January 10th 2010
Enzo all dressed up
Mommy loves to get Enzo all dressed up and Enzo doesn't complain. Enzo enjoys getting dressed up, especially when different shoes are involved. He enjoys going to the shoe basket and picking out different shoes for us to put on him. These were a little big, but he insisted on trying them on.
Abby @ 6 years, 26 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 26 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 3 months, 16 days
Photos posted by christopher at 12:54 PM | 
Comment
January 7th 2010
Nonno Ernie is enjoying Florida
We just got two more postcards from Nonno Ernie. Uncle Matt and Aunt Caitlin are also in Florida. We saw some photos they took with their phone at Disney. Abby and Zoë are anxious to see that magical place.
Abby @ 6 years, 23 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 23 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 3 months, 13 days
Photos posted by christopher at 12:43 PM | Comment
January 5th 2010
Nonno Ernie sends postcards from Florida
The girls both got postcards from Florida from Nonno Ernie. While we are enjoying the cold and snow, he is enjoying much warmer weather this holiday season. We also heard from Aunt Elizabeth who is comfy in her high 70s and low 80s weather of island life on St. John US Virgin Islands.
Abby @ 6 years, 21 days
Zoë @ 6 years, 21 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 3 months, 11 days
Photos posted by christopher at 3:42 PM | Comment
December 12th 2009
Zebra Rodeo
Enzo got a chance to ride cousin Elijah's zebra rodeo while he napped and the girls waited to start making their birthday cupcakes. He wasn't the only one who enjoyed it.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 28 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 28 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 18 days
Photos posted by christopher at 12:40 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
December 13, 2009 12:46:23 PM posted by Nonna
Look at you !!! A reak cutie!! xxoo Love you!!
December 3rd 2009
Kite flying in the park
This morning the wind was blowing hard and driving rain against our house. By the time the afternoon rolled around, the sun was out and shining but it was still very windy. The temperature got up to 65F so we walked through the park and into town. We brought along the kites to fly. The park was mostly empty, everyone having somewhere else to be. We all go to take turns flying the kite, even Enzo. He caught the tails at one point and let the kite guide him around in the strong winds. We checked out the birds on the dock after the park on the way to the post office. Abby and Zoe's new passorts didn't arrive yet. We stopped by Market Square to look at the tree and sit on the bench. It was a nice afternoon stroll.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 20 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 20 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 2 months, 10 days
Photos posted by christopher at 7:51 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
December 5, 2009 05:12:52 PM posted by Nonna
Kite flying in December...how great is that. Looks like everyone had a lot of fun.
November 20th 2009
Passport Renewal Photo Shoot
Abby and Zoë are overdue to get their passports renewed. I have had the application filled out and ready since August, before their old passports expired. We just haven't had the photo session yet until yesterday. Since Nonno Ernie gifted us a new camera I decided to get this task off my list. Abby and Zoë sat through three various photo shoot attempts. I took more than 100 photos in total. I would take 30 or so photos, then take them off the camera and look at them before taking the next set. Of all those photos we narrow the best ones down to 4, then down to the best 2 for each, which I mock up as original and retouched for proof prints. This gives us a total of 4 photo prints to choose from, which we picked up from Walmart last night. The total cost of the proofs was $0.76. When we returned home we picked out the best of the proofs. Today I uploaded the mocked up best print in passport photo size. We will be getting 6 passport photo size prints for Abby and Zoë at a total cost of $1.14. It is incredible to think about what this would have cost at a photo booth or in town. Surely more than the $0.95 for each set of 6 prints per child. We got to save money where ever possible. The minor child renewal application is $60 per child and the processing fee at the post office is $25 per child. Yeah, that is excessively expensive.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 5 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 5 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month, 26 days
Photos posted by christopher at 11:46 AM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
November 29, 2009 06:34:33 PM posted by Nonna
Very nice I can't believe these are the two girls that were in trouble and weren't allowed candy!! How can that be???
November 17th 2009
Enzo's First Postcard
It took me a while to scan and get the postcards cataloged for the future enjoyment. I noticed that Enzo got his first postcard. The postcard was sent from St. John US Virgin Islands by Aunt Elizabeth. She has just spent a week with us and Enzo was with her non stop. Notice there is a Postage Due of 1 cent stamped on the postcard. Strange, they didn't bill us for it.
