Fall

I love fall... Maybe its my favorite time of year. The changing of colors, harvest, pumpkins.  I love getting snuggled in sweats, baking because its not hot, crock pot meals, comfort foods, and football~ all that goes on with football~ getting together with family, playing games, sharing a meal, time, love. And the Redskins... even though they stink as of late, we still cheer them on. 

This past weekend, we got together at my Uncle Chris and Aunt Helen's house. It was wonderful. I was able to see my grandparents (whom I am very close with) that I haven't seen in a couple of months due to illnesses, appointments, and time constraints. We were able to catch up with my cousin who goes to school at the University of Alabama, sharing what we've been learning in our walk with God and encouraging each other. The boys playing with their cousins. I love family. Until the next game... Go Redskins!!!

Uncle Jeremy Visits!

Although I don't have too many pictures of this week, it was wonderful to have my brother come and visit during his harvest break! The boys loved playing Transformers and Batman with Jeremy as he actually knows what they want him to do (Mom is good, but Uncle Jeremy is the best!)

We also went camping while he was here in Maryland. He had a great time getting to know some of my friend's kids, playing "ghost in the graveyard", baseball on the sand, in the water at the lake, marshmallows over the fire and just hanging out with the guys.

Shaun loved his time with his uncle, and I loved watching him with my boys. He will be a good dad someday... way in the future! I loved getting to know him better seeing what a great young man he is becoming. I hope we have more time together like this in the future! To say goodbye, I made him a special meal... his favorite~ Chicken parmesean.

Quarter Year Mark!!

Shaun is now 4 months old... How quick did that go by?!? Hard to imagine that my baby is growing up that fast, these stages going quicker every month it seems! He started rolling side to side this month, enjoying being talked to while cooing back, he lights up when someone he knows walks into the room, started sitting in the bumbo chair, is enjoying the exer~saucer as long as there is something to help prop him upright. He is also grabbing everything and putting it to his mouth, went on a camping trip, had fun with Uncle Jeremy, played with Grammy and Granddad Cole, went to some play dates with other kids, had his first cold (which he is still battling) and is enjoying being a baby. Hope you like these pics from this month!!

Oh my boy... How fearfully and wonderfully you are made!

3 Birthdays!

This past weekend we celebrated 3 Birthdays! Scottie had his birthday on Thursday and Peter and Christiana shared a birthday on Tuesday, so we all got together for a dinner and gift exchange on Sunday. Dad and B-Mom came up with Christiana and we had a yummy southern feast, fried chicken, biscuits, green beans, mac and cheese and watermelon! It was delicious! Then to top it all off, was a chocolate cake with white icing (because I got it!). It was a fun afternoon with family, topped off by a win for the Redskins! Life is good.

Maine Vaca!!

As per every August, we made a trip up to Maine to visit my Mom, Tim, Kristen and Jeremy. I thought there was no way this was going to happen this year but then my dear hubby decided he wanted to go (he hasn't been up there for 4 or 5 years) and so we set out on this grand adventure together toting the 3 kids! We had a great time at the cabin on Cochran Lake, lots of fishing, swimming with the boys, kayaking and card playing. Peter still went on his bike rides as he was training for a race over Labor Day, even biking from the cabin to Ashland and over to Presque Isle where Mom lives. This was quite an undertaking and accomplishment when finished as it was the longest ride he has been on... EVER! 67 Miles or something like that! Iwas amazed.The boys loved playing with their Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Krissy. They enjoyed playing Wii, building block creations, playing with their toys they brought and blowing bubbles. Jeremy even took them exploring in the woods around the cabin. Peter and I had fun fishingwith Tim out on the lake. I usually took the morning fishing trip and Peter took the night trip.We didn't catch a lot but it was good times and fun to be out there enjoying the tranquility of nature. We also had fun going out on the paddle boat and kayaking taking turns with the boys. I love nature and just being outside. It was beautiful and fun!

Also, we enjoyed a wonderful lobster dinner... Its one of my favorite parts of these summer adventures!

On the drive home we were making good time and we saw when we came up we passed Orange County NY home of OCC a show on Discovery Channel specializing in custom chopper motorcycles so we decided to stop in and look around. It was cool to see many of the bikes the show has featured and even see the wall and bike dedicated to 9/11 firefighters. Peter loved looking at the bikes and Scott and Stephen even picked out their favs. It was a fun stop for a long drive home.

I think all went well and hopefully we will have Peter come again with us, at least sooner than this time! I love the time up at the cabin, out of routine, no dishwasher, and enjoying the outdoors. It is a great time with family and showing the boys we don't need all the electronic conveniences. Enjoy the pics from our trip!

Fun in Williamsburg

We took a mini-vacation to Williamsburg, stayed in a beautiful hotel, and had fun with Granddad, Aunt Christiana, and Uncle Caleb at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA!

Shaun did a fantastic job traveling, at the parks, and sleeping so everyone else could sleep! The boys loved going to Busch Gardens, riding the rides, playing in the water areas, and watching some of the shows. Mom had a great time taking the kids around to the different areas with different people most of the time while Dad and the others went on all the roller coasters. I did get my turn too to go on the ones I wanted!

The Griffin was my favorite ride and I got to do it with my brother Caleb and Christiana~ who rode her first coaster this trip! She is fitting right in with the fam becoming a coaster fein too. The boys really loved the Forest of Fun with the Sesame Street characters and the Land of Dragons. Scottie is the adventurous one and went on all the rides he was tall enough for, going on Elmo's Spire and Oscar's Worm with Uncle Caleb. Stephen loved the Elephant Run and the water works. All in all, the boys have great memories in Bushie-da-Gardens (as we called it growing up) and hopefully we can make it a yearly tradition!

The next day we went to Water Country USA and had a blast at the water park. Stephen and Scott played in the kid area most of the day while Peter, Caleb, Christiana and Dad hit all the major water slides. (I was ok with it as I am not a huge water slide person... and I met a nice lady from Canada with a boy 3 months old who kept me occupied with Shaun.) The boys did go on the huge life raft rides with the older guys and had a blast. I can't wait to make these parks summer traditions and go again next year!

Fun with Granddad

I had the opportunity to have my little sister stay over with us when she had a day off of school and Dad needed to work. We had a good night and the next day after jumping on the tramp and playing some Wii, we headed down to Woodstock to get Christiana to her birthday party. We dropped her off at the Stonybrooke Skating Rink and Granddaddy joined us there. We were able to play putt-putt golf, Stephen lighting up the greens and Scottie trying to keep up with his brother and Granddad helping teach correct putting technique to a 2 year old ;) !! They played some in the ball pit and tunnels, then played for a bit in the arcade. Stephen challenged Granddad to an air hockey game~ Stephen's favorite. We topped it off eating out at a Chinese buffet in Strausburg. It was a fun night and many memories made. Its also a good thing this place is in Woodstock, not close by so the boys can't get there too often!