August was Just one Big Blurr

And here it is…. Don’t blink.

We spent the weekend with friends up to their parents cabin in Vermont on a lake. It was relaxing and nice:






Photo courtesy of Dave Farr



My wonderful friend Claudine got married to a great guy Alexej:




Kael got step and scarlet fever. No worries, he’s ok now.
*** no photos sorry! ****



Kaiden and I went to Canobie… while Kael stayed home with step and a red rash. Kaiden and I had a great time, rode the log flume ride (yikes! Splash!) and just had a great time.



Kaiden started first grade… sniff sniff. All day school!!! It feels like it was just yesterday, I was holding him with one hand while he nestled his head under my chin and keept me warm. More sniff sniff.















Kaiden lost his first tooth!






Ian works diligently on the tree house…




Enjoyed a few days at the Racquet Club with friends (thanks Celeste and Shannon!)




And some how me managed to take the kids to the Dover Children’s museum where they had a blast!





The boys have been getting along so much better these days and it is so enjoyable to go places with the two of them. And I love the brother moments they have.


The summer is over. And man were we busy. But we had a wonderful summer but I look forward to a restful fall. :-)

Kaiden is SIX!

Again we had great weather for Kaiden’s birthday. It seems every year the sun just shines on him.

Happy Birthday Kaiden!!!
The 5 things I love most about you:
1. You are so very caring. If I am having a bad day, you want to make me feel better.
2. You are so smart, oh so very smart. What shall we ever do!?
3. You love animals, especially cats… and horses and dogs.
4. You are sensitive and love to hug and snuggle.
5. You are inquisitive. Thank God for the internet to answer all your questions!

If I had to guess today... you will either become a vet or an inventor.

To celebrate, we had a cookout and a few friends over: Cole, Lorelei, Jacob, the Ashleys, and the Quennivilles. There was a water slide and a sprinkler which the kids enjoyed. The next day, my parents took Kaiden and Kael to the Portland Children’s Museum. The boys LOVE that place!

Here are some photos of those wonderful memories:

York Beach Vacation 2009

YORK BEACH


Oh how I wish I had time to blog. Here is a photo recap of our AWESOME vacation.

Lots of great beach days this year which included:

wave jumping


relaxing


rock climbing


castle prep


a visit from Lexi and Shannon,


and lots of happiness



After all the long beach days, it was nice to just chill at the cottage.




Then after dinner we had time for sparklers on the beach, a taffy watching trip to Goldenrod, lots of playground time downtown, a visit to the Wiggly bridge, trolly rides, and Brown's ice cream.





And of course a trip to Nubble Lighthouse to end the day






Oh how I love my boys. They were both so good this trip. If only daddy owl could have joined us. Vacation time during the summer is hard to sacrifice.
Can't wait until next year's York vacation!!!

Trains, Planes, and lots of swimming!

I think it was last year when I decided that my boys *need* to see their cousins at least once a year. I wish it could be so much more frequent but it is what it is.

So this year we made our trip to Tennessee again to visit my brother, my sister-in-law Ana, and their kids Kayla and Orion. Kael, Orion, Kaiden, and Kayla are ages 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively. At least they are at the beginning of this post.


My boys enjoyed the flight down. Sipping on apple juice in style.


And before we headed to my brothers we stopped by one of my dearest friends, Rebecca. I love seeing her. She is like a friend that I wish was one door down from me. For a year, we shared an apartment together while on a college work co-op and I loved those days with her. Wonderful memories. She's this cute country bumpkin on the outside. Her voice sweet as southerns get.... but don't let that fool you. She is a firecracker inside. Passionate about animal, a recycler, a breast feeder, a photographer, an engineer, and just an amazing thinker. Now mind you many people care about animals. Many recycle. And many breastfeed. But Rebecca.... well.. she doesn't go just half way. She goes all out with passion. She'd drive you crazy if you didn't think like her. But I do, so I love her. Well.... we don't talk about politics. :-)


Anyway, a couple of hours at her house chatting isn't enough but it has to do. Our kids ran around and enjoyed each other like they have known each other forever. I love this age. And after being tired from the running and the 90 degree heat, they sat on the porch for some popsicles.


And on to Cookeville....

Man these kids are growing.



This trip with my niece and nephew was filled with lots of swimming. I think it was 90+ degrees every day. We swam, swam, and swam some more. All the kids are getting pretty good.











And we stopped at the train museum in Cookeville to play on the trains. The kids love that place.










And by the end of the week it was close enough to Kayla's 7th birthday that we threw her a mini party. I love that girl. She is, after all, my only girl. Happy 7th Birthday Kayla!




Until next year.....