Too cute

What about Dagney?

A picture of our cat, Dagney, who has been such a good kitty - she has been with us all along.

When we returned from our trip to the US, we had to pack quickly and move from our "Hobbit hole." As we had to wait four days before moving into our new place, we moved into a hotel - but unfortunately, there was not one that had all three nights available, so we actually switched hotels halfway through.

Dag spent her days tucked in between the sheets ...

Four Generations: Allbrittons

Jackson, MS: Granddaddy Claude

Chase with Great Granddady Claude....
If only she was old enough to try his homemade pickles and fudge.

Mobile, AL: Grandmama Ann & Granddaddy Herbert

Lots of love for our little one...

Chase just couldn't get enough of Granddaddy Herbert's stories and had lots to say to Grandmamma Ann.

Birmingham, AL: Grandparents Papa-Joe and Kar-Kar

Big kisses from Brian's parents....

Baltimore, MD: The Downings

In June, Chase enjoyed her second trans-Atlantic flight.

We had a short visit with my grandparents, uncles and aunt in Maryland before flying down South to visit Brian's folks in Alabama and Mississippi.

Here are pics from Maryland....

Mary The Great

I am deeply saddened to report that just over a week ago, Chase's Great Grandmother, otherwise known as "Mary The Great," passed away.

Mary The Great was more than great, she was incredible. She was sharp as a tack, even at 98. Poised, proper and an uber perfectionist. She was stronger and more determined than any woman I have ever met. She always knew just what to say to make me smile when I was sad and find my way when I felt lost.

I will miss her so much.

9 weeks - 5 countries

This weekend we hopped on a train and went to Lake Maggiore in Italy (4 hours South of Zurich). The train ride through the Tocino Alps was unbelievably beautiful.

Snow capped mountains, wild flowers in valleys, villages snuggled in to cracks and crevices, cascading waterfalls.

Unfortunately, I forgot the camera.

Lake Maggiore was easily one of the most beautiful places we've ever been. Just striking. I've included a photo I found online.

The trip itself was one of the more expensive and challenging trips we've taken - complete with train tickets that cost much more than we anticipated, a hotel reservation that was actually for June, not May (which led to us taking a more expensive hotel room as it was the only one available, but it had the most amazing lake view), an attempt to abort the trip halfway through, only to be told our train tickets could not be changed in Italy as we had bought the tickets in Switzerland. We had also decided on the train as we believed it would make bringing baby easier - not true. The car would have been better. Ah well, live and learn.

En route, we realized it was the fifth country Chase has visited in her nine weeks of life. If we're not careful, we will have a baby who will only sleep when carried in her sling, on a train, in a car, or when sung lullabies by French men or elderly Italian women. She's been such a trooper; she's an exceptionally good traveller. We won't have a leg to stand on when she tells us she wants to live abroad or brings home a French man when she gets older.

More pics from PDX

Chase's trip to Portland

Chase and I just returned from our trip to Portland, Oregon. While we were there we visited Chase's Great Grand Mother, Mary, who is 98 years old. We also visited with Chase's Grand Father Mark, Grand Mother Cris, Grand Uncle Kevin and Grand Aunt Megge, Cousins Sean and Julia and Auntie Lockett. Here are some pictures from our trip...

Zurich

Chase has done quite a bit of exploring with me, but she spends most of her time fast asleep in the sling. So while I could include more pictures of her sleeping, I thought I would instead post some pics of Zurich.

Chase's First Roadtrip

Chase enjoyed a lovely drive through the French countryside, enroute to Zurich, with a stop-over in Champagne. She enjoyed spending the evening in lovely Chateau De Ferre (just outside of Reims). She highly recommends it!

Who does Chase look like?

Grandma Visit

Many thanks to Karla and Cris for making the trip to England.

Lovely lady