Sunday, April 28, 2013

Niagara

This week, Justin and I took a little miniature vacation to his hometown of Buffalo, NY.  It was just a nice way to relax, sans-kiddos, and enjoy each other's company.  While we were there we caught a movie, had a few glasses bottles of wine, and ate a couple of uninterrupted meals together.  

We also spent an evening at the infamous Clifton Hill at Niagara Falls, Canada.

Here are a few fun iPhone pics of our excursion to the Falls.



Gotta love Ripley's Believe It Or Not!


We even rode this Sky Wheel to view the Falls illuminated at night!

*  *  *

And I had a little fun capturing a Natural Wonder with my DSLR!





(and maybe a little fun editing)



Saturday, April 20, 2013

Basketball Tots

All we've heard about recently at our house is BASKETBALL!

On Monday of this week, Jackson started his "Basketball Tots" league at the Sportsplex.  It is an instructional basketball program for kids ages 3-5; however, they agreed to let Jackson start a tiny bit before his third birthday (he turns 3 in the middle of the session).  He's the youngest kiddo in the class, but he did wonderfully.  Mostly, the class is just fun, organized chaos anyways.  Nevertheless, I thought it would be a great way to begin introducing Jackson to team sports, sharing, cooperation, and following directions.  And ... it's something fun he can do while still wearing his Mehta cast!

The program lasts for 5 weeks ... and I almost dread when it ends.  Jackson basically lives from day-to-day asking when his next "baketball game" is taking place.  Hopefully, we can sign right back for for the next session!

Here are a few photographs from his first "practice."

Stretching before practice.

A few drills ...

A little coaching.

And even a game!
(ha!)

Too cute, right?

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Skyline Train

Today we went back to visit the train at Skyline Caverns in Front Royal, Virginia.  Jackson's excitement reminded me that I never posted our photographs from last weeks' visit.

Clearly, we have been enjoying the Spring (finally) weather by finding some fun local activities.  If you live nearby ... you really should check this little train ride out.  It's about 10 minutes long, weaves through the woods, and even has a "tunnel."  Jackson and Oliver think it's great!




Spring, we are so happy you finally decided to show up!


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Visiting the National Zoo

Hooray!

Spring is finally here!
Or is it?
Did we skip straight into Summer?

Either way, today we took advantage of the warm weather and headed into Washington DC to visit the National Zoo.  It was Oliver's first visit outside of the womb ... and Jackson's first visit in a year.  It was also an "interesting" excursion, as it always is, with two little ones.  I don't feel like we got to see as many exhibits as usual, but we still had a wonderful time.  It was great just to get out of the house and explore.


Oliver was so excited he couldn't contain himself ... or keep his squinty little eyes open for his huge smile!


Jackson loved seeing the new elephant exhibit and riding the carousel.  He had an awesome time walking around, eating popcorn, and "smiling" for the camera too.




Boy, how he has grown over the years!




The green "towel" you see around Jackson's neck is a "Chilly Pad" ... to keep him cool when outside in his cast.  Oliver kept cool by testing out the new Bob (on the many hills).


Everyone had a wonderful day ... and everyone left exhausted!





There's nothing like a Zoo Day!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Advantages

Being a photographer has its advantages.

I love these crazy boys!

Oliver is ELEVEN MONTHS OLD!!!

Oliver is ELEVEN MONTHS OLD!!! 
(only one more month of being an infant)

23 pounds, 10 ounces (70%)
31.25 inches (95%)
18.25 inch head circumference (55%)


At eleven months, Oliver:

has the best baby Bieber hair I've ever seen
fusses constantly at the dinner table unless he is continuously fed
has chosen a "lovey" (small stuffed penguin with a record ... ha!)
crawls, scoots, rolls, cruises, pulls up, slivers under, shimmies through ... everything, everywhere
cannot be trusted ... with anything, anywhere
thinks Jackson is hilarious
imitates words, sounds, and gestures
blows kisses and waves
says our names, "hi," and "bye"
is fascinated by electrical cords and outlets
had his first tummy bug this month (during Jackson's 9th casting nonetheless)
eats Gerber Puffs like they're going out of style
is called "HUGE" by most people who meet him
charms us all with his enormous smile, during which he cannot keep his eyes open
protests his carseat like a toddler (screaming, arching, holding on)
has an affinity for hanging upside down
FINALLY got his first tooth on Easter Sunday
drinks his bath water
loves Mommy's cabinets ... and opening them to see what's inside
climber extraordinaire
makes his will VERY known ... already
is a messy eater and always looks dirty
removes his socks during every car trip
wears size 18-24 month clothes and size 4 Huggies
wants to do everything Jackson does
has zero interest in "real" toys
is transitioning to the sippy cup
continues to love his carbs
still lives up to his nickname, "Billy Goat"
is fondly referred to as simply "brother" 99% of the time

... and fits perfectly into our family!

Happy Eleven Months, Baby Boy!


We love you so much!


My New Headshot

Everyone needs a good headshot, right?