Vacation at the lake

We had to return Julia to her parents :( but at least we got to spend another week with her (and the rest of her family) at the lake. This was our second year there. We rented a different, larger, better house that was just lovely. Tons of space (more than our real house probably) and air conditioning and a washer and dryer (the most amazing part).

Here is Doug kayaking with Gianna. It's so peaceful. Next time I go there without an infant, I plan on doing that more.



There were many rides on Mary and Randy's motor boat. This was probably Mark's favorite part of the vacation!

Rocco was great entertainment for the big kids (and our niece and nephew who came for a day and a half). From boat rides to playing games, he was their own personal camp counselor. He was awesome! Doug and I were glad he was there...it meant more down time for us!

 

My parents came up for a couple days too.

This is the back of our house. Our room and the living room had doors to the deck.

This was our campfire area. Wait, forget the boat rides, s'mores were the kids favorite part of the vacation. And we ate a LOT of them! 

A rainy day is the perfect excuse to make the short drive up to Binghamton to visit Doug's grandparents, Great-Grandpa Ray and Great-Grandma Betty.  I think Joe and Great-Grandpa liked eachother :)

 

 

And Doug's Grandma DeAngelo even made it to the lake and got to meet Joe for the first time. She very sadly passed away in September. We are so glad we got to see her one last time and that she got to meet her 10th great-grandchild. 

Back at the lake, Doug and I practiced quoits...a lot. I'm happy to say that I actually got pretty good. Even Joe got in on the action sometimes.

Gianna watched her cousin ride the "hot dog" with Julia early in the week, but was too scared to go herself. Finally in the last 30 minutes of our vacation (I am not exaggerating), she mustered the courage to do it. She was so delighted and we were proud too!

 

 

 

Until next time, Lake! And thanks to Uncle Randy and Aunt Mary for making it extra fun!

Julia's summer visit

Summer was a whole lot busier than I expected. We signed Gianna up for a week of tennis lessons and she loved it so much, we signed her up for a second week. She definitely showed improvement over the two weeks. The coach was a wonderful man who kept 8 six-year-olds engaged and busy for every second of the 45 minutes...I was impressed! Looking forward to doing it again in the spring, Gianna keeps asking when she can do it again!


Doug's cousin Julia came for a week in July. And I, how should I say this, I want to adopt her. She was so helpful and so fun and so just awesome to be around the whole family loved having her here. Hopefully we didn't work her too hard or drive her too crazy and she might consider coming back next year!

While Julia was here, Gianna went to vacation bible school at our church. This was her first year attending. I was a little nervous that she wouldn't like it for lack of friends or not like regular school or any number of reasons, but she loved it! So, can't wait to do it again next year! This is her in the "show" on the last day.

Stay tuned for the next post about our family vacation to the lake!

June summary

Joe started smiling regularly in June. The kids love to make him smile! Gianna is very good at it. Mark, not so much. For some reason being poked and yelled at is not funny to Joe.


Doug and Joseph and I went to Doug's 5-year business school reunion. (Nonna and Pop-pop were kind enough to watch Gianna and Mark.) We took a shuttle to the reunion gala, so this is Joe's first bus ride. He loved it...can't you tell?

I just like this picture of Joseph, I think it looks like him.

We spent an afternoon at the beach. As I've mentioned in the past, I hate the beach. Gasp if you must, but I do. Anyway, having an excuse (Joe) to sit peacefully under an umbrella and to insist that no sand or water get near me "because of the baby" make beach going almost tolerable...almost.

Joe loves being naked...diaper on of course. But I try to let him hang out with no clothes on at least once a day. He just talks and laughs the whole time.

Our church's annual carnival was at the end of June. The kids love it more and more every year. This year they got to enjoy some rides with friends, so that was even better. The weather that night was terrific!

 

Of course, June means the last day of school. Gianna is now truly realizing how much boring stuff (errands, chores, being at home) she got to miss by being at school. A trip to the grocery store (to get just 4 things, mind you) she lamented, "I wish I had school to go to." It could be a long summer. :) I think we have a lot of things to keep the boredom at bay, but I'll keep you posted!




Doug and his kids on Father's day!

Joseph loves the bathtub. No smiles, but I think he would stay here all day if I let him.
 

 

And, for posterity, here's what Doug has termed his "back mustache." Poor Joe lost all of his hair except for this crazy mustache-looking peace on the back of his head. So ridiculous. It's getting better though!

 

May days!

Mother's Day was lovely! We were able to keep up with our 4-year tradition of going to the annual azalea festival and the weather was great. We even managed to get a family photo! Though Joe is the only one in formal wear.

 

Every year at the azalea festival I get a great picture that really captures the kids, this year was no exception. I love this one!

Mark turned 3 1/2 in May. I love "celebrating" the half birthdays with a treat and a book.

Joseph was there looking cute as always. Someone said he looks like he's giving a papal blessing, I have to agree!

Gianna had her school field day. It was a LOT of events on one of the hottest days of the year. So the boys and I didn't last for the whole thing, but Doug said the kids' energy never waned! Gianna loved it!

 

Joe developed what turned out to be cradle cap all over his face. It got way worse than this, but we got prescription lotion and shampoo and it cleared up in a few days. Thank goodness, because it was really marring his handsomeness and was starting to bother him, I think.

My boys cat-napping

Tummy time always ends up being nap time. So cute.

Smiling at daddy!

Birthdays, Derbies, and Lice Oh My!

The first weekend of May was Doug's 34th birthday and also the Kentucky Derby. We celebrated with Doug's twin brother (ya know because it was his birthday too) and his family. Though this was the only picture I got of the celebration.



The Derby is a very exciting thing in our house. With Mark's love of horses and Gianna's love of all things fancy (i.e. hats), they love it. Add the chance of winning a few dollars in a family pool for their piggy banks and they all but die of excitement. (Special thanks to Nonna for helping Gianna make a fancy hat!)

 

And just for the sake of cuteness:

Also, right after that weekend, Gianna got sent home from school with lice. Awesome. Thank goodness Doug was on paternity leave. He did a million loads of laundry and vacuumed and deloused everything in sight. I just had to delouse Gianna. It made her hair look like this. (In truth, once the washing was done, it wasn't that bad. Eat that, Lice!)

 

 

The Sweetness Continues

Once we got Joe home, the love-fest continued! Every day after school Gianna wanted to hold him while she watched a show. And Mark wanted to hold him all the time too.
 

 

They even tried playing with him!

 

The boys relaxing together.

All my boys.

Gianna likes reading to him. This could come in handy some day!

He's sweet as can be!