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Monday, December 21, 2009

First Snowstorm of the Year

This weekend we received almost 20 inches of snow. It was our first big snowfall of the year.

It took Scott almost three hours to plow all of the snow out of our driveway. What a trooper!


Aaron, Helena and I decided to make cookies while Scott was out removing snow. They were both such big helpers!




Family Portraits

Our yearly family photos taken for the holidays





First Birthday Party

Aaron and Helena were invited to their first birthday party hosted by a friend. Up until now, their birthday party experiences have only involved family members. A school friend had his third birthday party at a local gymnastics arena and all of the kids had a chance to try out most of the equipment. It was as much fun for the adults to watch as it was for the kids to run around and play!

Aaron tries the rope swing


Helena crawls through the foam blocks


Aaron and Helena wait patiently to jump into the foam blocks, a unanimous favorite among all of the kids.

Aaron and Helena crawl through the blocks together. It was interesting to see that they wanted to complete all of the centers together.

Helena crawls through a tube

Thanksgiving 2009

This Thanksgiving, we had everyone over to our house for dinner. Aaron and Helena loved playing with their cousins and Scott and I felt like we saw very little of them because they were so busy entertaining Lexi, Maya, Casey and Callaway. It is amazing how much Thanksgiving has changed over the last few years. We loved watching all of the kids have fun together this year!



Aaron and Helena - 31 Months Old


Aaron protesting Mommy's picture taking


Helena smiles for the camera


Daddy takes a moment away from dinner preparations to dance with Helena

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Fall Clean Up

We spent the weekend cleaning up the leaves in our backyard. Aaron and Helena loved playing in the piles of leaves around the yard! Scott raked up several huge piles and the kids were occupied for quite some time. When Aaron and Helena noticed us putting some of the larger piles of leaves in garbage cans, they ran right over to help! Who knew yard work could be so much fun?!


Helena poses as she sits in a large pile of leaves


Aaron liked to be buried in the leaves


Aaron picked up large piles of leaves with his hands

Helena was also able to gather large piles of leaves in her hands. She got very good at placing the piles in the garbage cans.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Trick or Treat 2009

We went to Stacie's parent's house for Halloween again this year. Aaron and Helena were excited to see their cousins and go Trick or Treating with them. We all had dinner together and then went out around the neighborhood. Aaron and Helena were so excited to go up to each door and couldn't wait to reach the next house. Above, Grandpa tries to get Aaron and Helena to make silly faces while Mommy tries to get a photo of both of them together.


This year, Helena was a cat. She loved walking around saying "Meow!"


Aaron was a puppy dog this year, although he didn't decide to wear his hat until the last minute.


Helena didn't want any help walking up and down the driveways or steps. She reported, "I can do it by myself!"


Grandma dressed up for the first time ever this Halloween. Here she showed off her costume with Helena, Aaron and their cousins, Lexi, Julian and newest member of our family, Landyn.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Carving Pumpkins

This was the first year that we carved pumpkins with Aaron and Helena. Although Mommy and Daddy did most of the carving, the kids helped with the planning of their Jack O'Lantern faces. They were thrilled with the outcomes and enjoyed showing off the final result.


Aaron was certain he wanted a Jack O'Lantern with a happy face

Helena was happy to just sit and pose with her Jack O'Lantern


Two little witches, Aaron and Helena show off the hats they made at school

Pumpkintown

We took Aaron and Helena to Pumpkintown last weekend to get ready for Halloween. There was lots to see and do, pumpkin people, hay maze, pumpkin bounce, face painting and fall snacks. This was our second time visiting, the first time was when Aaron and Helena were only six months old. Needless to say they enjoyed it a bit more this time around. They loved following their big cousin, Lexi around as well. It was a beautiful fall afternoon!


The kids get caught at the Pumpkintown Jail


Helena was the first one to figure out how to get out of the maze. She found her way with no trouble at all. Of course she ran right back in to help her brother and cousin.

Group photo before sitting down for some apple cider and popcorn

Friday, October 16, 2009

First Concert

Scott and I took the kids to see their favorite children's musician, SteveSongs, over the Columbus Day weekend. Aaron and Helena already knew most of the words to his songs and loved seeing him up close. Aaron was a bit concerned when he didn't hear his favorite song right away and Helena spent most of the afternoon jumping and clapping to the music. Above, the kids had a chance to shake Steve's hands and take a photo after he signed his new album for them. They were quite taken with him!


Steve and his band. The bear also made an appearance!



Helena claps along with the music


Helena patiently waits with Daddy for the concert to begin.


Although Aaron sang along and clapped his hands, he preferred to sit with Mommy for most of the concert.

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Apple Picking

We took Aaron and Helena to Scott's Orchard in Farmington, CT this weekend. They loved picking the apples from the trees and placing them into their bags. As always, they enjoyed following their big cousin, Lexi around during our visit. After a rainy start to the weekend, we were fortunate to see the sun come out at the start of our apple picking. We brought home lots of apples to share with family and friends!


Aaron liked to examine all of the apples he picked from the trees.


Aaron tries to pull the apple off of the tree with a little help from Daddy

Helena peeks out from within the apple trees


Helena decided that she wanted to try to eat an apple like a "big girl" today. She did pretty well biting into the apple and ended up finishing most of it on her own.

29 Months

Aaron and Helena are 29 months in this photo. They are both becoming such independent little people, learning how to communicate and plead their case when necessary. They play very well together and care for each other very much! This month, they gave their pacifiers to the "Paci Fairy" because they were getting too big for them. As a reward for their brave journey into a world with no pacifiers, she brought them a piano, bells, drum and a tambourine. They are growing so fast!


Helena dancing with Daddy on his birthday

Aaron poses with his red spikes after having his hair cut. He later reported that he didn't like the spikes because they hurt when we washed them out!

Aaron and Helena pose outside before attending their little cousins baptism.