The Stevens Family

First Snow of 2012!

2012-01-20T08:55:00.000-08:00

To make up for the lack of pictures from the last two weeks (because who wants pictures of everyone lying around being sick) I present to you nearly every second of our outdoor adventure in the first snow of 2012. It feels like victory to get 4 kids dressed for the outdoors in winter and make it for 15 minutes outside ;) maybe it was even 20?

Eliot was confused about the seasons...

Have pitchers and catchers reported yet mama?

oh, to run free after almost 2 weeks of captivity and sickness

just enough snow for fun and small legs to tromp in

and of course snow clump fights (not really balls per se)

Eliot spent alot of time at ground level...

gotcha mama!

here, again, walking in boots is a learned skill

I seemed to be a primary target of snow clumps

but I got a few shots in myself (and photographed them too, so clever)

so forlorn

comparison

we did it! we all got outdoors!

And in case this wasn't enough photos for you, I present, we all got outdoors 2011 version:

Eliot was riding in the sling incognito

Playhouse

2012-01-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

Behold: The rather splendid playhouse the NH cousins bestowed on us at Christmas. It's um, about as large as the kids bedroom (ok maybe it's just as large as the floorspace b/w 4 beds) so it's a sometimes toy)

complete with windows and doors

see the nice coloring they did?

peekaboo

and so roomy....

cause it's so large!

surprise!

Christmas in NH (Xmas part 4)

2012-01-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

On the thursday after Christmas Day, we met our NH family at auntie Julie and Uncle Jarrod's house. It was fun times all around!

happy with her presents so far

wandering around looking handsome

checking out the cardboard playhouse

silly grampa, those are Lily's hair clips!

ornament for the tree

oohh a little ball mama....

grammie and the cousins

grammie did some rockin' knitting!

purple scarf!

handsome black spekled scarf

a most adorable hat (and really amusing animal from the cousins)

hanging with daddy

wrapping paper wars

Izzy snuggling the bunny we sewed for her

auntie and Izzy inspecting the family pictures

sweetie pie

grampa attack!

giving Izzy smooches

Getting snuggles from the sleeping beauty

Christmas with the Maine Cousins (Part 2)

2012-01-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

Because you need even more pictures of the awesome that is a cousin Christmas party...

Dueling Kindle devices for they that started this crazy family....

baby doll in an outfit mummi made

Presents!

books from Mummi

coffee for the uncle

apps for the Iphone

Hula Hoop madness:

Gabriel and auntie Steph wear it well

Molly looks fabulous with a bow and a hula hoop

doing tricks, says Gabe

Eliot playing with a hula hoop

Logan giving it a twirl

baskets of goodies were curtesy of Steph and family

Auntie Spring charming the youngest nephews

chillin with uncle Rich

whatchya doin' Molly?

As you can see, we had quite a bit of fun!

Christmas with the Maine Cousins (xmas #3 part 1)

2012-01-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

On monday night the Maine aunties and Uncles and cousins came to Mummi and Pappa's and we partied!

Lily and mama in our matching Christmas skirt and jumper mama sewed

pre-party fun:

Presents! Mummi made pillow case

Mummi made Eliot a bag to carry things around in!

more pillow cases

Figures from Mario kart from some cousins- AWESOME

Daddy and uncle John discuss gifts....

Pappa was in charge of pez dispensers

Christmas with Mummi and Pappa (Xmas #2)

2012-01-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas afternoon we packed up and drove to Maine to dine and open presents with the Maine Grandparents, Mummi and Pappa as they are known...

A purple shirt for a Lily Girl

opening presents by the tree

the tongue aids with the concentration ;)

A BOT-BO-BILE!!

helping daddy open a present (mummi couldn't resist a yankees vs red sox chess set)

Mummi and Pappa check out their calendar of adorable grandchildren ;)

a little reindeer investigates the tree..

and 4 ukuleles all in a row

and kisses his new baby doll goodnight

Christmas morning

2011-12-31T20:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas at our house! It's finally come!

the view under the tree....

