Activities and Ailments

We decided to test out our newly acquired 2nd hiking pack by hiking with both of the girls (and the dog!) in Minnewaska State Park. The first 2 1/2 hours of the hike were great...the last 1 1/2 hours were grueling. I tried to complain to Joshua by letting him know I was carrying a higher percentage of my body weight by carrying Evelyn but we did the math, and I only won by 1% (16 versus 17). Even though my argument fell flat, we have our work cut out for us as we get into shape for some summer hiking with the girls.

Gertrude's Nose

Evelyn and I are in this photo - can you find us?

A different day gearing up for a walk to Gardiner on the Rail Trail.

 

All of these pictures are not necessarily in order but we've done some things in the last couple of weeks. I went to a conference in Northern Virginia so Joshua and the girls visited Team Walsh in Baltimore. We went on a walk on the Rail Trail to enjoy some of the local scenery. We also did a hike in Minnewaska State Park called Gertrude's Nose. Otherwise, we have all been really, really sick. So much so that Evelyn has taken to mocking us with fake coughs. She has had a lot of practice. She even attempts to put her hand over her mouth since we are constantly reminding Sydney to cough into her arm. Hopefully spring will arrive and we will kick the illnesses which have been plaguing us for the last several weeks!

Team Walsh and the Pumba Playground

We had a nice visit from the Walshes at the end of Spring Break. Sydney and Madeline enjoyed the "Pumba Playground." The Town of Rosendale's playground has a rhino named Pumba so Sydney calls it the Pumba Playground. We visited as a family the next weekend.

The Bam Bam Era

Evelyn started removing her barrettes and chomping on them...so...the Bam Bam era has officially begun!

The side view!

Sydney's shamrock glasses! Below are some videos of Evelyn making some adorable sounds and faces.

Representing

Our friend Ashley gave us a very nice shower gift when Sydney was born with black and white photos of Sydney in the hospital. After an exhaustive search, we finally located the same frame so Evelyn could also be represented in our sun room/breezeway.

Sydney (from Ashley)

Evelyn

Evelyn on the left and Sydney on the right with the dolphin synchronicity poster in the middle.

Spring Break in RI

We went to RI for part of our Spring Break

The girls had fun with Julie and her Wall Street Journal!

Yes, Sydney is wearing an awesome Animal t-shirt she got from her parents for Christmas!

Relaxing with Julie

Evelyn and her Great Grandma

Sydney, Great Grandma Faucher, and Evelyn

We went to the Providence Children's Museum.

Evelyn's Papa enjoys watching her make a mess of the soft blocks. She is now pulling up to a stand (as of St. Patty's Day)

The water room was a big hit!

Step 1: stuff in the pieces of material

Step 2: Watch the vacuum suck them through the big, windy tubes and Step 3: Get ready for them to come floating down on you!

The pursuit of the puffin legs!

We celebrated Nana's birthday in style (and you can tell Sydney was distraught about the prospect of cake!)

Happy Valentine's Day

Evelyn (who recently learned how to make kissy sounds) would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.

Snow Angels

We've had our fair share of snow and tried to make the most of it!

You are not imagining things. The hill did get bigger after another big snow fall (and in time for Sydney and Evelyn's Nana and Papa to visit).

Sydney's snow angel is so much better than mine!

Sydney doing her ostrich impression.

Snow fort inside the swing brace.

Hooray for shovel rides!

The girls in denim.

Evelyn in the jumparoo with Papa playing the role of admiring fan.

Sydney and Nana attending to the serious business of making Valentine's!