Cape Cod

We took the kids back to Cape Cod this summer to visit Wellfleet, where Stacie visited frequently with her family as a child. This year we went with Stacie's sister Jill and her family, her parents and brother Mike and his family. All of the kids had a great time exploring in the sand and surf and we all took back many special memories of the time we shared together.

View of the boats at the Wellfleet Pier from Mayo Beach

Jetty at Indian Neck Beach

Cousins having fun

Anna bringing water for the sand castles

Maggie plays in the sand

Aaron loved having Julian here so they could do "boy things"

Daddy and Natalie

Aaron and Julian sit in a hole they dug together

Helena tries out her new net. There were lots of small fish swimming in the shallow waters as the tide went out.

Maggie, Lexi, Helena, Anna and Aaron pose with their castle

Getting ready to go Sqaure Dancing. This was as excited as Aaron got for the event. He later reported that he didn't like Square Dancing because "they didn't let me dance in a square, just a circle!"

Lexi and Helena

Happy Girl!

The Anderson Bathing Beauties

"Mommy, take a picture of me running in the water!"

Aunt Cathy was always ready and willing to make castles in the sand

Aaron spent a great deal of time playing with his boat in the water

"Look at what we found Mommy! Can we take them home?"

Aaron poses on a small rock as the tide was going out

Helena loved picking up the small fish she caught in her net. She was very careful and was happy to return them to their home after a short time in her bucket.

Helena "making a cake"

Mystic Aquarium Touch Tank

The Mystic Aquarium brought their touch tank to Salem Free Library a few weeks ago and we brought all three kids before our trip to Cape Cod. The educator from the aquarium brought crabs, lobster, snails and sea stars. Because there was such a small group in attendance, Aaron and Helena were able to touch and hold the critters as much as they wanted.

Aaron holds a Horseshoe Crab

Helena holds a large hermit crab

Aaron takes a close look

Aaron's favorite was the sea star

Happy 1/2 Birthday Natalie!

Natalie is six months old this month. We cannot believe how fast the time has flown by. She now weighs 18 pounds and measures 26 inches long. She is able to sit up with very little support and she is starting to lunge forward to choose toys that are just out of her reach. Natalie loves to be entertained by her big brother and sister and enjoys all types of music.

Natalie is able to reach out and grab most things that are within close reach. She can transfer items from hand to hand and really enjoys grasping items such as hair and glasses if she is lucky enough to get her hands on them!

Backyard Fun

Scott spent the afternoon helping both Aaron and Helena learn how to properly hold a bat and swing at the ball. The kids loved being able to hit the ball and had a lot of fun running after the ball and cheering for one another.

Perfecting Helena's grip

Getting ready to hit the ball

And it's a hit for Helena!

Aaron, not quite sure about his grip on the bat

Not a bad hit though!

Summer Birthday

This weekend, we helped our cousin Marshall celebrate his first birthday! Over the last year, there has been a baby boom in Stacie's family and there were children running and playing in every room of the house. We had lots of fun celebrating with the Horan family and cannot believe how fast this last year has flown by!

Marshall and his mommy opening gifts

Helena gets ready to watch Marshall open his gifts

Aaron woke up Saturday morning announcing his excitement for the cake

"Would you take my picture already so I can have my cake?!"

Uncle Steve and his great nephew, Landyn

Marshall, the birthday boy

CAKE!!

Big sister Ainsley enjoys the cake as well

Natalie - 24 weeks

Natalie is now twenty four weeks old and is getting so big! She is now rolling over and sitting up with support. She enjoys eating avocado and bananas and laughs uncontrollably at her big brother and sister. Natalie babbles and smiles most of the time and is such a joy to spend time with!

Natalie sits up with the support of a Boppy Pillow

Fourth of July Weekend

This Fourth of July weekend was filled with lots of family, fun and sun. Our summer is off to a great start!

Grandpa sits and enjoys ice cream from the Ice Cream truck with the kids

Grandpa and Aaron enjoy ice cream and laughs

Natalie loves watching all of the events surrounding her

Aaron and Helena loved picking raspberries. They each had their own basket and spent an hour picking raspberries with Stacie.

Helena shows off her raspberries

Father's Day Weekend

We were very busy during Father's Day weekend. We spent Saturday at Stacie's parents swimming in the pool for most of the day. On Father's day, we took all three kids to the Colchester Recreation Complex where they have a Splash Pad for the kids to play in and keep cool.

Scott with Aaron and Helena at the Splash Pad

Daddy with Natalie

Aaron enjoys an afternoon swim

Helena has lots of fun swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool

Aaron doesn't know where to begin his Splash Pad adventures

Helena can't hide her excitement

Natalie is 5 months old and full of smiles

Helena working the camera

Serious Aaron...looking so much like his Daddy