News and Notes

We had a fun visit from Joe's family over the Labor Day weekend. We went to a kid's day at Pitt and Will had a good time getting his arm painted, getting a balloon animal, and watching the magician (for about 5 minutes!).
Watching the magician.

Getting a dinosaur!

The four of us.

With Grandmom and Grandpop.

With Aunt Jen.


Ella's two teeth!

Mommy and her kiddies!


Will (which he pronounces "O Will") is becoming quite the little chatter box these days. Loves to say "Hi-ya" to caterpillars, Ella and dogs ("dog-a"). He only says hi to people on the phone. He has learned some letters and LOVES to point out anytime he sees an M or B. He has a serious obsession with diggers and trucks (pronounced "dig-ewws" and "tucks"). He loves the library and Costco (because his Nan, my mom, lets him eat basically anything they are giving out!).

Ella is getting so much bigger, more mobile, and definitely showing her headstrong personality! She is sitting up on her own, crawling around, eating SO much better (really likes sweet potatoes) and even starting to sleep at night! Here are some new pics!

Silly headband!

Mom, why?

Kennywood!

Last weekend we decided to take Will to our treasured amusement park in Pittsburgh, Kennywood. This was particularly nostalgic for me as I spent many a summer day trekking around Kennywood with my friends growing up. Will LOVED Kiddieland and had a blast riding the rides. Joe and I were a bit cautious at first, only taking him on the rides we could ride with him thinking he would be reluctant to go on any by himself. We were quite sure he wouldn't venture into the ride with the stranger high-schoolers escorting him onto the large moving contraptions that spun around dizzily where he couldn't reach his beloved parents because of the fence that separated us. HA! He marched right in everytime, held the hand of the nearest Kiddieland worker, climbed right up, and only looked back to laugh and wave at us! My heart was broken that my little guy was so willing to embark on such exciting adventures without me. All I could think was kindergarten will be here all too soon and I'll be left standing at the bus stop. I was really proud of his try-anything spirit though and we had so much fun watching him take it all in. It is a memory we will always treasure and the beginning of a family tradition! Here are some pictures of our little Evil Knievel!
Riding the merry-go-round with Joe.

Riding the SS Kenny with Dad, because it spun around too much for Mom!

The turtle!

Swings!

Motorcycle!

Flying the airplane!

Flying saucer! Definitely Will's favorite, he rode three times!


Watching the big roller coasters. In a couple of years...

BEAT.

Updates...

We've had a lot of fun these last few weeks of summer!

Ella's first bites of rice cereal. Not particularly loving it... She still doesn't. It is quite the struggle to get this girl to eat!

Mom, what the heck?!?!

Will's new favorite place is the splash pad at one of our local parks. It is hilarious to watch him run around!




We also explored a new park with Benjamin and Jennifer! They boys had a great time and Ella was good as gold!
Sliding.

Benjamin checking out Ella.

Benjamin and his Mommy swinging, which Ben calls "Weeee!" So cute!

Will in the train which Will calls "Woo Woo"!

Swinging!


And now some random fun!
Ella helping me make enchiladas.

Ella rolling around in her clothes! Dr. Sarah Roark, does this remind you of anything?!?!?!

Will loves having his sister in his crib!

Will covered in hummus!

Sunday in the yard...

It's a cool beautiful Sunday here in Pittsburgh. We spent our time after church playing in the yard. Will loves his tee ball and power wheels while Ella works on crawling around on the blanket! Sorry the videos are so shaky, but I was doing it all one-handed. Enjoy!

So cute! Wish you could see her first tooth that came in last weekend!


Good hit!

Summer stuff!

We've had a very busy summer so far with trips to CT, WI, and most recently to Bethany Beach. We had a wonderful time soaking in the sun all together for a week. Will LOVED the sand and wanted to "dig-a" all day long. He was a bit cautious about the ocean but as the week went on was willing to get his toes in the surf. Ella was a trooper- swimming in the baby pool and napping on the beach. The kiddos are beach bums for sure!

Joe and I also celebrated our 5th anniversary while we were at the beach. My parents kindly watched the kids while we went out for a really nice dinner at a great restaurant right on the Salt Pond. It was beautiful and I had my favorites- Joe's company, a Grey Goose dirty martini with extra olives, and crab cakes! How time has flown and how blessed we are...

Here are some pictures of our trip... in no particular order!

The kiddos in the pool!

We loved having our breakfast on the deck watching the dolphins! Will was up by 6 every morning so excited to go to the beach. Needless to say, we're tired from our vacation!!


Uncle Damon and Aunt Amy.

Will, Joe, and my dad swimming in the ocean.

Ella snoozing!

Again, notice the lip... too funny.

Buried knee deep.

Joe lounging...

Swimming!

Will chillin' in his chair.

Loves to squirt himself in the face with the squirt gun... goof ball!

In their beach outfits, ready to go!

I LOVE this one because it looks like Ella is about to bop Will. Someday she'll give back to him all the torment he's giving to her...

Digging with Nan.

Building a sand track for his trucks with Dad.

Ella and Nan.