November 28, 2009

We had a very exciting visit from Scott, Debbie, Sean, Travis, Trenton & Julia on November 28th & 29th. While Scott and I are usually quite good about exchanging pictures, he was quite sick at the end of the visit, so I don't have much to share in picture form! The excitement started with a trip at 9:00 PM to Joanna's house to see the lights. They put up quite a display at their house, and I knew the crowd would love it. We loaded up our Camry and the Marusak minivan and made the drive over. The lights were awesome, as usual. On the way home, Sean rode with us while the girls were in the minivan. To make a l-o-n-g story short, we picked up a stranded, slightly inebriated girl who had run out of gas. I will forever cherish the memory of Sean asking, "So, are you on facebook?"

Before the light adventure, Scott set Daniel up to see if he would be a priest, rich man, or drunk. We captured the test on video, of course!

The Tree- November 27, 2009

Every year, we go on an adventure to cut down our Christmas tree. We used to do this with our friends, the Nagles. Then they moved to New York. Then we did it with out friends the Welshes. Then they moved to Idaho. Hum. Now we go alone, for fear of sending more friends even further away! I have always enjoyed getting the tree Thanksgiving weekend, but that is a feat we had not managed to pull off in more years than I care to admit. This year, however, we were on the ball!!

We started the day at the Creche exhibit at Mepkin Abbey. We were amazed at the many different nativity scenes, and the beautiful paper crane tree (Sarah loved this, especially). There was a Joseph display at the exhibit, and we all thought this one looked like Father Frank!





Next, we headed to the tree farm in Jeff's big truck. We managed to pick out a tree in no time, but it was much smaller than any of our recent trees. We figured since we never get around to putting all of the ornaments up, it would be okay!

Thanksgiving- November 26, 2009

Last Thanksgiving, we were still at Saint Francis waiting to be sprung (thinking the day would never come!), so this was Daniel's first normal Thanksgiving! We started the day watching the May's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a personal favorite for me!

The girls enjoy the parade as much as I do, so we had a great time watching the balloons, Rockettes, floats, and bands. Somehow, the girls thought Greg and I had met at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, so we had fun sharing the real story of how we met!

After the Parade, we headed to Nana's house for Thanksgiving dinner. The menu included all of the family favorites. Kathe and I brought some side dishes, and Nana made everything else.

Sarah & Emily helped Nana set the table. They do a great job putting all of the utensils in their proper places. They even remembered to put the knives with the cutting edge toward the plate. It makes a mother proud!

The girls also made place cards for everyone, and paper cranes, Sarah's origami specialty!

After our delectable dinner, Jeff and John set up Nana's Christmas tree.

Greg kept Daniel company while he took a little nap and the girls enjoyed some time on Nana's Wii. It was a great day with family and friends!

Music Man- November 25, 2009

After weeks of trying, I was finally able to sneak up and catch Daniel playing the piano! This one's for you, Uncle Scott!

The Birthday Boy- November 24, 2009

We celebrated Daniel's birthday with cupcakes . . . but he was not impressed. He was impressed with the new view in his forward-facing car seat!

Yum!

The Bowden Men- November 8, 2009

Trapped! November 4, 2009

Greg and I have a weekly coffee date at Cafe Bowden (the kitchen table). Usually Daniel plays in the living room with his toys, waiting for the weatherman to give the forecast (he really loves the local guy). This particular day, he started making little distress noises, and the desk in the corner was moving. The poor little guy was trapped! Daddy rescued him, but not before he took a picture, of course!

More Fun at the Fair- 10/31/09

October 31, 2009

On Halloween, we took the girls to the Fair. Originally, the plan was for Greg to go, and I was going to stay home with Daniel, but Greg talked me in to taking the boy, and was I ever glad he did! The girls had both made straight As on their report cards, so a family celebration was in order!

My Dad joined us, since he and Greg were both eager to see how they did in this year's photography contest. Greg brought home one honorable mention, and Dad scored two honorable mentions.

After the photography exhibit, we headed to the rides, stopping for some corn dogs on the way. Each of us took turns riding different rides with the girls. Papa and Sarah enjoyed Cliff Hanger several times!

Everyone enjoyed the Sky Ride while Daniel and I stayed and chatted with passers-by. Sarah rode one way with Papa, but he had to go after their ride, so she rode back with Emily and Greg.

Daredevil Emily did not enjoy this ride, nor did she enjoy her ride on the Zipper (although deep down I think she did since she was laughing so much as she protested the entire ride). She did enjoy several other rides, however. Our family favorite is Crazy Mouse, of course!

Daniel was an amazingly good boy, which is saying something because he is always so good. He sat for more than 6 hours in the stroller, with only one small nap. He ate his weight in Cheerios and Yogurt Melts, and he looked pretty grubby by the time we made it back to the car! He was so tuckered out that he went to bed before he could even wear his Halloween costume!

The girls were happy to go trick-or-treating after the fair. Emily was Hermione Granger (thanks to Andrea) and Sarah was a World War I Flying Ace (not Amelia Earhart). A good time was had by all!

