Visit from Ali and Joshua

This is all out of order, and I will spare you the long drawn out, exasperating experience of trying to edit on my mom's computer...and don't even ask about videos...but...

Liam and Noah's cousins came over on Sunday for lunch, pooltime, and some much needed playtime. It was no longer 100 degrees outside so it was a bit chillier...no matter, these are a hearty bunch and they (they meaning Ali and Liam, that is, Joshi spent his time on the steps...smart boy) braved the cold pool water to show off to each other how well they can now swim.

After lunch, we headed downtown for some ice cream...

Picture of Noah on a walk earlier in the day, out of order on this posting, but whatever, it is too annoying to try to edit it...

Kids at the pool...

Noah and Papa in the morning (obviously before the cousins came to visit). Noah is lovingly interfering with Papa's morning exercises.

Noah and Uncle Mike hanging out while the kids were in the pool...

California Day 1

We arrived in CA at 11:00am and Liam hit the ground running with a dip in the pool (it was 100 degrees on the day we arrived). Liam didn't know what to do first, swim in the pool, ride the bike, ride the scooter, play with the toys...so much to do. Uncle Stefan came over for dinner and did his uncle-ly duty to hype up the boys before bed. Jet lag was setting in...For the record, everyone was awake at 4:45am the following morning and mommy got no more than 2 hours sleep in a row all night!

"Bye Bye Fan"

Another new trick involves waving at the fan, any fan will do, he has been practicing this trick all week...

The "what fits in what" game...

Noah's newest game involves figuring out what toys will fit inside other toys...he can spend a long time at this...

Summer vacation...

Liam, Evan, Benjamin, and Carson (friends from preschool) enjoy an afternoon at our pool...

Liam and Troupe lounging after a tough afternoon poolside...

A Smith Visit

Matt, Erin, Finn, and Obi Smith came to visit from Boston, MA June 5-June 7 - a surprise birthday trip for Matt - and Erin pulled it off. We had a wonderful visit, we barely saw Finn and Liam the entire 3 days (except to go swimming or to eat). Thank you Smiths for coming to visit - even though it was 102 degrees outside - it was a fantastic weekend! Liam is still asking when we can go to Finn's house to visit!

...after several attempts with the timer. Erin is without the "crazy eyes" in this picture and Jenia's eyes are actually open...

...Matt and Obi (20 months) enjoying the pool...

...Noah enjoying the pool, and wearing a hat, no less. He looks grumpy but I assure you he was having a good time...

...snack time for Finn (4 years) and Liam...

...pool time...

...like I said, we barely saw them the entire 3 days, they were holed up in Liam's room with race tracks, cars, and trains...

...rest time for Finn and Liam while the little guys napped. The showing this day was "Cars"...

...Thanks to the excessive heat and the constant stimulation, bedtime was nice and early. Here we enjoy story time with the boys before the adults settle in for dinner and some adult conversation...
Noah and Obi enjoying some quality time...
...and some video of Noah and Obi playing...

Noah is pulling up and other news...

School is out and summer vacation has begun. Liam is in year round school so he starts Kindergarten July 10th, so we are not looking at a very long summer vacation. It is blazing hot now (like 99 degrees hot), the pool is perfect, and fortunately, it turns out Noah is a water baby, and Liam can't get enough of the pool. Noah is 10 months old now, pulling up, and interested in anything that Liam is doing.

Trying to escape...or trying to get to Liam playing outside...
One of his favorites...
...and some video...


Liam finished his soccer season on May 31st and celebrated with a bobble-head trophy and Dunkin' Donuts. Pure joy...