Labor Day weekend with Cousin Lowell

This past Labor Day weekend, Auntie Candace and Cousin Lowell came up from Maryland to visit the family. We all really enjoyed one anothers company. The kids always have a good time when we all get together.

Arianna dances while Lowell attacks Uncle Chase on the couch.

Arianna strikes a pose.

Poor Uncle Chase just can't seem to get a break from the kids!

A rave starts up in the middle of the living room

The diaper box comes out and is turned into a jump prop

Uncle Ryan attacks Lowell

Lowell busts some B Boy moves on the floor

Catching some air

Rylan joins in with some moves of his own

Lowell gives Arianna a ride on the train

Saturday afternoon, we all met back at our house and then went out to Margaritas Restaurant for some great Mexican food and drinks. The kids loved being able to eat outside and enjoyed the nice sunny day. That evening we all came back to the house and played trivial pursuit.

Rylan was the first one to poop out! Too much excitement for the little guy.

All Aboard!

We pulled out Arianna's old train and track set for Rylan to play with. Arianna use to like it until one day she decided she was scared of the whole train experience. Rylan absolutely loved it! He could hardly wait to get on. He already jumped on the train before it was on it's tracks. He learned quickly how to turn the little engine on and off as well as how to use the buttons to make choo choo noises. I think he would have stayed on all night if we would have let him.

Play Time with Daddy!

Every evening Arianna, Rylan and the pugs, wait anxiously at the door for Daddy to come home and play. They miss him something awful when he goes to work for the day. When he gets home he is greeted by both kids and dogs jumping on him as he walks through the door. The poor guy has so many cuts on his legs from the pugs nails! It must be hard to be so popular :)

Daddy drawing with the kids

Rylan trying on his new safety googles

Rylan playing with the new power drill daddy picked out for him

This is a job for a real man!

Family Fun

It was a wonderful weekend for the entire family. On Saturday we took a trip to the Stone Zoo in Stoneham which is right outside of Boston. It was a little hot but the kids sure didn't seem to mind. We saw monkeys, birds, a mommy Jaguar and her baby, and many other cool animals. Arianna's favorite part was the train ride and little playground at the very end of the zoo trail. She had a complete meltdown when we left asking to "Go back to the animals in the Zoo." Rylan seemed to just be relaxed the entire time, taking in all the sights and sounds around him. I am bummed that I forgot my camera, but just glad we had the experience as a family.

Today, Sunday, my parents came over the visit us. Arianna loves to hang out with Grammy and Grampy as they constantly shower her and Rylan with attention. Arianna cuddles up to Gramps as he reads her some stories and then he takes her and Rylan outside to check out the flowers and play in the sandbox.

We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful and close family that loves to spend time with one another. I hope the kids remember how much time we spent with them when they get older. I think that the problem with most families is that time is so limited with work and everyday stress, they forget and sacrifice what is most important.

Arianna doing her best impersonation as a state trooper

Rylan and Arianna playing with a cup

Gramps and Arianna reading a book together

More reading going on

Arianna reads The little Mermaid to everyone

Almost Done!

Our painting of the downstairs is almost complete. We still have to touch up the trim and some other areas but we are making progress! It has been getting this done with the kids running everywhere. Poor Ryan has been up late painting his heart out. It seems like the only time we can get things done is when the kids are in bed. We added a new plasma TV to the wall and got a love seat for more sitting room. We are tired of having guests over and having to have someone sit on the fireplace. Not fun!

Of course we have some more things to update, but at least the painting is DONE! Now for the upstairs....

Snow White and the Bad Boy on Wheels

Faces

It is a rare moment when I can get these two to stay still side by side. I love it when I can get a few special shots of them together. I love my little muffins.

Arianna the Ballerina!

Arianna is ready to become a ballerina. We registered her at Lisa P Dance Studio and she is set to begin creative movement class every Saturday beginning September 13th. We took her on Thursday to get her leotard, tights and ballerina slippers. When we got home, she insisted on trying on some of the clothes, so here are some pics of her prepping herself for ballet class in her new leotard. Mikayla will be joining the class as well, so we should have a lot of fun!!!!

Go little ballerina!

She's a mover and a shaker

Practicing some crucial moves

Declan's Party

Cousin Declan just turned one on August 4th! What a great party his family had for him! They had a tent outside for everyone to eat and sit under and the best part was the big water slide that the kids loved! Rylan had a bit of a meltdown when Uncle Norm brought him down the slide, but it's okay, we are glad he had the experience and we got a funny picture out of it.

Declan seemed very excited and looked hilarious with his face covered in blue from the cake. He had to go down the slide a few times to get washed off. I think he really enjoyed the attention and the presents. What a great time!

AJ likes the slide but wouldn't go down

Rylan was a bit scared!

Declan loved the slide!

AJ liked the ballons a bit more than going down the slide

Pensive moment

My face is blue!