2013 Catch up

Adam and Evan  have done a lot of things here with Lauren.  They went to a "shaker village" where they saw baby pigs and other baby animals, sheep being sheared, chickens, cows, and all kinds of animals.  They've been to dozens of parks, several nearby museums, a tulip festival, many trips to the library, and many other things.  We've been to two state parks with nice lakes, sandy beaches, and we had a trip in a row boat at one. 

Since we're closer now, we've made quite a few trips back to Fairport.  Lauren left with the kids while work was very busy for me several times, we visited for Ron's 70th birthday in April, we visited over Memorial day, and over July 4th. We joke that whenever we travel to Fairport, someone gets sick or hurt or both.  The puke ride from hell when Evan was an infant (January 2012), Adam's broken arm (April 2013 - due to me sitting on him), the hole in my foot (sharp rock at Sheryl and Mike's house), Evan puking (July 2013).  But Adam's arm got better and my foot is fine, so we'll probably keep coming back.


The boys love going to visit Nana, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, and all their cousins, aunts, and uncles.  In Fairport they've gone to parades (memorial day), baseball games with fireworks (5th of July), bounce-it-out, swimming at the Giambattistas, the movie theater (Adam saw Despicable Me 2 with Nana), and the infamous Cousins Campout complete with roasted marshmallows, gobs of candy, a bounce house, glow sticks, and all sorts of other ways of spoiling children. So naturally going to Fairport is like a holiday for them.

 Since we're closer we've also been lucky enough to have visits from many of you.  Nat, Sheryl, and Cara were here and celebrated Cara's birthday.  Sheryl has been out a few times, as have Nana, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, my brother Aaron & sister Emily, and others.  We've been glad to see you and glad you've been able to visit!

We've been enjoying summer with all the time off I've built up thanks to the insane hours in March and bad hours in June.  Budget season was no fun and the end of legislature was no fun, but they're over.  Hopefully I don't have to do that any more than one more year.  We're looking forward to the trip down to Ocean City with Sheryl/Mike and Natalie/Mike, and the boys are looking forward to the sand. 

Evan is speaking more and more.  He says multi-syllabic words and phrases like "watch out" or "go away" or "I saw a yogurt."  He's pretty good about expressing his wants/needs, which is helpful.  He's a huge whiner around Lauren, something he doesn't do around me for whatever reason.  All of his canine teeth have finally broken through and the rest of his teeth are in except for his 2-year molars.  He can climb in his crib via a sterilite storage thing nearby, and evidently he can climb out somehow without making a racket (we found him asleep on the floor next to the door once).  He likes reading enough to sit still for a few books.  He loves goodnight moon and a little bedtime book. 

Adam recognizes all of the letters now.  He can write some letters reliably and others he needs a reminder.  Adam can write his name by himself and Evan's name most of the time.  Adam loves to paint and write.  He loves space and rockets, and can be very helpful with Evan. Adam is a pretty good swimmer with his life vest floaty thingy, and can swim for a while with his face in the water (thanks to some inspiration from Marshall). 

Adam also says funny things.  The other night when Lauren & I were still up watching TV, Adam woke up to use the bathroom.  He asked what we were doing and then said "what? that's not what you do at night time..."  At the pool I came up from underwater and Adam said "Dad, you look bald."  After refilling his push car with grass, pretending it was gasoline, Adam told Amber "I have a lot of gas!"  

Anyhow, enjoy the pictures!

Adam is optimistic about having his cast removed.

Evan thought Adam's cast was neat.

Cara celebrates her birthday.

Adam says the baby lamb was soft, but the baby pigs were the biggest hit.

Evan picks up the slack when Adam is tuckered out.

Easter at church.

One of the many very nice pictures Lauren took at the tulip festival

This was a tree nursery in Victor and had baby animals and trains the boys enjoyed.  Note Adam's sleeve.

Playing in the sand at Grafton Lake

We also played at the sand at Moreau lake

Row boys, row!

We have this small kids amusement park near us named Hoffmans, the boys love it.

More Hoffmans

The train at Hoffmans

Adam likes this one because he controls how high/low he flies

The 5th of July baseball game, before the boys fell asleep during the RPO concert, then Adam woke up for the fireworks

Alex at the Fairport Memorial Day parade

Marshall enjoys a smore at the Cousins Campout

Everyone seems to have loved the bounce house

Grace was very sweet with both boys, including them in play, complimenting them, and giving them rides

The Cousins Campout

4th of July fun at Aunt Sheryl's