Block Island 2010

Our 8th Annual trip to Block Island was different this year in that we rented a house instead of being on the boat (since it wasn't put in the water at all this season).  We were pleasantly surprised at how great the house was and the eight of us agreed that, although the boat has its adventure and charm, the house was much better suited for eight adults, especially when we were house-bound for three days.

The weather was wild!  When we arrived on Saturday, we were able to get a couple hours on the beach before the clouds started rolling in.  Then for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we were right in the middle of hurricane-like conditions...rain and constant wind day and night, temps in the 60's.  So bad in fact, that all the ferries to and from the island were cancelled.  The grocery store ran out of milk, bread and, worst of all...Double Stuffed Oreos (most devastating for C2).

Shaun is not a big beach person, so the weather actually worked out fine for us.  We got to read, nap, play on the computer, prepare for Fantasy Football draft, snuggle, play cards.  All this without guilt and interruption....what more could you ask for out of a vacation?

Shaun and I walked down to the beach in the drizzle and took advantage of the deserted beach and killer waves.  The next day when we went back there was a "no swimming" flag posted.

I'm smiling here because I made it out after getting tossed pretty good. :)

Computer time, albeit a slow connection.

Strategizing for fantasy football.

The really, really nice shower where I spent lots of time at least once a day.

Random shot while working through the owner's manual for my camera.

Watching HGTV and playing with the camera

Wednesday gave us a few hours of early morning sun.

We went out to celebrate Karen and Colombo's anniversary and enjoyed a yummy dinner outside.

One of our favorite traditions each year...

The nearly full moon emerging...

A call to Nathan and Laryssa, who were watching the kids, allowed us to extend our stay one extra day so on Thursday we were able to get a sunny day at the beach before catching the ferry home.  Thanks to my mom and Russ, who had the first shift, and Nathan and Laryssa, we had a worry-free, relaxing vacation and the kids had fun, too.  Here's one of the pics I was texted, caption: a zebra, a lion and a very confused little boy.

For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar— the

LORD Almighty is his name.

Isaiah 51:15

Project 365, Week 35

Most of this week was spent on vacation at our beloved Block Island, RI.  I will do a full post on our trip, but you'll see even from these few pictures that we had gray, wind and rain....perfect reading weather...and with no guilt or kid interruptions.

August 22

August 23

Hurricane-like conditions makes for some secluded beaches and big waves...Shaun's kind of beach day.

August 24

Scrabble and Setback were on the agenda.

August 25

Still pretty in the rain.

August 26

After a sunny day at the beach, we said good-bye to BI...

...and got to go see our kids.

August 27

Amanda has really been into "reading".  She sits for quite a while and recites all that she can remember from each page.  If its a book she's not familiar with, she just makes something up (like she's doing now in the next room even as I type).

The kids played outside while I worked on the laptop.

August 28

My first traditional wedding!  I left the house at 5:30 AM and got home at 7:00 PM then I uploaded pictures until 11.  I'm still processing all my thoughts, feelings and experiences from the day...thoughts such as that is a stinkin lot of work! and what fun to be behind-the-scenes all day! and the bride and groom trusted me with their day?? :). 

   

         

Project 365, Week 34

Playing catch-up.  I much prefer posting each week...I feel like much of the moment is lost when I'm trying to re-cap two weeks out.  There are still growing pains with my new photo organization and editing program and still some photos that I just cannot find but know there are in here.

August 15

My dad went to the store with me to buy some new cabinets for an apartment.  He helped me load them into the cart and into the pickup truck and what I mean by help me is that he did it all himself and I was there to observe.  As a fun surprise he took us to a restaurant in the same plaza.  I know I have more pictures of the evening...where are they?

August 16

10:30 at night and the kids are all happily playing in their room together.  I know...its a different schedule than you might have but it works for us.

August 17

The girls are now well aware that I can hear everything they do through the baby monitor.  When they want to call for me or tell me something, they talk right into it, expecting to hear me answer.  Aiden has observed this and was talking with authority into his monitor.

August 18

Splash park with cousins.  Aiden likes it now that he is walking.

August 19

Not very exciting (no offense, Pastor Donnie), but all I captured for the day were a bunch of head shots for a catalog that church is putting out in the fall.  Later I met a friend for coffee and we sat outside for several hours enjoying the evening.

August 20

The girls have really enjoyed our neighbor's puppies.  They've spent a lot of time looking out the window waiting for them to come outside to eat and play.  Avery finally wanted to hold one and was pleased with herself.

August 21

First evening in Block Island...our view from the front porch.

