Monday, August 31, 2009

August 31, 2009

The Great NYS Fair! I absolutely love the fair! There's so much to see and do (and so many things to eat and buy!) The boys weren't quite as fascinated as their old Mom always is, but someday hopefully they'll learn to appreciate it as much as I do! Although, after this year we may think twice about going ANNUALLY with the boys in tow (at least until they get a little older) but ask me again next year and I may just have forgotten the "trauma" and be up for another go around!







Sunday, August 30, 2009

August 30, 2009

My fantastic sister stopped over today and brought my beautiful niece over to play...I just love it when they visit!!! I wasn't sure if she wanted her face on my blog though so I figured I'd post this picture of her sitting on the swings because I thought it looked pretty cool.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

August 29, 2009

Nate was having a hard time being cooped up on this rainy day so he was organizing ("parking") all his cars in neat little rows and watching a little too much TV (can you tell?) - Poor kid!


Friday, August 28, 2009

August 28, 2009

Nate was making a "salad" using rain water, leaves from our Weigela bush, and sand for "seasoning".  Yum.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

August 27, 2009

I thought this picture I took of Alex in the tub was pretty cool:


But then again, these were pretty cute so I couldn't decide which to share.  So, I will share them all:


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

August 26, 2009

Snuggling with my Bug.  The perfect ending to a busy day!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

August 25, 2009

Would you believe this was the only picture I took today?  In my defense, today was the start of a mysterious stomach bug that had me out of commission for a few days.  In fact, the next few posts will most likely reflect the massive amounts of being a slug that I accomplished - which was about all I could muster.  

Anyway, back to this picture.  We were on our way to my parents' house to help them cut wood so we got Nathaniel all decked out in woods apparel (long sleeves, long pants, high socks) even though it was 80 degrees outside.  He insisted on wearing his flannel even though he didn't need it quite yet and it HAD to be buttoned up completely.  Don't ask.  And of course, you can't go cut wood without your chainsaw. 

Monday, August 24, 2009

August 24, 2009

A moment captured between my boys during a session of rough housing.  I sure do love my boys!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

August 23, 2009

Today's photo(s) is (are) dedicated to the newest face of Alex.  He's learned to yell.  And does so frequently - when he's mad, when he's frustrated, when he wants to be heard, when he just wants to make noise, or when he's simply breathing.  It doesn't matter, he just likes to yell.  And this is the face he makes when he's yelling.  These are all photos taken of him yelling today alone.  Temper, temper.  







Saturday, August 22, 2009

August 22, 2009

We had our first ice cream truck experience today.  I grabbed the kids (in nothing but their diaper/pull-up) and ran outside to catch the truck.  Nate picked a rainbow colored sno cone and I got a regular nutty buddy to share with Alex (once I ate all the nuts off, of course!).  Obviously once we started eating them Nate grew tired of his sno cone so he swapped me for mine and I fed the rest of his sno cone to Alex.  Alex wound up wearing most of it and then walked around in it (thus the red feet) - While I don't have any photos of us actually EATING the ice cream, I got some of the aftermath. 




Friday, August 21, 2009

August 21, 2009

Alex has learned how to dump all of Nate's toys out on the floor and use his bins as boats, stepping stools, cars - you name it.  He pushes them across the floor, sits in them and dances, climbs up on things using them as a boost.  I love this stage where they find new uses for ordinary things.  

Thursday, August 20, 2009

August 20, 2009

We had a fabulous play date with Auntie Pam and ("Baby") Shawn and Baby Brianna.  I love the freedom of letting the kids play (and they play so well together!) and just sitting back and having a semi-coherent conversation with my BFF!  Here is a rare moment of tenderness between brothers.  I believe this was seconds before Nate hit Alex and pushed him out of the way, but hey...it's a glimpse of kindness.  

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

August 19, 2009

I love this kid...After a fun-filled evening at the playground, he was SO tired and it was past his bedtime, yet he still gives me this slanted eye grin as I loaded him into the car.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

August 18, 2009

This picture does not do the actual sight justice - look closely and you'll see hundreds (?) of birds perched on the letters on the building at the Monroe County Recycling Center.  It's a common occurrence and I just had to take a picture of it as I passed tonight.  

