reunion time

Every summer my family gathers for a weekend of fun, catching up, amazing food, and unforgetable, melt in your mouth, falling apart, tender brisket (thanks to my dad's steller smoking skills and his kick-butt-and-taking-names BBQ pit!) Now that Keith and I are far away, it's not only a chance to see family, but also to reunite with friends. Isaac took his first dip in a swimming pool. He loved it. I think he adored being lavished upon. I'm pretty sure his cutey bottom did not hit solid ground the entire trip. He was passed from person to person, lap to lap. Tuesday at daycare, they reported he screamed every time they tried to put him down. Vacation detox. Poor lil' lovie. I cannot say much more except that we dearly miss our family and friends, we do NOT miss the Texas heat, but we do miss gas prices down south and Tex Mex. Enjoy the pics.

Isaac with Grant and Amelia...who deeply enjoyed Isaac's stay at their house, waking up Tita and Isaac every morning about 6:45 to ooh and coo over their baby cousin. They were very kind to offer Isaac their teddy bear, books, blocks, and Curious George doll. Isaac was a little overwhelmed at first, especially when the three of them were in the back seat of Lauren's car, but I think he got used to them.



Family bonding.





Pool shots.






Hangin' with friends...First, we met up with Janna (who has been my unconditional, ever-loving friend since pre-school, except for 4th grade when for some reason Erin Vester and I decided to shun her because she always got let out to recess first which meant she got to the tire swing first. seriously. luv u nan!) Janna, and her amazing husband Aron, now have two beautiful twin girls, Lauren and Emily.




Then, we met up with Ruthie and her hubbie, Josh. Isaac really like them. We actually had a great time, Isaac was just a little overstimulated by this point.



Love to all! We miss you!!

literary history

Ever since Keith and I moved to New England, I have wanted to visit one city in particular for a very specific reason.

The city...Concord, Massachusetts.

The reason...Orchard House.

Some of you are thinking this is incredibly AWESOME...and some of you are probably like, "Orchard what?". So, while Kree was in town, I thought we should consider the fact that we are both book nerds and plan a day trip to Concord, to see the home of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women. Not only was Concord home to the Alcott's, but also Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. (oh my GOSH!!!!!!!!!!) I tried to contain myself, but it was very difficult. What glorious literary history!

We only had time to tour Orchard House. Unfortunately, we could not take pictures inside, but I can tell you all about it! The house was built in 1670, but the Alcotts did not move in until 1850. The house is the original with just some simple work/restoration to help shore up the foundation. 80% of the items inside are original to the Alcott family. After they moved out in 1878, they sold it to a friend, and then he sold it to the state to become a museum in 1911. Some of the things we saw: Marmie's checker board set, Beth's piano and the original hymn book she played from, Anna's (Meg's) marriage certificate to John, original photos of everyone, Louisa's writing desk, linen bag, books, bed, Amy's (May's) room where here original sketches and doodles covered the walls along with more of her drawings and painting throughout the house, Marmie's original "Order of Indoor Duties for the Children" framed by her bed...I could go on and on. It was very surreal.



Other things we saw...Emerson's house, Sleepy Hollow Cemetary where all the authors and their families are buried, and the Old North Bridge where the famous "Shot Heard Around the World" was fired that started the first battle of the American Revolution. Concord was a very quaint town, well preserved. I would highly recommend it for any travelor, book nerd or not.





p.s. i did not have time to proof this post. so, if there are spelling/grammar mistakes, my apologies. just know that i claim to be a book nerd...not a spelling nerd.

fireworks and such

I don't know if you remember from reading the blog last year, but they start celebrating the 4th of July at least a week early up here. Therefore, it is very easy to catch a fireworks display every night of the week prior to the actual holiday. We made two shows this year. First was in Hamden with our friends Brad, Jane, and Jenn on June 27th. Then, we packed up again to see fireworks in New Haven on July 4th with our friends Terrence, Kestlee, and Kree...who is here visiting from BLAZING HOT ON FIRE BLISTERING HEAT TEXAS. (i am headed there in less than 2 weeks with isaac for my family reunion. can't wait to see the fam...dread, dread, dreading the heat.) Isaac enjoyed both shows with wide eyes. He never got startled or scared, but just kept gazing up in awe with occasional smiles. Too cute.



Warning! EXTREMELY CUTE ISAAC PICTURES AHEAD!! Get ready for the onslaught. Proceed with caution. Could cause severe heart pounding!

5 words...we went to the beach.