...here she is...

Let me introduce to you EllietHarper Cook!





She arrived on June 13th, weighing in at 8 lbs. 13 oz. She is beautiful and we can't wait to get home and hold her! Our daughter is recovering at home now from the c-section and we are so happy for her and her family! And we know that Paytan will be a wonderful big sister!

Welcome to our family, Elliet! You are already loved more than you can even imagine.

...waiting...

We are in Rome and having a wonderful time. The city really is amazing. We've just scratched the surface! Today we made our way to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Both are spectacular.








And of course we stopped at a sidewalk cafe for a glass of wine!




We are still on baby watch as our daughter is in labor in the hospital at home. We're getting text updates from her sister so as soon as we know anything, you'll hear about it.
-ciao!
- Posted from my iPad

...traveling and then some...

I'm off to Italy in the morning for a much anticipated vacation with the husband. We've been planning this trip for about two years.  Little did we know when we were making our plans that not only would our youngest daughter be getting married two months after we got back but our oldest daughter would be having baby #2 any day. So wedding plans are rolling along and there will be another granddaughter when we get back.  What is that quote by John Lennon from the song "Beautiful boy"?  Oh yes.... "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."  That my friends, is a very true story.  

...a long time coming...

Needless to say!  It's been way too long since I've been here.  Too much going on, too many place to go, to many people to see.  And somewhere in all of that there have been deadlines.  A deadline for this, and a deadline for this, and also a deadline for this.....



which is still in the works.

Along with all of these deadlines there has been sock camp, wedding plans and a new granddaughter that should be here in the next 6 weeks.  Oh, and did I mention that my husband and I are leaving for Italy next week?  Yup, we love to cram as much fun into a year as we can.

So my intention is to blog along the way in Italy and get back to regular posts when I get home.  There are some things coming off of the design table soon and I'm really excited for you to see them.

Anyway, thanks for hanging in there and I promise there will be more words and pictures coming soon!

Ciao~