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.

Birthday Parties

The first of the summer birthday parties we went to was Lexi's fifth birthday party. She had a pool party and the kids loved wrapping her present and singing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Helena loves to follow her big cousin, Lexi, around and do all of the "big girl things" that she does.

Aaron and Helena both love when Daddy performs "the super" with them in the pool!

Aaron has no fear when it comes to the water, he spent the whole day jumping in, making sure Mommy and Daddy were standing far away.

Summer Fun

This summer we spent a great deal of time at Stacie's parents house swimming in their pool. Both Aaron and Helena love the water and spend almost every minute of our visit swimming and jumping in the water.

All dressed up - Helena, 28 Months

Would you like some of my ice cream cone?

Helena tries to tip Daddy over in the water?

Aaron floats in the water

Helena relaxes on the raft

Adventures in Mystic

We were treated to a day filled with adventure and fun at Mystic Aquarium when Farmor and Farfar came to visit. Both Aaron and Helena loved looking at all of the marine life and it was so much fun seeing it all through their eyes! There was so much to see, the kids didn't know what to look at first! Above, Helena and Farfar stop to look at the penguins.

Daddy and Aaron also pause to peek at the penguins sunbathing. We were surprised that none of the penguins were up for a swim during our visit.

The turtles seemed to be a favorite of both Aaron and Helena. We were thrilled to spot one up close in the marsh. Inside, we were able to see a few more swimming around as well.

Farfar brought Aaron to the touch tank to take a closer look at some of the sea creatures on display. Even though Aaron's arms were a bit short to reach all of the way in, it was exciting to touch the water and to take a closer look!

Family Trip to Sesame Place

We decided to take Aaron and Helena to visit Sesame Place in Longhorne, Pennsylvania this summer. We spent two days visiting the park and the kids loved every minute. Stacie's mother and sister came along too with Aaron and Helena's cousin Lexi.

Auntie Jill and Lexi ride on the Sunny Day Carousel

Aaron wanted to ride the blue horse

Helena's favorite horse was the "Purple One"

Lexi takes a short break from all of the fun!

Family Trip to Sesame Place, Part One

Meeting Bert and Ernie

Waiting for the parade to start

A picture with Abby Cadabby

Meeting Elmo was a favorite moment

Family Trip to Sesame Place, Part Two

Aaron and Helena loved riding up in the air in the balloons, although it was hard for them to see over the seat.

Lexi poses with Oscar the Grouch

The line was very long to get a picture with Zoe, so we just took her picture and waved instead

We had a chance to see an Elmo Live show, Aaron and Helena loved being up close!

We had our photo taken on the front step on Sesame Street

Family Trip to Sesame Place, Part Three

Earnie's Waterworks: A small water play area designed for children under the age of 5. The water didn't spray too hard and there were lots of areas the kids could play with the water.

Aaron enjoyed playing with this oversized faucet

Helena spent a great deal of time with this water toy. The water came splashing down several tunnels and she was able to manipulate how much came out using this divider type toy

Helena turns the water wheel

The end of an exciting two days at the park

Fouth of July Celebrations

On July 4th we celebrated our country's independence and Aaron and Helena's cousin, Anna's, fourth birthday. Stacie's brother and his family visited from New York for the weekend. Aaron and Helena spent most of the day swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool and playing with their cousins.

Aaron and Helena both enjoyed the birthday cake!

Swimming in the pool with Mommy

Helena was very drawn to her cousin, Maggie, who turned one in May. Helena liked sitting and playing with her and was very careful to help her walk through tricky doorways and around the table and chairs