October 29, 2009

Eleven Months Old- October 24, 2009

Respire- October 22-24, 2009

Greg and I headed back to Baltimore for a much lengthier stay (3 days!) on October 22nd. Greg's buddy Dave Cross released Respire, his third movie, and we went to see the premiere. Greg was equally excited to meet up with his old friends Chris and Erum from his days at Andover High School.

When we talked to Dave before the movie, he was apprehensive because this was a different type of movie than his first two, and he wasn't sure how people were going to react to that. However, he didn't need to worry, because the movie was great! We sat next to Greg's friend Michelle and her husband Brian. She also went to high school with Greg.

After the movie, we all went to Dave's after-party. There, Dave seemed much more relaxed, but with so many people there to celebrate, we only had a few minutes with him. We made some plans to meet up with him on Friday night, just the three of us. Dave is always very welcoming to me, and I always appreciate his kindness.

On Friday, we had a great time catching up with Dave. Later in the evening, we were joined by some of his friends from the movie. It was a great night, and it made the trip all the more special for Greg to have that time with Dave. On Saturday, we headed home, determined not to go back to Baltimore for quite some time!

Operation Armadillo- October 14-15, 2009

It all started with an e-mail on July 9, 2008. Alex, a few days earlier at Supernatural Thursday, casually mentioned that he had looked at some rings for his beautiful girlfriend Lauren. We joked that it would be an awesome wedding gift from us to get the groom's cake from the Ace of Cakes. Well, less than a week later, the plan was set. We had to wait three months for the engagement, but in happened in October. All systems were go as top secret plans were hatched, contracts were signed, and contraptions (or cartraptions) were built after engineering consultations with Dave Cavalieri. The biggest kick was keeping it all a secret from the bride, the groom, and the bride's mother. Our 11 hours in Baltimore flew by, but the memories were well worth the trip! To see pictures, click here.

Bye, Mommy & Daddy! October 14, 2009

We had our first trip away from Daniel as we launched Operation Armadillo. We were only gone about 36 hours, thankfully!

Baby in a Basket!

The Price Is Right's Biggest Fan- 10/7/09

Weekend in New England- October 4, 2009

On Sunday, Sarah, Emily, Mom and I went on a walk (or drive) down memory lane. Our hotel was right by Bapa's station. Every time I visit the area I stop in and buy something. While I don't have as many exciting memories as Jeff does, I still remember being there and riding on the car lifts! We also saw the house Nanny and Bapa lived in when Mom was born and where she took accordion lessons.
We drove down Pembroke Road and saw Nanny & Bapa's old house. They lived at 135 Pembroke Road, the house where my mom grew up, but my memories are at the house next door, at 133 Pembroke Road. Nanny and Bapa built that house, and it is where I spent my time with them. Next we visited her elementary school and the church where she was married and my brother was baptized.
After our tour, we headed back to pack up for our trip home. We stopped by to say our farewells to Aunt Chris and Uncle Bill. Then we headed to Manchester to meet Joe, Kristin & Arwen for lunch before our flight. Arwen is one month older than Daniel, and as cute as can be! I'd love to show you a picture, but no one took one! We had a great visit, but then it was time to head home. Everyone had a great flight, and we arrived home safe and sound . . . but exhausted!

Weekend in New England- October 3, 2009

I neglected to take any pictures at the actual reunion, but my mother did! I'll post those once I have them. After the reunion (and a nap for the little man), we went to Newicks for some yummy lobster! Greg's goal was to eat a lobster the size of his head, but I don't think his lobster was that big.

Emily tried a little bit of lobster, and she liked it "kind of, yeah." Sarah did not want to try it, so she stuck with the calamari. Greg was the only lobster-eater not wearing a bib. We remembered fondly eating at the Newicks in Dover, New Hampshire for Joe & Kristin Peto's wedding rehearsal about 8 years earlier.

Daniel was quite a trooper during all of the excitement. While we dined on delicious treats from the sea, he ate his weight in Cheerios and yogurt melts. Sometimes life is so unfair for the buddy!

Weekend in New England- October 2, 2009

On October 2, 2009, we packed up and headed to Concord, New Hampshire for a Heath Family Reunion. It was Daniel's first flight, so we were eager to see how he would like it. We were flying to Manchester, NH, through Charlotte. However, the kind folks of US Air diverted us through DC since there was a delay in Charlotte. It was nice to see a proactive solution for once . . . and it meant Five Guys Burgers and Fries!

The girls were thrilled to sit "by themselves" on the airplane. Emily was not happy that snack boxes were not offered, but she was thrilled to see the Harry Potter items in the Sky Mall catalogue, so all was well in the end.

We ended up with a three hour lay over in DC, which was nice. It gave us plenty of time to eat, feed the boy, and let him play on his blanket.

Daniel enjoyed his beloved Maisy books repeatedly during the journey! Once we arrived in Manchester, it was just a short drive to Concord, where we stayed right by Bapa's station. We unloaded our stuff and met Aunt Chris, Uncle Bill, and Nana for dinner.