The Jolly Robersteins

The Inauguration

2009-01-25T20:21:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, John had the opportunity to go to DC and meet with the transition team to talk about Green Jobs & social investing. He had a great trip, came back inspired & said, "You know, the people getting ready to run the place actually look like us!! They're our age!!"

I'd been getting more and more emotional about the whole thing & decided to look into tickets. John had a week-long trip to Michigan planned, so he couldn't join. We found a cheap ticket on Saturday & by Sunday I was on a plane to Washington with the baby. A day later, my friend Renee joined us.

Next, we had to figure out our social calendar. Renee had gotten VIP tickets to the Hip Hop Inaugural Ball for Monday night, so that was a must. On Tuesday morning we got up really early & caught a cab to the Metro. When we arrived to DC, it was a madhouse & we joined the masses headed towards the National Mall. It was cold, but not too bad. Once at the Mall, we made our way towards the Capitol building. We found a perfect spot in the middle of a group of mostly women in their 60s, 70s & 80s, and mostly from out-of-town. They had gotten there early so they could have access to the park benches to rest their knees/backs.

As a group of strangers who had all come to witness history in the making, we sang, laughed, cheered, listened & wept. It was an amazing time. I should have captured it in a group photo. Everyone loved James. A few sang to him & wished him well, saying he'd be in their prayers.

After the swearing-in, it was almost impossible to leave the Mall, so we headed to the African Art Museum to warm up.

That evening John's aunt and uncle watched James as Renee and I got dressed and headed into DC. Renee went to the Western Ball & I headed to the Google late night party. It was great to see friends, hear everyone's Inauguration story (Kippy & Jason Scott had the best one -- their 10-month-old ended up on the front page of the Inauguration Day New York Times being held by Obama. Google 'Jedi Scott' for details...) & celebrate our new president. I didn't get home until 3:30 a.m.

Thursday we had lunch with Dennis & Mari from Global Giving and then headed to Ashoka so James could meet my colleagues.

Friday morning we went to Robby's school to meet her students and that afternoon, we flew home. It was a whirlwind trip, but inspiring, amazing and wonderful. And James was a total dreamboat baby.

Rice Cereal!!

2009-01-24T22:56:00.000-08:00

Colorado

2009-01-24T21:49:00.000-08:00

Hauling the Christmas Tree down the road with

Self-portrait by the pond

The bundled baby

Daddy needs a haircut

Reading with YiaYia Jean

In front of the Meredith Store with baby James Meredith

We had a great time in Colorado this year. Tons of snow, tons of fun.

Our Texas Visit

2008-12-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

It was a spontaneous decision. In early December, John had a week-long meeting in Albuquerque, and James and I decided to join him. We didn't really have a plan for our stay, except a probable day trip to Santa Fe to visit a friend. After landing in New Mexico (the flight was uneventful... James did great), we took a taxi into town. As we drove under an overpass for Interstate 40, I asked the taxi driver how far we were from Amarillo, TX. He said it'd take around 4.5 hours to drive there.

The next morning I asked the hotel's driver to take me and Munch to the car rental & hopped in a rental car. I called Uncle Jerry on the way. He said he'd coordinate dinner with everyone at Grandma's house.

It was an awesome trip. Too short, but awesome. James did great on the drives to and from Amarillo. We stopped a couple of times on the way so I could nurse him and made pretty good time. (Too good, you might say. I got a speeding ticket on the way back to Albuquerque.)

Here is a video of James meeting Grandma the afternoon we arrived:

And the next morning:

Being with family was amazing. I need to get to Amarillo more often.

Thanksgiving in Missouri

2008-12-14T20:37:00.001-08:00

Last month we made our annual trip to Columbia Missouri for Thanksgiving. We were lucky enough to have time with both sets of grandparents & little James got to meet two of his great grandmothers. It was a great visit & James was a champ on the plane.

Meeting Grandma Margot:

Meeting Grandpa Rusty:

Meeting Nanny (Holly's Grandmother):

With Auntie Courtney

2008-12-14T20:20:00.000-08:00

It's been a couple of months now & Courtney is settled in the cottage out back. It's great to have her here -- although it seems we never have enough time together. I love this picture of the two of them.

Obama! (Yes, I know it's been a month, but I'm still excited..)

2008-12-14T19:54:00.001-08:00

Obama is going to be president. I can't believe it. It's been a month now & I still don't have words to express my excitement. Munch and I went to vote together & had a great time. He wore his Obama onesie and they gave him an 'I Voted' sticker of his own.

I was so excited to vote. It's such an amazing and hopeful time in our nation's history. And I'm super-proud to be an American.

Our Halloween (or lack thereof) and some VERY cool parents we know whose blog puts ours to shame

2008-11-13T20:27:00.000-08:00

http://www.lizandrobertarewickedcoolparents.blogspot.com/

Check out one of the most clever Halloween costumes involving parents and child and a great series on teaching little Lucas how to sit up. This is (entertaining) filler as we find the cable to upload some more of our pictures and videos including more playdates (this time with JM's buddy Reggie - everyone should have a buddy named Reggie) and Uncle Alex's visit.

Our own Halloween was decidedly more staid. John worked too late and forgot to buy candy which meant Holly needed to hide in a darkened house in the hopes that trick-or-treaters would not stop by and be disappointed. Once John finally got home and bought 8 bags of candy, a grand total of three groups showed up (John got dirty looks from parents for encouraging the kids to take as much as they could carry) and John and Holly made themselves sick eating the leftovers. Oh well. There is always next year.

The Jolly Roberstein YouTube Channel

2008-10-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

Check out videos of James & his friends and family at http://www.youtube.com/JollyRoberstein

We'll continue to post our favorites directly to the blog...

Much love,

Holly

A playdate with Ella!

2008-10-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of little James at Live Oak Park with his friend Ella and her parents. James at 8 weeks was the Benjamin to Ella's Mrs. Robinson, a vastly more mature 15 week old. We will see if these tendencies continue as he grows....

Hangin' with the Paci

2008-10-26T23:50:00.001-07:00

Pictures!

2008-10-26T23:37:00.001-07:00

Check out some pics of The Munch at http://picasaweb.google.com/hollyroberson/PicsOfMunchBirthTo8Weeks

Munch - The Early Years

2008-10-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog!

As many of you know, John and I are terrible about keeping in touch. This is our latest attempt to be better. It seems unfair to the world to continue this trend when we have the most beautiful little boy and can't wait to share him with all of you.

The first eight weeks with little James have been fantastic. He's a great little boy & we couldn't be happier and more proud.

We'll do our best to put up pictures & stories as we have them.

Much love to you all,

xoox

Holly, John & James