Happy Birthday, Marissa!

I can't deny it any longer - Marissa is growing up. There was quite a bit of anticipation on Marissa's part for her birthday to come. This year she understood quite a bit more about birthdays and was excited to turn three. When anyone asked her what she wanted for her birthday she would say "a horn" and then she'd say "and a car" - sure we'll just throw that in there. Ryan found a dollar spot at Walmart with a horn and some little toy cars and she was thrilled to get her horn and cars along with her other presents.

This year, Ryan insisted on a party for her with some friends. She had been into princesses lately so she had a princess party at the park complete with princess cake and a castle pinata. Here are some of our favorite pictures from her birthday!



Marissa with her princess cake! I told her I was sad she was going to turn three, that she is getting too big. She said, "But I will share my cake with you, Mommy. Will that make you happy?"


Marissa was so excited to have Grandma Johnson here for her birthday!


Marissa with her castle pinata - Ryan spent the day before perfecting her homemade pinata and had to convince Marissa that it was going to be cool to smash her pretty castle.


Marissa blowing out her candle - it was windy so Ryan and Mike were trying to keep the candle lit long enough for her to blow it out, which is why you can't actually see her big "3" candle.


Marissa winding up for the first big hit!


Unfortunately, our video camera ran out of tape before this point, but this is when Ryan had to help break the pinata. Marissa literally looked like a little rag doll is his arms as he was trying to swing hard enough to break open the pinata.


Here is Marissa with most of her presents - it was at this point we realized yet again how spoiled she must be! Notice the princess tent, with princess backpack, and princess water bottle.


Here is Marissa with her barbie castle dollhouse. Grandma Johnson thinks she is pretty funny as she tries to see if she can make her presents bigger every year (last year she gave Marissa a kitchen, which she loves along with her dollhouse)!

St. Martin/Sint Maarten

To celebrate getting through three years of med school Ryan and I took a trip to St. Martin during the last of week of July. Here were some of the highlights and lowlights of our fun vacation.

Highlights:
1. Spent days relaxing on their gorgeous beaches with absolutely no agenda.
2. Spent the day on a sailboat that took us around part of the island stopping along the way to snorkel, swim, and play at the beach.
3. Spent time in Phillipsburg and Marigot to shop at the markets and sightsee.
4. Had dessert at a classy French restaurant overlooking a harbor at dusk.
5. Went to a movie without having to worry about a babysitter.
6. Spent some much needed time together as well as with Devon. He was at a perfect age to take because he was sleeping through the night, wasn't moving around, very transportable, and such a happy baby.
7. No Marissa (Which would not have been possible without Grandma Earp who had to put up with Marissa for a whole week!)

Lowlights:
1. No Marissa - She would have LOVED to spend all day at the beach swimming and, more importantly, playing in the sand.
2. No money to do any 'real' shopping.
3. Water was expensive. We went to the French restaurant for dessert, thinking we could still do something fun without having to spend a bunch of money. The waiter came by to ask us if we wanted anything to drink. I typically get water at a restaurant in the states to save money so without thinking I said I would like some water. I realized my mistake when he then asked if we wanted 'sparkling' or 'flat' water. I pretended that that was what I was expecting to hear and politely requested 'flat' water. I thought that would have been better than saying 'just kidding, we're not really thirsty'. Our small, but tasty piece of 'melting chocolate cake' and our 'drink' was a whopping $24--but the view out into the harbor with the sailboats was really quite fun.


Having said all this, obviously we had a fabulous time and it was just what we needed to recharge ourselves for the upcoming fourth and final year of med school!


Devon - loving the beach time!


Orient Beach - look at the beautiful water!


Ryan and Devon Orient Beach


At Pelican resort hanging out at the beach


Devon "Mr. Cool"


Devon - chillin' in the water


The view from the resort pool.


Devon - deer caught in headlights.


The picture didn't turn out great, but this is the view from the French restaurant looking out into the harbor.

Behind the times!

I thought I would finally get my act in gear and start a blog for our family. I was just browsing some of the blogs of people we know and all of a sudden I felt like I could sympathize with 'banana man' from Brian Reagan. Brian said 'cran man' was getting in all the other juices and then 'banana man' woke up and said "I ain't into nothin'!" So I decided I would get into something and start up our blog.