It’s a boy and a girl for Peyton Manning!

Cathy Kightlinger/The Indianapolis Star/AP

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and his wife of 10 years, Ashley, have added to their family in a big way. On March 31st in Indianapolis they welcome twins Marshall Williams and Mosley Thompson into their lives according to The Neshoba Democrat, the hometown paper of Manning’s mom, Olivia Manning.

These tots would look adorable in Le Top’s “Sunny Ducky” stripe sleeveless romper (for Marshall) and the matching “Sunny Ducky” flower print sunsuit top and ruffle panty (for Mosley).

Peyton’s brother, Eli’s baby is only a couple weeks old. How great is it that the cousins will be the same age. It certainly makes play dates easier.

Le Top "Sunny Ducky" stripe sleeveless romper and the matching “Sunny Ducky” flower print sunsuit top and ruffle panty.

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Holiday Memories

Some of our Turkey Decorations

I was thrilled on Thanksgiving when my aunt and uncle, with their family in tow, joined our small family at my parent’s house.  My husband and I were hoping for the ‘big family’ feeling for the holiday – knowing that Lilah is at an age when memories might become permanent.  I am not the ‘chief cook’ in these holiday scenarios – so I focused on the handmade decorations.  In preparation for the event Lilah and I made the hand/foot turkeys and a couple of other Thanksgiving crafts for the table – it’s amazing how long these craft projects sometimes take but she really enjoyed the process! 

Kelly and Lilah

Our small family (I’m an only child and so is Lilah) relishes the holidays because we see more of our family.  I had the opportunity to visit with my cousin and her children – Kelly (2yrs) and Erin (newborn). They are the only other part of our family with babies in the Bay Area. Lilah and Kelly took an hour or so to warm up to each other but midway through the party they 

Baby Erin

were jumping on beds and feeding the pond fish together – so cute!  I loved seeing them interact as they ran, jumped, giggled and demanded to be tickled. I can’t wait until all three of the cousins are able to play together. It’s not too far away!  What better holiday memory than realizing that you have cousins to share turkey and fun! 

  

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Cousin Stories

I’m a teensy bit jealous looking at this photo of Miranda and her cousins. Why? Because I have to sit here in front of a computer and work all day, while she and her cousins get to play and go to the swimming pool! What? She’s only 4? Oh. Right. I had my turn when I was little! 😉 Really, this photo just makes me happy because it reminds me of happy kids, summertime freedom and fun times of childhood! And Miranda is one of my favorite kids, and she looks absolutely adorable in her le•top tankini!

Miranda sporting her new Butterfly tankini. She's ready to take a dip in the pool with her cousins, Christian (age 12) and Elliot (age 8). Click on image to see the Butterfly Wishes collection!

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Moms’ Double Trouble

Miranda in Flamingo Bay (left) and Sophia in Strawberry Fields

A couple of weekends ago, we drove down to Southern California to attend a baby shower I’d been invited to. Knowing that the weather there is always much warmer than the San Francisco, I packed summer wear—mostly le•top outfits—since it’ll be awhile before we really get to wear them here in the Bay Area. We met up with my cousin and her kids at a park so that my daughter (Miranda) and her daughter (Sophia) could get some play time. They’re like sisters, these two. We call them “Double Trouble.” They’re both bossy and like to pick on the boys.

I was delighted to see Sophia in the le•top Strawberry Fields dress that I sent to her as a birthday gift. Meanwhile, Miranda was decked out in my favorite le•top collection, Flamingo Bay. What’s fabulous is, that although these outfits are from two different collections, they complement each other very well! Perfect for sisters, twins, cousins, friends — who like to dress alike but not exactly the same.

Visit our store locator to find these lovely collections near you.

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Baby Model, Cousin, Cyclist…All-Round Good Guy

Alec (Yellow Turtle baby model!) in le•top, circa 1993, with his tricycle and...is he holding a bug?

J. at Yellow Turtle found a “vintage” photo of her son in le•top and sent it over for fun. I loved the old tricycle and the whole composition of this photo; the un-mowed grass, the dandelions, the lone tennis shoe and little Alec looking like the quintessential, all-American portrait of little boy having a great summer! Of course, I wanted to share with everyone on the blog, so I asked J. for a more recent photo of her son, Alec (now 18), and she sent over a few. I noted to her that there seemed to be a cycling theme, and she said her niece, Alec’s cousin, has MS, so Alec has been doing the Bike MS ride since he was 12! Alec and his dad do this ride every year. Last year Alec raised over $2000 – they both rode 75 miles each day, in the hills of Vermont! J. and her daughter are the cooler girls – they wait at the rest-stops with drinks and food. Great family support! We’re looking forward to photos from this year’s Bike MS in Vermont which will be held August 8-9, 2009…Go, Alec!

Alec, now, but still being a little boy at heart! Photo at left is from his Bike MS 2008 event

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Cousins Make Great Friends

Cousins born on the same day showing some love!

I just got this adorable photo, and it reminded me of how much I loved having my cousins around when I was little. I think it’s so special to grow up with them around. I have lots of memories of running around and playing all day during the summers. Cousins seem better than siblings because even though they are family, they’re not nearly as annoying! 😉 They are a nice balance between being a family member, as much as being just a good friend. How neat that these two were born on the same day!

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Big Sis Knows What To Do

Last weekend we drove down to Los Angeles (from the Bay Area) for my cousin’s baby shower. The drive there was a piece of cake. It took us about 8 hours with only 2 stops. Amazing, considering we had a newborn. Meanwhile, my 4-year old was her usual self asking us what number to count to before we get to LA, and repeatedly asking, “Are we there yet?” (Click here to read about our memorable trip to San Diego.)

The drive home was a completely different story. It took us almost 12 hours with so many stops that I vowed never to drive a long trip like that ever again! For some reason, my 3-week old was hungry EVERY HOUR. “Didn’t I just feed you?” And other times he would howl and cry, and we couldn’t figure out why. He wasn’t hungry. He wasn’t wet. He wasn’t hurt or sick. He just wanted to be on Daddy’s lap or in Mommy’s embrace. I guess I’d rather have that, too. But after so many stops for no reason other than to take him out of his car seat, we’d had enough. Our so-called “solution” was to let him scream in agony — while we listened in agony! Then, miraculously, Big Sis saved the day. Miranda sang “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and Paulo stopped crying! The first time it happened, we thought it was just luck. But it happened a couple more times, and it worked every time. One time she even sang a different song (some song from “High School Musical”), but it didn’t work. So we asked her to stick to his usual request because that’s what Paulo liked. She gladly complied.

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Designer Series: Wags ‘N Whiskers from the le•top Fall Collection

Did you pick this Wags ‘N Whiskers collection as one of your faves in our Favorites Contest?

These two cousins are adorable in le•top’s Wags ‘N Whiskers collection. Puppy dogs for little boys, and cute kittens for little girls. Perfect for siblings, twins, cousins, and more! Get cozy and warm in these hooded plush jackets. Floppy blue ears or little pink ears will make your darlings the cat’s meow! (These jackets are actually warm enough to wear outdoors, but super soft!)

Pants, dresses and overalls are made of soft flannel, paired with luscious knit tops sure to keep them comfortable and warm. Available in sizes 3 months to 6X. Visit our le•top store locator to find a shop near you, or click here for online shopping options.

More from this collection…

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