Monday, October 26, 2009

Fall evening w/ Friends

Following a productive weekend of getting our place back in order after a weekend away, lots of laundry, and working on a few house projects, we enjoyed a nice evening with our friends Hans and Ana, and their children Alan and Valentina.

Kieran and Alan have been fast friends for over two years as classmates at Pennisula Children's Center, yet since our "transfer" to CityKids we've extraordinarily busy. So, we hadn't seen each other in about two months, and with the girls being so young, they had sure grown in that time.

 

Hans & Valentina

 

Ana & Makenna

 

Hans, Kieran and Alan


Boys were all smiles and energy

Monday, October 19, 2009

D.C. visit

No, we didn't make it all the way to the nation's capital this weekend, but we did make a family trek to my home "town" of Days Creek (or as the locals call it, D.C.). Once I think back, as a little kid our house was white, and we loved to say that we lived in the White House in D.C.

Now, back to the original point of this post, sharing tidbits from our trip:

We enjoyed a nice relaxing fall weekend with my parents, or Grandma and Papa Roger as they are more often called these days. The unfortunate news of the weekend was that the annual Pumpkin Festival was canceled due to a big storm that was forecast, but the good news was that the storm blew in to the north and the weather was glorious. So we got in quite a few short walks, especially since we brought Kiki for his first trip to D.C. He loved the countryside, and made himself quickly at home there. Kieran and I collected acorns on one excursion, and the "guys" all headed to try to see the salmon spawning while the "girls" did a little shopping. Kevin also got a good dose of college football and a Penn State game and all the channels we don't have without cable. Makenna entertained herself by going after houseplants and watching us all chase after her. Like I said, a nice relaxing weekend for everyone.

It's all been pretty friendly so far, but the toy give-and-take has begun...Makenna was successful at stealing back her first dolly!

Reunited "at last", Kieran now starts asking about plans to visit/see Grandma before we've even parted. His past two trips to D.C. were sans parents, so this time around his was a little put off by the fact that Kevin and I were coming with him. He told us that only little kids were allowed to stay at their house!

It never fails to surprise people, but my Dad LOVES babies and they love him. Makenna kept grabbing his beard and squeal ling.

Kieran loved all the extra storytellers, and we were excited because on our drive home he started reading out loud to himself for the first time.

Makenna is getting ready for Halloween, and loved these monster glasses.




As a disclaimer, this video clip is not really very exciting. But it does show where Makenna is developmentally these days, standing lots and reaching for everything!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a nice visit "home"!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Showered with Love

This past weekend we hosted a co-ed baby shower for good friends of ours who are expecting their first child, who is affectionately dubbed "Sprout" until the true identity is revealed. We've enjoyed welcoming them to the world of parenthood, and if our friendship is any indication, Stacy and Geordie will surely be fun-loving, thoughtful, caring parents. We look forward to meeting you Sprout!


Everyone brought a favorite children's book to the party, and there were lots of favorites to be had. I managed to find two of my favorites used, On the Day you were Born and Oh, the Places you'll Go, plus a few board books.



Everyone had their share of ooohs and awwws.


Although she couldn't make it to the festivities, Stacy and Geordie's good friend Elizabeth made this amazing cake! It was deeeelicious...I seriously don't know if I've had much better. Thanks as well to my pre-party helper, Karen, and clean-up crew of Geordie's sis and Mom! It takes a village... :-)