Way Back Machine: The Wiggles Live!

One year ago, today, we went to see the Wiggles in concert with our dear freighbors. How do I remember the exact date, you wonder? Because for months leading up to the glorious event, we talked about the seeing the Wiggles on August 20th. Itty-bitty-not-quite-two-and-a-half Violet would spout off that date like she was an expert of the Julian calendar. We left Linus behind with Grandma and Grandpa and trotted off to the Patriot Center for some Wiggly fun. I never posted these a year ago. Please allow me to travel back in time for un momentito.

Amelie, just 36 hours after her diagnosis of pneumonia, was given Motrin so as not to miss the much-anticipated Wiggles. We had bagels for dinner at a Panera near the concert venue.

Here's our group, minus the photographer.

Amelie patiently awaits the beginning of the concert while Violet clings for dear life to Daddy.

Little Lulu

Amelie is getting excited! Violet is still nervous!

Amelie and Willie are REALLY ready!

So excited they can't even stand it!

Benny the Clown!

THE WIGGLES!!!!

Wags, Sam, and Henry

Murray and a banana

Dorothy the Music Box Dancer

We finished off the evening with a stop at Dairy Queen. Even though Violet spent most of the concert buried in her Daddy's neck, she still talks about it. We've watched hours of the Wiggles since then. Thank you, Lord, for the Netflix Watch Instantly feature that's also connected to Tivo. We're so technologically spoiled!

Happy Father's Day: Game Two With Violet

Last week, it was Violet's turn to celebrate Father's Day with her Daddy! No crazy mustaches this time, just Daddy and ViVi.

Linus isn't in the above picture because he was weeping and gnashing his teeth since it wasn't yet his turn for baseball fun.
Violet could hardly contain herself with excitement. Upon finding out that it was her night for the Baysox, she asked, after every bite of dinner, if it was time to go yet.

Yes, I know she needs a haircut. She's getting one tomorrow!

Italian ice not in a mini-helmet. (She was asked multiple times if she wanted it in a helmet, like Amelie had had, and she insisted that she didn't--funny kid!)

obligatory Sprite

a peanut=)

Cracker Jacks!

moon bounce

And her first-ever carousel ride!

And our sweet ViVi can always be counted upon to make it known when she wants to go to sleep. The game, which started at 7:05, was in its third inning at nearly 9:00! By that time, Violet had enough baseball fun for one night and declared she was sleepy. Not even sure she got to hear the age-old song, but no matter. For one glorious, up-past-bedtime evening, Violet lived Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

Should I Become Marketing Director?

And what does one do at Canaan Valley Resort State Park in Davis, WV?

Well, there's...

orienteering

early morning hikes

examining of the flora

picking wildflowers

playing wiffle ball

playing soccer

riding bikes

And, of course, there's the whole basking-in-the-attention-of-nine-older-cousins thing.
And that's just on the first day!
So, whatdaya think? Sound appealing?

How Six Became Twenty-two

We just returned from our fabulous, biennial trip to Canaan Valley Resort State Park in Davis, West Virginia with my side of the family. Two years ago, we weren't able to attend because of a little trouble-maker. He was sure glad to be there this time, however--he and the rest of his family! One of the many wonderful things about the week were the many pictures that were taken. Lots and lots of pictures.

Just for fun, thought I'd share a little magical math problem using some of these pictures.

You take a family of six and...

Voila!
Turn it into twenty-two!

Huh?

So, my sister, Karen, married Dan and had Erin, Patrick, and Megan.

Then my sister, Kathy, married Charlie and they had Allison, Matthew, and Sarah.

And my brother Eddie? Well, he married Darcy and they have three boys: Derek, Austin, and Jack.

And of course, as most of you already know, I married Duncan and we had Amelie, Violet, and Linus.

Did you catch that? The four of us kids each got married (4+4=8) and we all had three children. (4x3)+8=20.

And the last two?
Well, that would be Grandma Barb and Grandpa Ed, of course!

They started it all on December 8, 1962--nearly 47 years ago!
We're all so thankful!

Oh, and this little vacation we just finished? Well, it's the impetus for many posts that are a'comin'. So, make sure to stay tuned!

Nanny, Nanny Boo Boo!

I'm On Vacation!

Linus has been learning a lot from his big boy cousins. He's making his mama so proud.

An Even Dozen

For those of you that don't know, I am the youngest of four. My sisters, brother and I each have three kids. For years, we've done these cousins pictures. For various reasons, we haven't done one since Violet was a baby.

We always do one by height:

And of course by age:

Erin-21, Patrick-19, Derek-18, Austin-16, Megan-15, Allison-13, Jack-13, Matthew-11, Sarah-9, Amelie-5, Violet-3, and Linus-25 days shy of 2

So many more pictures to come--oh, our how our three love their big cousins!

Linus' Lessons on Love

Remember how Linus worked so hard at impressing Adeline? Well, obviously it's worked.

Happy Father's Day: Game One with Amelie

If you caught the last post, you may have gathered the details of Duncan's Father's Day gift. We each asked him to "take me out to a ballgame." He could choose to take us all as a family or to take each of us individually. Because of our recent focus on trying to spend individual time with each child, I was pretty sure he'd choose the latter.
This past Monday was Mustache Mania. Show us your 'stache and save some cash, read the promo. Apparently, anyone donning a mustache would receive half-priced lower reserve tickets. Sweet.
Duncan?
He was already taken care of in the 'stache department.
So Amelie and I went to work and made her a mustache of her very own.

So, whatcha think?

Duncan and Amelie had a great time!

Reading the program...

eating Italian ice out of a helmet...

eating Cracker Jacks...
(Side note: Can anyone find them in a box anymore? Depressing!)

riding the merry-go-round...

staying dry...

and, of course, eating peanuts...

You think they watched some baseball? Perhaps. But regardless of whether or not they actually paid attention to the game, they had a fabulous time. And the Baysox won!

Happy Father's Day:The Origin

I need to take a step back and share a little video we made back on June 21st. We were on vacation and it was Father's Day.

Soon, I'll share the first installment of Duncan's gift. It involved Amelie and mustaches. So super cute. Can't wait to share.

Goggle Boy!

Linus is trying his hand (or should I say, face?) at being a Superhero again.

I wonder if they sell prescription goggles. Hmmm...