Thanksgiving

With Andy schedule it is hard to go away for the holidays, so we planned to have Thanksgiving with our neighbors and also have dinner with family friends where my parents were having Thanksgiving. However, when we woke up in the morning, Arathena had a fever so we planned to just lay low. It was our first holiday ever to just lay low and we didn't have anything in our fridge! Luckily our gracious neighbors let us come over for some food. I was a great day to relax and spend time together.

Arathena's First Birthday

On Arathena's Birthday we had dinner at our house with the Borings. She enjoyed her first cupcake (first 3!)

The next day we had a birthday party at the Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library. We are so blessed to have this precious little girl and we thank our Lord for her everyday.

Halloween

Our little pirate!

Arathena and Jack

First Race of Many

Well I started running thanks to my friend Sarah. Our first race was a 5k, now we are training for a 10k in December and 1/2 marathon in March. It has been a lot of fun!

Play date with Leila

Leila is Arathena's best buddy. She is 1 month younger than Arathena and the daughter of our close friends the Graham's.

Minnesota #2 Christon's Surprise Baby Shower

Arathena, Beth, Lisa, and I took a plane-road trip to Minnesoita to surprise Christon for her baby shower. We took a plane to Chicago and then rented a car and drove to Minnesota. On the way back we stopped at the Cheese Chalet in Wisconsin and Giardonos for Chicago style pizza.

Lisa entertaining Arathena in the airport
Arathena's first plane ride

Christon and the spread

Arathena and Mandy

We got to see Sophia and Bella too!

Portland Street Talent Show

We live on a great street with wonderful families and tons of kids. The Sprenkels host an annual talent show to raise money for different projects each year. This years talent show raised money for Food For the Hungry. There was a magic show, dancing, mime solo, and various instrumental solos. Arathena even played a little part but had a little stage freight:)

Grandma and Grandpa Mathew enjoying the show

Baby Boring Arrives!

I have to get a picture of Annie and the Borings to post, but the Borings are a wonderful family that has been living with us since May. Annie arrived in September and we are so blessed to have them living with us.

Swimming Fun

Arathena loved playing in the pool. Thank you Gradma Brugious (The Graham's Grandma) for buying Arathena her bathing suit. Unfortunately Andy never made it to the pool because he was hard at work on other projects:(

July 4th

July 4th we headed up to Highland Park were the kids had a parade. We also spent the day with the Pernell's and Donaghy's who came up from Indiana for a visit. No fireworks this year! Andy and I both had to work the next day.

Road Trip to Minnesota

Andy finished Intern year!!!! Just 3 more to go :) He had a one week vacation between Intern year and 2nd year so we took a little road trip to Minnesota. First stop: Indiana where we stayed at a hotel Christon got us using her points. Thanks Christon! Here is Aratahena taking a break from Sesame Street to let mommy take a picture (our hotel in Inidana).

Next stop was Chicago were we enjoyed deep dish pizza, magnificent mile, and good Indian food!

View from our hotel in Chicago of the Navy Pier

We also got to meet up with the Jabours in Chicago for breakfast. Here is Arathena and Micah in matching Combi Strollers.




Then we were off to Minnesota were we got to spend time with Ronna, Peter, Sophia, Bella, Adam, Christon, and the Labrins

Strawberry picking: Bella clearly has the skills

Hanging out with the Sawatsky's

Final Stop: Indiana to meet Catrece. We had a great time with Christy, Rick and new baby Catrece

Arathena was an angel the trip and actually slept for most of the drive. Thanks to all of our friends for your hospitality. We loved seeing you and can't wait to see you all again soon

Pittsburgh Penguins

Well, we might not have won the Stanley Cup, but we sure had fun staying up late to watch the games, not to mention our sweet victory in triple overtime and the "white outs" Andy and Arathena: Hockey fans aren't like other fans

Even the penguins at the zoo were cheering the team on

First Time Sitting

May 14th, Arathena sat up by herself for the first time

Visiting Daddy

When Andy is overnight we try to go in to the hospital to pay a visit. Right now he is at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Here are some pics of his room.

Mother's Day

This was our first mother's day with Arathena, and we had so much fun. Aunt Reeba came home to visit and we had lunch with Grandma Mathew

Arathena got me a KitchenAid Mixer!!!

Journal I made for Andy's mom

and my mom

Post-Call Traditions

Andy is on a Pediatric Floor month, so that means he is overnight at the hospital every forth night. When he comes home, after being away for 30 hours :( , we have a post-call tradition of going out to the Chinese buffet and then to the zoo. Here is Andy and Arathena trying to eat a fortune cookie.

Week of Firsts

Last week was a week of First for Arathena (Week of April 13th)Her first tastes of baby food

First trip to the zoo

first Pirates game

and first attempt at drinking from a cup

We had a fun week with Christon and Adam visiting from Minnesota!