evan's latest tricks

evan loves to feed himself now. he wasn't eating his yogurt well for me this morning and so i eventually just gave him the bowl and spoon and let him try to feed himself. pretty cute results (although i don't think yogurt was consumed as much as played with).

evan can now climb the whole flight of stairs. he is pulling himself to standing and just starting to cruise the furniture. he loves to grab faces (jake seems to be the only one who doesn't mind - he usually giggles while evan is digging his fingers in his face. i still promptly remove evan.)

we might have another performer. last night pat was holding evan at the piano (which evan LOVES). every time evan banged on the piano, he would then look at the rest of us to give him praise. he would pitched a fit anytime that you tried to take him away from the piano.

we sure do enjoy him!

more hair pix

i just love how evan's hair got "windswept" and so i took this picture!

hairdo

ain't big sisters great? gigi (gracie's nickname) had a snow day yesterday and did lily's hair. i thought it turned out cute. wish i could get lily to sit so still when i brush her hair.

welcome home picture

not sure why this picture isn't showing up with my last post. so i'm posting it again.

FYI - lily was asleep on the couch.

welcome home

pat returned home (uneventfully) last thursday evening. we were all happy to have him home. the girls helped me make cheesecake and signs. we didn't get everything done that we had hoped for (we bought dinner on drive home from airport), but we tried to welcome him home without too much usual chaos.

we're glad to have him home, but also glad that he was able to support his family. kirsten's funeral has been delayed until her mother can attend (she's still in the hospital). pat did make it in time (just barely) for a memorial service with high school friends and then his family gathered sunday evening to share memories with each other.

In Memory

"...Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation." -Kahihl Gibran
"Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal." -Sir Thomas Moore

Pat's niece, Kirsten, died this past Monday at Trolley Square in Salt Lake. Her mother was also seriously injured. We are obviously shocked and devastated at the loss of Kirsten and hope a full recovery for her mother, Carolyn. There have been many acts of kindness from the community in Salt Lake as well as our family and friends here in Ct. Thank you.

Here is a statement from our family:

The Families of Kirsten Hinckley and Carolyn Tuft are, with all of our community
saddened and shocked at the events of the previous evening. We are especially
saddened by the loss of our sweet Kirsten, and the critical injury that occurred
to Carolyn, but our hearts go out to all of the people hurt by this Tragedy. We
would like to thank the entire law enforcement and medical communities for
excellent handling of this whole ordeal. We appreciate the many thoughts and
prayers that have gone out on behalf of both Kirsten and Carolyn, and join with
our community in wishing well to all those who have suffered at this time. We
ask the media and people for privacy.

Sincerely The Hinckley and Tuft Family

Due to weather, it's been a real struggle to get Pat to Salt Lake. He is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. He is anxious to gather and support his family. Thank you again for your support and prayers.

the kids

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift. That's why it is called the present." -Eleanor Roosevelt

p.s. i haven't been able to get lily to wear this dress since these pictures were taken. she has her own sense of style (which to be honest, she usually comes up with a cute outfit, complete with purse!)