The Ocean State

We had a nice visit with Julie and Matt in Newport. Here are the photos to prove it! (Thanks, Jules for the photos!)

Living the Dream

One of the great epiphanies of parenthood is realizing how much work it was for your own parents to raise you (let alone you and your siblings!). One of the great joys of parenting is giving your children stuff you wished you had when you were a kid. Please note: I included the first sentence to ensure the second sentence doesn't sound like a complaint about the woes of our own childhoods (because it's not!). Joshua secured a free Barbie motorized jeep from our local transfer station and then took it to get a safety recall completed and get some fresh batteries. Below are some videos and photos of the jeep in action along with some photos of the girls after the Tillson Fire Department Fall Festival.

In the first video, Sydney is testing it out for the first time. In the second, she is getting some driving lessons. In the third video,  Evelyn goes along for the ride. In the final video, Sydney shows off the two gears (reverse and forward). Pretty fun stuff all the way around with no damage to the girls, the landscape edging, the neighbor's fence or any other yard fixtures or living creatures!

pulling up to the gas station

pumping some gas...near the headlight

Evelyn got a blue flower on her hand and Sydney opted for the pink and purple butterfly

checking herself out!

Like Mother and Father, Like Daughter

Evelyn is using 2 popper push toys simultaneously in this video. Either she is trying to multi-task like her father, or she is trying to make as much noise as possible (and may end up being a drummer) like her mother. Either way, it's quite impressive.

Nana and Papa visit the Blue House

Sydney and Evelyn enjoyed a visit from their Nana and Papa. Evelyn dazzled them with her mobility and her "oh ee oh ee oh" utterances (I will try to capture this on video). Sydney dazzled them with her command of the English language "Papa, we need to finish the tower before Evezilla brings the mayhem." Thanks for a great visit!

Start of School

Here's a photo of Sydney and I on the first day of school/work. This has been a very unusual start to the semester. We started on a Thursday and then the following Mon and Tues classes were canceled due to Hurricane and the extensive flooding in the area (and on campus). The next week included Labor day so here we are in week 4 with our first full week of the semester. The other photos include icecream fest 2011 (aka we have no power and don't want to waste icecream!) and basic around the house hijinx.

Best of Martha's Vineyard

Here are my favorite pics from our time on Martha's Vineyard with Joshua's parents...

Can you find Joshua in this photo of our ferry?

Does that look like a pirate ship in the distance or what?!

Actually - it's the Black Dog ship from Vineyard Haven...very Martha's Vineyard

Love Evelyn's tongue out in this pic!

Flower beds by the gazebo

The Flying Horses Carousel

the return trip on the ferry

Sydney was cracking up while doing her Marilyn Monroe impression

Fun in RI

We had a good time with my family in RI before our West Coast trip. My parents got an above ground pool which was a huge hit! We also managed to get to the beach a couple of times and enjoyed a nice visit with Sydney and Evelyn's Great Grandma. Evelyn and her Papa shared some giggles through the tissue box.