Andi's Birthday, Purim Pictures

Well, it's been quite a month. Highlighting some good things that have happened over the last month, we had a great birthday celebration for Andi and we had some fun Purim celebrations at the preschool and other places. This weekend, we went kite flying and to the San Jose Children's Museum.

These first pictures are from mid-March, but we just had to start with them. Ariella and Jonah are at the stage where they play beautifully together, for the most part. You can see how happy they are.



This one's now our background screen:


Backing up now to late February, we escaped to Mill Valley for a visit with the Austins. Here, Rick reads to Jonah and Abby. Obviously, Abby is surprised by something Rick is reading about Elmo.


Jonah learns from Abby how to turn on the stereo to full-blast volume.


Ariella, at her weekly dance class, with Adelaide.


After finishing his own popsicle (pronounced, by Jonah, "pop-i-kul"), he lunges for Ariella's. She isn't having any of it.


Jonah, with Jack (son of Rachel and Shane). Jonah's T-Shirt says it all! (T-shirt designed by cool T-shirt designer Philli Lissoos and more information at http://www.lissoos.com/)


Jonah is fascinated that Daddy can hold him and snap a picture with the camera at the same time.


On Andi's birthday, Rick and the kids surprised her with flowers, cards, presents, and chocolate-covered strawberries. More chocolate was consumed by the kids before Mommy woke up than afterwards...


Andi and Ariella proudly show off their matching jammies on Andi's birthday.


The boys reluctantly agree to be photographed in such a state. Rick had to actually figure out the camera timer to make this happen!


Out to brunch on the actual birthday with the kids.


We had a party with friends. Here are Jonah, Andi, Abby and Julie.


Ariella and Isabel wait for cake, with Cole watching on.


Noah, Jonah, and Andi.


The whole family, March 9, 2008.


Later in March, we celebrated Purim. This was at one of the local synagogues.


Ariella, showing off a Purim crown - she was the queen.


We went to the JCC Preschool for their Purim carnival and parade. Jonah was a bumblebee.


Ariella, along with friend Emily.


Jonah, Andi, and Ariella in the parade, along with friend Cole.


Then we went to another local synagogue for their Purim carnival. When Jonah first got in the bouncy house, he was apprehensive. Next to him, Ariella (in pink) bounces.


Ariella took Jonah's hand and soon he was excited to be there.


Eventually, he was having so much fun that we had to drag him out kicking and screaming.


That's it for this installment!

Shabbat with Solly and Maya

Jonah turned 18 months old this month. He's thriving - walking, running, and talking up a storm. He's in the 77% percentile for height, 68% for weight, and 97% for head size! He and Ariella are starting to play beautifully. She takes him by the arm and runs throughout the house with him, giggling.

Ariella is also blossoming into a delightful girl. Here are some pictures from a recent Shabbat.

This first picture was at our friend Tish's daughter's first birthday, at the beginning of February.

Here are Maya and Ariella

Note how Solly and Jonah are dressed identically. Jonah's favorite thing, other than his cars, is to sit on someone's lap and be read to.

It is nearly impossible to get a good picture of Ariella and Jonah together. I need a faster lens! This is the best I could do. Will work on more.

Solly and Jonah, having a good time.

Maya, reading Purplicious to Ariella

More Shabbat photos.

Jonah, trying to play the recorder.

Detroit for Charlotte's 70th Birthday

Hi everyone. I promised to get this post up by Valentine's Day, and I did! Happy Valentine's day. It would have been up yesterday, but we lost our internet connection.

In December, we went to Detroit for Charlotte's 70th birthday. These are the best of our pictures - we saw Andi's brother Jonathan and sister Suzanne, Ariella's cousin Benjamin, Rick's Aunts Naomi, Barbara, and Great-Aunt Rochelle, and Rick's mom Nancy and stepdad Ron. It was quite a visit! Many other people took pictures - if you have good pictures, send them to us, and I'll add them to the blog.

Also below are a few gems from Palo Alto in January and early February. And now we're essentially caught up to present!

The last few weeks have been hard - Andi had surgery on her foot/ankle, and has been slowly getting better every day. She's walking now in a boot, without crutches. Charlotte just came out and stayed with us for 10 days, which was a big help. Tonight we're celebrating her return to health by having a date - the first one in about a month! We met 8 years ago this Monday. Amazing.

Enjoy the pictures, and whatever you do, make sure to watch the video at the very end of Jonah trying to fill his daddy's shoes. It's hilarious, and you can see what a personality we are growing here.

Ariella, at Hanukkah, playing dress-up in her new wedding dress.


In Detroit, Jonah experiences his first snow.


We went out to a restaurant to welcome everyone into town - Jonathan and Benjamin showed up.


Gamah Charlotte with Ariella and Ben.


Rick, Andi and Jonah with Aunt Barbara and Aunt Naomi


We visited with Aunt Rochelle and had a lovely time playing in the basement with her toys, and having lunch. Aunt Rochelle is Rick's late paternal grandfather Leonard's little sister.



Then it was off to Ann Arbor for a fun-filled day with Aunt Suzy, Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Ron. First, Jonah wouldn't get out of the firetruck at the Ann Arbor Children's Museum.


After lunch at Zingerman's (Rick was too busy eating to take pictures), it started to snow hard. Rick and his Mom in the snow on the Diag.


Andi, Ariella, and Aunt Suzy snuggling in the blizzard in A2.


The kid won't sleep through the night at Gamah's house, but he'll sleep with snow falling on him outside.


At the party for Charlotte's 70th birthday, Ariella looks on as Andi makes a toast.


Gamah with her 3 grandchildren, blowing out the candles.


Andi and a very dapper looking Jonah at the party.


Ariella clinks glasses with Gamah.


Gamah with all of her children and grandchildren.


Charlotte with her 3 kids.


Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Ron were there, too! (And if they email me a better picture or two, I'll post it). Here, you can see Jonah had just about had it. We kept them up sooo late.


Back in Palo Alto for New Years Eve, Ariella shows her personality trying on new clothes. Andi will make me edit this to add in who they are from!


And here's Jonah, and I know this outfit is from Aunt Suzy!


Before Andi's surgery, and before all our rain, we decided to go to the Japanese Tea Gardens in Saratoga.


Ariella's new glasses convert to sunglasses in the sun - pretty cool, Ari!


Andi with the kids - we hope to make it back there again in the Spring. It's so beautiful!


Jonah at 17 months.


Ariella turned 4 and a half. After Rick ran a half-marathon on Super Bowl Sunday (in a personal best time of 2:18:11 in a blistering hail/wind/rain), Ariella wanted to run, too. The next week was the Juana Run in Palo Alto, and we had a beautiful day. Here's Ariella, warming up for the pre-school girls' race (200 yards - not too long, but not too short either).


Ariella, posing with her ribbon after finishing. She took 9th place out of about 20-25 girls.


And here's our latest contribution to Frenkel's funniest home videos! (See the other ones here and here).



OK, hope you enjoyed. Please add a comment!