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.

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.

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

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.

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!