Home Again

This was our home away from home the last six days.  We are back from a great time in Block Island.  I have plenty of pictures and some fun stories that I am looking forward to sharing...soon.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Isaiah 32:18

No Post

No Project 365 post for me today.  We are on vacation and I thought I'd be able to remote to my desktop where my photos are, but its not working.  If I'd really had it together, I would have posted before we left.  I did try that, but was quickly frustrated.  Right now I am in the process of switching over the editing and organzing software I use and its been a bit more of a challenge than I'd anticipated.  Its actually driving me little ca-raZy.  I miss my very carefully organized system!  I'll do some catch-up posting hopefully on Thursday(if I can find my photos on the hard drive).  Don't miss me too much!

Baby Shoes

Much as I like a clean house, I like baby size 3 shoes laying around the house after being packed around by a toddling little guy even better.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7

Project 365, Week 33

Another week without Shaun, this time it was literally 48 hours that he was gone, working across the state on his sister's deck.  We really missed him since it was on the heels of two weeks of 14 hour work days, but a mid-afternoon homecoming is also sweet. *wink*

Aiden has started walking and I am reminded again just how much it ages them when they get upright.  He's loving the use of two hands and he seems to be joining in with his sisters even more now.

You'll notice there are quite a few outdoor pictures...we are out as much as possible, trying to soak up all the summer we can!

August 8

A break in the action to watch the ice-cream truck go by.

August 9

I took the kids to the park on a beautiful evening then we went to check on Shaun.  The girls found a stash of beads at the apartment that they like to play with.

August 10

Unfortunately for my mom, but fortunately for us, there have been several snags with the sale of their lake house.  So...we continue to take advantage of it.  My mom...always neck deep in the water with the kids as long as they want...laughing and having the time of her life.

I was trying to achieve motion blur here but I like the look of freezing action better.  Avery thinks that as long as her palms are together and fingers pointed that she is diving.  That's about how my dives look, too.

August 11

Sometimes I feel bad that we live on a city lot and don't have a better place for the kids to play, but they usually don't have much trouble....clearly.

Stories before afternoon rest time.  For the most part, the girls do a quiet rest time on their beds now, for an hour to an hour and a half.  They read and look at books.  Occasionally they fall asleep but not usually.

August 12

The library in the next town over has a playscape and much nicer librarians so sometimes its just worth the drive.

August 13

We went to visit Grandma and Great-Grandpa.  They read stories and colored and Aiden did a great job interacting with Great-Grandpa.  When you are 92 you are ever-mindful that you are holding your legacy.  I wonder what he hopes and dreams for Aiden when he looks at him.

August 14

My dad held a lawn concert at his church.  We arrived late so Amanda didn't get a chance to sing like she wanted, but we still had fun.  Just down the road they were having some festivities with the fire and water event.

And that's our week....how was yours?

Aiden is Thirteen Months

Aiden is 13 months old today, which means he is practically a veteran one-year old.  Just this week, we watched his walking go from fifty percent of the time to seventy-five the next day and now he's hovering in the ninety to ninety-five.  He's quite steady as long as there is nothing in his path though he's still working on stepping over things.

He added another tooth, for a total of eight.  I wish I could say that makes him a great eater, but he is quite picky.  Neither of the girls ever turned food away or threw it on the floor, but he does both.  Things he does like are any variety of fruit, crackers, cereal, yogurt, cottage cheese and any and all forms of popsicles and ice-cream.

More and more he's aware of what his sisters are doing and how he can be involved, too.  So far they are thrilled to have him along and consider his presence to be an asset.  He has begun to enjoy the "crib time" he has with them when they go to "wake him up" after naps and in the morning.

He's been sleeping really well...12-14 hours at night.  Because of this, sometimes he only does one three-hour nap.  I'm down to nursing him just twice a day.

He knows how to do tantrums (already!)...the prostrate-on-the-floor, smack-your-head variety.  Its gotten him exactly zero so far, so hopefully it will quickly pass.

Aiden likes to be in water.  He's happy in the pool when someone is holding him, or when he's in a floaty tube.  And recently he's gotten braver about walking along the dock at the lake.  Still not thrilled about the splash park though.  However, he does put up with the torture his sisters inflict on him in the kiddie pool and in the bathtub.

He says Momma. :)  And cracker.

I think we only added one new nickname this month.  Amanda calls him "Aid".

He loves his daddy and says dada, dada! whenever he sees him.  Aiden is so much fun and I just love this age!  Oh, I'm sorry...have I been saying that for 13 months now?  Well, its true!  Its all been amazing so far.