Anniversary Trip to Manhattan/ Weekend with Grandma & Pop-pop

For our anniversary, Adam arranged for us to take a child-less weekend to Manhattan.  Ken & Lee Ann were nice enough to take care of the rugrats for us and Adam and I had a lovely time playing tourist and enjoying the peace and quiet of sleeping in!  The grandparents were exhausted by the time we picked up the rugrats, but everyone seemed to have a fabulous time.  Of course, all 3 of the kids slept better that weekend than they ordinarily do for us!

A visit from Grandma, Pop-Pop, & Tammy

Grandma & Pop-pop were going through baby/kiddo withdrawal, so they came up to Philly for the day, to see the babies for their birthday.  The weather was perfect and everyone had a nice time at Taney Park.  Oliver LOVES his superman shirt from Grandma (she had gotten the babies ones previously, and he's been wanting one too). 

March Visit to Pop-pop & Grandma

On Sunday, we packed up the boys and headed to Delaware.  Not too much to share about the visit - I haven't been the last few times, so I was happy to tag along this time (and bring the camera!). 

Christmas Day - the Main Event

I'm somewhat belated in posting photos from Christmas Day, but time just seems to be whizzing by.  This is the first time I/we woke up in my/our own house on Christmas morning in over a decade and it was such a treat!  We had a low-key present exchange, as we didn't get Oliver too much and Adam & I decided to take it easy with big expenses in our future.

Christmas Eve at Longwood Gardens

We spent Christmas Eve with Scott & Jenn for their first Seven Fishes feast.  After dinner we all loaded up and went to Longwood Gardens, which is nearby to see all the Christmas lights.  Oliver was under the weather and we were really on the fence about bringing him - if I had realized just how much of our time at Longwood Gardens was going to be outside, I would have listened to Adam and stayed home with Bubba.  He was a real trooper!  I haven't been to Longwood since 2001, and it was so nice to walk around and see all the lit trees, with the added bonus of getting to play with my new camera.

Christmas #2

The day before Christmas Eve, Ken, LeeAnn, & Tammy joined us for an afternoon/evening to celebrate.  We were so thankful that they came to us, as Oliver was feeling under the weather and actually took a bizarre 6pm nap.  I loved ending the night with a game of Skipbo - it was a good reminder that we need to make family game night happen more frequently. 

Here are some photos from our festivities.

Looking at Pop-pop's calendar

Thomas!

Oliver will NEVER lay still, so we knew he was really sick when he snuggled up with me just before dinner.  Check out the very awesome Thomas blanket that Grandma MADE for Oliver!!!

 

The very next morning, we put the very fun Richard Scary book from Chris/Steve to good use - so much to see!

Photo Comparison

Does Oliver look like his Daddy, or what???  
I don't know how old Adam was in this photo with his infamous blanket. 

Crab Yumminess

Adam has fond memories of crab meals with his family growing up, so he organized a family gathering this weekend.  Yum, yum, yum!!!  The adults enjoyed yummy crabs & beer and the men played Washers.  The kids had fun splashing in the pool, playing on the swings, and eating lots of popsicles & ice cream.   I was so impressed that Oliver was able to balance on the swing sitting all by himself (unfortunately, none of those photos turned out well).  He's getting to be such a big boy.  I'm already looking forward to the same event next year, when Oliver & his cousin will be able to play together a bit more independently. 

Thanksgiving Photos

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving at home this year.  

Family Visit

Last Saturday we had Adam's family, including Aunt Chris from Texas, in town for a visit.  We enjoyed the great weather on the patio and then took a stroll to the park (which has become a staple of any family visit these days). 

Three Generations

Perfect Day for Apple Picking

Amazingly, we were able to convince Adam AND his brother to take off from work today (I don't need much arm twisting these days) so that we could go apple picking with the kids.  I had heard that the Orchard we were going to can be really packed on the weekends and this seemed like a great excuse to make a 3-day weekend.  We've decided to make this a annual tradition and are planning other picking-outings (strawberries!) for next summer.  It's nice that we are starting family traditions like these and we look forward to Lil' Man being old enough that he and his cousin can run around and play together. 

The weather was great, it wasn't too windy or cold, the sun was shining, and it smelled like autumn.  After picking (and eating) PLENTY of apples, we wandered around their store, played at the playground, and went thru their mini-maze.  We ended the day with hot apple cider and cider donuts!

 

Sunday with Family & Football

Today, Adam's brother & family came over to see Lil' Man (since its been awhile since they have seen him) and watch the Eagles game.  Before football, the six of us took a stroll to the local park so the kiddies could swing.  They had brought us a kiddie-backpack to borrow, so we took it out for a spin.