Happy 8th Birthday, Alex!

We started the celebration at home. Alex chose to have me make his birthday dinner for him rather than go out: Cheeseburgers, white rice, and beans. Then, we all hopped in the car for.....


Dessert at Kona Grill - A GIANT brownie a la mode! Yum!!

Present time!

The best gift ever - the Nerf Stampede. It comes with 60 darts - holds 18 at a time - and can shoot 3 per second.
Watch out, Hunter!

Shooting Daddy. Hilarious!

Happy Birthday, Alex!

VA State Fair

Frank took the boys to the State Fair this year - by himself!!! They had a fantastic time - seeing all of the animals, riding a few rides, eating some yummy food!
A fun boy's day out!

Nascar 2010

Daddy took Alex to a NASCAR race again this year! Both Daddy and Alex had a great time!!! The seats are apparently great (Mommy and Hunter stayed home because Mommy isn't into NASCAR at all!) and the company is even better! I'm sure they are both looking forward to next year's race!

Go Bobcats!!

Alex is on an all-boy soccer team this season - the Bobcats! He's loving every second of it, as always!! He tries so hard at all games and practices. It's amazing to see how much progress he's made since he first started playing soccer a few years ago.
Go #11!!!

School's Back in Session!

Alex was excited and nervous for the first day of 2nd grade.
I can't believe we have a 2nd grader!!!

Such a little ham....Hunter, please stand still with the sign so Mommy can get JUST ONE good one!!!
(By the way, I happen to think they are all good...they show his personality so well!)

But this is the shot I was looking for!

He was so excited for his first day at his new preschool. I got a phone call from his teacher at 10:45 saying what a great job he was doing today...apparently he got off the bus introducing himself to everyone. This one is definitely NOT shy!

Child-free Vacation

Frank and I took our first vacation without the kids in the middle of August. Six days and six nights of child-free bliss. It was awesome!!! We spent time in Syracuse and Ithaca, sleeping in, eating at adult restaurants, and just spending quality time together. Thanks to Grammy and Nana/Papa for watching the kiddos for us!!!
We can't wait for our next vacation sans kids. Why haven't we done this sooner???

Summertime in Tennessee

At the top of Round Knob Mountain. Such beautiful views! The drive to the top was scary...very narrow roads that seemed to go on forever. And look, Fonder! There's that elusive frog!! Just a side note, be sure never to trip around me...I'll probably push you down farther!

Smoky Mountains

The views were really breathtaking!!!

We had such a nice visit with YiaYia and Fonder this summer!! The mountains, the movies, good times with family.

Dave Matthews Band

Frank gave me tickets to a Dave Matthews Band concert for my birthday. After months of waiting, the concert was finally this last Friday, at Nationals Stadium in DC. It was such a great time!!! Our good friends watched the boys and we had the night to ourselves. Other than the ridiculous heat, we couldn't have asked for a better time!
Thanks, Frank, for such a wonderful gift!! We'll have those memories forever!

Exploring the Children's Museum

Water fun, super blocks, painting, picking "berries", riding the train with friends, digging for treasure, giving hugs to Charlotte, and climbing in the jungle. The new Children's Museum was tons of fun for Hunter and Mommy on a hot summer day!

NY Summer 2010

We had a great vacation in New York this summer.  We started in Binghamton with Grammy.  Playing in the backyard with water, going to the Discovery Center, a Binghamton Mets baseball game, fireworks, Taughanock Falls and dinner in Ithaca.
Then, on to Nana and Papa's house.  Gigi's house for dinner, Aunt Norma's house to see all of the cousins and Guppy for dinner (Daddy made a surprise visit!), lunch at the mall to get out of the heat, Aunt Erika's house for a cool break, dinner with Aunt Erika and Uncle Paul, time at the lake, Old McDonald's farm, swimming, goulash, kumquat pie, a fire and marshmallows, a paddle boat ride, and Cheese World.
So much fun!  Despite the ridiculous heat we had a great time!