Back in Maryland

Well folks, we made it back to Maryland. It's sad to leave NY, but exciting to start a new chapter. We upgraded to a two-bedroom apartment. We put an offer on a townhouse in Columbia, MD and are waiting to hear back about it. Amber is getting ready to set up a small violin studio and Gabe starts a Doctor of Public Health program at Johns Hopkins in the fall.

Notice that throughout this post our camera was slowing dying. It finally stopped focusing on, of all days, Elle's birthday. We had to accept the fact and get a new camera.

Eleanor's Cute Update: Just turned 2. Insists upon wearing her dress-up heels to church and to bed. Our favorite new words of hers are are "beep" for sleep and hibou - owl in French. Obsessed with worms and bees. That's pretty much all she likes to talk about.

Sebastien's Cute Update: Almost 1. Is officially walking this week. Loves our new betta fish. Definitely a mama's boy - he even takes after her passion for watermelon.

Dressed up for a Fancy Nancy Party

Elle's essentials. Manis-pedis anyone?

Amber's farewell party in Port Washington at a ceramic craft store.

A view of the Upper East Side from the Roosevelt Island Tram on our last trip to the city.

Saying good bye on our last dad at church. This is our friend, Maureen.

Las familias Castellanos y Romero

Family photo: This is as good as it gets, folks.

Giving a last minute knitting lesson to Melanie and Emily

Amber swears that she left the room for ONE second. Seb is acquiring a taste for diaper rash cream.

Good-bye to our favorite upstairs neighbors. We don't know who misses the Valenzuelas more - Gabe and Amber or Elle and Seb?

Last trip to Manorhaven beach

Good-bye to Owen

Sharing a last treat with Lilly

Saying good-bye to the Library mom's group

Good-bye to Brendan

We lived in hospital resident housing for the last six weeks of our time on Long Island. Every time we passed these hall lights, Elle pointed the broken one and said with deep concern, "Uh-oh!" She'd then immediately point to the functioning one and yelled, "Ta-daaa!!"

Last moments at NSUH. Gabe worked his last day, then we got in the car and drove to Maryland.

Our first outing in Baltimore was to the National Aquarium

Lunchtime after the aquarium

We have a pool in our apartment complex. It's our home away from home this summer.

Gabe's old Army buddy, Tom, lives in Baltimore, too. His family came over to swim for Memorial Day. This is his daughter, Daphne.

Fell asleep on the way home from the pool

One of the first times we noticed Seb standing on his own.

Praying- and so proud of himself

On Elle's second birthday, she was old enough for her first library card!

Elle did a great job decorating her own cake! (Notice the camera beginning to die)

Elle's birthday activity was swimming, of course.

Turing two at 5:58 p.m.

Turning one 5:58 p.m.

Being born at 5:58 p.m. on June 6, 06

Birthday Bike! Can't reach the pedals yet, but we're working on it.

Multi-tasking

New friends in Baltimore, the Perrins.

We went to the Hon Fest in Hampden, Baltimore. Most people were dressed in beehives, feather boas, and horn-rimmed glasses. This is the neighborhood where the movie "Hairspray" takes place. The original film was also filmed there.

Little Miss Hon

Cafe Hon's iconic flamingo

No extravagance was spared.

Gabe came home one day to find the rest of the family in a high-securtiy fort! Table and all 8 chairs!

Practicing with mom. Elle can take out her bow and rosin it all by herself now.

Amber's new do. Nice eh?

Amber out with our new ward. Jones Falls Ward Ladies Night Out.

Swimming at Michelle and Eric Johnson's house

Michelle's new twin boys - Dilon and Cole

Opening pitch at an Oriole's game. It was "Mormon Night" so the whole stake was invited.

Jones Falls Ward!

At the Baltimore Zoo. Just as Amber was taking this photo, a camel leaned over the fence to sniff the kids. They're recoiling in fear.

At the zoo with the Ebert family

Super cute Aggies PJs. Thanks, Grandma Daleen!

We went to the Fells Point neighborhood on the Baltimore harbor. This little cafe is dedicated to Melissa.

The Karnsomtobs came to visit for the 4th of July. Elle was so excited to see her friend, Ava, again. We were glad to see Chai and Michelle, too!

Gabe accidentally took the double stroller to work. So Amber had to improvise - much to Seb's chagrin.

That's better.

Excited for her Birthday!
















Elle CRACKS up when she sees Seb fall over in this video. It keeps her occupied for hours.