Monday, August 17, 2009

August 17, 2009

Remnants of a rain shower in the parking lot at work...

Sunday, August 16, 2009

August 16, 2009

Don't you just love sandy little tootsies?  



And I love this one - just look at his little tongue!! 


Saturday, August 15, 2009

August 15, 2009

My other beautiful son.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Thursday, August 13, 2009

August 13, 2009

What a beautiful night for a sunset boat ride and swim!!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

August 12, 2009

Today was a busy day!  I took the day off of work to accompany Nathaniel on his school field trip to the Zoo!  It was a gorgeous day for a zoo trip - I got a ton of photos (I'll post some on my regular blog - here) but thought I'd share one here:

After the Zoo and a failed attempt at getting Nathaniel to nap, we headed down to the beach for one of their Concerts by the Shore.  It didn't quite go as I had planned, but it was a beautiful night to be down by the water, as you can see here:

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

August 11, 2009

What's better on a hot (sunny!) summer day than water fun?!?  

Monday, August 10, 2009

August 10, 2009

My friend, Shelby, has a dream.  Her dream is to make beautiful cakes.  Or perhaps it's more of a passion for flour and sugar and all that one can create from it.  Who knows?  Either way, I'm here to support her in any way I can.  If that means eating her creations as she practices her art, then I'm there for her!  :)  This particular creation was a trial run at making a smash cake for Alex's first birthday in a couple months.  I think it's just adorable and tasted even better than it looks!  What a nice surprise for a Monday morning!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

August 9, 2009

I spent the evening lurching in the darkness of our garage to watch a thunderstorm as it rolled through.  I was trying to get a good picture of the fantastic lightning that was all around me but that wasn't working.  Instead I took this picture of the street scene on a dark and rainy night just as a car drove by.  

Saturday, August 8, 2009

August 8, 2009

Alex playing in the "sunlight" coming in our front door...it was a lazy Saturday.

Friday, August 7, 2009

August 7, 2009

I thought I'd try something a little different from the usual photos of one of my boys.  This is a photo of my parent's garage.  There's something kind of vintage and rustic looking about the trim and the brick.  This is when I wish my photo editing skills (and available software options) were improved so I could really make this photo pop.  I'll learn that someday...

Thursday, August 6, 2009

August 6, 2009

We went to one of our favorite places on earth - Melon Bean Eatery - tonight to meet up with Tiff and Brie and have dinner.  It's got a great place for the kids to play, kid friendly food and fantastic food and coffee for the adults!  We got there a little early so Nate was already serving me tea when Brie arrived.  Here is the the picture I shot just as he saw her walk in.  Ah, young love!!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

August 5, 2009

The boys love to pull the cushions off the couch and jump around in them.  Nathaniel calls them "stones" and asks me to "throw stones" at him but Alex just likes to climb over them and bury himself in the cushions.  So that's what we did again tonight - Can't you see his joy!?!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

August 4, 2009

Sprinkler Fun...This was Alex's first exposure to the sprinkler and it got him good!  I'm not sure he was thrilled at first but he warmed up to it!

Monday, August 3, 2009

August 3, 2009

Spiders moved in on the boat and started decorating...too bad it's just not my taste!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

August 2, 2009

Happy birthday, Brianna!  We are SO happy to finally meet you and SO proud of your fabulous Mommy for a job well done!  You are a lucky little girl to have such a special angel for your Mommy!  We love you so much!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

August 1, 2009

I had a hard time deciding which photo to post for today.  We had a busy and fun-filled day so there were many to choose from.  We started the day heading out on the boat to enjoy one of the few warm and sunny days this summer!  We had a blast swimming off the back of the boat and when we packed it in and headed home, we continued the fun in our backyard with some more water fun!  That's when this photo of Alex was taken.  I love the expression on his face.  Each time he splashed in the water he made this face and it was part surprise, part determination, and part evil!  :)