There's a New Muckala . . .

On February 18, 2009 we welcomed a new Muckala into the world: Max Hugh Muckala. Max is the first child of Caleb's brother Erich, and his wife, Ashley. We had a few scares: emergency C-section, visit to the NICU for Max and an emergency surgery for Ashley following the emergency birth . . . it was pretty scary for a while, but we have an adorable new Muckala in the end, so we are pretty excited. Henry could not resist letting his Aunt Ashley and new baby cousin know that he was thinking about them . . . he's such a sweet boy. More to come on the Muckala clan . . .

Henry at the Park

This is my baby and his Brown Bear. We had a "Henry and Momma" weekend recently and we went to the zoo and the park near our house. He's getting so big . . . he's fourteen months old now and extremely stubborn. When you walk in a room he says, "Hiiiiiiiii." He's also started randomly yelling to get attention, which wasn't much fun when we were out this Saturday celebrating Caleb's new job (Insurance Department - perfect for him and a state job so GREAT hours and benefits).

Henry is just so amazing right now. It's hard to imagine having another baby as perfect, but I know I'll feel the same about the next one . . . in twenty years . . . I mean, we have finally started getting our sleep again and I'm back within 3 lbs of the my "pre-Henry" weight . . . I'm not giving that up too fast! Another post soon . . .

Je t'aime Paris

So we are back from our trip and I have to say that it was my favorite to date. Paris is everything it lived up to be. In winter it is romantic and relaxing. We stayed on a quiet residential street right off the Champ de Mars park just south of the Eiffel Tower. We were a within a couple blocks walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and could see it from our street. There was also a metro stop just around the corner making it so easy to travel anywhere in Paris. One block away was Rue Cler, the cutest neighborhood street market. There was a butcher shop, cheese shop, produce market, bakery, flower market, chocolate shops and several restaurants, cafes and creperies. Every morning we walked over and bought croissants and other pastries at the local bakery then walked or hopped on the metro to get to where we needed to go. Michael took this picture of the street we stayed on, Avenue de la Bourdannais and as you can see, there is the tower lit up at night in the distance.

I love eating in Paris. The food was amazing. How could you not love croissants, baguettes, cheese, foie gras, duck...the list goes on and on.

I love Paris in winter. Fewer tourists. I hate tourists. I hated the crowds in Italy and Greece. It was suffocating the crowds. But Paris felt like home. Few tourists, few lines, quiet streets. Just us and the city and sounds of french speakers everywhere.

I love the Paris metro system. It takes you everywhere and anywhere cheaply and easily. It's considered the best in Europe and rightly so. I even love the performers on the metro and the fact they always play my favorite song (Michael and I's first dance song at our wedding) La Vie En Rose. And they even play When the Saints Go Marching In...which makes me think I'm in New Orleans.

I can't believe our trip is over, and I can't wait to plan our return. :-)

C'est si bon!

Coeur de Pirate Comme des enfants from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.

In the spirit of tomorrow's travels...

Aggel Flaggel Klabbel - Snurp!

So, Susan had her first visit to the zoo last weekend. Then, this weekend, my parents came for a visit. We have had such a good time!

She is getting so big. She likes peas, hates green beans, and the verdict is still out on sweet potatoes.

Brian and I had our first date since Susan's birth. We went to see Slumdog Millionaire and then had wine and cheese at a local French Bistro.

Oops, she's calling. Gotta go!

Love you guys,

Bon

Fidelity Video

Love this video...
"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Recipe Club

So last night was my first recipe club event. Michael and I hosted. We only had 8 people show up, because its Valentine's weekend and many couldn't come. We did Italian food so it would be easy for everyone. It was a success. People who have never cooked, went all out, with the help of Google of course. Michael made Toscana soup, his version of Olive Garden's sausage and potato soup, one of my favorites. I made Frutti di Bosco Zabaglione...dessert. I baked a from scratch buttermilk pound cake, chopped up the cake into chunks in a wine glass. Chopped up berries with some sugar syrup. And topped it off with some home made zabaglione - an italian whipped custard. Yum. Suffice it to say it was a hit. And Michael and I tied for first place. :-) The prize was a bottle of Prosecco - an italian sparkling wine, so we just poured it for everyone to share. The evening was capped off with a hilarious game of password. Since everyone left late, and we were exhausted we went to bed before cleaning. Which we never do. So now we have a kitchen full of dirty wine glasses and bowls. Yuck. And we're out of dishwashing soup.

But before I clean I'm going to get dimsum with my family. Hopefully they don't ask to come over...Talk to you all soon.