Abby @ 5 years, 11 months, 3 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 11 months, 3 days
Enzo @ 1 year, 1 month, 24 days
Photos posted by christopher at 9:57 PM | Comment
September 8th 2009
Enzo the Little Cleaner
Enzo just loves the cleaning trolley. Anytime we're in the playroom he goes right for it. Sometimes he'll plee to get upstairs just to go play with it. He uses the trolley part itself to hold onto and he pushes it around the room. Then he'll take out the broom or mop, he prefers the broom, and just stand there 'sweeping' for the longest time. He likes to take the vacuum for a spin around the room as well. He really does enjoy every part of that toy and sometimes he'll sit down and take it all apart, cart and all, and just sit amidst all of the pieces.
Abby @ 5 years, 8 months, 24 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 8 months, 24 days
Enzo @ 11 months, 14 days
Photos posted by Laura at 2:53 PM | Comment
July 24th 2009
Kiddie Pool Party
A couple of times Enzo has joined Elijah in his kiddie pool in the back yard. The first time Enzo didn't stay in long. The second time he splashed around with Elijah for a good while. Maybe he stayed in longer the second time because he got to go in sans swim diaper. Zoë and Abby love to watch the babies in the pool, really though they're just itching for their turn.
Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 9 days
Enzo @ 10 months
Photos posted by Laura at 2:17 PM | Comment
July 18th 2009
Gifts and Playtime
Nonno had gift bags for the girls and Enzo with plenty of fun stuff. Enzo even enjoyed taking everything out of his bag. The girls also liked all of the toys that neighbors had brought over since Aiden was staying there for a while. There was a little t-ball set, golf clubs, and some other fun things that kept us outside in the nice weather. Not to mention the walks with Daddy.
Abby @ 5 years, 7 months, 3 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 months, 3 days
Enzo @ 9 months, 24 days
Photos posted by Laura at 1:45 PM | Comment
June 10th 2009
St. John Post Cards
The girls received another set of post cards from Auntie Elizabeth (or as they now want to call her - with the start of their Italian lessons - Zia). After we got home from swimming and errands, Daddy had them all scanned and ready for us to add to the post card wall.
Abby @ 5 years, 5 months, 27 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 5 months, 27 days
Enzo @ 8 months, 17 days
Photos posted by Laura at 9:18 PM | Comment
March 25th 2009
We love the library
Today we all went to the library, mostly to return books. I had taken the girls last week, when we got these two huge picture books called, "A day in the life of ...", where ... was Spain and Ireland. I couldn't find any additional countries in stock at the library, while we wanted to see Germany and Italy. These books were huge and filled with great photography. I took advantage of checking out the DVDs and other media while the girls sat in the children's area and read books. They love the library. It is a great place to sit on comfy chairs and relax in tons of natural light while looking around, exploring new ideas and concepts, and learning from books, even from a Spiderman comic book. We didn't realize how much we missed having a library near by and using the local library until we went without for 3 months while in Brazil. Having access to great books and media, a great place to relax and the time to enjoy them is next to priceless. And did I mention that this is all free? Well not entirely, my taxes pay for it and so do the fines Laura racks up. She was disappointed that I saw there was a $1.40 fine on Abby's account during checkout. Two books, 7 days late each. The girls love to use that scanner to check out their own books. I think they pick piles of books to cart home just so they can use that scanner to check them out, almost like it's some computer game.
Abby @ 5 years, 3 months, 10 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 3 months, 10 days
Enzo @ 6 months, 1 day
Photos posted by christopher at 7:42 PM | Comments ( 3 )
Comments:
March 25, 2009 09:09:46 PM posted by Laura
Those books were not late! I am quite irritated and talked to library staff about this. I know when we're returning late books and I go out of my way to tell them that I have a fine when returning books (usually only .10 or .20 cents.) Also, I haven't had any fines in a long time before today. I know that one of the books that was supposedly returned a week late (almost a week ago) we'd mentioned was out of its binding when we went to read it, so maybe it got set aside before getting checked in. There was some malfunction because those two books were NOT late.
April 5, 2009 09:45:41 AM posted by Nonna
I am so glad the "sweeties" love the library....I do too. I would be lost without books to read.
April 5, 2009 09:46:03 AM posted by Nonna
Laura I understand completely!!
January 24th 2009
Winter Visitors
Nonno Ernie and Martha drove up from New Jersey late last night and drove over from their hotel this morning. We had pancakes and eggs, thanks to chef Daddy, before the girls raced up to their play room to show off their polly pockets. Enzo showed off his skills in the jumper, and got plenty of snuggle time in. He was super chilled out just sitting with Nonno Ernie taking everything in.
