The Start Of Christmas 2015

Today we began our yearly tradition of the start of Christmas with finding the Christmas tree.   We decided to have some fun before finding our tree for the next month or so.

Gabrielle is a huge fan of candy canes.   She was curious at first, and then we couldn't keep it away from her.   Baby with candy cane = sticky mess

The Great Wide Big Back Yard

Do you remember the television show back in the 1990's "American Gladiators"?   I always loved watching that show.

Well, Jeremy decided to create his own AG in our back yard with Nerf guns.

Too Cool In the Pool

While Sarah has discovered how to swim without a life jacket, Samantha has discovered how to jump into the pool with flair.

JAZZ HANDS!

Too Cool In the Pool

We've been spending quite a lot of time at the pool this Summer.    The girls love to swim!

   

Sarah has discovered that she can swim without her life jacket, but we've decided that if she is going to swim the seven seas in the deep end, she's going to need to wear it just for safety's sake.

Bob Stock 2014

Yesterday we headed up to visit our friends Bob and Michelle for their annual Summer cookout.   There's a hundred people, and plenty of food and beverages.

This year, we brought our photobooth with us, and what a hit that was!  We had a great time. Although, we could have done without the crazy fireworks display at the end though.  (We made it out alive, and unscratched).

Thanks to Bob and Michelle for a great time as always!

Sum-mah in Gloucest-ah!

Yesterday, we took a drive down to Gloucester, Massachusetts just to enjoy the weather and go for a Sunday drive.   We are officially on Summer vacation now, so we are in full Summ-ah mode now!

Sarah was fascinated with the draw bridge to let all the HUGE boats go through

Feeling the sand in between their toes

Sarah waiting patiently for dinner.   Fish and chips!

Samantha enjoying the sunshine

Sprinkled With Freckles

I took this photo with my cell phone today.  Wasn't sure how it would come out as far as focusing, but I absolutely LOVE it!  (Especially Sarah's sprinkled freckles).

Sarah just took a break from swimming and celebrating Samantha's last day of school.

Pool Time and Fuzzy Green Creatures!

Sarah had her first play date of the Summer with her friend Greg from Pre-School.   The water was a bit too cold for me, it didn't seem to bother the kids at all.

During snack time, Sarah found a fuzzy green friend just crawling on her towel.

Beach-y Keen!

Yesterday we took a trip to our favorite beach in Massachusetts: Plum Island Reservation.   Just a bunch of beach chairs, us and the waves.  The girls had a blast playing around.  (And I had a blast trying out some selective color too).

Just a few more weeks of school is left.   Samantha will be finishing up 1st grade.   Sarah will finish up her 2nd and final year of pre-school.

Boston Bound!

Yesterday, we were very excited to have my Sister in law, Jessica and our nephew join us in our trip to Boston to the Museum of Science.    We spent several hours looking at dinosaurs, and laws of gravity, and all sorts of fun, science-y stuff.   The kids had a blast.    The girls especially had a good time taking the T (Train) in!

Crossing the "sky walk" over the train tracks to get to the T

 

The girls still didn't know where we were going....but I don't think they seemed to care.   We were on the T!

Waiting for our connecting train

Matthew (our nephew) was having a great time too!

Watching chicks hatching from their eggs!   It was the first time in a long time that I saw the girls stay in one spot for more than 5 minutes.  (No exaggeration!)

Learning about light and reflection and refraction

Learning about shadows and light

We got a really nice treat while waiting for one of our trains, a small symphony from the Boston area with their instructor/teacher decided to just practice in the middle of the Orange Line.

Dancing At Target

The Madore-ables don't seem to mind jamming in the middle of the aisle.  

Thank GOODNESS there were musical instruments near by.

Halloween 2013

Introducing:

Our Tooth Fairy and our royal Princess!

The Madore-ables waiting for Nanny to open her door for trick or treating. 

Play Dates Are FUN!

Just because Summer is over, doesn't mean that the outdoor adventures can stop!  I mean, after all this is New England right?  We have at least another few weeks of "warm" weather. 

Columbus Day Weekend 2013

This year for Columbus Day weekend, we were packed for weddings.  Jeremy was gone all day photographing a wedding.  I decided to take the girls to our nearest Mall to a meet and greet the characters of "Yo Gabba Gabba".  We waited about an hour in line, but the girls and I persevered and kept ourselves entertained. Samantha talked to someone behind us in line who spoke Spanish, Chinese and some ASL (American Sign Language).  Sam had a conversation showing the woman her abilities to speak Spanish and her limited ASL that ahe learned in Kindergarten last year.  Sam had a great time.  Sarah was very patient and played with the two very cute little girls who stood in front of us.

Fall Vacation 2013

We were very fortunate to have the chance to get away for a couple of days to a beach house in York, Maine.  It was just absolutely beautiful and much needed.  It's funny how fresh air and some quiet time with some really good friends will lift your spirits.  We were very fortunate for our friends Jimmy and Kerry with their two children and my brother and sister in law with their two children.  The Madore-ables had such a great time with their friends and cousins.

On Saturday, the weather cleared enough to go for a walk to Nubble Lighthouse with Sarah's friend Shannon.  The clouds were absolutely awesome.

On the way back to our beach house, we stumbled upon a small patch of wild flowers.  Seeing Shannon's mother, Kerry's birthday was just a few days away, we decided to pick some flowers for her.  Sarah thought we needed more and wasn't too happy when we needed to leave the area.

The weather continued to be clear enough for us to burn off some energy and be silly and giggly.  We were very fortunate that my brother in law and sister in law could join us with their children.  Sarah wasn't too happy that her feet got wet...but she soon got over that.

I usually hate having my photo taken, but when I'm with good looking people, I don't mind.  Did I mention how amazing the clouds were?

Trip To Boston!

Yesterday, we took a spontaneous trip to Boston.  We decided to hop on a train and just head into Boston. Even if it rained after 20 minutes of walking around in Copley Plaza, we still had a fun time.  Boston truly is a beautiful city, and I'm proud to be close enough to live near it.

Here are a few photos from our afternoon.

The Madore-ables were SO excited!

4.15.13 - Always in our hearts <3 font="">

It started to rain, so we came across P.F Chang's and had dinner...

The Madore-ables had never seen chop sticks before...