It's the best day ever!!!

Ahhh - September  is here!!!  We made it through a long hot summer and now we're back to reality.  We had lots of fun during our last two weeks of freedom.  We visited Ravens football training camp, went to DC to see the National Building Museum and the National Archives, picked blackberries and generally lounged around.  Monday was the first day back to school and the first day on the bus for Hayley.  She couldn't be more excited to finally be in first grade.  Enjoy the pictures!

We're having fun at Ravens training camp.

The obligatory first day of school shot....

The outfit.  Cool enough for first grade???

Summer's Almost Done!

It's been a great summer.  Camps are done tomorrow.  Vacation's in the books.  And, now we're just down to the final countdown until the bus returns.  (12 days.  :)).   We enjoyed visits with all the cousins and our annual trek to New Hampshire.  Enjoy the pics!

Honestly -- is this really fair???

Awww...

There's really no chance of ever getting these 4 to all look at the camera together...

Scootering to town square.

Taking a break at the top of the hike.

Fun with Claire at Gram and Grandad's pool.

She's going to pump. you up...

Everybody was kung fu fightin'...

June days...

Can't believe the month of June came and went so fast here. We have (at long last!!!) finished baseball. His team didn't win many games, but he seemed to enjoy the experience and improved a lot. School ended last week too -- and Hayley said goodbye to her Montessori friends. Off to ride the bus in the fall!!! But in the meantime, we're on to swim team and camps. This week Cole is in basketball camp and Hayley is enjoying history camp. (Yes - you heard that right.) Yesterday they spent the day learning about ancient Egypt and Greece. Today is Rome and the American Revolution. She is loving every moment of it. So - no more writing - on to the pics...

Hayley "graduates" from Kindergarten and gets her diploma from Ms. Ali.









The class end of year performance.











The baseball team got to go to a minor league - Frederick Keys game.  The met the players (here they are talking to them down in the dugout) and went on the field for the national anthem.









The team played in a tournament in Ripken stadium park in Aberdeen.  Here they are on the Fenway field and Cole is pitching.









Hitting.











The kids participate in their first triathlon.  Here Hayley is ready to swim. 










T1 - swim to bike.  Hayley's race buddy Kaitlen helps her get her shoes on.










Post race medal and icee pop!











Cole getting read to swim. 











Hayley won 1st place in her age category.  (Girls 6U)  Showing off the trophy.  She's quite proud. 

Workin' and Playin'...

We're continuing to have lots of fun this spring. In the past few weeks we've spent lots of time on the baseball field. But, in between the games, we've been having other fun too. Looking forward to summer right around the corner now! Enjoy the pics.


Hayley helped Mom out with a display for work. She was in charge of asking the Money Smarties questions to the kids who stopped by.


Thanks to Miss Marcy who hooked us up with tickets for the O's & Red Sox game. Next time, please ensure the Red Sox win the game too okay?


Hayley had her end of year piano recital with all of Miss Helen's students.


Cole and his chalk drawings. This is Tim Lincecum - his favorite pitcher right now.

Travellin'

Well April is sweeping by here.  We've had lots of fun.  Over spring break we hit D.C. for an outing.  Since then it's been all baseball it seems like!  Enjoy the pics...

Here we are on our way to the Jefferson Memorial and enjoying the cherry blossoms.  We actually ran into Miss Marcy!  Can you believe that?

A little lunch before we finish the trek to the monument.

Being silly with Cole.

Tiny kids...

This is paradise for Hayley.  Standing next to the gigantic statue of Jefferson and reading his writings.  She went to each corner and read everything.  (Well not EVERYTHING - I'd like to see the Flesh-Kincaid level on Jefferson's writings!)  She did love it though!  I think we have a presidential historian on our hands.

Cole's always on the run...

Here they are - the Renegades...yet to win a game (or even come close...)  Cole is starting most games at catcher though (his favorite!) and is getting to pitch regularly too.  He loves it!

Hayley enjoyed silly hat day at school during spring break.

Cole and I ran a 5K fun run for his school this weekend.  He finished 6th overall and #3 of the kids!  Go Cole. :)

Out like a lamb!!!

March has come and (almost) gone.  We're certainly ready for spring!  Finished up basketball and baseball is already here.  Everyone is enjoying getting outside and having those snow piles gone!  We celebrated Sammy's 11th birthday this month too.  Can't believe I'll have a teenager in the house in just two years. ;)  Enjoy the pics. -- And...happy Easter!!!

There's no business like snow business...

This was before we left...Hayley and Cole enjoying a modest amount of snow...but wait!!!

Hayley is taking to the board. Mom and Dad are worrying. Will she break her arm and find out she's pregnant???


At WV ski school...

This is what we do on our lunch break -- because 5 hours of skiing a day isn't enough!


This is what we came home to...


The snow piled up at the front door. Really pictures can not do this justice...



Her face says it all - 9 hours in the car together in the past day...

How do you say "help me" in dog?

The scene out the back door.

The snow has finally driven us crazy....

Although really, this is pretty much the norm here. Snow or not...