Hula hoops, (mama made!) hiding between the couch and chair

Eliot starts to figure things out

fun in the stocking

a new notebook and pen, must need testing out

mama passes out the hula hoops, who wants red? blue....purple or yellow

pulla for breakfast

new footie pj's

superhero fun

and the grand finale! Ukuleles for everyone!

That's alot of cuteness in one place. Merry Christmas it was indeed!

Dancing with Lily

2011-12-31T19:45:00.000-08:00

The last dance class before Christmas break we were invited to sit inside the dance room and watch Gillian's dance class. It was delightful and highly entertaining.

Dance scarves and galloping

first position

second position

lovely ballet tip toe walking

TAP SHOES

This was during jingle bell rock. Totally fabulous.

much fun was had by all, including 3 brothers who watched and clapped and cheered and only occasionally threw things at the tiny dancers (ahem, Eliot...)

Christmas with the CA Cousins

2011-12-30T16:36:00.000-08:00

(Please excuse us while we catch up the entire month of December!!)

We got to do Christmas presents with our awesome California family before they jetted back home in mid December.
Auntie and Alyssa

Austin graciously passed on some of his awesome legos.

Lily checking out her stamp gift

mmmm candy sticks

Alyssa and her handmade card

Showing off the loot and saying thanks

playing with daddy's Iphone

letting Pappa read to him

Chilling by auntie

Austin lends a hand with his lego skills

arts and crafts with the awesome cuz'

bonding

Chatting with Mummi

Christmas trains are fun to watch, and Mummi brought us a village!

Oliver turns 3!

2011-12-30T13:13:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Oliver's 3rd birthday while some family was in town!

mmmm cake and ice cream

little cars

a ball!

onlookers...

a big parking garage! woo hoo

auntie and uncle were there

"helping to assemble"

hmmmm laying it all out

playing ball with Pappa!

Ollie got a lovely day playing with cousins and topped off with dessert and presents. It was a good day!

2011-12-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

(Excuse us while we catch up the entire month of December)

Auntie Kate, Alyssa and Austin Visit from CA!

Little family of computer nerds?

cousins Alyssa reads to us

walking home from the library

all dressed up to go to a play

cousins!

Advent: Decorating the Christmas tree

2011-12-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

(Excuse us while we catch up the entire month of December)

Ollie helps daddy

There's a train under that tree!

cute boys in their pj's by the tree, so much to love!

Advent: Church dance party

2011-12-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

(excuse us while we catch up the entire month of December....)

In Early December we went to a party at Church, we ate, we danced ALOT and we generally had a fabulous time!

Daddy and Eliot, with a new ornament

Lily and her new ornament

Bruce, he likes to dress to impress

the ornaments went over very well

Gillian makes a friend

There was a woman at the party who is a professional folk dance caller, she taught us a bunch of dances from around the world. It was fabulous fun. Note mom danced the entire night with Eliot attached in the Ergo. Gillian and her friend made lovely partners! Daddy and Bruce danced often, and Oliver also joined in, sometimes carried by daddy. It was a successful event all around!

Lily, her friend and the parents of said friend.

DESSERT!

Advent: Getting the tree!

2011-12-30T12:21:00.000-08:00

(excuse us while we catch up the entire month of December....)

Walking around checking out Christmas trees (and smelling them, of course)

the (mostly) happy family after a successful choosing

they even help you tie it up!

but daddy has to carry it up the stairs himself

mmmmmmm, mom loves the smell of fresh cut Christmas tree (thanks Bruce for the picture!)

Thanksgiving IN NH

2011-11-25T13:07:00.001-08:00

Baby Izzy and Eliot

this adorable child is a cuddle bug

with the grampie

uncle Rj and Eliot

looking festive in plaid ;)

handsome guy

Miss Lexi and Izzy

Ollie man in red

Jarrod checking in on the game

there was snow in NH, very exciting

snowball fight w/grampie

lemme out! I want to go out!!

ok that was enough outside time....

chocolate pie- he wears it well

post-turkey slumber

making a fashion statement

cousin sleep-over!!

aunt Chrissy the hostess

Izzy gets her meal, she's an entertaining eater

dual grandma awesomeness

Friday dance party

daddy time

Outdoors

2011-11-22T14:03:00.001-08:00

Recently we took a family outing at a playground by the Charles River, it was a lovely time!

