Off to see the world . . .

Only a few weeks have passed since Halloween, but we have had tons of fun!

Papa and Nana (my dad and Kay) came to visit the first week in November. Tate always has all kinds of things he wants to do with them. (So do I!) We started off with a bang and made a Gingerbread House with Nana on Tuesday morning. All three of us got a little messy, and it was easy not to taste the icing because it was like glue, but we were quite happy with our little creation. It looked very similar to the picture on the box! Tate had a hard time not touching it when it was finished, so he has been enjoying it while it sits on top of the pie-safe. Thursday we went on an adventure to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. We took a slight detour and saw more of DC than we had planned, but we got to Baltimore in time to have lunch at Panera and spend a few hours at the aquarium. It was our first visit and we were very impressed - lots to see - all kinds of fresh and saltwater fish, sharks, turtles, alligators, rays, and dolphins. The docent told a disappointed Tate that they didn't have any whales, but that he could go to the aquarium in Georgia to see one. Needless to say, Tate now has another trip planned. We battled the DC traffic on the way home, but the kids, and adults, were real troopers in the car. We also made time for a few car rides to look at the fall colors. It is so beautiful here in the fall. Unfortunately, I think they missed the peak, beacause I took some pictures today and the colors are much more vibrant this week! Oh well, it was a great visit and we are so lucky that we get to see Papa and Nana again in just a few weeks!

I told Kay before they came that Avarie was about to crawl; she was scooting around on her belly. With all our running around I didn't think Avarie would get it together while Papa and Nana were here, but she finally got it figured out on Saturday morning. It was really fun to see - but now not so fun to chase around! Oh my! She is still a bit slow, but determined and can certainly find her way to any stack of Christmas catalogues or pile of toys that Tate doesn't want her to have. I think the stand up jail will be our only hope this holiday season! She is very busy and has also said her first word - "Uh oh!" That's what Tate and I say all the time when she's into something else! What's scarier still is that she is already pulling up to her knees at the lego table, train table and coffee table and also tries to push up from her belly, in a "downward dog" type move. Please let us make it through 2007 with just crawling!

I love to read your comments. We miss you all and send wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is a link to pictures of the gingerbread house, Avarie crawling and some fall colors. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16970203@N02/sets/72157603193412482/

October - Halloween already?!

When I created our blog, I thought I'd be able to update it at least every few weeks. Well, October got away from me! Derek was gone three weekends and two whole weeks, so that added a bit of excitement. He was in New Orleans for a week with Circuit City and Wyclef (youtube link to come later) and then he went to Tokyo and Seoul for a week to visit factories. We all missed him and Tate asked everyday, "What time Daddy gets home?" Now he knows the days of the week and was eagerly counting down to Daddy's return each time.

The kids and I have been busy about town, around the house and to the doctor's office. Although it took a long time for the fall temperatures to arrive in Richmond, the fall colds arrived in October. Happily, Tate almost fended his off by himself but needed no asthma treatments!!! Avarie has battled an ear infection for most of the month and finally had 4 injections of Rosephin to try to kick it. We're keeping our fingers crossed. In the big scheme, I can handle the run around to each of their doctors offices; it could be worse.

Tate has been a big help around the house cleaning out closets for Mommy's ebay sales. He helps me find the items and then package them up. His favorite is putting the stickers on the package. It has been a great way for me to stay busy and earn a little spending money for shopping on ebay. So far, I've made enough to buy Avarie's car seat, and snow gear for the kids for our Colorado trip in December. October has also included trips to art class, the zoo, and Tate's new favorite, the LIBRARY. He loves to pick out books and can't wait for Daddy to read them at night. Avarie is still a happy tag along, for the most part. She is 8 months old already and is ready to crawl. She easily pivots and scoots around on her belly, but then fusses because she can't roll over to her back. Tate has learned the hard way that she will scoot over to whatever she wants, even a lego tower and coloring books.

Of course, Halloween has also been on our minds. We were very anxious and decorated the house, got some fall plants and pumpkins for outside. Then, it was like summer for most of the month. Tate was wearing his pumpkin shirt with shorts and sandals. It finally cooled down, and got cold, so we bundled up for a parade at preschool and Trick or Treating. Tate dressed up as Dash, from The Incredibles, and Avarie dressed up as a flower. Tate happily filled up his ghost bucket and shared the candy with us at home.

Here's some pictures of the kids this month.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16970203@N02/sets/72157602815923431/show/

NEW YORK CITY

We had a great trip to New York last weekend for Derek's cousin Anne-Marie's wedding. We drove the 6 hour trip to the city on Thursday in about 8 hours with stops for food, stretches, diaper changes and potty breaks. We really lucked out with traffic, only having to slow down 2 times, over the Delaware bridge and the Holland Tunnel. Derek drove us right up 8th Ave to our hotel - weaving in and out and tailgating just like a native, or a taxi driver. I was glad he was driving! We met all of Derek's family, aunts, uncles, cousins, many of whom he hadn't seen for 20 years, for the rehearsal dinner on Thursday night.

On Friday morning, Grandpa treated all of us to a bus tour of the city. Tate loved riding on top of the bus and we saw most of Manhattan including the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park, Ground Zero, the Empire State Building, boats at the piers, bridges, and Central Park. It was a great touristy view of the city. Tate's highlight was the Statue of Liberty; Daddy's highlight was seeing Edyta from Dancing with the Stars, although we didn't get a picture. Derek went to the wedding on Saturday night and was in awe of the beautful Catholic church, although his photography didn't do the church any justice. I stayed with the kids until Derek returned from the party, at which time Ms. Avarie decided she would relish her stay in "the city that doesn't sleep" by staying up all night. Needless to say, I made friends with the bellman and concierge in the hotel lobby from 2am until 7am. We were also lucky enough to see Uncle Davin and the cousins come in at around 5am. Good thing we love 'em!

Saturday morning we left the big city to head out to Middletown, NY for a family barbecue at Derek's Uncle Jim and Aunt Linda's house. We had lots of good food and good laughs about the weekend adventures as we enjoyed a beautiful, chilly fall day.

We drove home Sunday through the Pocono Mountains and down through Baltimore. Now we have a new place we want to visit - the Poconos were beautiful. The kids were FANTASTIC on the 8 hour drive home and Derek got to listen to the Bronco game and watch the 2nd half at home. Not too bad for a 4 day weekend!

Click here to see more pictures!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14051847@N07/sets/72157602136838213/show/