5 years

Today marks 5 years since we lost my Dad. I have tried to keep myself busy, but I keep thinking about it. I miss him everyday, but the "special" days make it even harder. I know I have said that 100 times, sorry. I wish he was here to see Reagan and laugh with her and to agree with me that she is a "genius." I wish he was here to see the new studio, I know he is proud.

On a brighter note, look at what our family has done over the last 5 years:

I got engaged, then married
Beth got engaged, then married
Sarah graduated from high school and started college
I had Reagan
I bought and opened the second studio

All of this without him, but all of it because of him. Because of the guidance and structure and love that he gave us. Because of the values and morals that he taught us. But most of all, because he taught us how to laugh. I know I have said it before, but almost everyday, I am sitting in my car and an old song will come on and I can almost hear him singing in my head. It makes my heart happy, but then it makes me laugh. Because, sometimes when he would sing, he would do it in this goofy way and we would just laugh (or as teenagers, say "Daaaaaaddddd"). When he would really sing, he had an amazing voice and I wish he was here to sing to Reagan. One of the hardest parts about not having him here with me, is not getting to "hear" him. I miss his voice, I miss his laugh, I just miss him. Carol told me today that she is turning off the answering machine that has his voice on it. I know it's time, it's been time, but I will really miss calling just to "hear his voice." She made me a copy and it's in the mail, but it won't be the same. Sometimes when I would call and get the machine, it would take me a minute to realize that he wasn't actually going to pick up the phone or call me back. It's been 5 years, it's time.

A Birth Story (in Pictures)

DISCLAIMER: I have worked hard to edit out any nudity (meaning that some of the coolest pictures aren't included or have been edited to cover any peeping privates). I have still included one potentially gross picture that, in my opinion is just TOO cool to leave out - you'll know it when you see it!

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for...introducing Evelyn Elora Bunn (a photographic adventure)!

She weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz & was 20.5 in long! Which is almost exactly the same size as Loki was at birth.

You know - it was pretty cool having Loki. And he's GREAT - but it hit me hard, once we had Elora, too. It's not just me & Whitebread & this cute little boy...we're an actual family now. In fact, we're one puppy shy of being completely "nuclear". WEIRD. And COOL.

I LOVE having a little GIRL!!! :)

And she can't wait to meet you all!

You know how I like to update...PICTURES!!!

Here is our little traveler on our way to our Summer trip!! Very excited to be flying and sitting in her own seat (not as excited as momma, sharing a seat with a toddler is a PAIN).

We arrived at Sesame Place very early, just in time for Breakfast with Cookie Monster and Abby. Reagan was very excited. I have never in my life seen so many small children.

Family photo with Cookie himself. She kept asking if he had a cookie in his hand.

"Grover, want to share my apple?" What a good sharer she is becoming.
Aunt Bear, Abby and Reagan. What a cute bunch of girls.

Speaking of girls, here is a shot of all of us. Makes me sad because that is all my dad's "girls". He used to call all of us "his girls," too bad he never got to meet the newest girl.

Reagan was NOT a fan of this ride. She rode all of the rides in the entire place, this one and the roller coaster, not a fan. But, she did it and didn't even cry.

Always a favorite, the merry-go-round.

And, we're done for the day. I don't think she made it out of the parking lot. She was POOPED! You know how I love to take a sleeping baby in the car shot!

Aunt Sarah and I took a road trip to visit this amazing pottery studio near Rockville. In their shopping center, they had a train. We wish we had a train in our pottery shopping center.

We were at my Aunt and Uncles house for dessert and Reagan started talking about how she wanted to be a ballerina, so Caroline (my cousin) went and got her toe shoes, then Aunt Pam went to get the wings and tutu and it was all over from there.

Gardening with Mimi. You wish you looked this cool when you garden. Stylin'

This crazy shot just had to make the blog, she loves corn on the cob.

First day of school. If you haven't heard the drama about her class, well, give me a call and I'll tell you how I have officially turned into "that Mom."

Very excited to be on the big kid side after 2 years of being on the baby side. This is just what she needed and she fits in really well with the other kids. I think it effected Momma more than Reagan.

Playing with her new friends. Everything is better with a sand table. This is how I left her, playing and making friends. Where has my baby gone? I can't believe that she is about to be 3.

So, that is about our summer in a nut shell. It's not as exciting as giving birth or anything, but at least I have posted pictures (cough cough cough (Howie)). Love to you all. Hope to get together soon.