Aunt April and Uncle Phil

2011-11-22T13:31:00.001-08:00

We got a bonus family visit today,with Aunt April and Uncle Phil yippee!

chillin w/ uncle Phil

candid

squeezing everyone in on self timer ;)

how we looked last year at nearly this exact time!

last year including uncle Phil

The continuing adventures of Ollie and Harvey

2011-11-21T06:30:00.001-08:00

The leaf pile was very fun for the dynamic duo!

getting into the spirit of things

such a handsome dude!

Fall leaves!

2011-11-21T06:19:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we had an adventure at Harvey's house, behold, a pile of leaves and 6 happy children!

Mr. Dan gets the pile primed

let the fun begin!

little Z man shows off his eyebrow skillz

Halloween Super Mario Style

2011-10-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

Halloween, in approximately 100 pictures, because the kids were so adorable I couldn't narrow down to less. Many Many MANY thanks to our dear Friend Miss leah(and Mr. Dan) who saved Halloween by making good on our promise to Bruce that he could be Yoshi. We owe you big time. I did however, make a princess peach crown, remade a Mario hat when the one I made years ago went mysteriously missing TODAY, and also made a not entirely accurate Luigi hat. Which only lasted for pictures anyway. Also, I got the outfit for mario at a thrift store today. So you know, I did stuff for Halloween too.....
Here you Go, there's a lot of pictures, Enjoy.

Yoshi

front view

action pose

rear view. I mean seriously, does this not ROCK?!!!

Princess Peach. Apparently that is her action pose.

Mama made the crown. See I sew....poorly...

Baby Luigi

Happy Baby Luigi, see there is an L on that hat....ha ha

yoshi and baby Luigi

Mario action pose

SUPER Mario indeed

brothers

just chillin' at our mario palace

action poses

ready to go out

having "a moment" before trick or treat time

it;s ok mario baby luigi and mama love you!

trick or treat!

trick or treat, mario style! "
Hey Yoshi ring the doorbell, ok Princess Peach! Mario catch up, mom don't forget to get baby Luigi some candy, and on it went all night long. Totally worth it.

super dad w/ baby luigi, he caught on to look cute and hold his hand out

quite the crew...

LOOT! Time to watch the great pumpkin while we eat some sugar....

Butterfly place

2011-10-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Since apple picking was a bust, we went to butterfly place down the street from the farm. It was 80 degrees inside and 45ish outside so my lens was fogged a great deal of the time...

he really wanted to do the scavenger hunt ;)

Miss Leah proves mama was at the butterfly place too ha ha

sneezy butterfly

me too..he had to have a picture taken too (thanks Bruce)

do butterflies wear sunglasses? (thanks Bruce)

checking off boxes for the scavenger hunt

dynamic duo

bruce's hat made a nice landing spot

one of my favorites

leah and zion the sweety-pie

Um, is that snow?

2011-10-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

We tried to go apple picking one last time, but mother nature got confused....it's still October isn't it?

mama didn't think to bring gloves...

first snowball fight of the season, not quite a fair fight really...

"look mama we are throwing the snow, it's NAUGHTY, ha ha ha ha"

best buds, Harvey is a tad more prepared for snow, in my defense there wasn't any snow at our apartment...

fashionista and her cuddly baby

um, the pumpkins are covered in snow....

brand new to him winter coat, who knew he'd be modeling it so soon!

Gillian: summer hat w/ winter coat, that about sums it up

runnin' around

At least there was a sale on already picked apples....

Fall

2011-10-28T16:59:00.001-07:00

We went to Castle Island a few weeks ago. It was quite the warm day...

