Visiting Brady 2017

Kevin went to visit Brady for a couple days in the middle of the week because he's sort of- not really- on summer break from teaching. Tuesday night they went to dinner at Vecchia in Phoenixville. Wednesday they took the train into Philadelphia, went to Tired Hands Brewery on the way, then Monks Cafe, a Belgian bar. They went to the Red Sox v. Phillies game at Citizen Bank Park. Fun times!

Kevin and Brady at the Phillies game

Jon and Ben Visit- May 2017

While I was out of town this weekend, Jon and Ben visited for an evening. Miranda's new best friend is Ben.

 

James, Ben, and Miranda

Miranda and Ben playing cars

Miranda and Ben camping in James's tent

Sleepover for the boys. James reads Ben a book.

Visiting Ellie, Janice, and Darren 2017

Last weekend, Ash and I went to visit Janice, Darren, and Ellie. Our plan was to spend some quality time with their new baby Ellie and help a little with Ellie (our idea), dinner-preparation (our idea), and decorating her room (Janice's idea).

This baby is the best.

To that end, I slept in Ellie's room Friday night and patted her back to sleep periodically, and got up with her in the morning. I took 500 selfies with Ellie while I had her to myself. That's totally normal right? Haha.

Me and Ellie in the morning.


Ellie in the baby gym


Ellie to me: Why so many pictures?

The rest of the day we tried to do things like go shopping for the nursery but Janice would play goalie in trying to keep us from accomplishing things. We wandered around some box stores that had nothing we needed. We did go for a nice little walk around the park, and then we had fun baby bathtime.

Sink baths are the best!!

Sometimes it was hard to wrestle Ellie out of Darren's arms. Haha.

Fudgie in the flesh and in the pillow.

Sunday we were more successful. Ellie and I had morning time again but this time she slept the entire time. When Ash got up she took a turn snuggling.

This baby is hypnotic.

When she woke, Ash gave her a hairdo. Ellie loved it.

Just delicious flying baby is all.

We went shopping for nursery furniture and went to a nice lunch at Match in Arlington. We ordered a bunch of stuff and passed Ellie around while we ate. Afterward, Janice and Ash got milkshakes. Janice, Ash, and I had a really good time spending time together and catching up on everything. And my heart is full of baby Ellie.

 

With momma

 

Seriously, she's A DOLL!

 

Besties

 

Look, we're being helpful!

 

Ellie thinks I'm funny.

Pre-preparing some meals for Janice and Darren (Ellie doesn't eat food yet.)

Brady Visiting 2016

Brady visited Friday through Sunday. Hurray! We had a Port Jefferson fun day with Miranda on Friday. (Poor James was at school.) We went to C'est Cheese for lunch which was great.

C'est Cheese

See my amazing parenting here?

Fun fancy lunch for a toddler! 

Playing in Port Jeff rain puddles.

Ice Cream at Port Jeff Ice Cream Cafe

Miranda got "pink" flavor

James is home and is super excited about Brady

Brady also brought a million delicious beers for our enjoyment.

Farm to Face, ale brewed with peaches

Saturday the boys watched a lot of football and went for a short hike at a trail near the beach.

Football interrupted by children

Children defeated

Thanks for visiting Brady! 

Visiting Megan, Ed, Will, and Max 2016

We visited Megan, Ed and their kids Will and Max in Maryland. Janice and Darren came too. We got to see their (no longer so new) lovely house, and the kids played together in the playroom and in the back yard. Ed grilled up some burgers and hotdogs for us. We had a really great time.

Megan, me, Janice

This was my first time meeting Max!

James and Will had so much fun together!

Ed and Megan

Janice and Darren

Kevin keeping an eye on the kids in the playroom

Will, James, and Miranda in the kiddie pool

Ed and Max checking the pool

Darren, Megan, Janice

Me, Miranda, Kevin

Dads and kids having dinner

Saying goodbyes

Visiting Cory, Robin, and Jasper 2016

We were so excited to meet Jasper! I brought the big camera and took a million photos. Here's a small sample. 

Super happy group picture! Miranda "feeding" Jasper.

Kevin and Jasper meeting for the first time

Me and my new little buddy!

We walked over to Yards Park so the kids could splash around and they loved it so much. We took them before but this is the most they've enjoyed it.

The splash area

Kicking water

Lots of kids!

Down in the pool and walkway area

Waterfall!


Miranda is worried

James is so happy!

As is Miranda.


A beautiful shallow pool.

We had to bribe them away from the pool with ice cream. We went to the nearyby Ice Cream Jubilee. I got one scoop of Thai Iced Tea flavor and one Chocolate Chocolate scoop. Miranda had Passionfruit Guave Sorbet because it's pink-colored. Cory had a scoop of Banana Bourbon Caramel and something else. I'm not sure what other flavors everyone got, but they were all very unique.

Passionfruit-face.

Jasper is trying to figure out if he can steal some.

James is already done with his.

A special form of transportation!

Later that evening, while I hung out with Janice and Darren, and wile Robin was hanging out with Jasper. Kevin, Cory and Brady met up in DC. I'm sad I missed him but glad that Kevin and Cory got to have some extra fun.

Brady, Kevin, Cory

So great to see all you guys!