Birthday Parties

It's been way too long since I've updated the blog with pictures and all our many happenings. After a relocation to New Hampshire six months ago, I hope to pick up where I left off over (gulp) a year ago...and I can't think of a better event to start with than a birthday. Not just one special birthday, not two, not three but four!!! Daddy turned early 40's something and Mom turned 80 (80??? how is that, she is a goddess...) in January, and Papa's birthday was in February and Mimi's just yesterday (March 1st.) Happy Birthday to our AMAZING grandparents! (Dad, you're not off the hook...yours is coming up in a few months!) We love you all.

Memories from today's celebration at Aunt "Taffy's"...

 

Everyone enjoyed the gymnastics exhibition that Anna put on. She was tumbling and rolling all over.

She had the crowd roaring.

 Anna taking a bow...

James and his favorite buddy...Casey.

 

And Mom's birthday celebration at our house last month. It was fun and most of the kids made it, which was a feat in itself. No one wanted to miss Mom's special day. Happy Happy Birthday to a beautiful woman. Grams, we love you more than words can say!

 

 

 

 

Finally, Daddy's 43rd birthday party in January...a small family gathering.
But we do all so love a birthday!

 

 



Summertime 2011

We're having a blast this summer...and Anna is growing like a weed! She is a real mover and shaker and excited for every day. It's already mid-July and we've had a lot of fun activities so far. A week vacation on Nantucket, lots of pooltime, playgrounds and visits with family. And Anna loves to stay busy with her friends. She also needs downtime (so do her parents!) and so we try to enjoy some indoor air conditioned relief to avoid these hot humid 90 degree summer days! I'll post some fun pictures from this sunny season so far. Happy Summer 2011!!!

The 3 muskateers

Catching up

I am way behind on sharing all our happenings over the past two months - and believe me, there have been many - so I hope to catch up this week. The blog will soon be chock-full with family gatherings, holiday festivities, the first annual cutting of our Christmas tree, playdates, playdates and more playdates, Anna's first tea party and more family get togethers. She's been busy and I'm trying to keep up. So many firsts, so many developments yet she is still my baby. It's been 17 months today and I'm taking deep breaths. Cherishing moments and hugging and kissing her every second I get. It's been fun and I know a gazillion more memories are waiting to be made. Happy 17 month birthday, little one. We love you more than words can say. xoxo

Friends, Farms & Firs

A chock-full weekend with family and friends. We kicked it off with a visit to Grams and Opa's. And a trip to a local farm in Durham. To feed some furry friends, play outside and pick up some goodies such as apples and cinnamon bread in the store.

Then back home for playtime with Lucy and Dylan.

 

And starting a new family tradition...tagging a Christmas tree. We finally chose one. And it's pretty special.

 

 

  

 

 

A final good-bye to Aunty Mandy along with a happy birthday wish. She's en route to Vienna as I write this.  Abschied und sicheres Reisen, my friend.

Good-byes, Grandparents & the Great Outdoors

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.  Havelock Ellis

Change is in the air. Babies are growing, friends are moving, and life is happening right before our eyes.  The saying goes we do not remember days; we remember moments and some wonderful memories have been made in our little world.  A 40th Birthday / Going Away party for Amanda.

 

And we celebrated. Bon Voyage, Mandy. Wherever you may travel, you know - our hearts go too. Be well my friend, and take care of that fabulous man of yours. We love you both very much.

 

There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life. - Federico Fellini

Anna got to spend some Q-time with Mimi and Papa this weekend. She so loves her grandparents.

 

and being outdoors - all the time.

 She helped Daddy fill the bird feeder.

 

and fed the animals at Briggs Nursery.

 

It was unseasonably warm on Saturday and we were out and about for lunch, and holiday craft fairs.
and climbing on rocks!

WW1 Park

Mark had Veterans day off so we bundled up the babe and took her to the park to see the animals and play. And to Mansfield Memorial Park on Friday. Did I mention she loves the outdoors?

 

 How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. - Annie Dillard