Apple Cider pressing

2011-10-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Back a few weeks we continuted a tradition we started last year and went to our CSA farm for apple cider pressing. Fun times indeed, and we had friends who live out by the farm so they came along for the fun times!

choosing our bushel of apples

the farm which provides our weekly vegetable pick up

girl pose

with daddy up to the farm stand

grinding the apples

pressing the apples

a lot of work

calling in the big muscles

friends!

friends some more!

donut delight

happy baby who was just weeks old last time we did this, sniff sniff

a mountain of pumpkins

Butterflies!

2011-10-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

As part of homeschooling we ordered catepillars and watched them spin up and become chrsalides and then emerge as painted lady butterflies. They were lovely to watch inside, but after reading that they can fly for 1000's of miles in their life span I felt bad for the ladies being stuck inside. They seemed to be bored and weren;t very energetic. Our haphazard feeding may not have helped....So finally one warm enough day we took them outside to release them back to the wild, all four of the survivors (4 out of 5 catepillars made it)

behold, the butterfly garden

we managed to keep them alive in there. somewhat miraculous

they weren't sure how to be free, We got one to attach to a stick, here is Ollie helping the little guy see the flowers

so pretty!

Bruce enticing another one with a pretty flower

success!

this one was terribly lethargic and we were worried she wouldn't fly off, but eventually she found freedom exilerating and took flight. mission accomplished!

Ollie's bike ride

2011-10-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago Luke took Ollie on a bike ride which was the highlight of Ollie's month, at least.

dinosaur helmet! grrrr

bike seat attached

getting buckled in

one terribly excited boy

off on an adventure!

Eliot's first birthday

2011-09-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

After some lovely fall apple picking, last saturday, we had some cupcakes and ice cream in honor of Eliot being one.

that looks tasty!

this is the BEST EVER

mmmm frosting

classic Eliot happy face

friends!

baby kisses

some presents!

Miss Leah's handmade awesomeness!

kisses from mama

our sweet baby boy!

Apple picking is half about the pictures anyway

2011-09-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

More apple picking pictures, because Luke and the kids pick and I take a million photos, it's how I roll....

getting so big

leah and her boys in matching sweater vests, of course!

glad to see I'm not the only parent with a camera in my family's face :)

looking cool with a tasty apple

daddy talk

you pick the up high ones Lily...or maybe not (wasn't into the heights after all)

mama and her baby

on the hay ride

another mama friend and her kiddos

hay maze, watch out Eliot!

chillin in the maze

The dynamic duo

2011-09-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Ollie has a best friend, Harvey, who came apple picking with us last saturday. The dynamic duo had a grand time...

hay ride

test tasting

dropped apples

what??? these are our first apples, promise!

climbing on the hay maze

big boys

funny boys!

Eliot is One!

2011-09-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Eliot turned one last Saturday. We had a little apple picking adventure in honor of his fall birthday!

first taste of donut...mmmm

bonding with brother

my apple

loving life!

hay ride

smooches form mama

Look who's one!

One is GREAT!

Robot Birthday...in Maine

2011-09-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

We finished up Bruce's birthday celebrations in Maine last weekend. I secretly planned (with EXTENSIVE help from my SIL Steph, the grand pumba of cool cakes in the family) a robot cake. I baked all the cakes and then did the base frosting. Steph came and graciously did the face and the chest decorations since I was panicky that it would stink. Anyway...behold.

water gun fight

run Mummi run!

TA-DA

putting candles on the cake

6...he's 6?!!!

PRESENTS!

the cousins help

yes his grandparents got him a knock knock book. we might forgive them

funny face

Batman puzzle!
A good time was had by all!

Eliot turned 11 months

2011-09-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

Way back on august 17th eliot turned 11 months. that means he's almost a year old now. oh my. He weighed in at 18lbs 13 ozs about a week later at the Dr. she said to fatten him up. we're working on that. He's actually growing a appreciation of real food lately so maybe it will be easy to do so.
Anyway- his adorable self at 11 months (and yeah i actually took the photos that day and didn't post them until 2 weeks later...opps)

he loves to clap. just adores it.

he's good at climbing up stairs, standing on his own and crawls at lightening speed. I'm sure he'll be walking soon.

