Days with the Dorans

I remember a few years ago going out to dinner with my Grandpa Jonasen and his brother Erling. I remember sitting in this room with two amazing men who had known each other nearly 90 years! There is no one in this world that I will know longer than my brother and it is so exciting to watch him as he and his wonderful wife prepare for the birth of their first baby. I remember when Danny came to the hospital when the boys were born. How he looked when he held Jonasen at his baptism and how he cried for Andrew at his memorial. It has been so touching to watch him love my children and I am so excited to love his. My mom and I threw a shower for Stephanie and Dan last Saturday and it appeared that everyone had a great time. Ali Jane helped decorate the room by delivering our 'pickle and jar opener' party favors to each table, and helping move chairs. She was very excited to go to the 'all girl' party for her cousin that 'is in Aunt Steph's belly still.' Danny w...

Joey didn't talk until he was about a year and a half old. Ali Jane... well, I think that she came out of the womb talking. Zach... um... we're still pretty much waiting. Dont' get me wrong- he knows the necessary words, "No, Mine, Yoey, Ayee, Mommy, Dahdee, etc" and he understands everything . He'll get you a diaper if you ask him. And if you ask him to grab a specific book- he'll do that too! We've had some nice spring weather lately and Zach has not been understanding the word "No." lately. When I said, "No. It's time to come in." He replied... "NO, NO, NO!" After a temper-tantrum later and of course some dinner, we were settling in for the evening. I was cleaning up and he came to me- opening and closing his hand toward our pantry... "CACKER, CACKER, CACKER!" "No." I said. "You've already had dinner, we need to get ready for bed. Why don't you pick out a book and we'...