The Perfect End to a Perfect Vacation

What do you do when you're sun drenched, sleepy and far from your bed and favorite stuffed animal?  You siesta on the warm skin of your most awesome Daddy and dream of seashells with lullaby waves.  Heaven.

Beach House Amenities

So you rent a beach house in Southampton and you're going to expect a few things.  Fresh towels, a beach permit, a clean kitchen to cook your fresh seafood...stuff like that.  But how many families can say their house came with a first class Darth Vadar mask?

OK, OK....so we've been coming here for a few years now and the house (and mask) actually belong to our friend Michael.  But who are we to buck tradition?  It wouldn't be a party if someone didn't rock the Darth face.

Lulu, in true fashion, was curious but overall unfazed.

Simple Pleasures

Miles of unfettered, unpolluted and unpopulated sand.  A smashing new turquoise swimsuit and a happy, happy Mommy.

A beautiful Big Brother who learned to love Boogie Boarding and the genius of early morning, sunny, crisp surf.

And treasures more valuable than diamonds.

I Went to the Montauk Lighthouse and All I Got Was This Lousy Picture

So we decide to do something touristy for a change and go to the awesome, historic lighthouse on Montauk but do we snap a pic of the actual structure?  NO! Instead we take a photo of this beautiful weed in the mist.

Great Kids + Beautiful Beach = Blissful First Family Vacation

School ended for Big Brother Cavan Shane the last week of June and we hightailed it outta here for our first ever, solo family vacation to Southampton.  This picture pretty much sums it up.  

xx

-The Macs

Jailbreak!

Warden, warden....get me some milk!  6:30am wakeup calls in the "clink" are tough (on the parents). But this week I mastered standing up in this thing.  It won't be long before I make a clean getaway......

xx

-Lulu Mac

A Slice of Texas Heaven

So many new things to see at Grandma's house.  Famed Longhorn cows live next door. Butterflies flutter about (Hi GMB!).  And the back deck of Grandma's house is like a Balinese oasis (lovingly tended to by Grandpa).  You literally feel like you're sitting in a beautiful, lush tree house listening to a Lincoln Center-worthy symphony of cicadas, tree frogs and....other stuff (that howl when the sky goes dark and fills with Texas stars).

Plus, you have your own private bathing suite in Grandma's fresh, clean and yummy smelling laundry room.  LUXURY!

The Littlest McHale "luvs" her Grandma and Grandpa Owings AND her Texas heritage!

(We'll be back soon to enjoy the new boat on Lake Texoma....)

xx

Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go...

The occasion was a visit to Grandma's house and a tribute to my beloved Grandma Billye.   It was Lulu's first time on an airplane.  Luckily she had her older, wiser Big Brother along to show her the ropes.  Between the two of them they managed to charm the entire crew thus making the whole affair infinitely less stressful on the 'rents.

The first of many journeys.....

xx
Mama Mac

Tinker Toys.

I left her to play with her keys and boxes while I went into the kitchen to fix her a bottle.  I heard some clatter around the corner and look what I found.  Miss Lu crawling over to dig into her tinker toys.  She loves using them as drum sticks.  We have a feeling this one is going to be into EVERYTHING.

It's official. She's mobile.

Now the dogs have something else to worry about.....being terrorized by a MOBILE 8-month-old.  We wish you the best, girls!

And.....back to the kids.

Dick Tracy?  Elwood Blues?  Wrong.  Michael Jackson.  Cavan and Mommy are working intently on the moves for Billie Jean.  No routine is complete without the proper attire.

Enough about the kids!

This is what WE get when the little ones go down.

That's a dollop of hot sauce in the mayo for the vat of crispy fries we share.

BBQ chicken with grilled corn hash and artichoke hearts.

Memorial Day Merry-Go-Round

Today commemorated many things for many people.  For the McHale Family it marked the first ever carousel ride for Miss Lulu (who was, perhaps, not as impressed as her mommy).  It was a gorgeous day in a brand new stretch of park along the Hudson River in Chelsea.  This morning we were sad to see Grandma leave after a wonderful Memorial Day weekend filled with hugs, love, laughter and some tears as we remembered Grandma Billye who "let go of the grass" one week ago.  But this afternoon we found plenty of reasons to smile and enjoy life.  What a wonderful end to a beautiful weekend with family.

-The Macs

The Devil In Miss Lulu

Lulu has always been a shameless flirt with Henry, but this is just too much.  We're locking her up!

-DaddyMac

Dining Al Fresco, Lulu Joins The Clean Plate Club

It's tough being this cool.

Easy Rider

So, today was Lulu's first day on a bike and love was in the air.

We packed up lunch and cruised down to Battery Park for a picnic, where Cavan got goofy.

And Daddy got to sit in pure adoration with his girls.

And with all of the days activity, Lulu was exhausted and slept the whole ride home.

WOW!