Bruce's birthday actual

2011-08-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Bruce being officially Six today with the zoo, presents and cupcakes!

we're just eating lunch- oh and check out the giraffe behind us....LOVE THAT

miss Leah and Zion chillin with us at the zoo

carousel ride

rock star

eliot loved riding on the horsey, here he is trying to get back on!

Present time!

mario kart for the wii!

AWESOME!

oh my goodness, drama queen

blowing out the candles on the strawberry cupcake!

Fun with grandparents and cousins!

2011-08-22T18:46:00.000-07:00

A great deal of fun was had this weekend at grammie and grandpas:

picking blackberries w/ gram:

Coloring:

Tractor rides...

Just standing around near daddy...

playin...

I want to learn t-ball!

Super soaking madness...Grampie and Brucie square off...

SOAKED!

Family party

2011-08-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

Friday night we had a very belated birthday party for Grammie. Good times and many many pictures were taken.

auntie Chrissy and Lexi

(great) Mary

grampie and his littlest grand daughter

baby smiles

smoking some pulled pork!

little hams

Auntie Julie and sweet Izzy

Izzy and her great gram

worn out!

all the grand children 2 great grams and a great-great aunt

singing happy b-day to gram

Bruce turns Six!

2011-08-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

Bruce had a birthday party with his NH cousins Saturday. We took him on a train ride with gramps, gram and the NH Cousins. pretty good times were had by all.

The happy birthday boy and popeye the sailer girl ;)

Grammie and Lex

grampie and HK

got a hold on daddy

mama and baby

modeling our $2 sunglasses

grammie and Lily girl

PRESENTS

strawberry cake with chocolate frosting and strawberries on top, as requested

super soaker. oh my

Pre-k sports

2011-08-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

Warming up before pre-k sports!

touch your toes (try to grab your brother)

Ollie racing around off to the side

jumping jacks...by 3-5 year olds are HILARIOUS

pencil...

star!

water break!

fielding pose

lily at bat

Large enough balls you think?

crawling like a pro...

Playground fun

2011-08-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

Had some fun at the playground today!

happy baby!

he's really into climbing now...

Action pose!

keeping up w/ the big kids!

Bruce's action pose!

Herding cats...or a group photo shot attempt

2011-08-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

How it goes when one is trying to get cute children to look cute for the camera...all at once....with a playground lurking behind them....

Mama: lets take a cute picture of you all with your new haircuts..

Ollie, can you smile?

Opps Bruce your eyes were closed...

AHHHH CHOOOO. OK that was REALLY close guys...try again

do we haaaavvveee tooooo?

funny face Lily, good job Bruce but look at me, Ollie can you smile?

2 outta 3 aint bad? yeah that's it

Hair cut cuteness!

2011-08-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

Last night miss Sasha came to cut our hair.

Before:

During:

After ( a VERY excited customer. She'd been asking for short hair since 5 minutes after Miss Sasha cut mama's hair short last month)

Before:

After

Before (and actually this was a few weeks ago, his hair was even longer since here..he just always wears hats now in pictures)

After

The only downside is they all look older now....hey knock that off cuties!

Fun times in NH part 1

2011-08-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Had some good times in NH the last weekend in July, the older kids had their first sleep over at grammie and grampies house. They loved it!

The uncle. looking fierce

sandy baby

DOUBLE TROUBLE

purple hat, purple lips

Lexi-lou

warming up

HK digging away

water baby

wild child

going with grampie to wash off

so cute

Fun times in NH part 2

2011-08-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

Squam lake science center with Grammie! This place was awesome. Cool animals and lots of snacking and such

That's Bruce's head he was the special volunteer...

he got to put the meat-cicle in the tube....

and the otter was quite pleased!

posing with grammie

posing with mama

Folk Baby

2011-08-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

Last Weekend Eliot got to tag along to the Newport Folk festival w/ mom and dad. Good times were had...

lego time in the kiddie tent!

ADORABLE!

playing w/ a beach ball, wish we'd remembered to snag it when we left

so cute someone stopped and offered to take a picture for us...

clapping and trying to figure out some of those Decemberists lyrics (try not to think about it too much little guy!)

