Partay

Well, Saturday night was alright for partying around here!
For the past few weeks we've been planning a big "reveal" party for all of the changes we've been making around the house. We got just about everything done for the party and the house looks great- in my opinion! In addition to celebrating all of our hard work and renovations we also celebrated Pat finishing his Business degree!! He is finally done and ecstatic about it! And we could not be more proud!!
Rather than having to worry about taking pictures all night long, I picked up a few disposable cameras and left them out around the house. We got some really great shots and some not so really great shots! Nicholas really took control of the cameras for most of the night and he actually took a bunch of really good pictures!
Here is just a sampling from the wonderful night filled with tons of food, friends and laughter!!

And the night begins out on the "covered" patio

This was actually near the end...Pat cutting his Congratulations cake with Nicholas

Nicholas enjoying the MASSIVE piece of cake that Pat carved for him!

A Cute Picture

Uncle Paul giving out rides

The boys were mesmerized by Keith's reading of "Harold and the Purple Crayon"

A little posing by the posers....

Aunt Liz and Nicholas

Uncle Paul had just finished reading to Nicholas when Ron looked over and noticed Nicholas was out cold!

Caught off guard

Some more Uncle Paul riding

Couples Candid

Uncle Paul was mesmerized by Keith's rendition of Harold that he just had to read it himself...

Meaghan and I....my husband is no Ansel Adams....

The day after...recovery

Self-Portrait

Cutie Pies!

Sleepyhead!

Swimming Lessons

Nicholas and Addison started swimming lessons this morning.
After a swim test a few weeks ago it was determined that both kids could be in the same class because Addison is actually a pretty good swimmer, but I decided that I preferred them to be separated. So, Addison is in a beginning pre-pike class and Nicholas is in pike. This morning both kids did GREAT and had an awesome time in the water!!
We're already looking forward to next week!

Soccer Superstar

Today was the first Pee Wee Soccer game of the season. We weren't sure that the game was going to even happen because the weather was so yucky but we were able to play and the kids had a GREAT time!
It's pretty cute to watch a bunch of 3, 4, and 5 year olds run around after the ball trying to get it away from one another. It's similar to watching bees swarm to honey, except funnier!
Nicholas had a ton of fun, as did the rest of the kids on our team (I'm the coach). Our team ended up losing the game but Nicholas scored the one and only goal!!!
It was GREAT!!

Labor Day

After a hard working weekend doing some big projects around the house with pop-pop, Pat and I took the kids down to grandpa's house to spend Labor Day with family and friends by the pool!

We had a lovely time getting to see Pat's side of the family and enjoying TONS of delicious food and lots of pool time. The kids had a ball playing with a new friend and splashing around in the pool. It was a great way to round off a wonderful Summer!

Apple Picking Part 1

To round out our day, I took the kids Apple picking!
I know it seems kind of early to be apple picking but some of the early fall varieties are quite tasty, plus there are TONS of them available! And there aren't many people around- or any people around, actually!
We headed up to a farm about a half an hour from us and walked our way up into the orchards. We started filling our bag quite quickly! Nicholas and Addison picked Apples and Pears and we even looked for a few plums but didn't find any.
We brought home a huge haul or fruit and the kids had a wonderful time- and so did I!! I was able to get some great pictures while we were out, although I wish we had had someone with us just so I could have taken one nice shot of the kids and I. Oh, well...next time!

Heading Up to the Orchard

Nicholas was so excited he took off in search of endless apples

And he found them!

I finally got him to sit down for a few pictures

Addie joined him, as well

Everytime I turned around Addison had another apple in her hand!

Sitting Big

Today, as a kick off to our Labor Day weekend, the kids and I went out and about got some stuff done and also had some fun! One of the most exciting things we did was get Nicholas his NEW car seat!

Babies R Us is running a trade in program where you bring in your used car seats, cribs, bassinets, and more, and they will take them and give you 20% off your newer version. Nicholas was due for a seat change because he has grown so much and Addison needed to get out of the car seats she was in because they have pretty much expired since we got them when Nicholas was born. We took Babies R Us up on their trade in offer and dropped off our two oldest car seats and then purchased Nicholas brand new booster seats!! Addison moved into Nicholas' current seat which was a convertible car seat.

I can't believe Nicholas is big enough to be in one of these seats already but he was THRILLED by the fact that he was able to buckle up like a big boy and was riding in style!!

Back to the Beach for Last Day

The week before I headed back to work Grandma and I took the kids down the shore for the day. It was just before one of the most recent hurricanes buzzed us so the waves were quite rough. Nicholas and I braved them for a few minutes but he wanted out pretty quickly and I was more than happy to oblige!

We relaxed on the sand and Nicholas and Addie built some mini sand castles. We even played a little catch. We rounded out the day with hot dogs, chicken nuggets and boardwalk fries! It was a great day and the perfect last beach day of the Summer!!

Update

Hi

So sorry for the lack of updates but to say that we've been busy lately would be an understatement!!
Things are chugging along quite quickly around here and it's nice to be getting back into the groove of everything. I have some pictures from a recent beach trip that grandma and I took the kids on, but other than that pictures are pretty limited.

I started back to full time work these past two weeks and I'm so glad to be back. This year, while much busier than past years, is shaping up to be a great one!

Nicholas will be starting soccer in the next week, with mommy as his coach. Both kids will be in swimming lessons in the next two weeks. And I've started training for my first triathlon! Pat is almost done with his degree and cannot wait to finish these last two classes.

On the homefront we've been doing a bunch of redecorating and remodeling. Within the next few weeks we'll have some pictures to share. Our biggest project is being done this weekend with the help of Pop-pop. I'll keep you in suspense on that one....

We've been enjoying the organized chaos of back to school and end of Summer and I promise more regular updates- and pictures- are coming soon!!

Hope all is well and everyone has wound down a wonderful summer and is getting a fabulous start on fall!