East Coast Trip: 4th of July

We spent 4th of July back in New Jersey, celebrating with food, fireworks, and some pre-birthday fun for Stephanie and Luke.

First up:  one of Mommy's annoying photo shoots:

Next, a few photos with sweet Lily and Ruby (Luke's request - he really wanted a photo with these girls):

A few cute ones with Grandma and Grandpa:

A celebration for the July birthdays:

And finally, some fireworks (the highlight of the night for the kids, especially for Luke):

East Coast Trip: A visit to Massachusetts

We headed up to Massachusetts for some cousin fun for a few days.  The kids loved spending some time with Jaqueline and Frederick.  Highlights included:

The Yankee Candle Factory

Basement play time turned Bounce House Disco (courtesy of Uncle James' DJ skills, disco ball, and plethora of strobe-light flashlights). 

East Coast Trip: Stephanie's Graduation Party

Another huge reason for our East Coast trip this summer was to celebrate with Michael's cousin, Stephanie.  She graduated from high school and is off to college in the fall!

Somehow, I didn't get many photos of her party (which was so cute and completely decked out in red and black - Montclair State University's colors, where she will attend in September).   We also all wore red and black to her party :)

We are so proud of your accomplishment and the person you've become, Stephanie!

East Coast trip: MIT

Our summer trip to the East Coast this year was planned around a very special charity basketball tournament that Michael has been part of for many years.  The MIT was founded by Michael and a group of his friends 20 years ago, and this year marked its final season.  It was great for Michael to see so many of his friends come together for one last year.

Our travel out was delayed (as usual, or so it seems with trips east!), but once we departed it was uneventful and the kids did great.  They have become very easy to travel with (thank you, ipads!).

Michael played with a bunch of his buddies.  His team didn't win, but it was still great to see so many of them come back together for the final tournament.

Following the tournament, the hosts held a big catered dinner and invited all of the players and their families back to enjoy.  Luke and Mia loved their back yard, which was filled (as many are in June in New Jersey) with lightening bugs.  The kids were fascinated and caught many ... Luke also caught his first tick on his leg (just wonderful!)  Welcome to summer on the East Coast, I suppose!

End of T-Ball 2013

Luke had an amazing t-ball season this year.  He showed huge improvement and was on an awesome team with a great coach.  The team celebrated the end of their season with awards and a pizza party.

Another Little Fish!

Check out Mia's swimming skills!  She's really made a ton of progress  in terms of wanting to move around the pool, put her face in, and dive for toys.  The year-round swim lessons have definitely helped, but so have the frequent days at the pool that the kids' are putting in already this summer.

Tea Party Time

One of Mia's favorite things to play right now!

Let's Go Yankees!

As a last day of Kindergarten surprise, we took the kids up to see the Yankee game in Oakland.  We didn't tell them that we had any plans after Luke's last day of school.  They were so excited to go out to lunch and then meet up with Daddy (who took half of the day off of work) to see the Yankee game.

It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time.  The game went into (many) extra innings, and the kids were so into it that they wanted to stay.

However, their love for sporting events still heavily relies on cotton candy!

On to 1st grade!

How is it possible that Luke has completed his Kindergarten year?!  It all went (too) fast.  We couldn't have asked for a more positive, nurturing first year of elementary school.  We feel so grateful to be a part of the St. Martin's community.

Here he is on his final day of Kindergarten.

And with his amazing teachers:  Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Lawrence

School's out for Summer

Mia enjoys her end of the year picnic at Mandala....

...and then spends her lazy summer days while her brother finishes out his school year hangin' in his bedroom and eating popsicles in the backyard.

A day in the (very rough) life of Mia!