Thursday, September 8, 2011

Summer Vacation 2011

 Our summer vacation took us on a roadtrip to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to visit my grandparents and to Ocean City, Maryland to spend time with my uncle, aunt, cousins, and the ocean.  We had a fabulous time!



Our happy travelers!


Wonderful to spend time with Grandma Pat & Pap Pap!


The whole crew (minus Curt, the photographer) enjoying ice cream after our dinner at Red Robin

Kieran's favorite ball + paci + nook made just for him = happiness!

Ocean City day #1-Caden & Cole jumping real waves for the first time and loving it


Kieran loved the sand and water!


The boys didn't mind the chilly water.



Kieran & Nana playing in the sand


Curt & Caden burying Cole


Caden's turn


Caden & Cole gathering water to make sand creations




Kieran had so much fun playing with the sand and water toys on the beach.


Watching the kites from the boardwalk


A very sleepy Kieran snuggled with Curt on our very long/slow tram ride back to our hotel


Ocean City day #2-Caden at the hotel pool

Kieran, our water baby

Caden had a blast going down this slide. So glad he enjoys going under water now!


Cole ready for lots of water fun


Aunt Brenda & Kieran

Kieran worn out from all the sun and fun


Caden, our little boogie boarder


Here, Cole is contemplating a ride on the boogie board.

Cole decided to give it a try, but he wouldn't admit that he enjoyed it.


Caden & Cole relaxing in the sand


The fam


Everyone waiting for a delicious Maryland feast at Hooper's Crab House


The waiter taught the boys how to take apart a Maryland blue crab to get to the crabmeat.


Kieran was thrilled with the mallets used to crack open the crabs.


Curt, Kieran, and me with our dinner view behind us


Shannon, Kieran, and me at dinner


Shannon, Brittany, Brandon, Kieran, and me at dinner

The boys had fun playing games and winning prizes on the boardwalk.


Nana, Papa, & Kieran waiting for the big boys to finish a ride


The big boys on the "Merry Mixer"


Ocean City day #3-Kieran claimed his tent as soon as it went up.


Another day of playing in the sand

Cole preferred boogie boarding on the sand.


Of course, Caden had to give it a try too. He thought boogie boarding in the water was much more exciting.

The Settlemoir guys on a very hazy day


Caden & Aunt Brenda on the haunted house ride--Halfway through, Caden mentioned that he didn't really like the dark, but he was brave and made it through, coming out with a smile.


Caden & Cole trying to find their way through a mirror maze

The view from our Ocean City hotel room

A view of the super fun kids' pool from our balcony

The Atlantic Ocean from our balcony--We started each day at the pool, then moved to the beach, and then returned to the pool before cleaning up, eating dinner, and heading to the boardwalk for games and rides. We had a wonderful vacation! Looking forward to returning to Ocean City again!






  








Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Kieran at 11 months

Here is what Kieran has been up to over the last month...

Being happy and adorable!


Emptying kitchen cabinets and any other drawer or shelf he can

Asking to go down to the basement or yelling at his brothers who are down there

Having fun with Papa at Cole's Chuck E. Cheese's birthday party

Playing with the birthday balloons


"Helping" with the laundry



Other fun things from the last month...eating lots of everything (watermelon has been the only reject so far), climbing up the stairs with supervision, pointing, laughing along with us, and cruising


Kieran's 11-month photo session with sock monkey





Next time, I will be posting about a 1-year-old! How is that possible?!

Happy 5th Birthday, Cole!

It is hard to believe that Cole is five years old. Where did the time go? Cole continues to be very affectionate, imaginative, and stubborn. He loves all things superhero. He also is fond of Star Wars and Mario. This summer, he has enjoyed playing at home, attending Summer Fun, and swimming. We celebrated Cole's fifth birthday over three days.

First, he opened presents from Nana and Papa on the day before his birthday.


Ready for his (pretend) camping adventureMaking a wish over his ice cream cake

Cole on the morning of his fifth birthday

Cole opening presents from Caden and Kieran


Opening his TRIO (a building toy like Legos) Batcave with Kieran's help


Happy with his Paper Jamz guitar


Enjoying more ice cream cake

On the Saturday following Cole's birthday, we celebrated with family and friends at Chuck E. Cheese's. We were pleasantly surprised when we walked into a newly remodeled Chuck E. Cheese's. Grammy made another awesome birthday cake for our special guy. This time, Batman was the choice. Grammy made Daddy and Uncle Jason cakes like this when they were younger too.



Cole took several turns on the rollercoaster ride. He selected different family members to ride with him.


Eating pizza and watching TV



Cole dancing with his Chuck E. Cheese balloon


Getting crowned

Looks like Cole is thinking seriously about what to wish for this time.





Doing a birthday dance with our party host


The party-goers with Chuck E. Cheese




Ticket Blaster time! Cole had 30 seconds to collect as many tickets as he could.



He collected 450 tickets! (Some tickets are worth more than others.)



Fun celebration for our favorite five-year-old!