First Day of School and First Hudson River Cruise

We survived the first day of school in all its glory. That night, we went on a cruise on the Hudson with the girls and their grandma and grandpa.

Ready for school!

Rondout Lighthouse

Kingston-Rhinebeck bridge

Ada Gwynne giving Evelyn a hug

Sydney and her friend Ada Gwynne

Esopus Lighthouse with the Catskills in the distance

Year in Pictures 2011

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Dutchess County Fair

We went to the Dutchess County Fair after being told from multiple sources (e.g., our neighbors and our vet) that it is "the fair" in our area. We had a good time with our friends Stephanie and Ken and their kiddos Ronan and Evelyn. We saw a lot of farm animals, had some delicious milkshakes, watched a dog agility show, ate some lunch while watching a talent search, went to the petting zoo, watched some racing pigs, and then capped off the day with some rides!

Sydney trying her hand at milking the fake cow. Everything was fine until the cow "moo-ed" and Sydney said "I thought it was fake" as she backed away from it. I'm pretty sure I would back away from a fake cow that mooed, too.

Some prize-winning pumpkins!

The oat tables were a big hit!

Evelyn petting a kid.

Sydney at the petting zoo.

This was not the fastest race we've ever seen but it reminded us a bit of Roach Hill Downs during Bug Bowl at Purdue!

Ronan and Sydney were ecstatic to be tall enough to ride this purple monster truck!

Jalopy Junction (our Evelyn opted out of the rides)

The final ride was a helicopter ride and Sydney said it was her favorite because it went up in the air!

Minnewaska

Although we go to Minnewaska State Park quite frequently, we enjoyed a new side trail on our most recent visit.

We spotted this snakeskin wound around a bush

Gorgeous picture of my favorite people...and the Catskills!

Good Morning Campers

Joshua treated Sydney to a backyard camping expedition. It went well and they managed to sleep some (not a lot but some...which is better than none). Sydney was very excited about her first camping experience and liked reading by flashlight and looking at the stars.

Images from a budding photographer

We gave Sydney a digital camera to play around with. Here are some of the best photos she took when we had friends in town and took them to the Walkway Over the Hudson and then again today. Think motion and I think you will enjoy them!

Faucher Family Reunion

We enjoyed our time in Rhode Island at Sydney and Evelyn's Nana and Papa's house. Highlights included their pool, the beach, and a Pawsox game!

Action shot at a Pawsox game!

Sydney learning about the fundamentals from her cousin, Erin!

Paws the mascot

The whole family (less Joshua who did a nice job capturing ALL of these faces in the picture as the photographer!)

Uncle Tim does a nice job reigning in a rambunctious Evelyn for a photo during a trip to see Great Grandma

Evelyn did not take very long to warm up to "star uncle"

All of Nana and Papa's grandchildren!

Sydney was introduced to a classic Faucher family tradition. In the tradition of my Grandfather, my Dad psyched the kids out by talking with them before dropping the dollar and finding them shocked by their inability to complete the simple task of pinching their fingers on the dollar bill.

Chicago

I had a conference in Chicago so we used it as an excuse to connect with friends. We are grateful to John and Maura for hosting us in the burbs and grateful to Julie for putting me up in the city! Here are some pics from the trip. I'm sad to say I don't have any pics with Julie or of the conference or downtown but I had a great dinner with Julie and Matt one of the nights I was there and another one with Julie in Lincoln Park watching the sunset over the Chicago skyline!

It was hot while we were there but the girls beat the heat with some backyard sprinkler action!

Story time with Maura, Maeve, John and Sydney

We were very impressed by all of the parks and splash parks in their town!

Joshua and Maura and the girls got caught in a downpour on the way back from the splash park...after that the girls weren't the only ones who were wet!