Grosspapa especially would have appreciated their penchant for wearing hats!
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| Ready for Ascot |
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| And where did this big girl suddenly come from? |
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| Both together in the same picture ... bonus! |
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Hats
Annelee is in that phase that I remember well (but not fondly) from Vivian ... the one where she wants to see the photos on the camera display before I've had a chance to take them, and where she won't step back and let me take one real quick. Vivian is in a phase where she turns around, looks down or pulls faces whenever I want to take her photo. Or I'm just really getting very bad at taking photos of the two of them. I did catch a few today though. Yay!
Grosspapa especially would have appreciated their penchant for wearing hats!
Grosspapa especially would have appreciated their penchant for wearing hats!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Pride Parade 2012
Just like last year, we once again joined our church and many other people for the Pittsburgh Pride Parade.
Vivian's focus last year was all on the beautiful dresses (I want to be her ... and her ... and her ...). Of course, all those beautiful women she pointed out weren't actually womean ... minor detail ;)
This year, she was all about the things she found on the street. Bits of feathers from boas, bead necklaces, paper streamers. I'm curious to see what will tickle her fancy next year.
We took the train "dahntahn" and then joined the marchers that were lining up. Actually, we hovered in the shade as much as we could, because it was most definitely too hot for this. Annelee spent most of the march in her stroller wondering why on earth we had taken her down there. Vivian was happy finding things. Will and I enjoyed the scenery and atmosphere, but wished it was cooler.
After the parade, we rode the T to Station Square, had a late lunch at Bar Louie and then headed home. We got home shortly before 4pm, Annelee had yet to nap, so we stuck her in bed, Will went to lie down, I curled up on the couch and initially, Vivian was bouncing around the living-room, but she, too, curled up with me pretty soon and we all napped until about 5.30pm. What a nice lazy afternoon after the busy start to the day.
Vivian's focus last year was all on the beautiful dresses (I want to be her ... and her ... and her ...). Of course, all those beautiful women she pointed out weren't actually womean ... minor detail ;)
This year, she was all about the things she found on the street. Bits of feathers from boas, bead necklaces, paper streamers. I'm curious to see what will tickle her fancy next year.
We took the train "dahntahn" and then joined the marchers that were lining up. Actually, we hovered in the shade as much as we could, because it was most definitely too hot for this. Annelee spent most of the march in her stroller wondering why on earth we had taken her down there. Vivian was happy finding things. Will and I enjoyed the scenery and atmosphere, but wished it was cooler.
After the parade, we rode the T to Station Square, had a late lunch at Bar Louie and then headed home. We got home shortly before 4pm, Annelee had yet to nap, so we stuck her in bed, Will went to lie down, I curled up on the couch and initially, Vivian was bouncing around the living-room, but she, too, curled up with me pretty soon and we all napped until about 5.30pm. What a nice lazy afternoon after the busy start to the day.
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| An inauspicious start |
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| At least one of them was happy |
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| My favorite of the day, Will and Vivian dancing and twirling in the street |
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| Some things just don't change ... |
Friday, June 8, 2012
Out Of Paper ... Again
A while back, I posted this post about Vivian. Apparently, it's something every child does at least once. Or something I document once per child ...
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Maiden Voyage
So, maybe it wasn't a true maiden voyage; since both Will and I went camping as kids, and one of our first trips together was a biking/camping weekend, but this was our first time camping in a million years (or close to it) and with our new tent (and a multitude of other new gear), and - most importantly - with the girls.
We decided to go somewhere close, and to go just for one night, to try things out. Vivian had been asking every day since we told her if today was the day we were going to go CAMPING!
We packed up our gear Saturday morning, headed out, and stopped pretty much immediately for lunch, and then drove up to Racoon Creek National Park. The drive took just under an hour, which is just what we wanted in case we had to break camp and head home for some reason.
Just before we left, we realized why Annelee had been extremely whiney and clingy all morning ... she was running a slight fever and probably not feeling too great. We decided to go ahead anyways, it's not like she would've gone to bed and rested if we had stayed home.
We arrived around 3pm, found our camp spot and set up tent. All sites had in the camping ground had a paved "driveway" for the car (or RV, if one had that kind of thing), and a fire pit. The quality of the different spots varied widely, ours was ok, but I think we'd pick a different one next time. We set up the folding chairs so the girls could watch us and then put up the tent, which overall went very smoothly.
