Our Snowy House--January 2013

See previous post about me being back to the personal blog world. I'm baaaaaaack. But anyway...

So, our snow is melting away FAST! I guess that's what 50 degrees in January will do. Sadly. We came home after a fantastic Christmas trip to Michigan to find about two feet of snow (well, maybe 18 inches) and our driveway miraculously cleared! Love our neighbors. LOVE them. I was smart enough (or geeky enough, thanks to my obsession with checking weather websites on my phone) to know that the winter scene pictured below was going to be short-lived. I'm glad I got these pictures. This snowfall is really the first time Patrick has been able to enjoy playing in the snow. We got virtually no snow last winter and the winter before that, he was just a wee little thing. So, this was great! Let's hope we get some more, as sledding is on my winter to-do list. And MAYBE even a trip to the mountains for some skiing. Enjoy the snowy pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick, January 2013

So, I'm back and I'm sorry to have been gone for 6 months. It wasn't intentional, I promise. It's just there are SO many photos and SO much to catch up on...it was daunting. But I'm over it. I'm starting from now, and if I get back to what I've missed, great. If not, well, at least I won't miss documenting any more time. So, welcome back to a glimpse into our lives. I'm starting with Patrick and some photos of this very willing subject taken at the beginning of January 2013. He's a cutie, eh? Thanks to Mary for the loan of the DSLR. Now I HAVE to start blogging again, right?! It's good to be back.

  

It was worth the wait, right?!

The Playroom (aka Sanity for Mom and Dad!)

So, we don't really like clutter. Just in case you didn't know. :-) And our house was caving in on us. Thank goodness for a couple of rainy days last week. Our living/dining rooms are now TOY FREE!!! The toys currently in circulation are now in the former nursery, which is now the playroom. Wahoo!!! The boys' bedroom houses books, beds, and stuffed animals. It's just plain lovely. A few toys have attempted to creep back into the living room, but the boys seem to understand the playroom is their home when they're done. Here are a couple not so great photos of a quiet play morning in the wee hours last week...

Patrick

He's feisty and fun. Quirky and quick. Terrific but temperamental. I love this boy, but he's full of independent spirit! There's been a lot of "Will stuff" lately, with the new bike and his first bike parade, so this post is for PATRICK!

The Neighborhood Bike Parade

As hard as it is to believe, July 20th will mark 5 years in this house! That merits a special post all its own. But, I digress...

This was the first time Will took part in the bike parade, a 4th of July tradition here in Lakewood Estates. It's homegrown, hometown fun! A few trucks/convertibles drive in it and then dozens of kids ride their bikes around the 'hood. The bikes look fantastic--all jazzy and decked out in red, white , and blue. I had fun bedazzling Will's bike and I look forward to making it more of a team effort in the future...it was all me this year. The parade ended at the neighborhood common land/ plateau for a BBQ. Happy (early) 4th!

Will and Patrick's New Toy

This "Gator," "Tractor," "Jeep," "John Deere"...whatever you want to call it, it's a little boys dream. Our neighbors passed it down to the boys right before we had a few days of rainy and chilly weather--a perfect time to explore something new. I've got to get a video--Will is actually an amazing driver with this battery-powered beast!

Will's new bike!

At the sign on the bike path right outside our neighborhood.

Stopping for photos was NOT on his agenda. I'm lucky I got 

this one!

Will is hitting milestones left and right! First there was the sign-up for preschool back in January...that's when it really started to hit me that he is hitting "big boy" status. I still can't believe he'll be in preschool in two short months! And then there was getting a two-wheel bike (or a "chain bike" as he calls it). This is a hand-me-down from old friends of ours, whose son is also named Will. He outgrew this bike and was thrilled to hand it down to another Will. :-) Our Will was, of course, also thrilled to receive it! Ever since we got it home on Saturday night, all he wants to do it ride his bike! And he's quick on it! I think those training wheels will be off by summer's end. Go, Will, go!

Dear June, I love you...

The month of June, that is! (And specifically the days that come after the last day of school!) 

What a spectacular start of summer we've had. It's raining as I type this, which is why I am finally sitting at the computer doing a slightly overdue blog update. It's just been so gloriously, fabulously beautiful that we haven't wanted to be inside at all. Oh, and for a few days it was so unbelievably hot we didn't want to do much besides go to the beach. And because it was so hot for a stretch last week, we began a new beach routine: down to the beach at 9:30 with lots of snacks and drinks and back by 12:30. Everyone comes back full, tired, and happy. Then it's nap time for the wee ones. When the boys wake up around 2:30 we can either go back to the beach or do something else. Brilliant (and, yes, it is quite the life we live in the summer, I know).

Summer started with blue skies, sunshine, and sand on our neighborhood beach. Hooray! This is not always the case--in rainy years, we sometimes don't see beach down there until August. So, it's been an epic June and it's now safe to say we're all in summer mode. Viva Vermont...until we head to Michigan!

The boys are finally becoming the water babies I knew they would be. I am excited to see how this translates on Lake Michigan where it's not usually this calm. I'm hopeful they'll be little fish this year!

Patrick's favorite activity is to reach in the water, pick up rocks and throw them or collect them on the beach. What is it with boys and throwing rocks and sticks?! 

This is a pretty signature look for Patrick. Just thought I should keep it real on here. They are NOT perfectly behaved children. :-) Can you hear the whine that accompanied this look? 

I don't know why Will wanted to wear this--it's about three sizes too big, but he likes it and said it felt comfortable. We found it on the beach last year and brought it home and washed it. Is that wrong? It had been sitting there for days! A hand-me-down of a different variety.

And now for the brother shots...two versions are included of about 12 that I took!

This one is for Will.

And this one, obviously, is for Patrick. It's hard to get them both looking at the same time, even after a dozen tries.

Happy Father's Day, Justin!

This is my Father's Day gift to Justin:

Going back in time...April break in Siesta Key, FLORIDA!

We had the most amazing trip to Florida at the end of April. Poppi, Grammy, Uncle Hayden, Aunt Kim, and Elliott met us down in Siesta Key on April 21st, 2012. What a reunion--and what a spot! Your Grammy takes the BEST photos--hers will have to join these later. In the meantime, it's important to record these moments in time. The trip was fabulous--full of relaxation mixed with new experiences and new discoveries. 

Grammy and Elliott--just look at the color of that sand!

What a big boy! Patrick brought his stuffed dog to the beach to join in the fun!

Sometimes it took a while to get to the water while the three of you stopped and made discoveries. :-) 

Will didn't need beach toys! Just sticks and shells and a gulf full of beautiful water!

Representing Michigan--this hat was quite the conversation starter!

Patrick managed to get soaking wet, and the morning was cool. So I gave him my hoodie. Nice dress, Patrick!

Beach Time in Siesta Key!