very, long time since our last post - school and the little ones have been keeping us busy! Jack now loves school (or Work as he often calls it - I guess when both parents work at school that could be confusing). Lucia is a busy, little bee and very bosy, but most of the time it is cute, even when annoying. Her vocabulary is expanding daily, but she still drops all the last sounds and is therefore difficult to understand. Below are some pictures of Abuelita's visit (when we all got the flu), Halloween and Fall in the leaves. Enjoy!!!

New School x Three

Happy New School Year to All! Kat and Jason have started the school year off just fine, but the big news is that JACK has started pre-school. Week number one made him feel a bit like number two, but there were bright moments amongst all the tears. Take care all and send kind wishes to Mack and BB - no labor as of Labor Day - but they're close.



Got my Triceratops Mochila filled with goodies to make it through the day.

It was a bit chilly for the first day of school, but good ole Lucia was ready for some alone time.

Jack was asked to decorate this paper person in his own image. The boy's on an acorn trip as of late.

US: How was school, Jack?

JACK: It was GREAT, but I missed you guys and I cried.

US: We missed you, too, buddy. To celebrate let's have some...

CORN!!!!

Mid-Summer Pictures 2009

Hi everyone - I know it's been a while, but Jason's been busy with writing and summer school. Kat's been chasing the kids. Luckily we've been enjoying the summer with some friends and we're looking forward to a trip to see Grandma and Grandpa Meyler down in Texas. We'll post some more pictures before school starts (for Jason, Kat and JACK!) at the end of the month. For now, enjoy a couple of our favorite shots.

June

Little Miss Lucia Bean is up and walking and celebrated her 1st birthday - so no matter her size, she is now officially a toddler. And just like her brother, she is crazy adventurous - climbing everything in her sight and chasing Jack around, like he chases Chaplin. So needless to say - us parents are getting our exercise! Here are some pictures from the last month.

A simple tribute to the mother of the Milwaukee Meyler household. We love you so very much. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers!!