We found our new favorite playground!

Playing with all the strollers.

The state park near our home is awesome! The playground has a Disney-esque feel.

Esther had a blast.

Love the Olympics!

Poor Gene, this is all he sees at night. I've always been a die hard Olympics fan and this year is extra special for obvious reasons.

Esther taking a quiet break in her room.

"How do I look in Dad's helmet?" Gene got a scooter (finally). No picture of the green machine yet, but stay tuned.

"Mom, I'm helping you vacuum."

Playing in her room with her "friends" looking on.

"What? This isn't a fort for me?"

Who needs toys?

Settling in.

Slowly everything's finding a place and we are all settling in to our new home.

Esther showing me her penguin dance.

I love this picture for several reasons...first look at the designs on the floor that E made with the crayons. Then notice her new obsession of pealing all the paper off her crayons. Of course she leaves the papers all over the carpet.

You may have to click on this picture to enlarge it. She found this sticker and put it on her head. It amused me.

Helping her Dad put together some shelves.

Finally getting to use our new grill (thanks Grandpa Neil). And Esther finally got to meet her uncle Jason. She was imme-

diately at ease with him, maybe because he resembles her Dad.

Just chillin'.

Can't wait to be done unpacking!

We are officially out of our old apartment and settling into our new place. This past week and a half has been very busy: finishing packing, moving, cleaning, and beginning unpacking. I've always hated cleaning the place we move out of; I'm so done with the place, but have to make sure it is in tiptop shape to get our deposit back. This move was especially hard because Esther had a rough time with all the turmoil. When we were at our empty apartment, she so wanted it full of the stuff she knew. She broke down for about an hour and grieved. All I could do was hold her and tell her that all our stuff was at the condo and Mommy & Daddy would always be with her. She finally seemed to accept the change and has been fine ever since.
Daddy and Esther playing with the camera.

"My turn, Dad!"

"Seriously, it's my turn."

Reading the paper.

In her new bedroom, showing Ernie, Elmo and Cookie Monster how to use an air pump.

Do you think this is gonna flush? Yep, it's a whole "mega" roll of toilet paper. Fun.

For a housewarm-ing gift my dad made this beautiful table that matches the chairs he made for me years ago. Simply stunning!! Our family has been so good to us. Gene's parents housewarming present was a belated anniversary dinner out for Gene and I. They came for the evening on Friday and watched Esther while we got to go out to dinner. The previous week my mom came over to watch E while Gene and I headed to Ikea for some furniture shopping. Thanks guys!