Goodbye, Sweet T&T

It was a whirlwind return to Trinidad; we were there for a total of 20 days. It was nice to have all of our stuff for a short period of time, but we packed out again the second week we were there. Nicholas enjoyed a few last trips to the pool and one last trip to the beach, and we loved introducing Claire to everyone and were sad to say good bye to good friends.








the trucks and dinos made it to Trinidad and back again

Claire turned 2 months just over a week ago but it seems like ages ago!

David sported a mustache for a few days but shaved for the Town Hall meeting.

Claire sporting her cute summer outfits

she has the lounging at the pool thing down pat

one last dinner at Crews Inn

Nicholas loved his mango smoothie!

our air freight-- they did cover it with a tarp, but I'm still a little nervous to see what actually makes it to Washington, DC

Nicholas loves all "big trucks" including the moving truck!

we weren't feeling quite ready for the movers but they packed us up anyway!

enjoying the beach

Claire's Aden and Anais muslin blankets were perfect for Trinidad and the warm weather

PapPap and Nicholas and Claire got matching Hawaiian shirts for Christmas!

Claire loves the swing, just like her brother did.

David and his dad got to go fishing--it was delicious!

Claire lounging at the pool again

our neighbors are the best--they took care of our house while we were gone and gave us a warm welcome!

I will miss More Vino's sushi!

Next up, Colorado!

Christmas 2011

I had wishful thinking about blogging more often, but here we are in Trinidad for a week and I'm just getting the Christmas photos up. We have barely unpacked our suitcases and we will start the packing process again this weekend as our packout starts Wednesday. We are enjoying having PapPap in Trinidad, fresh fish, and sunshine. That will be for another post, though. In reverse chronological order, here is Christmas 2011:


at the airport to head to Trinidad..... and this is just the carry-on's....

The choo choo train in the mall. Nicolas has a pass for 20 rides. Fortunately, it's not just a Christmas choo choo and he can ride again in February.

for those of you who received our 2009 Christmas card, this picture might look familiar....

Nicholas loves his new tricycle--can't wait for spring so he can ride it outside!

Nicholas also loves his very own chair.... we are looking forward to him having his very own room to put it in!

Christmas morning

Nicholas was soooo excited to start opening presents!

Advent Calendars on Christmas Eve

Claire and Grandma snuggling

transformers--cool!!!

visions of sugarplums

Nicholas and cousin Siena had a blast!

I love Grandma!

with David's friend Chris and his kids, who are very close in age to Nicholas and Claire

Thomas choo choo and friends

1 month old! And not too happy about it.

visiting Santa at Krayniak's

Christmas display at Krayniak's

trying to get pictures of Claire in all her newborn outfits before she outgrew them (she is in 0-3 month sizes now!)

tummy time!

Claire Elizabeth

She's here!

Claire Elizabeth Machak

born November 23, 2011 2:29 p.m.

19 1/2 inches, 7 pounds, 9 ounces

We are thrilled to welcome Claire into the world. She is absolutely beautiful. She looks a lot like her brother Nicholas did when he was born, except a little smaller. Compared to our memories of bringing Nicholas home, Claire has been a breeze (knocking on some wood!). . She is nursing well, and loves to be swaddled. Mommy is doing well although not back to full strength yet. Nicholas loves his baby sister Claire, and is always asking how she is doing and if she's ok when she does cry. Moe cat is taking it all in stride. We really enjoyed having GG and Grumpa (Christy's parents), Grandma and Pap Pap (David's parents), and Christy's Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce all visit over Thanksgiving and to meet Claire in the hospital. You'll also see a few pictures of Nicholas and David with the dinosaurs--for a family outing the day before Claire arrived, we went to the Natural History Museum to check them out.

Now that it's December its full swing into Christmas season for us--we bought a mini tree at Target so we wouldn't be without this year, and Santa has already made an appearance at the Kennedy Warren Christmas Party. Claire and Nicholas have been to the Kennedy Center for Tuba Christmas and Nicholas rode the metro to Union Station to see the Choo-Choo train exhibit. We will continue to post and share pics!

Friday night on the town--at the frozen yogurt shop.

Last outing as just the three of us--at the Natural History Museum

The morning of---ready to head to the hospital

all packed and ready to go

still waiting

She's here!

Big brother meets baby Claire!

with G.G. and Grumpa Rhodes

proud parents

with Grandma and PapPap Machak

Nicholas is checking out his new sister

first bath in the hospital

all clean

cuddle time with mommy

and daddy

my two babies

ready to go home!

car seat

finally home

meeting my family--with PapPap

cuddling with Grandma

GG and Grumpa

Great Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce

at the park--Nicholas loves the "Choo Choo"

Nicholas wanted to carry his monkey the way mommy carries baby Claire

beautiful flowers from GG and Grumpa

putting up the Christmas tree--a Nicholas-size one, with non-breakable ornaments

sponge bath! The puppy towel was Christy's when she was a baby

out and about--Kennedy Center Tuba Christmas

tummy time!

Union Station Train Exhibit

Go Buckeyes! Football and Basketball.....

Zoo Lights



they had a Thomas model train at the Zoo! Nicholas couldn't be bothered to turn around for the picture

That's all for this mega-post; we'll try to update a little more frequently from now on! We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season so far.