Easter 2010 - Sarah's Parents Visit

This is the second Easter that Sarah's parents have been able to visit.

They rode the train from NC this time.

We all went to church together...

then the Easter baskets came out.

Candy-filled eggs were hidden and found in the back yard...

with quite a bit of help from Band-dad.

And while Nora slept, Addie decorated some eggs.

She stayed remarkably clean.

Sarah's parents found some time to relax in the midst of it all.

What a fun visit!

One of those days...

Fall at the Orchard in Boone

We visited the Valentines for a few days and were invited to join them on an excursion to an apple orchard near town. Addie loved being a part of Michaela and Jenna's 'school trip'. Though the weather wasn't great, the girls loved being together and had fun "hooty-hoo"ing through the corn maze, picking pumpkins, and learning all about apple harvesting. The mommies had fun learning about it, too!
Everyone got a bag full of apples - half of which we fed to the horses who live near the Valentines' house.

We also squeezed in some visiting with Grandma and Granddad, and their piano.

Cherry Blossom and Kite Festival

The blossoms (and crowds) were out in full force.

We love the kite festival - for a few hours the mall is covered with all kinds of kites which creates a neat atmosphere.




There are tents set up with crafts and activities for kids.
Addie made a Japanese style paper lantern.


Blue sucker teeth.

Addie's favorite thing about the festivals? The port-a-potties.
She couldn't believe all the little green "houses" that were set up!

Addie's work

This is the first time Addie attempted to write her name. She did it, albeit in reverse, without spelling help or anything. It was in a Valentine's card to her cousin.
1/26/2010

The name-writing set off a series of attempted words. Here, Addie wrote and drew likenesses of her two favorite people.
2/18/2010

Just a few weeks later, she's writing her name like a pro. This a self-portrait, complete with teeth and haribows. The artist is pictured with her dad who has whiskers, and her little sister who is asleep in bed.
3/22/2010

Loving siblings.

Ice Skating

Aaron took Addie ice skating in a park in DC. It was her first experience and she loved it! Inspired by the olympics, she was eager to learn and reluctant to leave.

Valentine's Day Party!

Why have some party balloons when you can have 36 mylar, heart-shaped ones?
Aaron did it right - he covered the doorway so we couldn't see the room until it was time to party.

Addie wore her pink dress for the special occasion.Everyone was there... Lauren,

John, Ashley, and Katherine,

Mickey and Minnie (why not, you know?),
We finished the party with cupcakes and glo-sticks. Again - why not?

I love this picture of Nora watching the birds.


13 months old

Nora At Her Best

Backpacking through the big snow in January. Nora's signature look.

First spaghetti and skepticism - December 09.

Hair illusion, or, I smile because I have no idea what's going on.

Happy Homeowners

Yay for us! We moved into a 1952 Cape Cod on New Year's Day.


Aaron's living the dream.

Olan Mills throwback

On Grandma's hearth after Christmas.

Reality behind family portraits

Funny that it's so hard to get kids to smile, but here they're the only ones cooperating.

Addie at the Dentist

Addie does great at Dr. Ed's. Those cheap little prizes work for her.
This is a photo from her second visit.

Nora is somewhere in the office...

the assistants were all fighting over her.

Old Town 3

Old Town 2

Indian Style

Old Town

I will chew you.

Little Lamb