A new day.

In honor of today's inauguration, we added to the music playlist, Air and Simple Gifts, the song that was played at the ceremonies by the quartet of Venezuelan-American pianist Gabriela Montero, Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman and African-American clarinetist Anthony McGill. You can more read about it here. It was beautiful!

The unsung lyrics go as follows:

"'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight."

What an extraordinary day.

BFF playdate!

The BFFs were finally reunited last night! Oh, and what fun they had! This was actually the first time that Tess and Kadie played together and hung out. They had such a blast playing with Kadie's new play kitchen and chasing each other around Kadie's house. Kadie even gave Tess a tour of her bedroom. And last but not least, Kadie's mom bought them the most adorable little cupcakes (ok, so they weren't so little) that were made for the two of them. All day today, Tess was walking around calling, "Kaaaaaadie, Kaaaaadie!"*

* As I am sure you can recall (if not, click here) she has had good practice saying this name. Finally she has another person that she can associate it with!

"Tess, it's been soooo long!"
Cupcake = smile

Tess' soon-to-be-demolished-and-then-eaten-by-Kadie's-dog-when-no-one-is-looking cupcake.

"Wow, Kadie - good idea using your finger. I am going to copy your every move."

"Can we come back tomorrow?"

BFF TV and juice break. Notice they are sporting their new BFF rings (that came in their cupcake - which is why Kadie looks like she is licking hers). Mmmmmm!
Fun playing with Kadie's castle
BFF chase (which went on for quite some time - yes, this was after the cupcakes... go figure)

What happened to the sunshine?

That is what Tess was asking herself when she got back home after our trip to visit Uncle Mike in Vero Beach, Florida last weekend. She was also asking us why in the heck we live in Michigan?! We didn't know what to tell her as we were wondering the same thing ourselves.

We had a great time seeing Uncle Mike. We hung out at the beach, did some swimming in the pool at the hotel, partied and danced at the cute little street fair that they had right in front of our hotel and even made a stop at Downtown Disney to shop and eat. So fun!

Waiting patiently to get on the "air pane"

Notice her DVD player on her lap.

It is the whole reason why we are being patient here.

Having a snack at the restaurant on the beach
Tess just put Mom's sunglasses on Mom's face and thought it was the most fun ever
Little Bunny butt checking out the ocean

Tess and "Meena" going for a walk on the beach

With Daddy

Papa, Meena and Tess

Uncle Mike!

The gang at dinner

Tess and Papa ready for the beach

Checking out the view

Hard at work

This is fun!

Chillin' out

Meena and Sailor Tess

Tess contimplating whether she is going to get up and dance at the street party

Dancing with Papa and Meena

Finally grooving on her own!


Tess with Daddy... and Daddy (She routinely calls Buzz Lightyear "Daddy". There is a resemblance!)

With Papa on the carousel at Downtown Disney

Tess with her fav lego character, Norman
(To see how much Tess has grown since she was at this spot in March 08, click here and scroll to the end.)

With Daisy and "Don-Duk!"

Great trip!

Happy New Year!

Festive Tess

(handy option: this picture could also be substituted for a passport picture or a mug shot, if needed)

Tess just returned from a great trip to West Virginia where she got to see Grandma and Grandpa Tillman and Uncle Mark. She made out like a bandit and was lucky enough to inherit her Dad's old school desk which fits her perfectly! So fun!

Tess coloring at her new work station

Dad and Tess taking a timeout on the way to the Greenbrier (if you look close you can see mountains in the windows)
Pouty Tess in front of a neat bird tree at the Greenbrier

Tess with Grandpa and Grandma in front of another cool tree at the Greenbrier

Daredevil Tess touching an ice sculpure at the Greenbrier (it says "Happy New Year 2009")

Uncle Mark and Tess (who is sporting her cute outfit from Uncle Mark) at our fave spot, Pies & Pints