Pheadra's first birthday!!!!

 Our good friends Josh and Colleen Francia invited us to share a double birthday party since their son Pierce was born just a few weeks after Phaedra.  So, Corinne and Colleen spent a few weeks making plans, and Josh and I helped get everything set up the day before and the morning of.  Their house was transformed into a circus-themed birthday wonderland!

 Here is the birthday girl in her special birthday outfit!

 Here are Pierce and Phaedra playing at the coffee table, under Grandma's watchful eye.

 Corinne and Colleen went all out! From streamers to circus tents to themed food, you name it, they thought of it.

 We decorated her booster seat and she was very serious about the cake proceedings.

 Corinne made this huge cupcake.  So rad!

 While Pierce destroyed his cake (and ate big handfuls of yummy cake), Phaedra carefully picked off sprinkles, one by one.  She licked a tiny bit of frosting, but that was about it!

 She fell in love with the tunnel (so we subsequently got her on on Amazon prime -- the most addictive online shopping!)

 She got some cool little cars.  In true Phaedra fashion, she has her little legs crossed.

So, all in all, the Pierce & Phaedra Phestivities were Phenomenal!  The Francia's home looked splendid and so many of our close friends came to enjoy the day with all of us.  Cheers!

Christmas 2011!

 We took Phaedra to the fancy Santa Claus at the Darien Sport Shop (not your average sport shop), and she didn't cry or get scared.  She simply pulled at his white beard, hair by hair and gave us all a very serious face.  It was very cute.

 Getting ready for church and very excited to go.

 For Christmas break, we went out to Utah to visit Corinne's sister McKell and extended family.  One of the days, we went to Hardware Ranch to see the Elk.  Phaedra enjoyed see the animals -- she mooooed at them.

 Christmas morning at McKell's awesome house. Phaedra got some wonderful gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Curtis, Aunt McKell and Uncle Mike (awesome clothes and a stuffed buck from Cabelas), and from Grandma and Grandpa Broadbent.

 She got the Little People Nativity from Peggy and Roger.

 And a cute little doll in a pea pod from Grandma Broadbent.

 Here she is playing with her new doll!

 Roger gave Peggy a really cool gift for Christmas -- 2 days in a professional recording studio!!!  Corinne and I sang and recorded two of her songs, which will soon be available on iTunes.

 Here is Corinne singing away...

 And Peggy recording at the piano.

During our time in Utah we went to see my Grandma Janet and also got to see my cousin Joy and her family.  It was great to see everyone!

Macys day parade...from times square!

A generous client (owner of mcdonalds on manhattan) set us up with VIP times square tickets to watch the parade from his mcdonalds that is on the parade route. They served us a mcdonalds breakfast and we could either watch the parade throughout the second story windows or go down and watch it on the street. The police had completely blocked off the sidewalk area where the mcdonalds was so we had our own viewing area! We had a great time. It was phenomenal.

Reunion with the Bali 5, now the Bussard 11!

Corinne and I spent a fabulous week with her best friends from her childhood town Spokane!  We stayed on a beautiful little lake, Bussard Lake, in a fantastic log cabin/lakehouse.  Phaedra had her first experience with her 4 adoring aunties, 3 lively dogs, lake swimming, and lots of exciting things to look at!

I'll try to get a few more photos...currently my computer is giving me issues! 

Birthday bash!

Holy cow, Corinne threw the most phenomenal party for my 30th!  She chose a carnival theme and went to town with food, decorations, and fun!  Thank you Corinne for a memorable and lively party.  It was a blast, and won't soon be forgotten.  Love you!

 Hit that pinata out of town!

 Man, there were enough goodies to feed the circus!

 Mmmmmm... pulled pork.

 Lovin the decorations.  Thanks to the Nelsons for hosting the party.

 The iPad was the 30 yr. old gift.

 Tiffany made an incredible veggie pizza.  Yum.

Holy cow, Corinne threw the most phenomenal party for my 30th!  She chose a carnival theme and went to town with food, decorations, and fun!  Thank you Corinne for a memorable and lively party.  It was a blast, and won't soon be forgotten.  Love you.