Girl's Night

Sterling, Jannea, Claire, Erin, and I got together last week for a Girl's Night. They were kind enough to organize the night around a baby shower for me, too. We had delicious food which, of course, included Erin's famous taco dip.


Sterling and Nick adopted the most adorable puppy! Mario and Coca are going to be great pals as soon as he gets all his shots.

Uncle Larry on TV

Here's the American Diabetes Association response to President Obama's lifting of the ban on federally funding stem cell research.


http://www.nbcwashington.com/health/tips_info/Stem_Cell_Research_Executive_Order_Stokes_Heated_Debate_Washington_DC.html

Uncle Larry at the White House

My mom's brother, Larry, is the Chief Executive Officer at the American Diabetes Association. We're all extremely proud of his success. I have met many of Uncle Larry's friends and co-workers over the years, and I admire how they all speak of his honesty, fairness, and fun-nature. From his work with the Multiple Sclerosis Society to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Uncle Larry has steadily marched up the ladder to more important positions.

Here's a picture of Uncle Larry at last week's Summit on Health Care Reform. He's in the back row on the far right with the red tie. That's President Obama at the podium with his back turned to the camera.

Green Bay Baby Shower

Jeanine threw a lovely shower in Green Bay for us last weekend. Jeanine and Mike's house is perfect for entertaining. It's a warm home that is very open and has a lot of natural light.


We started the afternoon just relaxing and talking.
Grandma Suds, Grandma Mead, Ann, Aunt Lynn, Jen:


Aunt Lori, Jen, Lisa:

Jeanine, Wendy, Aunt Anne, Ellie:

Halie, Aunt Mary:

Aunt Lori, Linda, Aunt Deb, Kristi:

Jeanine, Lynn, Lori, Mary, and Grandma Suds made salad and dessert for a delicious lunch. Afterward, we decorated fabric squares for a quilt.
Lori, Linda, Wendy:

Mary, Ellie, Lisa:
Jeanine, Jen, Ann:
Kristi, Deb:Anne, Grandma Mead, Lynn:

The collection of beautiful quilt squares:
We received a lot of thoughtful, useful gifts. Little Jazz stole the show!

Adam and Lisa are due about four weeks after us.

Madison Baby Shower

Rebecca and I started the day off by celebrating our upcoming birthdays. For the fifth year in a row, we treated ourselves to pedicures:


My Mom and Rebecca threw me and the baby a fantastic baby shower this weekend!

Scott and I love eating breakfast on the weekends at Lazy Jane's cafe. It was also the perfect venue for a shower. There was just the right amount of space and a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. Every detail turned out perfectly! Mom and Rebecca gathered all my favorite people and all of my favorite foods in one place. Food highlights included Craig's cake (same as our wedding), chocolates from Gail Ambrosia, and salads from Lazy Jane's.

Soon-to-be Grandma Jeanine signs in the guestbook.


People enjoyed a glass of wine upon arriving.
Mom, Pat, Andrea, Jeanine, Barb:

ErikPuffer:
Lisa and Maria:
For our first activity, we decorated onsies.
Peggy, Lori, Barb, and Jeanine:


Peggy, Lori, Barb, Emma, Erik, Susie, Jen, Rebecca:

Anna, Dana, and Emma:

Mom, Rebecca, and Kelley:

Susie:
group shots:
the finished products:

For our second activity, we enjoyed Lazy Jane's food.
Mary and Pearl:
Mom gave a toast, and then everyone introduced themselves.

Jen:Shelby, Bernadette, and Anna:


Guests enjoyed cake while I opened presents with Rebecca and Dana's help.


Erik, Maria, Torey, Andrea, Pat:

Kelley, Dana:
Jeanine, Barb, Jen:


My reaction as Erik explains his turtle/monkey/alien toy:


Required belly photo: