Monday, September 08, 2008

Preschool - My little one is growing up

Andrew loves preschool. His teacher Trudy is darling . . . she has a south Boston accent and loves all of the students. I love that my kitchen pantry door is covered with all of Andrew's art projects that he brings home each week. I also love that I get a little one-on-one time with Jacob.

This is how excited he was right before he left for school. Annie Archibald and Lauren Stone ride with Andrew to school.

Although Andrew was a little bummed that he didn't get to ride on a school bus, I reassured him that he could sing "The Wheels on the Van" instead and it would be just as fun! It seems as if he bought it.

This is a picture after school. He had the time of his life!

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Let the Blogging Begin!

Please don't fall off your seat. There is a new post.

It's been a while, I know. Really, there is no good excuse for letting our blog go for so long. Regardless, we still have found many excuses not to blog. After our cyclone vacation around the west coast this summer, we moved into a new apartment in Boston and started business school. Finding time to sort through 3,000 pictures from these last few months has not been as high on my priority list--as it obviously should have been. Needless to say, things have been busy. Very busy.

Let's start with May:
After recovering from the race, I spent my days packing up our apartment, caring for two boys and a husband with the stomach flu, and playing Mario Cart with Andrew. I knew it was getting to be a terrible habit for the both of us when my Andrew was requesting to "race cars" all of his waking hours.

June 5th -10th: We flew to Sun-Valley, Idaho for a family vacation with the Smiths.

Andrew has had a lot of luck lately. The pilots on our flights have been super nice and have let Andrew land the plane the last few times!

All of Michael's family was able to make it to Sun Valley. We had an incredibly fun week . . . and hope we can make this a regular vacation spot!

The resort in Sun Valley

Attempts to take a Grandparents/Grandchildren photo:

Family Photo:



Andrew between photos.




Pool time:





bicycling into town:

Andrew with his phone obsession:

Girl's afternoon:

Lonnie and Cheryl's 40th Anniversary party!

my sweet Andrew.


June 11th-21st: We flew to Park City for a wedding, and to see my sister Danielle and her family. We walked around Main Street in Park City, we met friends and family in SLC and in Provo, we enjoyed two trips to the Hogle Zoo, and LOVED the fresh mountain air.

These guys were pumped to be here!






Wild roosters and turkeys totally belong in a zoo!

The is the most gorgeous carousel I have ever seen!



Macie was still on O2. It's pretty common for premie babies to be on it until their official due date.



June 22nd- July 21st: We flew back to Saratoga, California to spend a month with Michael's parents. There was no way we could have packed in more than we did. We were exhausted and so were the boys. It was a magical 4 weeks.

Lake Berryessa:

So the picture isn't out of focus, it was the smoke from the forest fires in Northern California.

Andrew was in heaven. He loves "Granka's fast boat".


Jacob crashed! He was so tired.


Vesona Park:









Trains, Planes, and Fire Trucks . . . what more could you ask for?

So proud of himself for sliding down such a big slide.




Swimming with our friends, The Other Smith's:



Fourth of July:

Los Gatos, the neighboring town had a really fun musical celebration in the morning.








San Jose Children's Museum:










Santa Cruz beach:
This beach is only 30-40 minutes away from Michael's parent's home. It was so much fun to go with the Call girls and their friends.



My dear friend Beth Call Hulme



Andrew's best friend in California, Seth Hulme.



Emma Prusch Farm Park:


This is Andrew's cousin Max. He was such a help with the boys while we were at the farm. He is a wonderful older brother and cousin . . . Thanks Max!!








Muir Wood National Forest:

Golden Gate Bridge heading into Sausalito Island



Max


Kenna



Inside of one of the fallen trees




Monterey Aquarium with the Smiths and Keysers (Michael's parents and sister Mimi's family):









Oakland Zoo with our Other, Other friends named the Smiths:




Jacob and Asher . . . both Smiths.



Kim Smith and her son Bennett

We've visted quite a few zoos in the last few months, but none of them had a miniture amuzement park like this one! Andrew LOVED the roller coasters. It wasn't too scary, but it had enough torque to make your stomach drop.







July 22 - August 8th: We flew from Cali to Colorado Springs, Colorado to spend three weeks with my family.

Grandma Cowser's home:



Gratefully the boys adjusted quickly to my parent's home. This whole summer they were remarkable mobile and easy going.

Mr. Biggs Indoor Playground:

We took Jacob and Andrew to an indoor play ground to meet some more of their best friends:(in order) Reid, Tanner (twins above) and Andrew Michael (below).

I loved seeing my friend Liz Hasler Christensen. It seriously brought tears to my eyes when she walked in Mr. Biggs with her little clan. Her boys are so beautiful and full of life. I don't know how she does it! Moms of twins amaze me!

Renee's birthday party:



We snuck the boys in the back . . . to the "girls only" Princess Garden Party.

My mom has a little talent when it comes to cake decorating!


Andrew trying to help blow out the candles! Thanks bud.

Pizza with Egglestons:
After the birthday party, we headed to Carbondale for a weekend with Michael's sister. It was a beautiful drive. We met them at a yummy pizza place just outside of town.

It was a good thing they had buffalo to ride at the restaraunt.

This was Jacob's face when he recognized his cousin Genivieve.


Pool and Carbondale:







August 8th-15th: San Clemente, California for a Cowser family reunion.

Not that we hadn't already been having quite the reunion, we decided to have it in a more glamarous location.


This is the beautiful place we stayed (above) and this is the gorgeous view (below):


A few shots of Danni and her family.

Talise 7

Renee 5

Macie 3 months


Beach Days:



His feet still never touch the ground!


Disneyland was magical.

Nemo's submarine ride:

Roller coaster after roller coaster.


Mickey's Parade


Danielle and her family . . . except Macie.


Loving it!

August 15th-18th: We flew back to Park City for a friend's wedding. Loads of fun.

August 18th: Flew to Boston to move into our new apartment and start school.