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!

Shaun's Photo Shoot

Compliments of Nathan May Photography

www.nathanmayphotography.com

Happy 2 Months Shaun!

New things my baby boy is doing are smiling, cooing with eye contact, and laughing. This month has been a busy one! Shaun went to his first amusement park (Busch Gardens), water park (Water Country USA), slept over in a hotel, met new friends, had a photo shoot(look for my favs soon!), went to the farmer's market and hung out with his bros. Stephen and Scottie fall more for him every day. Scottie has really taken to being Shaun's big brother. Stephen is a great help and I am not so sure what I am going to do without him later this month as he starts school. I know Shaun will miss him! Hope you enjoy these pics of my favorite moments of the last month!

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!

Shaun's 1 Month old!

Sleeping on Mommy like normal...

Good brother time...

Granddad and Grandmama came to visit

Meeting Uncle Caleb for the first time...

And resting with Daddy!

Adjusting to life with Shaun has had its rewards and trials. Getting him on schedule has been the easiest out of all the kids, except for the 3:00-5:00 am awake periods sometimes. Scottie is trying to figure out where his spot in life is, wanting to be the "big Boy Brother" yet still wanting to be the baby in other ways. Stephen is a big help with changing diapers, holding passies, and watching Scottie so Mom can nurse the baby. Shaun is growing like a weed, loves being swaddled to sleep, and enjoys sitting up looking over your shoulder the most. Can't wait to see what the next few months hold for our family!

Welcome Shaun Peter Steyaert

Shaun Peter was born on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 7:55 am at Winchester Medical Center, delivered by Dr. Mark Leonard. He weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces, 20 3/4 inches long, and head circumference of 14 inches.

His big brothers love him to death. They want to hold him whenever they can. Scott really loves his baby Shaun. He tries to hold his hand or cuddle him whenever possible. I love the bond between the two of them already!!