Growing up right before my eyes

So... Noah is really standing! He is getting stronger and sturdier at it every day.

Sure, most 14 month olds are practically running around, but our Noah just loves his butt hop so much, he is taking his sweet time to walk. So the standing alone thing is such a big step forward (no pun intended)!

We also don't really have a house set up with cruise-height furniture, and I think that probably would have helped him. Sorry, Noah. (PS>These photos are a little dark but you get the idea. :)

I am so thrilled to see him starting to stand and walk, but at the same time... my baby.

I only need to look at Evan to know how the time really does fly...

Speaking of Evan.... time for a few photos of him. We went to a wedding recently (my oldest friend - friends since 2nd grade - married my step-brother... how cool is that!). Evan is thrilled since her son is now not just his friend, but his cousin, too.

I didn't get to take too many photos since I was in the wedding party, and Josh had his hands full with the boys... but look how gorgeous Evan looks. (I'm a bit biased, I know...)

Evan watching over his sleeping brother (after he said to me, "You go dance, mom - you should enjoy your friend's wedding.")














Evan and my friend Laura's three boys... so cute, all in their polo shirts...














And a truly tuckered Noah - who partied hard at the wedding... And lastly, my favorite photo of the week - and maybe of all time:

Crazy summer days

I used to think the summer was relaxing, and that the school year was so hectic.

Now, between the long camp hours, work, the nanny, more work, Noah's schedule and trying to fit in some 'let's enjoy this beautiful day before the end of the summer' - I think we're all ready for the fall. And I never, ever thought I would say that!

So far our attempts at 'let's have some summer fun' haven't worked out so well... mosquitos, rain, bugs (Evan hates bugs of all kinds) and some really dumb rules at Great Adventure have been getting in the way of our summer fun.

We spent the day at GA recently, and it was a bit of a disaster. I hadn't been there in years, but I remembered it as a mostly-roller-coaster park with some other fun (and easier) rides, like the log flume and the runaway train. I thought Evan would love it. A beautiful summer day. Lots of things to do, rides for kids, hot dogs and ice cream. What could be bad about that? Well...

The park is now ALL roller coasters. One after the other... and the few rides I thought he would enjoy? Let's see: the log flume had a 2+ hour wait (it was a broiling summer day), we tried the runaway train and not only did Evan hate it, the ride got stuck while we were on it. Not good. Then - the worst part - Evan was turned away from every attraction he REALLY wanted to go on, because (get this): he was too tall. Too tall! I never heard of that before at an amusement park. Too short, sure. I can remember as a kid my dad taught me how to lift my heels inside my sneakers so I could cram another inch in... but poor Evan. I felt soooo badly for him. It was such a tease, to see all these kids (probably his age, too) running around and having a great time, on the giant treehouse, the ball pit with the air shooters (shooting plastic balls at each other) and the water play area. We begged a manager and a few others, but no dice. Needless to say, we won't be going back.

We did have some fun, though, just all being together (despite the 3+ hour car ride each way)...

Evan was much happier when he got this Batman cape as we were leaving the park... whew. At least the day ended well!