fun with the kiddies

we are having so much fun as Amata starts walking and Dom becomes a big boy!

Check out this video of Amata tackling Dominick.

my recipe blog

I have a recipe blog now at thestarkilsons.blogspot.com and it has a log of my kitchen creations as well as reviews from the family. I know the address is strange, but that is a long story about my difficulties with technology.

new computer

Jeanie has a new computer, so hopefully the frequency of blogs will increase. This thing is awesome...and pretty. It is blue.

Coast Guard City USA

We are having a great visit with Mimi and Bappa in good old GH. This week we will enjoy the many exciting aspects of the Coast Guard Festival. There is a carnival, parade and all one needs for their annual dose of Americana.
This weekend Brian and I celebrated our fifth anniversary by taking the family on a mini-vacation to Grand Rapids. The town has really changed since I was a kid! We stayed at the JW Marriot, which was not exactly made for little kids, but we loved it all the same. We went to the Children's Museum and the Zoo and had a great time!

Family Photo

This is our family photo we took with our brand new camera. We are having so much fun these days. Mata is on the move:crawling, pulling up, standing just long enough to clap for herself and, just today, getting down off the sofa all by herself! She even has made an attempt at the stairs.
Dominick loves playing with his sister. Yesterday she was crawling all over him and he said, "Mata just wants Domi's attention." He cracks us up! He only stops talking for two reasons: to get just enough sleep to start up again, or when I want to show off his talking skills to someone (must keep mama humble).

Cousin Ani!

We are having a blast visiting with cousin Ani Do Do or "The Dodes." They broke in Mimi and Bopa's new condo in Grand Haven with blueberries, sippie cup drips and all around havoc.

Kids are growing up...

These little folks are growing up soooo fast. Tonight Brian was playing hockey with Dom on the sidewalk and Dom wanted the ball to roll down the hill. He said to Brian "Let is go Dada," wanting him not to stop the ball. When Brian stopped it he said, "Dada let it go, I told you 20 times." The tone was recognizable. I guess Mama must say that without realizing it.
Mata is trying to walk already. She pulls up then lets go with one hand and smiles, then in a daring move she lets go with the other hand and tries to stand unassisted. She is so proud of this feat.
We are looking forward to seeing Cousin Ani in less than a week.

Mata was Baptized

On December 27 Amata was Baptized at St. Mary's in Ann Arbor. It was a great celebration of this beautiful new life.

So many updates, so little time

We are having a great time with these wonderful kids. Amata is a big 3 month old now. She makes us all smile with her precious laugh and the joy she emits! Dominick is a two year old now! Whoa! He has sooooo much to say. His favorite things are hockey, trucks, firefighters and books about the above topics. He keeps us very busy.