Summer...so far!

We have been experiencing a very unusual summer. I should clarify that this summer is unusual for us; probably not for the majority of families in the U.S. We have decided to live the "typical" family life this summer. Brian's aunt is generously letting us stay in her basement (next door to Brian's parents' home) in a beautiful town in Connecticut. It's been heavenly!

So far we have bee doing a lot of swimming, berry picking, fresh corn eating, playing, partying, hiking, fort building, and eating lots of ice cream. It has been wonderful and relaxing.

We took a leap of financial faith and bought a car. An awesome, used, very fuel efficient 2004 Honda Civic. Although, to put things in (financial) perspective, it cost about the same as 2 months rent. And the future of the car (once summer fun is over) is still undetermined. So far it has been a great, well used purchase.

Brian has been using megabus ($5/ticket) to travel back and forth for the weekends.

Again, all photos were taken and uploaded via my phone...sorry they are not the best quality (and out of order), but I love them anyway!

hiking in Cotton Hollow

swinging on Grandma's swing

Cotton Hollow

Robb's Farm (we love their ice cream!)

I love this crazy girl!

At Robb's Farm

 a hot little cutie at Rose's Berry Farm

Cousin James' 1st birthday party

at Rose's Berry Farm

Belltown Hill Orchards

Swim!!!

awesome homemade slip 'n slide

Grandma's vacuum haircut--he thought it was cool

building a fort near the Connecticut River

jumping in!!
getting her face under the water has been a HUGE accomplishment this summer

Cotton Hollow

Dondero Orchards

Connecticut River

Roughing It

It's raining. It's pouring. It's our first time camping with kids!

We are at Camp Joseph (located adjacent to the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial) in Sharon, VT. It's a beautiful campground. Some of us are staying in tents. Some of us are in a tiny cabin.

Last night we pitched tents, go rained on, built a fire, ran from the pouring rain, cooked a feast of tin foil dinners and hot dogs for the kids, got drenched in another downpour, revived our camp fire, ate s'mores, lit some sparklers and then cozied up and went to sleep. It was a full evening!

Luckily the rain has stopped, the birds are singing a most glorious morning chorus and everyone is still sleeping. I'm enjoying this magnificent morning. It is truly spectacular to watch the thick fog drift up into the sky through the layers of rolling green hills (mountains???) of Vermont as the sun rises in the east creating a canvas of calming pinks and blues.

This quiet, peaceful, radiant moment feels like heaven on earth.

I'm sad that I forgot to bring my Nikon, which captures moments much more beautifully than my iPhone. But I'm glad I had these fun photos to post (in no particular order).

Right Now: Busted!

I couldn't believe it! I put this very tired little guy down for his nap (at Grandma & Grandpa's house) and within a few minutes I heard knocking on the bedroom door. NOOOO!!!

He was so proud of himself!

An hour later I tried again; hoping and praying it was a fluke. Hoping and praying he would be so tired that he wouldn't want to try again. But knowing all too well that it was only the beginning of him mastering the skill of escape.

I left the door open just a crack so I could spy on him. He rested for a few moments. Then stood up, threw his binky on the floor and proceeded to scale his prison walls. There's no stopping him now!

It's a good thing he's so darn cute!

Right Now: MegaBus

Expectations can be a powerful thing. I was expecting this trip to be difficult. Lots of frustration and crying from a very busy, unentertainable (yes, I just made up a new word ;)) 18 month old. Lots of arguing over the iPad from Isabella and Oliver. There was some of both. But it's a pleasant surprise that both boys are napping.

This is my first time attempting to ride MegaBus solo with the kiddos. We still have 20 blocks to go before we hop off manhattan (and still trek home), so I may be premature in saying this, but I'm calling it a successful adventure!

Why I don't make dinner anymore...

In the middle of making a real dinner*, I caught this little dude helping himself to a snack...and spreading the love.

I love how he's trying to get it off his foot.

*real dinner: referring to a meal I made that wasn't pb&j, quesadillas, pasta, smoothies, or popcorn.  A rare thing around these parts.

Happy Father's Day!

Yes, this is slightly belated.  But, here, we aim to make everyday Father's Day.  Okay, not really, but we should.  We should praise and honor Brian for the amazing dad that he is; every day!  It is something I want to improve on!

He works so hard.  He dedicates so much of his time, energy, and life working so that his kids (and me too) can have such an abundant, wonderful life.  We are very blessed by Brian's dedication to our family.  He would much rather be running around chasing the kids or teaching them new things.  He has an amazing talent of teaching complex ideas to Isabella and Oliver in a way that they comprehend and understand.  He can captivate them while teaching them about gravity or the four states of matter.  Seriously!

He's the most creative, loving, patient, intelligent, dedicated, talented, and perfect father I have ever met.  I'm so blessed to have him as my partner in this crazy thing called parenthood.

Brian was made to be a fantastic daddy!  He's fulfilling that challenging calling perfectly.

Brian is...

the perfect playmate

an amazing teacher

a comforter of sick, tired boys

a rider of carousels

a lover of hot chocolate

a creator of wonderful memories

an adventurer

a very fun uncle

a lover of boats, trains, planes, rockets, etc.

an amazing example of goodness

a giver of wisdom

a creator of much laugher

a juggler of many busy bodies

a champion wrestler

a strong guiding hand

an explorer

a daddy who loves his little New Yorkers with all his heart.

Brian, we love you, adore you and miss you!  Thank you for all the amazing moments you share with us!

*all photos were taken in the last 4 months...I could go on and on!