A pretty new dress and a two hour nap.  Life is good!

Dreaming of Martha Graham?

Last night Daddy went in to check on the baby and found our little sleeping beauty starring in her own sleeping ballet.  Nice form Lulu.

Ahhhh, Spring.

It's finally here.  Showers, warm sunshine, some green growing in the rooftop garden.  And New Yorkers already complaining about the heat.  Bring on the baby pool and burger parties!
xx
The Mac/Miller Family

Eating Up My Minutes

If this continues I'm definitely going to have to get a new Sprint plan.  Just think what will happen when she really figures out how to use this thing....
-MamaMac

Holy Pogo, Batman!

Mr. Cavan Shane pogoed his personal best last night with 441 consecutive hops without falling.  In order to get there, he powered through two cramps and numerous gawking pedestrians trying to get past some seriously erratic bouncing.  Nice work, Cavan!

The Lovely Miss Clover Louise McHale

Monogrammed dress courtesy of Aunt Cindi's generosity.  Baby courtesy of Mother Nature's.

Pretty as a Picture

Lulu captured in a moment that could have been painted by one of the great masters.  A true Easter beauty.

The Easter Tradition Continues

Every year (with the exception of 1 or 2) we have spent Easter with our good friends Faye, Scott, Henry and now, Lulu's buddy Baby Julian.  Each year the Easter bunny makes an appearance and Faye puts together the most fun egg hunt ever.  It's become our little Easter tradition and we love it.

This year the sun was shining and the hunt began with a single clue which led the children on a mission through the neighborhood.  Each spot yielded yet another clue which ultimately led them to the garden at Faye's house where there were hundreds of eggs hidden and a pinata full of candy and toys.

Scott puts together enough food to feed an army so after the hunt we eat, drink and hang out for the rest of the afternoon.  And of course, the children plow through much of their Easter Egg Hunt booty.  As in years past, Cavan scored.  This year Lulu met the Easter Bunny, observed the hunt and quietly plotted her game plan for next year.

All in all it was a beautiful day and a wonderful Easter for kids and adults alike.  Happy Easter!

Morning Walk

Mornings with my family win.  They just do.

-GMac

Oh,....Happy Easter!

Sitting Pretty

This week we reached yet another milestone...sitting up.  It's been a week full of accelerated development from holding the bottle on her own and sitting up, to experimenting with new sounds and grabbing her toes.  A fascinating process to watch.  Two parents (and a swelling with pride Big Brother) couldn't be more smitten.



And for all you music lovers...a little Stevie Wonder.

Hot Mess

The only time in your life when food running down your chin is considered charming.  Live it up Miss Lu.

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

Mommy wrapped them, Big Brother Cavan handed them out and I helped Daddy with the fun part.  I can't wait for MY birthday!
-LuluMac

March 19th, 1973

Piled the family in the Charger, cranked "Killing Me Softly" and took our place in line at the gas pump. Made it home in time to see Billy Jean King kick Bobby Riggs' ass.  Helluva day.

There are simply no words.

To describe the feeling you get when you come home after an hour and a half morning walk along the East River with your family and you discover a moment like this was captured is simply impossible. Cuteness overwhelms.

Lulu's 1st Swing....

...well, really the second.  About three minutes before this happy snap, an over zealous Mommy and Daddy shoved this poor little girl into one of the toddler swings at the park.  Toddler swing, not infant swing.  Everything was going well until we actually tried to make her swing, at which point she bonked her head and let the tears roll.  Nice work, Mom and Dad.  Good...excellent...really.

Fat Fat Water Rat

Our little buddha gets cuter, happier and, um, fluffier (to quote Grandma Owings) every day.  This pic just does NOT do her amazing legs justice.  They are simply delicious.  Squishy, fat and yummy.  Cutest damn things we've ever seen!

xx
Proud Mama and PapaMac

Dancing on the Ceiling

It's quiet.  And just when you're congratulating yourself on successfully getting the baby down to sleep, you creep in to take a peek and see.....maryjane socks tapping to the beat of the rhythm of the night.  A dancing queen in training.

Five Tiny Trees for Five Tiny Grandchildren

Over the weekend in Denison, TX five tiny redbud trees were planted in honor of Linda and Tom Owings' grandchildren Cavan, Rowan, Raley, Donny and Lulu.  The trees were a gift for Grandpa Tom's birthday and we know that under his watchful eye and loving care they will grow into strong, healthy and happy little beings just like their namesakes.  Rock on little saplings.

Calgon Take Me Away!

Homework, homework, give me a break! Unwinding after a long day.  Seven-year-old styley.

Love My Grandma!

But still hate rice cereal.  So please Grandma, I look forward to your next visit but please feed me something that doesn't taste like wallpaper paste.
xoxo
Mid Wu

Party Pooper

Nothing like a dirty diaper to cramp your style just as things are getting exciting. Yes, 2010 got off to a grand start.