Trains and fun in the bershires

2011-07-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

While we camped in the Berkshires we had some adventures

looking cool in our shades

serious pose

Train ride in Lenox

took a scenic train ride

take a picture of my ticket mama!

coming back for us after our ice cream stop in Lee

Visited a state park in Pittsfield MA, (after breakfast at a local diner :) ) to see the view

view from a state park in Pittsfield MA. Impressive

We also swam at a little local beach, but we were having too much fun in the water to take pictures!

Camping!

2011-07-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Setting up the tent

watch and learn half pint watch and learn

coloring

Camp food tastes yummy!

camp food!

making smores...opps left the fire out of the pic

take 2

Chillin in the tent....so very exciting

Life is good...back on a lazy july 4th day

2011-07-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Way back on July fourth we had a nice restful afternoon before heading out to the fireworks. it was an awesome day and night all around!

I like standing

whatch-ya doin?

baby kisses

sweet girl

getting into things...

playing a game with daddy

Compare and contrast

2011-07-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

The kids and I get a little obsessed with what everyone looked like at 10 months.....

Bruce, SO CUTE. oh my goodness

I did not plan the identical outfits but seriously, does he not look like brucie now??

Adorableness overload

blue eyes, so cute and oh my goodness he's my brother 2.0

Eliot turned 10 months

2011-07-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

On July17th Eliot turned 10 months, better late then never here's his update ;)
18.4 lbs at the recent dr appt,has two bottom teeth and is cutting 5 or 6 up top. no, really, at the same time. He's pretty jolly most of the time considering the mass teething!

he likes fresh picked produce ;)

mischievous much?

TOES, baby toes are so yummy. he's planning his escape here...

mama's brown eyed boy. he's a speed crawler..

also stands up alot, is practicing standing without holding onto things and wishes he could chase the older ones. oh my

sibling love

Lily captures baby and mama

End of t-ball

2011-07-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

The last weekend of June meant t-ball finished up for this season. Good times were had by all.

grabbing his bat and glove to come home

mmmm pizza and juice boxes

very proud of his trophy

looking so grown up, sniff sniff

Scenes from Castle Island...last month

2011-07-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago now we went to Castle Island and had a fabulous time. How could we not, playgrounds, picnic lunches, rolling down hills and first dips in the ocean.

How does your (container) garden grow (part 2)

2011-07-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

Ta-da more scenes from our little backyard gardening expirament:

4 containers with giant tomato plants....but no tomatoes yet ha

our friends gave us their extra raspberries and we've enjoyed the little tastes we get

look a CUCUMBER. so cool

harvesting lettuce

the lovely helpers


and I harvest (from our teeny garden) with a baby on my back and in a skirt I sewed myself. how hippy of me. (picture by Bruce)

our picked lettuce and our free composter we got.

take that lawnmowing neighbor, just because you mowed it down doesn't mean it won't grow back! (mint!!!)

How does your (container) garden grow (part 1)

2011-07-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

Waayyyy back in early May we moved our seedlings out into containers and hoped that stuff would actually grow. We're not good at that sort of thing, but last year our stuff didn't even make it to seedlings and this year they did, so we got our composts, and pest moss and vermiculite and off we went with high hopes....

seedlings that we managed to keep alive (and that Ollie and his buddy didn't plaster on our wall)

helping to get the compost in the containers

filling it up

such adorable help (and clearly in spring weather)

4 tomato plants and a basil on the porch to harden off


while we also save energy drying the day's 1st load of laundry. oh yes, we rock ;) how it looks now, (hard to tell in this picture, but all the white fenced in stuff and 4 containers of tomatoes behind the kids)

Daddy love

2011-07-02T19:03:00.000-07:00

Wherever daddy is...he gets 4 adoring fans...

Recital!

2011-06-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday night was the big night, Gillian's first recital!

Backstage:

looking very old (in make-up!)

Eliot enjoyed some great attention from adoring little girls

waiting for their turn in the que

Elephants on parade!

