All About the Easter Eggs

"Mom, I just want to check the colors out with my own hands. The shades have to be perfect!"

"Dad, put this egg in the blue cup and leave it there for 5 minutes. Perfect!"

"Coloring Easter eggs is so fun!"

Unwrapping an Easter gift from the Sekerak grandparents. Really I just want to eat the ribbon!

Easter is fun!

Aviana's first attempt at eating chocolate. Too bad Mom stopped me just in time!

On to the exciting adventures of Biscuit the dog and his furry friends!

And the Winner is . . .

After many months of discussion, interviews, analysis, and spreadsheets Mike has made his final decision. Mike will be following his dream by starting graduate school at the University of Michigan in pursuit of his pHd in Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion.
The three of us are all very excited though only two of us participated in the champaign celebration!

From Rice Cereal to Butternut Squash

Motherhood presents a series of challenges. In this instance I am trying to figure out the ideal ratio of milk to rice cereal. The decision may seem small but at the time it was as though the Sekerak empire depended upon it!

First bite of rice cereal also known as learning how to use a spoon!

Not so sure how I feel about rice cereal.

Maybe it's not so bad after all!

It ain't easy being a baby . . .

Daddy is trying to teach me the sign for "eat".

I think Aviana wants Dad to try the rice cereal.

Maybe this is good stuff!

Rice cereal considered a success!

About 1 month later it was time for Aviana's next culinary expedition. Solid food! Mom prepared butternut squash for her baby girl. The initial attempt at making baby food involved 4 calls to Grandma, 1 call to Dad, and 2 searches on the internet. But the outcome has been considered a success!

Aviana says,"Hey, wait a minute . . . this is not rice cereal anymore!

Okay I'll try another bite.

Yum!

"The Island"

Meet our castaways or "losties" as they may be . . .

. . . there names are Michael and Ann Marie.

The Grams offered to babysit the wee one so Mom and Dad could sneak off for a date on "the Island!" For the Falk family "the Island" is North Captiva Island. Mike thought this was a mythical place but in good faith hopped on a boat to cross the Caloosahatchie!

The boat ran ashore among the mangroves . . . do you think this Captain can find land?

We encountered great beasts among the tall reeds.

Is Ann Marie running from sharks or stingrays? After hiking through the nature preserve I ran from one end of the island to the other.

The run lasted about 100 feet but running across an island sounds like a great feat!

We considered relocating with Aviana to this lovely home on the waterfront . . . yard maintenance should be minimal!

And it was 5 o'clock somewhere . . .

The day's perfection.

Florida Trip

I love flying Mom! Aviana was amazing on all 4 flights. She slept about 80% of the airtime and happily played or nursed the rest. Hope this is how future flights go!

On a stroll with the Grams . . . apparently this is what grandparents in Florida do to show off their grandkids!

The tour included looking at all the boats in the marina in front of Grandma and Grandpa's condo. Look at the teamwork!

Lots of playtime was logged and enjoyed by Aviana and her Grams!

I love you Grandma!

The Falk girls!

Babies love to snooze with their Grandpas!

Is it more fun reading the book or standing on it?

With all the wedding events Aviana did not get to spend as much time with Aunt Christy as she wanted. But she did give Aunt Christy several smiles!

The first of many family pictures of the Sekerak-Falk clans!

Maiden voyage of the USS Quacker was a success! The quacker proved to be very useful though Mom took a lot of teasing for buying it.

Exploring the airplane between flights with Dad. Maybe Aviana will fly one someday.

Checking on the pilots--making them aware of the precious cargo aboard!

Carl and Christy's Wedding!

March 20, 2010

Grandma and Aviana waiting patiently for the ceremony! The ceremony was held outdoors at the Edison Estates, the setting was beautiful beneath the majestic palm trees facing the blue waters of the Caloosahatchie River.

Aviana slept through the ceremony in Grandpa's arms!

Although they were always great now Aunt Patty and Uncle Jim get the title too!

Christy looked beautiful and Carl very handsome; Micheal and Ann Marie were both in the bridal party and tears were flowing during the touching ceremony.

First official appearance as Mr. and Mrs. Falk!!!!!!!!!!

Carl and Christy were aglow with happiness and love. I was so proud and joyful watching my little brother become a husband.

Look at my pretty dress!

Cocktail time for us, milk for Aviana!

The cake was delicious-I thoroughly enjoyed not one but two pieces!

The first of many dances as man and wife . . .