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...

Mother's Day Tea and Preschool Graduation

Mother's Day Tea, May 8th, 2008

Two weeks ago, Liam's class held a Mother's Day Tea (yes, it took me this long to realize I had these pictures on my camera). The kids "served" us our cookies and tea (sweet tea...this is the south, after all), and gave us some little presents. It was very cute, and we all felt very special that day.

This photo is for my mother, Liam did not sign his name, he drew on the card instead - all of the red scribbles and lines are his, look like a certain plate I made in preschool, mom??


Yes...the little Mother's Day fern plant is still alive on our front porch, and it has gotten bigger. I have not yet killed the plant, for anyone keeping track...


Preschool Graduation, May 20th, 2008...

Noah and his little friend Keegan at the picnic after the graduation - Keegan wanted to climb the stroller, Noah wanted to pull his hair...they never did get that worked out...
...And here is the video...this one is for the grandparents, a rousing rendition of "Chatter With the Angels". Liam is front and center in the red and white striped shirt. If the video stops midway, just try to play it again - I was able to watch it all the way through, but sometimes it got hung up.

A Week in the Life

Well, Noah is everywhere now. It is a race against time to get some gates up and perhaps a few more outlet covers. He is pulling up now (pictures are forthcoming), and generally all over the place. One of Noah's favorite things to do right now is to play with the alphabet magnets on the refrigerator. I spend a lot of time picking all of the letters up throughout the day, but it is endless fun for him....to be young and flexible...

Another favorite past-time - pulling clean, folded laundry out of the basket.


Liam feeds Noah his evening bottle after bath. Noah's not so sure...
Daddy and his boys out front enjoying the beautiful spring North Carolina weather.Alan, Anita, Sydney, Emory and baby Cooper visit us this weekend. Emory (on the left), Sydney and Liam enjoy some much needed quality time since last seeing each other in December.

Some Pictures of Noah

Noah is 9 1/2 months old now - time goes so quickly.

Grammy and Papa Come to Visit

Green Thumb

Grammy came to visit and helped us jump start our spring planting. Liam was right in there with his gardening gloves and his watering can. He planted some peas, tomatoes, and flowers. Much to Jeff's surprise, so far, I have not killed them, but I do have to keep a watchful eye on Liam so he doesn't drown them from over-zealous watering...