Lily going between the other dancers

Grammie brought her fresh picked flowers, she was thrilled

my sweet little dancing girl!

9 months!

2011-06-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

Nine months old and loving life! I crawl, I eat stuff, I have 2 bottom teeth. I rock!

cool shades

look at those big almost brown eyes!

looking good in my jeans and baseball shirt and bare toesies

chillin'

a common pose

A preview of things to come....

2011-06-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

There is a dance recital tomorrow...oh yes, and some baby elephants will steal the show ;)

the trunk

waiting to go back stage

prettiest elephant I've ever seen....

watching the other dancers rehearse

sweetness

2011-06-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

My sweety youngest baby boy....

little hands holding on as he learns to stand

sweet little toes

holding on tight...

sweet as can be....

More of the birthday girl

2011-06-01T12:22:00.000-07:00

bonding with mummi

modeling the new glove some more

so cute it makes a nice hat

the sweet girl in new sunglasses and a mama-made hat (more hats here)

how to have a heart to heart when you're wearing sunglasses

hammock time!

she grew 4 inches since last birthday (according to the door ;))

Memorial day weekend

2011-06-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

Scenes from the weekend of fun family times...

daddy made some majorly cool bubbles

lily plays catch w/ daddy

the birthday glove

ollie loves baseball

sweet brotherly love

t-ball w/ daddy and pappa

some bonding in the hammock

it was a long fun weekend, but tiring ;)

Lily turns 4

2011-06-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

Miss Lily turned 4 this past weekend. There was a party in Maine!

party princess

Papa cooked up the grub, grampa made the long trip per the sweet request of the birthday girl.

supper time!

grammie trying to coax ollie to eatl

Emmaus knows how to take a break at a party in style

opening presents, Bruce was the card reader

sometimes there was a lot of help....

modeling the party favor hats, mama sewed

dessert time!

chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (homemade) and chocolate ice cream (not) as requested. ;)

um, chocolate anyone?

Baseball lessons

2011-06-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

We decided against paying for cable so we could watch every red sox game. Every so often we DO get a game on a normal network with our antenna. It's a big deal, and luke takes that time to indoctrinate our children with the love of baseball and the Red Sox in particular. We have a team set of baseball cards that comes out during the game so we can see who's on first, or up to bat (although it wasn't a complete team set, we must work on that). Anyway, this particular night Bruce learned that we always root for the Red Sox and AGAINST the yankees. Sometimes parenting is so much fun ;)

Lily looking for who's at bat

daddy explains the game, (it's different rules than T-ball ya-know?!)

baby boy wants in on the action

go Red Sox!

compare and contrast, everyone at 8 months

2011-05-20T08:07:00.000-07:00

Mama was trying to decide whom I look most like at 8 months.

I look a bit like bruce except huskier, and less rashy

I have a lot of similar expressions as big sissy

not quite as similar as Ollie, except in bulk, he still favors mama's side of the family more than any of the rest of us!

8 months old!

2011-05-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

always with the bent toes

checking out my two new bottom front teeth

I'm outta here!

my what big adorable eyes you have!

escape, escape! 18 lbs of in-motion cuteness!

cutie kiddos

quite the trick trying to get everyone looking at the same time!

Everyone wants their picture taken!

T-ball fan club

2011-05-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday Morning at the T-ball field

picture by Lily

littlest fan

three cuties

running around

daddy and Eliot

t-ball summed up

Scenes from the glories of T-ball

2011-05-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

T-ball on a saturday morning is one of the greatest joys of parenting. Oh and Bruce really likes it too!

yes, we are sponsored by a funeral home.

quite the little man

Adorable Eliot on a plane

2011-05-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

Eliot was an amazing traveller the last week. He barely even fussed on either plane ride (including on plane layovers both ways) and was very charming to passengers and flight attendants. He was a super awesome and cute traveling companion.
Most of these shots are from my camera-phone when I was allowed to snap pics on the plane

getting ready to fly home!

chewing on carrots and being hilarious while we wait for people to reboard in ST Louis

smooching the mama while we wait to travel home

passed out on the plane. so adorable!