Home Sweet Home: Family Time

After a fabulous time at LBI, we drove across the state to Erie. Eleanora was a trooper, although we quickly learned that traveling with a baby takes much longer than it used to! Many tears, frequent stops, and bribes of teething crackers later we arrived safe and sound for a glorious few days in Erie.

Natalie jamming at the Petri family reunion

Kissing her buddy Keegan. Won't this be perfect for their wedding montage?!

We then traveled to Pittsburgh and spend a few days with Ben's family. Eleanora enjoyed playing with all the babies, rolling around in the grass, and spending time with family.

After an exhausting trip, we flew back to Arizona with an extra passenger - Joel! He stayed with us for about a week and was a wonderful uncle, brother, and Charlie-lover.

Snuggled up on the plane

What a great trip!

Home Sweet Home: Loving LBI

After a fabulous visit with some college friends and their babies, Eleanora and I met up with Natalie in Philly, picked up Ben at the airport, and headed to the glorious beach haven of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Thanks to the Euksuzians' amazing generosity and fantastic hosting skills we rested, relaxed, ate seafood like kings, and enjoyed wonderful time with both our immediate and extended (Euksuzians!) family.

Eleanora couldn't get enough of the ocean!

A night out to see a Rod Stewart impersonator (thanks for babysitting, Joel!)

College roommates (Mom and Patty) rocking out like the good old days!

Happy Birthday Natalie!

27 years ago today, I received one of the greatest gifts of my life - a sister. Meeting Natalie in the hospital is my first memory, which is appropriate as she is a part of nearly every significant memory since then. I couldn't ask for a more thoughtful, sweet, loving, fun, beautiful sister and best friend. She is an amazing and completely invested aunt who shows her boundless love with selfless gifts of time whenever possible. Eleanora loves her Aunt Natty!

Home Sweet Home: Suite Retreat

We are home after a whirlwind trip to the East Coast. With so much fun to share, we'll spread it out over a couple of posts.

The first leg of our trip was the annual Suite Retreat. Eleanora and I flew from Phoenix to New England for a few days with my college suitemates and their little ones.

A bit different than last year!

Busy playing with Anna Kate

Loving grass - we don't get much of that in Arizona!


Bath time with Mr. Micah


What a gentleman, fetching toys for his lady friends


Eleanora and I snuggled up, chatting with the girls (and Micah!)


Micah not sure about all this attention from the ladies


Happy kiddos...


For a minute


Road Trip!

After a fabulous couple of days of talking, eating, and more talking, Jenn and I loaded our girls up and drove 6 hours from Boston to Philadelphia. The girls (especially Anna Kate!) were great. Eleanora doesn't have the best track record in the car, so I was a bit nervous about the drive. Turns out, all Eleanora needs to make her happy on a roadtrip is her bff Anna Kate. She was totally mesmerized by her beautiful friend and was even content to watch her sleep. The trip was quiet and smooth and gave Jenn and I lots of additional time to catch up.

I'm so grateful for the sweet friendships of Deb, Christina and Jenn. Our annual gatherings are such a wonderful time. I learn so much from each of them every time we're together. They are each amazing Mommas, wives, and all-around fabulous people.

Busy Times

It's been a busy and fun couple of weeks around the Hoffman house.

We've been putting our zoo membership to good use with frequent visits...

Eleanora showered her Daddy with gifts, breakfast in bed, cupcakes and lots of love for Father's Day...

We had a fabulous (and too short!) visit from the Hendricksons. The Eleanora and the blue-eyed beauty Isabelle had lots of fun splashing in the bath together and just being generally adorable...

Eleanora's latest pastimes include shaking the rails of her crib as hard as possible, dancing (twisting) to any music, whispering then yelling to her toys, and pulling herself up on everything.

Miss Sensitivity

Last night we had dinner at the home of friends who have a daughter, Aria, just 5 months older than Eleanora. Eleanora loves to watch Aria run around and is thrilled anytime she comes near (even if it's to point out/in Eleanora's eyes). Towards the end of our "early bird special" evening, both girls were getting a bit tired and ready for bed. Every time Aria started to cry, Eleanora would bury her head in my shoulder and muster up giant crocodile tears out of sympathy. I guess she's destined to follow in her Mama and Gigi's footsteps and cry over cheesy commercials, silly movies, DWTS (that's all Gigi!), NPR stories...just about anything.

Our Ella Bella has also been showing her independent streak lately. She decided yesterday it would be must more fun to feed herself avocado rather than have it fed to her. She (and Charlie) had a marvelous time. She finished off her meal with a little dessert, as she does most days. Doesn't everyone call asparagus a lolli-pop?!

8 Months Old

Eleanora turned 8 months old yesterday - I can't believe it! Below are a few pictures taken by our generous and talented friend Lis.

Eleanora is still toothless and not really crawling, although she has been found in some amazing positions in her crib in the morning. She's definitely mobile, and even scooted in reverse a bit the other day, but her main mode of transportation is rolling. She loves blowing raspberries (especially with a mouthful of food), singing, talking, and flapping her arms and legs when excited.

Happy eight month birthday, Eleanora!