Then, we set out to buy firewood and throw rocks into the nearby lake (Vivian had thrown rocks into a creek on a hike a few weeks back and apparently that is the funnest! activity! ever!).
After that, we headed back to camp and made dinner. Annelee didn't seem to be feeling so well, so after dinner (hot dogs, corn, baked beans) I took her temperature again and it was 104.2F. Yikes! We contemplated going home. And staying. And going home. Finally, we figured out how we would get to a hospital should we feel the need (even though we didn't in all seriousness think we would, it was nice to have that peace of mind of knowing where to go) and stayed. Vivian was eager to roast marshmallows (this activity may even beat throwing stones in a lake), so we did that. Then, I put both girls to bed around 8.30pm, and after some chattering and wiggling the amazing thing happened ... they actually went to sleep.
Will and I stayed up, watched the fire, chatted, and just enjoyed sitting there, relaxing. Finally, the fire burnt down and we went to bed around 11.30pm.
At 1am, Annelee woke up screaming and hot and with no binky in sight. We scrambled and searched and finally found the binky, gave her some Tylenol, cuddled, and everyone went back to sleep. Rinse and repeat that same scenario at 4.30am. I'm sure our tent neighbors were cursing us. Annelee did fall asleep in (on) my arms again, but I couldn't get comfortable and stayed awake. Then, at 5.30am, everyone was up. It was getting light, the birds were chirping, Annelee's fever appeared to have broken and she was happy again, Vivian (who never wakes up at night to go to the bathroom) woke up to go potty. And much giggling ensued. Especially every time a big crow made noise near the tent and Annelee would pop up and point and babble (I'm pretty sure she was trying to say noisy bird). Very soon after Will stated the obvious that no one was going to go back to sleep, a miracle happened, and the girls quietened down and we ALL went back to sleep until 8am.
Both Will and I agreed that this was not the most restful night ever, but probably the most comfortable one that we had ever spent in a tent. And no doubt the most fun either one of us had ever had at 5.30am in the morning. Not that we are looking for a repeat performance. Once is enough!
We got up, Will cooked breakfast (sausage, French toast, coffee), and then we proceeded to break camp and headed down to the beach before driving home. Contrary to what we expected, people were already swimming in the lake, so the girls and I changed into our "babysoups" and went into the water.
Finally, after that, it was time to head home. Annelee fell asleep in no time, and the rest of us had lunch when we got home, we unpacked, and still had the afternoon to relax.
What a great first camping trip.
We can't wait until this weekend's trip with the Tiemans and Siegerts!
To quote the Vee: CAMPING!!!!!
We decided to go somewhere close, and to go just for one night, to try things out. Vivian had been asking every day since we told her if today was the day we were going to go CAMPING!
We packed up our gear Saturday morning, headed out, and stopped pretty much immediately for lunch, and then drove up to Racoon Creek National Park. The drive took just under an hour, which is just what we wanted in case we had to break camp and head home for some reason.
Just before we left, we realized why Annelee had been extremely whiney and clingy all morning ... she was running a slight fever and probably not feeling too great. We decided to go ahead anyways, it's not like she would've gone to bed and rested if we had stayed home.
We arrived around 3pm, found our camp spot and set up tent. All sites had in the camping ground had a paved "driveway" for the car (or RV, if one had that kind of thing), and a fire pit. The quality of the different spots varied widely, ours was ok, but I think we'd pick a different one next time. We set up the folding chairs so the girls could watch us and then put up the tent, which overall went very smoothly.
Then, we set out to buy firewood and throw rocks into the nearby lake (Vivian had thrown rocks into a creek on a hike a few weeks back and apparently that is the funnest! activity! ever!).
After that, we headed back to camp and made dinner. Annelee didn't seem to be feeling so well, so after dinner (hot dogs, corn, baked beans) I took her temperature again and it was 104.2F. Yikes! We contemplated going home. And staying. And going home. Finally, we figured out how we would get to a hospital should we feel the need (even though we didn't in all seriousness think we would, it was nice to have that peace of mind of knowing where to go) and stayed. Vivian was eager to roast marshmallows (this activity may even beat throwing stones in a lake), so we did that. Then, I put both girls to bed around 8.30pm, and after some chattering and wiggling the amazing thing happened ... they actually went to sleep.
