Summer Time

Hi everyone! We've had a very busy summer (nothing like not having child care to make you realize how precious it is to take a shower alone!).  There have been several trips to the river already.  Tam is big into sleeping at the river, which doesn't sound so exciting by itself, but her energy level when she's not sleeping is epic. Playing in the water, walking around, up and down stairs all day long.  It gives Mama and Dad a workout too!

She has gone on lots of boat rides - kayak and power boat, and they seem to chill her right out.  I think she's gonna be a water woman.  She's also been going to swim lessons at the Y and she can't get enough of the pool.  :)

Carter is really more of a mountain man these days.  He loved the balloon fest, and we went hiking the other day as a treat.  He's not so much into the swimming lessons, though.

Our backyard continues to be the place to be in the mornings and afternoons - the house has been pretty warm recently, and the weather outside has been amazing, so there's been a lot of exploring.  Also with the sprinkler and slip n slide.  :)

A daycare family from Maryland came up to visit us last weekend!  Carson and Carter were best of friends at Mama Linda's, and we became fast friends with the family.  Marni was with us and we all trooped up to the river for a weekend trip.  Carter got his first bug ride!  Carson and Nadia loved it too. We all had a blast.

Finally, Marni and Gram took the kids last Sunday so that Brian and I could have a blessed day to ourselves.  We built shelves.  It was amazing.  But here are some kid vids with the Grans.

Think We're Gonna Stay Awhile

Sorry about the long blog silence, we've been a little busy:

We said goodbye to old friends and hit the road.

Our truck (it was HUGE!) - Ed kindly drove the hulking mass up to Syracuse where Aunt Jenn's crew unloaded us in just under an hour and a half (MUCH faster than loading it up!!).

Marni has been with us the entire way, and we couldn't have done it without her.  She gave us some much needed babysitting time so we could unpack and organize (as if it's done - HAHAHAHAHA!!).
She left us today to go back to Illinois for some appointments and I think we're sorely going to miss her. Carter told me he was going to her house sometime so I suppose we need to make that happen...

Hanging around in our new yard!

We really like the new house and it's slowly starting to become home.  Tamsin has taken to riding on backs, making it easier to get the unpacking done.  She's slowly exploring her new kingdom and is really trying out her legs.  The kids are sharing a room which seems to be working out pretty well (so far).  The only complaint is that sometimes Carter wakes up a little early, wakes up Tamsin, and then starts throwing stuffed animals into her crib, which she thinks is HILARIOUS.  Us, not so much.

No real news on the family front: Brian goes back to work (from home, but still for the CG) next week, Mimi's looking for a job (couple of leads) and Carter needs a haircut.

We took way too few pictures, but we did have a little birthday party for Tamsin.  I think she liked the cake.

Big pic so you can appreciate the Fierce.

Carter has been checking out the new playgrounds.  Lots of walking trails near our house and lots around Gram and Grandad too.

Gram has been giving us some much needed peace, and the kids have been getting in some good fresh air.  Nothing like a hike to make everyone sleep well.

Carter is starting to get over his dislike of loud noises and has been enjoying a few driving lessons with Grandad.

Among other things, Carter's been loving the new space - he's really taken off on his scooter, he's been running around outside (by himself!?!) a lot, and we've made some serious potty training progress.  

Thanks to everyone who has lent their company, talent, and time to helping us make the transition.  Thanks also to everyone who came to our going away and housewarming parties!  We're so grateful for the friendship and support the Marylanders gave us and the welcoming from the Upstaters.  Hope to start updating the blog a little more often to keep everyone in the loop.

PS: Special thanks to Aunt Sue - that stomp rocket is awesome!

Big Changes Afoot...

First of all, Tamsin can sit up on her own now.  In fact, this video is a few weeks old.  She's on the verge of crawling.



We made a trip up to New York the other weekend and Carter got his first real winter experience.

Tapping a maple

Sledding with Mama!

Aunt Jenn got her Tam fix

A few weeks back, Carter and I took a joyride on the DC metro. It was Carter's first time on a train and he was overwhelmed by all the things to take in.

On the other hand, he found the National Mall to be somewhat less interesting.

I know we've been pretty sparse on the posts recently.  Things are full on crazy-pants around here these days getting ready for our move.

Crazy Season

If the last post was from Halloween, then we've been falling down on the job a little bit.

It is a crazy time of year, but we're still smiling - mostly.

What have we been doing?

We've been seeing family.

We've been having the occasional music night.

We've been giving gifts and playing with new toys!

We've been cuddling up.

We've been on the road.

We've been seeing old friends and making new ones.

We've had quite a year and we're looking forward to seeing more of all of you in 2014!

Halloween Weekend

(Warning: Long and rambling post ahead!)

Gram and Grandad came down for Halloween weekend and brought pumpkins!

Carter was into it at first, until he discovered that you had too scoop out the middle...

We overcame the stringy bits and carved them into Jack'O'Lanterns.  Carter wanted dinosaurs and I think Mimi did a great job making that happen!

Carter had some time home with Gram and Grandad, where he learned important life skills, like how to spin a polar bear,

 and how to call trains...  Actually, this is Carter's Halloween costume.  He wanted to be a train engineer.

 This might be the first picture of the four of us...  Tamsin couldn't be enticed to look into the camera.

 Carter and Grandad lit the Jack'O'Lanterns before heading out trick or treating.

While Grandad and I worked on some projects, Carter and Gram got INTO the play-doh.  I didn't even know that you could make a rainbow spaghetti pumpkin out of play-doh.

 When it all got to be a little too much, Carter and Grandad retired to the stoop for happy hour.

 Mama likes hugs, Carter likes hugs, Tamsin has had enough..

Carter got a real cuckoo clock for his birthday from Gram and Grandad.  He doesn't know about the cuckoo yet, please don't tell him.

"Hey Dad, how about some more of that fine apple sauce..."

Carter loves to help give his sister a bath - they both find splashing water all over the place hilarious.  In fact,  they got Gram giggling so hard, that I had to come in and be the responsible adult (which is saying something...)