Category: Pictures

Okay, so these pictures are completely underwhelming in light of our recent snowfall, but it was the first White Christmas since sometime in the late 1800s so we took pictures.  Well, we actually didn’t take pictures until the 26th since the snow didn’t start falling until late on the 25th.  And to answer your question:  Yes, my children’s sleep is FAR more important than the first White Christmas in over 100 years.  So I took pictures on the morning of the 26th.  In our defense, we weren’t finished celebrating Christmas quite yet, so there’s that…

Getting geared up to go outside:

Braving the storm:

When fathers attack:

Determining the snowball createability index:

“Is the index too low, Dad?”

This might just be the cutest boy ever born.  I’m just sayin’.

I mean, come on.  Check out the face on this one!

Liam measures the snowfall success based on the amount of accumulation on top of the walkway lights:

And his conclusion?  Roaring success!

I have (literally) thousands of pictures to weed through over the next several days but for now I must sign off.  I know that tomorrow is a snow day and that that means I can sleep in.  Unfortunately, my children didn’t get the memo…

I’m obviously a little late on this one…

Our annual Christmas marathon was filled with lots of fun and family.  Here are the pictures we got from 4 of the 5 celebrations we were a part of (by the 5th we were so tired that we completely forgot to pull out the camera…oops).

Christmas #1 (12.24.10)

We must have been very, very good this year:

Apparently Santa left a stocking for Liam at Gran and Granddaddy’s house.  On the 24th.

The free Bob The Builder coloring book was a HUGE hit:

Matt sees it as his parental duty to take full advantage of this…

Liam finally realizes that there is a reindeer on his head:

Look Gran, it’s my footprint!

Gran love:

Liam begins on his path to fulfill Matt’s dream that he become a GP:

Giving Granddaddy a check-up:

Checking his own teeth:

Helping Greatdaddy:

“Whatchoo lookin’ at, Mama?”

Helping Greatmama:

Liam cracks open the dress-up box:

Trying on his spoils:

Connolly Firemen:

Three thumbs up:

Bob The Batman:

Matt’s not enjoying this at all…

“Oh, Wow!”

“I love GGMom’s bag!”

Bob and his Dad:

Liam The Builder:

He doesn’t look excited, does he?

Paige helps Gran open her present:

Bob works on the trolley track:

One of my favorite gifts:

What can I say?  The girl loves a good ribbon:

Bob works on the tree:

Greatmama and Greatdaddy open the biggest Shutterfly album ever:

Paige and Granddaddy:

Paige loves her present…but she loves her Gran more!

Liam introduces Paige to Sophie:

After three years of making do, I finally got a rain jacket!

The Cat In The Hat:

Christmas #2 (12.25.10):

More important than breakfast?  More important than stockings?  More important than eyes that are completely open?  That’s right: The Cat In The Hat.

Baby’s first Christmas (you can tell she’s psyched)!

Liam refused to check out his stocking until he was fully outfitted as Bob The Builder:

Bob helps Mama open her present:

“Hey, Mama!  You got a guitar!”

I’ll soon be dismayed to learn what it takes to properly play Indigo Girls songs, but at this moment I’m blissfully unaware:

Bob carefully inspects his gift tag:

Hot Wheels!

Christmas #3:

“Hey Ben!  Will you help me with this?”

“What’s up, Mama?”

Teapot!

The adorable factor here is kind of unbelievable…

Toe warmers!

Paige Bug:

Album unveiling #2:

Christmas #4:

Began with brie (as good things often do…):

And ended with cake (as great things must do…):

Funny footprints:

Paige and Pop:

Priceless:

Paige and Grammie:

Aunt G., Paige, and her Namibian twin:

Cutie Pie:

“I don’t know what this is yet, but I know I’m gonna like it!”

Superhero Chutes & Ladders (well played, Grammie & Pop, well played…):

The origin of Liam’s dance skills has long been a mystery.  No longer.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Luckily, Paige’s early bathing experiences were not a good indicator of her feelings about bathtime.  It’s now one of her favorite things to do and we actually use it as a tactic to interupt nighttime screaming fits before bed.  Here are some pictures I took of a recent bath.

Spontaneous worry:

Splashing is one of her favorite things.  I’ll be able to get more pictures of it when I’m not worried that she’s going to slip down and drown while doing it…

Learning to appreciate letters like her brother:

Little P:

Little B:

All smiles:

Sheer concentration (on what, I have no idea…):

Lounging:

On the 11th we went to Gran and Granddaddy’s house to celebrate my birthday (the 10th) and Greatmama’s birthday (the 9th).  After the celebration it was time to get down to the business of Christmas goody making.  Liam had a fantastic time decorating cookies to give to his teachers and I am so grateful to my mom for letting us use her fantastic kitchen!  Here are pictures from the day.

Liam helped open presents:

Greatmama, I wonder what can it be?

Liam helps blow out the candles:

Now it’s time to make goodies!

Slinky break:

He’ll find trains anywhere:

Gran love:

M&M apertif:

Cookie chat:

Cookie Cutter Contemplation (with a side of Chocolate Chewing):

Let’s get this party started:

I love this one:

Bucket Head:

Time to clean up:

It was an exhausting but fabulous day!

I have tons of other pictures to post from all the birthday celebrations and day-to-day cuteness but I had to start with these from our recent visit with Sylvie & PJ.  As usual, I had a very hard time choosing which pictures to post so I’m just posting them all!

Sylvie models her lamb hat & booties:

What a smile!

Talking to Auntie PJ:

This is what the difference between the 1st growth percentile and the 75th growth percentile looks like:

Could she be any cuter?  (No, no she couldn’t.)

Thick as thieves:

Auntie PJ to the rescue:

Sylvie is already giving me the look that my own children give me when I pull out the camera.  What can I say?  She’s a very quick learner.

Paige smells something.  I can pretty much guarantee that it’s of her own making…

Sylvie just got a whiff.  I still blame Paige.

Lean on me, when you’re not strong…

I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.

I’m so looking forward to watching these two grow up together!

I know I promised to put up pictures of Liam’s first race awhile ago.  I believe I used the word “soon” (possibly even “very soon”).  Two weeks later is apparently my new “soon.”  Bear with me here, folks…

On Thanksgiving morning Liam ran his first race.  It was called the “Drumstick Dash” and was a 50 yard dash.  It might have been the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, but the way my children have been lately the “cutest thing” happens every day.  They’re exhausting, vexing, sometimes infuriating, but man are they cute!  Back to the point:  Liam’s first race.  It took place after Gillian and I finished walking our first 5K (which by the way is kind of awesome — no stress, no trying to fight your way into a good spot in the pack, just going for a walk and then getting a shirt and free snacks afterwards).  I can’t wait until I’m running again, but it was a nice way to ease back into things, for sure.

When Matt arrived with the kids, Liam ran towards me and said “Oh Mama, I’m so excited!  I’m gonna run a race!  It’s gonna be so much fun!”

Paige wasn’t entirely pleased about the whole thing, but she hung in there…

Liam and Matt warm up:

A little dynamic stretching:

Liam adds his own flair…

Ready to race:

“Hooray!”

Heading for the start line:

Getting instructions (Liam’s on Matt’s shoulders near the middle of the picture):

On your mark, get set (Liam’s in the front towards the middle):

GO! (Liam’s in the middle employing his classic ‘look behind’ running technique):

He was excited to finish the race.  Getting a medal was pretty cool.  But what he was really looking forward to?  The snacks at the finish…

It was a great way to start a Thanksgiving!