Will and I stayed up, watched the fire, chatted, and just enjoyed sitting there, relaxing. Finally, the fire burnt down and we went to bed around 11.30pm.
At 1am, Annelee woke up screaming and hot and with no binky in sight. We scrambled and searched and finally found the binky, gave her some Tylenol, cuddled, and everyone went back to sleep. Rinse and repeat that same scenario at 4.30am. I'm sure our tent neighbors were cursing us. Annelee did fall asleep in (on) my arms again, but I couldn't get comfortable and stayed awake. Then, at 5.30am, everyone was up. It was getting light, the birds were chirping, Annelee's fever appeared to have broken and she was happy again, Vivian (who never wakes up at night to go to the bathroom) woke up to go potty. And much giggling ensued. Especially every time a big crow made noise near the tent and Annelee would pop up and point and babble (I'm pretty sure she was trying to say noisy bird). Very soon after Will stated the obvious that no one was going to go back to sleep, a miracle happened, and the girls quietened down and we ALL went back to sleep until 8am.
Both Will and I agreed that this was not the most restful night ever, but probably the most comfortable one that we had ever spent in a tent. And no doubt the most fun either one of us had ever had at 5.30am in the morning. Not that we are looking for a repeat performance. Once is enough!
We got up, Will cooked breakfast (sausage, French toast, coffee), and then we proceeded to break camp and headed down to the beach before driving home. Contrary to what we expected, people were already swimming in the lake, so the girls and I changed into our "babysoups" and went into the water.
Finally, after that, it was time to head home. Annelee fell asleep in no time, and the rest of us had lunch when we got home, we unpacked, and still had the afternoon to relax.
What a great first camping trip.
We can't wait until this weekend's trip with the Tiemans and Siegerts!
To quote the Vee: CAMPING!!!!!
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| Setting up the tent |
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| At the lake |
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| The obligatory racoon photo |
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| Vivian lights the fire |
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| Annelee hangs out with Daddy |
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| Annelee LOVES those chairs |
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| Dinner time! |
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| A suddenly chilly Annelee |
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| I asked Will to take some photos of me and he did ... I didn't realize he was taking close-ups! |
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| Pretty darn cute for a sick baby |
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| Chilling in the car while we pack up camp |
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| At the lake |
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| Ready - Set - Go! |
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| Always in motion in the water |
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| Yay - water! |
Monday, May 21, 2012
Boxed in ... again
As is becoming a little tradition, Will got framed pictures of the kids in boxes for his birthday. Annelee was initially not pleased about being stuck in a box, and this is almost the photo that got framed:
Luckily, when we tried again, Vivian wanted to go first and then of course, Annelee wanted to go, too!
Happy Birthday, Daddy-o!
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| Why do you hate me? Get me out of here!!! |
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| Seriously outgrowing that little box |
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| This is fun - exactly what I always wanted to do! |
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Round Hill Park & Farm
As we were driving to Anne's house in Virginia to drop her off, the kids could not get enough of the cows and horses we saw in the fields to the left and right of the road. So, we spontaneously decided to use our free Monday and take the girls to a working farm about 40 mins from Pittsburgh, and then out to lunch. We didn't get to see horses up close, but we saw a frog, a cat, goats, cows (including two calves), a pig, chickens, sheep, geese and ducks, and it was quite nice. We'll have to come back on a nice, but not too warm day so we get to walk around more.
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| My photographer's heart was happy even before we entered the farm when we spotted this frog :) |
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| We started with some more familiar critters ... |
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| ... then moved onto the baby cows. |
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| We passed the sheep several times |
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| I'm sure if this pig knew how gleefully Vivian shouts "Piggy!!!" when we serve her bacon, she wouldn't have been so relaxed during our visit! |
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| Wheeeeeeeee!!!!!!! |
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| Peeking in |
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| I could've spent all day here. And I wanted to take one home. |
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| The scenery is also very enjoyable |
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| Checking where the animals are |
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| Pre-lunch artwork |
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| Love the concentration! |
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