Alex and Nathan's Birthday Party

Alex and Nathan were born 12 days apart (plus 2 years) in June, and with many friends in common, we have been throwing a joint party the past few years.  The longer we have lived here, and the more we have become involved in all the kid activities, the invite list has grown.  We have a nice big backyard, but are pretty tight on the indoor space.  So I watched the weather forecast like Saturday was my wedding day!  And while the forecast called for scattered showers, we lucked out that the rain stopped just before the first guest arrived.  Whew!

This year's theme was Hot Wheels, or race cars.  Or just any cars in general!  The boys love their Hot Wheels and driving them down just about anything, with all their other cars, and carrying them around in their pockets.  

I took a photo of one of their favorite Hot Wheels and jazzed it up for the invitations, and just took the theme from there.

Start your engines!

Alex showing off the sunporch, with checkered flags, race car decals on the windows and a "make your own race car" sticker station.

And here is the cake!  It was supposed to be a whole race car, but looked better as the front half of a race car :)

Alex and Nathan showing off their race car shirts!

The favor bags.

Mimi and Papa arrived a day early, and kept the boys happy while we did last minute prep and set up.  The many days of rain meant Michael was mowing the lawn minutes before the party!

With the rain holding off, we sent everyone around the back to enjoy the back yard!

Up the driveway, with the roller coaster ready to go...

The troops have arrived!

Then slowly moved outside.

Then Papa started the rocket balloon and the kids were in heaven!

Kids, everywhere!

Emily helping Michael with prepping the cake.

Cake time!

Making a wish...

Dylan and Nathan showing off their matching Spiderman shoes.

Heidi and and the littlest guest, Parker.

Two very happy boys!

Thanks everyone for making such a special birthday party for the boys!!

The Johnsons Come to Massachusetts

A few months ago we got an email from Nicki with the exciting news that they would be taking their summer vacation in Cape Cod.  And we have been counting down ever since to time with Carly and Alicia!  We first got to spend time with them in Boston, walking the Freedom Trail and checking out Hahvard Yahhhhd.

On Friday we met them in Faneuil Hall, and started following the Freedom Trail towards the USS Constitution.  First we walked along the Greenway, and explained what used to be there, and what a big difference it has made in the area!

Carly and Nathan riding the carousel at the Greenway.

Alicia cracking Alex up!

Alex's first cannoli!

Next stop was the North End and Mike's Pastry for a tasty cannoli.

Cousins in front of the Paul Revere statue in the Paul Revere Mall.

Taking photos at the Old North Church.

Chatting it up with Carly and Alicia as we walked across the bridge to Charlestown!

We stopped for a snack along the way.  It is a long walk!

Getting closer!

Finally made it!  Checking out the visitor center.

Alex getting some cousin snuggles.

Watching the film on the history of the ship yard.

Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera off manual, so none of the photos came out on the actual boat!

The next day we met the Johnson family and their friends the Schlussels in Harvard Square.

 It was Kirk's birthday, so the whole restaurant sang to him at Bartley's!

Nathan enjoying some reading at the Harvard Book Store.

Future Harvard students?  Standing on the steps of the Widener Library.

Alex practicing throwing his cap for Carly.

As we walked back to the bus, Nathan and Alex made some friends with a group of slackwire walkers.  Nathan just walked right up, sat down, and started talking to the guy.  Alex followed soon after.

The following Tuesday, the boys and I drove down to Cape Cod to spend a day with the Johnsons.  We lucked out and had amazing weather!  We spent the day at Old Silver Beach, then swam at the indoor swimming pool, the had dinner, and then I dragged two very tired little boys home.

The cousins enjoying the water!

Perfect sand for burying Nathan.

Have rock, will jump!

"Paying" Aunt Nicki as they jump off the rocks.

No idea, but cute :)

The boys had a great time playing in the indoor pool with their cousins.

Nathan got pretty fancy with his jumps!

The boys fell asleep before we even turned onto the main road.  I had a quiet drive home from the Cape, smiling about what a special day we had shared!

Memorial Weekend Day in Maine

Memorial Day is our traditional Grammie and Papa visit.  Unfortunately, this year the visit had to be postponed, and to distract everyone (kids and parents both!) we headed up to Maine for a super long weekend.  Our visits to Maine never seem to have enough time to do everything, so we tried to fit in a few extra special things with our additional time.

First up was a hike up Bradbury "Mountain" (more like a hill).  It is an easy hike with a beautiful view.

Alex gets fueled up by stealing all of Mimi's breakfast.

Up we go!  Nathan had his toilet paper binoculars, which he got many compliments on.

At the top!

Feeding Papa some grapes to get our energy up for the big hike down.

The next day we went to Pineland Farms, a huge working farm, business campus and educational facility.  They have Friday on the Farm, where the kids learn about life on the farm, gather eggs, milk the cows and help feed the animals.

Learning the basics before heading out to meet the animals!

Nathan gathering the eggs, while the chickens look on.  There were so many chickens around, clucking and pecking at us.  I was impressed that the boys got down and braved the chickens to gather eggs!

Alex showing off his first egg.

Nathan petting a chicken.

Next up we got to meet the cows!  We learned how the baby cows are fed, and what their tongues feel like :)

Then we got to milk Rose.  Nathan stepped right up!

Then Alex.

Then Mimi gave Rose a little hug.

 On Saturday we met up with Will, Lynn, Christopher and Brooks at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  Carrie had told us they had a great area for kids, and oh boy she was right!  We were there for hours, and never left the kids area.  Such an amazing place!!

Nathan learning to cast a lobster pot with Christopher and Alex's help.

Ahoy Mateys!

"Look at this cool bear I found Brooks!"

Nathan helping watering the plants.

All the cousins getting in on the act.

Christopher and Nathan taking part in fairy storytime and walk.  They helped sprinkle fairydust so the plants would grow!

Then we explored the fairy house forest.  Nathan learned the fine art of building a fairy house.

Eating a big snack after all that playing!

Alex and Daddy having a discussion.

Christopher and Nathan wrestling.  And wrestling.

And wrestling.  Cousins are awesome.

Then it was off to the Maine State Aquarium, a great little place in Boothbay.  But first, lunch, Maine Yankee style.

The sun had gone away and it was cold.  Very cold.  But we bundled up and enjoyed our picnic lunch.

Nathan holding a horseshoe crab.

Nathan seeing if he was bigger than Rocky, the giant lobster!

Alex's turn!

Alex petting the shark.

And Nathan's turn.

Then there was just a little bit of downtime in Brunswick.

Our required trip to Gelato Fiasco.

Alex helping Papa clean up the backyard.