We hope all of our friends and family had a nice holiday weekend. Ours was very relaxing and low key. We spent Friday at the NC Zoo in Asheboro (approximately 90 miles away). Luckily it wasn't too hot and the zoo itself was very shaded which made walking to and from all the animals very enjoyable. Jake especially liked the big gorilla who was right up against the glass eating and making faces. Ben was a little uncertain of the elephants at first but I think he realized quickly that they wouldn't hurt him. On Saturday I took the boys to the Durham Kid's Parade for the first time (meeting up with some moms from Triangle Mommies too). This was a free event where kids bring their bikes, scooters, or wagons and decorate them with items from a store called the Scrap Exchange. A couple of firetrucks are there for the kids to explore and then we went on a "parade" which essentially was just walking around the block. Then everyone enjoyed free water ice and the firemen turned the hose on their trucks for everyone to cool off. It was a very nice event and Jake got such a kick out of decorating his bike and of course getting a red balloon.
After resting up from the parade the boys spent some time playing in their pool (thanks Daddy for blowing it up!). And on Saturday night we let Jake stay up til it got dark (not til about 9pm here!) and we played with some sparklers. We contemplated fighting the crowds at some local fireworks shows but decided we'd rather just chill at home.
We hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend! Some pics are posted in the "July" photo album.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ben is 18 months
Ben turned 18 months old this past week. We can hardly believe it. He is certainly turning into a little boy very fast. His vocabulary is starting to really take off as well as his toddler personality. He frequently uses the terms "no" and "mine" in classic toddler fashion. He also has been working on perfecting the art of throwing his body when he doesn't get his way. But seriously, he is adorable and sweet and just loves his older brother.
A new milestone pic is posted as well as a couple of pictures and a video added to our June album.
Have a great week everyone and Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!
A new milestone pic is posted as well as a couple of pictures and a video added to our June album.
Have a great week everyone and Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Delaware Trip
Last week was a busy one. Jimmy had a conference in Philly from Fri-Wed so he flew from RDU up north. I decided it would be nice to have a trip to Delaware that was a little longer than usual so our visit wouldn't be so rushed. So I drove up with the boys and Howie last Saturday. We spent the first part of the week at Grandma and Grandpa's house then the second part was at Grammy and Pop's. We had lots of fun all week long and managed to stay very busy!
On Sat. night after we drove in, I went to a BBQ at my Uncle Bill's new condo and enjoyed a few childless hours while the boys were being babysat by my cousins Andy and Danny. Jimmy spent Sat. night in Philly hanging out with our friend Chris (best man in our wedding if you remember). On Sunday, Jake and I went bowling with Aunt Laura and Matt and then had a visit with my cousin Luke later in the day. (Luke is about 5 months older than Ben). Then, on Monday I drove to lower Delaware to visit my friend Laurie and her 4 kids (yes, she has 4 kids ages 5 and under). We spent the day at her house playing in their yard and catching up. Jake fell in love with their motorized trucks and I could barely get him out in time to get home.
Then on Tuesday we went with Grandma and Grandpa to the Delaware Museum of Natural History and enjoyed a delicious lunch afterwards. I then went up to Philly (again kid free...gotta love all the available babysitters!) and had a nice dinner with Jimmy and hanging out later with all his coworkers. The next day Jimmy and I enjoyed another kid free meal at breakfast then headed back down to Delaware. We then made the switch over to Jimmy's parents' house. On Thursday we just hung out and relaxed most of the day. Jimmy and the boys even attempted the pool despite the cool temps (Ben wasn't too happy with that arrangement). And then that evening Jimmy and I met up with our friends Rick and Natalia at Klondike Kate's in Newark for some yummy nachos and beer. (Again, yay for free babysitters!).
On Friday Jimmy and his dad went fishing in the cold and rain while Natalia and I took Jake and her son Ryan to the Camden Aquarium. Our original plan was to go to Dutch Wonderland but the sixty degree weather and constant rain deterred that idea. The boys had a great time at the aquarium (as did the other 1,578,356 kids there...it was PACKED!) and Jake especially got a kick out of the hippos and the sharks. He did not enjoy the 4D movie we saw however...he was in tears the entire time while sitting on my lap. It was very loud and water sprayed on us and the things jumping off the screen apparently didn't impress him. I enjoyed it though!
Finally, on Saturday we headed back home to NC. It was a very busy week as you can tell but it was great to be able to see lots of our friends and family all in one trip! Pics posted in our web album.
-Kelly
On Sat. night after we drove in, I went to a BBQ at my Uncle Bill's new condo and enjoyed a few childless hours while the boys were being babysat by my cousins Andy and Danny. Jimmy spent Sat. night in Philly hanging out with our friend Chris (best man in our wedding if you remember). On Sunday, Jake and I went bowling with Aunt Laura and Matt and then had a visit with my cousin Luke later in the day. (Luke is about 5 months older than Ben). Then, on Monday I drove to lower Delaware to visit my friend Laurie and her 4 kids (yes, she has 4 kids ages 5 and under). We spent the day at her house playing in their yard and catching up. Jake fell in love with their motorized trucks and I could barely get him out in time to get home.