We went to lunch, after going 'round and 'round on where to eat, we ended up at Applebee's. After lunch Nonno and Martha went to check out of the hotel while Abby and Zoë had a rest, then we all had some tea (cocoa for the girls) and chocolate peanut butter chip cookie bars that the girls and I made last night. Nonno read bunches of stories, Abby read us a book, and then we played some Uno.
Zoë started whining about spending more time with them hours before they were even getting ready to go. She was quite concerned about when they were leaving to go down to see Uncle Matt and Aunt Caitlin, wanting to make sure she got plenty of time. After the game Nonno suggested that we get a few items at Wal-Mart so we all went as the girls didn't want to miss any visiting time. Nonno treated us to some diapers, wipes, toilet paper, as well as a few other much used household items. Thanks for some nice visiting and for all you do for us!
Abby @ 5 years, 1 month, 9 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 1 month, 9 days
Enzo @ 4 months
Photos posted by Laura at 5:26 PM | Comment
December 22nd 2008
So Much Snow
There is so much snow outside it is unbeleiveable! We have at least 24 inches on the ground from the two storms. In just a couple of days we went from nothing to 'where do we put all of this?'
Abby @ 5 years, 7 days
Zoë @ 5 years, 7 days
Enzo @ 2 months, 28 days
Photos posted by Laura at 5:56 AM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
December 23, 2008 05:21:54 PM posted by Celeste A. C. Gaver
I am so jealous! I love the snow, espceially when it is knee high. This is what it was like every winter when I was in college... oh I miss it. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
November 27th 2008
Christmas 2008 Photo Session
We took many photos today before the Thanksgiving madness happened. Here are the three cards we made from the best of the bunch.
Abby @ 4 years, 11 months, 12 days
Zoë @ 4 years, 11 months, 12 days
Enzo @ 2 months, 3 days
Photos posted by christopher at 9:47 AM | Comment
November 26th 2008
Salt Lake City Postcard
Abby and Zoë received a very colorful postcard from Grandma Cindy and Papa Norm. You can't tell as much from the image, but it shines all different colors as you move it in the light. They had a layover in Salt Lake City on their way back to Oregon.
Abby @ 4 years, 11 months, 11 days
Zoë @ 4 years, 11 months, 11 days
Enzo @ 2 months, 2 days
Photos posted by Laura at 8:06 AM | Comment
November 8th 2008
Postcards while away
Abby and Zoë received a number of postcards from all over the world while we were away. They love to receive postcards, especially from new and interesting places. Keep them coming in.
Abby @ 4 years, 10 months, 24 days
Zoë @ 4 years, 10 months, 24 days
Enzo @ 1 month, 14 days
Photos posted by christopher at 4:41 PM | Comment
October 16th 2008
Moon over Manaíra
The moon here rising above the ocean is truly a great site to watch, especially the fuller moons, which start out so large and orange on the horizon, and turn bluer and smaller as it ascends. We have seen many such beautifully clear night skies where the moon makes this journey. I remember the first time Laura noticed the full moon here, it was hiding behind some clouds, so there was just this large orange glow in the sky and just barely sneaking out in between holes in a dark cloud. She was very concerned and said, "Chris, what is that in the sky so bright and orange?" and I calmly replied, "That is the moon sweetheart, the moon."
Abby @ 4 years, 10 months, 1 day
Zoë @ 4 years, 10 months, 1 day
Enzo @ 22 days
Photos posted by christopher at 6:42 PM | Comment
October 8th 2008
Rainbows and Double Rainbows
Is it even possible to see multiple rainbows? We saw this very bright rainbow while it was raining over the ocean, then to the left of it, was a faint partial rainbow. I love watching the rain move over the face of the water, and this rainbow as a special treat.
Abby @ 4 years, 9 months, 24 days
Zoë @ 4 years, 9 months, 24 days
Enzo @ 14 days
Photos posted by christopher at 3:18 PM | Comments ( 1 )
Comments:
October 26, 2008 03:39:17 PM posted by Nonna
Just beautiful...reminds me of the rainbows seen in Hawaii!!
October 6th 2008
Extra Flyer under our door
This evening while we were relaxing from our long Recife trip, someone was in the apartment building delivering these promotional flyers under our door. I love getting flyers that show the prices of things for comparision.
Abby @ 4 years, 9 months, 22 days
Zoë @ 4 years, 9 months, 22 days
Enzo @ 12 days
Photos posted by christopher at 7:58 PM | Comment
