Good Things Come in Mini-Packages!

Anticipation...

 Can I eat it?

 Perfect! Mini-cones for our mini-me's!

 And a cutie pic of my not-so-mini boys

Thanks to E&C for the delicious treat!

Another Mouth to Feed

What is this "baby cereal" you're giving me?

 Ok, I think I like it!

Who were we kidding?  I think I am going to have a big appetite to fill on this guy!

Calm After the Storm

Lucky for us, Hurrican Irene was rain and wind with no real damage.  We feel very blessed that the power was out only briefly.  The worst part for us was the cabin fever of being home. So we dressed and brought cookies to our neighbors, Gordon & Viv.  Taffe also had to show his new Gordon train to Gordon the person.  That train provided the the exact amount of enjoyment of a loooooooooonnnng day!

The biggest news to hit our house, Christopher's project was deployed the night before the hurricane.  Overall, success! We celebrated C's big milestone with a big cookie!

Great job, Daddy!  We love you!

Baltimore Aquarium

We took advantage of Christopher being off from work during the week and headed north to Baltimore.  The National Aquarium lives up to the hype of being fantastic!

C & his boys
(love that Taffe is holding K's hand!)



Mesmerized by the dolpins






















Notice the dokphin up in the air!

 As part of our ticket purchase, we watched a "4D" movie.  Taffe did NOT want to stop to see it, ("I want to see the fishies!") he loved it and wore his glasses during the whole show.

3D glasses!

Woah! Big jellyfish!

Looking for crocodiles



Very cool place and as Taffe said, "We can go back on one day!"

Hunt Boys

One of the most loving and patient mothers I know, is my dear friend Niki.  Three boys and she is still as calm and nurturing as she was back with Colson was born. The Hunt boys came down for an overnight visit to our house.  With our 5 boys, ages spanning 5 months to 9 years, it was a bit rowdy at times, but it was a blast!

Big Boys Taffe, Colson & Finley at the creek

Putting Colson to work!

This just says summer to me!

Taffe and "Baby" Saylor... this kid can roll with the big boys, no problem!

Fin out to catch minnows. I just love how he dives right in!

 We invited our other JMU roomies, Lauren and Kendra, over for dinner.  Life has changed since the college days, in a good way!

Baby Brooks getting his toes tickled

Kingston hanging with Auntie Kendra

 And while it was crazy, we did have some delightful after dinner music.

Colson and his flute

 Evening topped off with some sundaes!

Crazy boys!

Thank you Hunt family for entertaining us and making the trip down!

Earthquake...Say What?!

What a week!  We have been busy with end of the summer fun in between recovery from the earthquake and the aftershocks!  My boys were unfazed by the quakes other than the interruption to naptime (Taffe was pleased, but Kingston does not like his sleep interrupted!)  I, on the other hand, have been a bit more shaken... mostly since I didn't know what to do during the quake.  Fire drills, tornado drills and shelter-in-place have been practiced since the start of my teaching career, but never once a drill of an earthquake.

Anyway all is well as we had no damage. Here are few pics from an outing to the Sprayground in Arlington.

The beginning... he left soaking wet!

Spinning with Aunt Ceci & Charlie
(baby blanchard will be here in a few weeks!!!)

 Kingston also recently had a check-up.  Now, he is always a sweet baby, but he really turned on the charm at the doctor's office.  He had all the nurses coming in just to say hi since he was cooing, laughing and smiling for everyone.  They loved him and he soaked up all the adoration with a big smile!

My Social Butterfly... weighing in @ 17 lbs, 5 months old!

Happy 60th!!

 The birthday song is one of Taffe's greatest hits so he was completely delighted that we had a party for Grandma's 60th birthday. Taffe made Grandma a special heart-shaped cupcake with blue frosting, and he helped to blow out all of her candles!

Aside from the excitement of cupcakes, candles and balloons, cousin Charlie was here too! 

 Charlie was enamored with his littlest cousin Kingston, who received lots or kisses right on the lips from Charlie.  Kingston was the happiest little baby!

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma!  Hope you have a great trip!!!