Then on Tuesday we went with Grandma and Grandpa to the Delaware Museum of Natural History and enjoyed a delicious lunch afterwards. I then went up to Philly (again kid free...gotta love all the available babysitters!) and had a nice dinner with Jimmy and hanging out later with all his coworkers. The next day Jimmy and I enjoyed another kid free meal at breakfast then headed back down to Delaware. We then made the switch over to Jimmy's parents' house. On Thursday we just hung out and relaxed most of the day. Jimmy and the boys even attempted the pool despite the cool temps (Ben wasn't too happy with that arrangement). And then that evening Jimmy and I met up with our friends Rick and Natalia at Klondike Kate's in Newark for some yummy nachos and beer. (Again, yay for free babysitters!).
On Friday Jimmy and his dad went fishing in the cold and rain while Natalia and I took Jake and her son Ryan to the Camden Aquarium. Our original plan was to go to Dutch Wonderland but the sixty degree weather and constant rain deterred that idea. The boys had a great time at the aquarium (as did the other 1,578,356 kids there...it was PACKED!) and Jake especially got a kick out of the hippos and the sharks. He did not enjoy the 4D movie we saw however...he was in tears the entire time while sitting on my lap. It was very loud and water sprayed on us and the things jumping off the screen apparently didn't impress him. I enjoyed it though!
Finally, on Saturday we headed back home to NC. It was a very busy week as you can tell but it was great to be able to see lots of our friends and family all in one trip! Pics posted in our web album.
-Kelly
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Weekend
Hi everyone...it's been awhile since our last post but it's been a very hectic few weeks. Jimmy has the wonderful news that he accepted a new position with KBI Biopharma. He got a call for an interview and had very little notice that he would need to give a 45 minute presentation so after a few late nights of preparing, he must have wowed them because he quickly got an offer! He will be saying goodbye to NIEHS in a few weeks and be entering his first official job after all his schooling and training. Let him explain to you what he'll be doing as it includes a bunch of science jargon I can't wrap my brain around. :) The job is in North Durham...so it looks like we are definitely making North Carolina home for the foreseeable future. That was our goal with moving down here for his post-doc as the Research Triangle Park has a lot of opportunities. But, with the economy and job market as it is, we are thankful he landed a great position in the area which will allow us to stay put. We are very proud of him and all he has accomplished and know he will take KBI by storm. :)
In other news, Dean and Rachel visited from Irvine, CA this weekend. Rachel flew in on Friday and Dean drove down from Virginia on Sunday after he visited one of his friends for a couple days. We had a pretty eventful weekend, but relaxing at the same time. Jake showed off his soccer skills to Aunt Rachel on Saturday morning and then we headed to the strawberry patch to pick fresh strawberries. Unfortunately my camera died so we didn't get any pictures. Later on that day we hit the park and came home for a yummy dinner and some s'mores we made by our firepit. Delicious! Strawberry daiquiris topped off the night (you gotta get rid of the strawberries somehow right?).
Sunday we went to church and then went to the mall for a bit. Uncle Dean then joined us and we had a nice dinner on our deck. The weather was very nice overall the whole weekend. Today we went to the museum of life and science and saw the lemurs, bears, and the wolves. Uncle Dean also managed to catch a butterfly in the butterfly house which Jake got a kick out of.
It was very nice to have a relaxed weekend without home repairs or major errands to do. It was also great visiting with Rachel and Dean and just spending time hanging out.
Some pictures posted of the weekend in our web album. Have a great (short!) week!
-Kelly
In other news, Dean and Rachel visited from Irvine, CA this weekend. Rachel flew in on Friday and Dean drove down from Virginia on Sunday after he visited one of his friends for a couple days. We had a pretty eventful weekend, but relaxing at the same time. Jake showed off his soccer skills to Aunt Rachel on Saturday morning and then we headed to the strawberry patch to pick fresh strawberries. Unfortunately my camera died so we didn't get any pictures. Later on that day we hit the park and came home for a yummy dinner and some s'mores we made by our firepit. Delicious! Strawberry daiquiris topped off the night (you gotta get rid of the strawberries somehow right?).
Sunday we went to church and then went to the mall for a bit. Uncle Dean then joined us and we had a nice dinner on our deck. The weather was very nice overall the whole weekend. Today we went to the museum of life and science and saw the lemurs, bears, and the wolves. Uncle Dean also managed to catch a butterfly in the butterfly house which Jake got a kick out of.
It was very nice to have a relaxed weekend without home repairs or major errands to do. It was also great visiting with Rachel and Dean and just spending time hanging out.
Some pictures posted of the weekend in our web album. Have a great (short!) week!
-Kelly
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Jake's 4th Birthday
We had a whirlwind weekend and much of the focus was on Jake and his 4th birthday. On Friday I brought in cupcakes for his classmates. Jake thoroughly enjoyed getting to sit in the big "teacher's chair" and be the center of attention with his friends. Saturday morning (Jake's actual birthday) we had a soccer game then ran a bunch of errands. That night we sung happy birthday and ate more cupcakes and then opened his presents. He is truly loved as evidenced by the gifts he received from family. Today was a busy morning of church then frantically getting the house ready for his birthday party. Luckily it wasn't too hot and the rain held off. Jake and his friends enjoyed a game of Pin the Spider on Spiderman and the bounce house we borrowed from our friends was a huge hit with the kids.
It was a great weekend and we are still kind of in shock that our baby is 4!! Some pics and a few videos are posted.
-Kelly
It was a great weekend and we are still kind of in shock that our baby is 4!! Some pics and a few videos are posted.
-Kelly
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