Memorial Day and Hayley's Graduation

Once Memorial Day weekend hits, the Ahouse family turns into traveling vagabonds. This year was no different. We headed down to CT to see Hayley, the youngest of the siblings, graduate from Westminster High School.

This weekend was extra special as this was the first time that all the siblings and grandkids would be together with David Sr. We couldn't wait to see the Seattle contingency!

Because the Woodbury house was so full with guests, we crashed with at the Lyons' Den down the road and go to spend some quality time with them. Any chance to catch up with my girlfriends is a luxury. And Theo got some QT with his little buddy Abigail - 2 months his junior.

Sophia was most excited about the chickens & cows, until they mooed at her!

Graduation day was a giant wash out - we had our boots on under the tent to cheer on Hayley as she received her diploma. (Fun note: Westminster doesn't give you YOUR diploma on stage, but rather a random person's. Afterwards, the entire class stands in a circle and keeps passing until everyone gets their own. Tradition is entertaining, if not wholly efficient!)

After that we headed back to Woodbury for the festivities. Food, family and fun. Despite a tent, everyone gathered in the tent. Luckily, Sunday afforded much nicer weather and a chance for some well needed outdoor time for the kids.

It was a great weekend of catching up,

Dance Party

Parades

Cheering the parade

Bonding time:

Hanging with big cousin Dillon

Theo awash in grass.  

 And Togetherness:

Full Family Shot


Sleep was left for the end of the trip...

Can't wait to see everyone again! Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Siblings, Significant Others & Friends - what could be better?

Fall Fun - Pumpkin Picking

This is just going to be mostly pictures. We did the family fun pumpkin picking adventure today at Drumlin Farms. We've been a few times and love the farm & Animals. Pumpkin picking was an added bonus, alas, they were somewhat pre-picked.

Sophia & Theo still had some good fun though.

 Enjoy the pumpkin blanket...ahem, patch

Self portrait!

Long distance shot under a gorgeous tree!

Me & my two crazy monkeys...

 Theo & his pumpkin:

 Couldn't be happier!

Making a break with them:

Steps in the right direction

I love the holidays - the true spirit of giving, the chance to spend time with friends and family and, of course, the yummy food!

This year, as we always do, we headed down to CT where both of our families are/were for the holidays. First stop was at my parent's house where Sophia was treated to a host of fun presents and goodies - her favorite (and probably our least favorite) is the little push toy that sang "Do you know the muffin man" over and over. She quickly found the button to play the song and all I have to say if you're ever of Drury lane and see the muffin man, please smack him upside the head for me.

Happily, this little gem is staying at grandma and grandpa's house. But she was spoiled with so much, both in material things (toys & clothes) as much as with love and kisses. Seeing the joy she brings to my parents makes me so happy. She is a little burst of sunshine for them, no doubt. Here she is enjoying some lovey time with Grandma.

Christmas is also my Grandma's birthday - she turned 88 this year. It was a great opportunity for the whole family to get together and get a 4 generation picture.
The picture includes: My Grandma, my father and his sister, my two cousins, myself and Sophia. It is so rare that we all get together in the same room, so this was truly what the holidays are about.


On Christmas Day, we did the shuffle up to Dave's dad's house, about an hour from my folks. It offered Sophia the only nap of the day (way too much excitement with all the family around - including my mother-in-law who came down from Cambridge and my brother-in-law Barney, who flew out from Seattle).

Sophia stole the show, though, with a late afternoon walk. Yup - 4 steps from her Uncle Cameron to me. Grandpa Ahouse caught her in action: (there were cute black patent leathers that complemented the outfit, but alas, like any good party, the shoes came off!) Note that we aren't considering her a "walker" yet - just a little one who has taken steps. She's still tentative about actually walking without holding on, but each day gets a little braver.

Finally, after the food was eaten and presents were opened, I was able to get a picture of the carnage as Sophia systematically exhausted the Ahouse men - Dad, Uncle Barney and last but not least, Uncle Cam. What a day! Bring on the New Year!

Gobble Gobble...

This year, I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time. Last year, technically, I hosted, because it was at our house, but in reality Sophia was all of 15 or so days old and my mom did all the cooking and heavy lifting. And not until I hosted this year did I truly have an appreciate for her flawless delivery of all the courses and components on time and properly cooked! (Note to self - not the best idea to run a 5 mile road race in the morning before a big holiday cook and host!)

We had 12 people (including Sophia and our friend Frances, a fellow 1 year old) and 1 small lovable dog. It was quite the experience with lots of excitement between the Patriots game, all the people (especially her Grandpa Ahouse, Aunt Hayley and Uncle Cameron spoiling her rotten with love and attention) and the food.

Sophia took it in stride (or crawl - however you want to call it). Charlie the dog was quite happy about the array of food that ended up on the floor by Sophia for his consumption, but Thanksgiving really offers the perfect menu for babies:
Sweet potatoes - check
Mashed Potatoes - check
Stuffing (yummy bread!) - check
Cranberry Sauce - (the real stuff, not the scary canned crap my husband likes)
Bread - check
Pumpkin pie & apple pie - double check

Now as for the actual Turkey - forget about it. Sophia has no interest in eating meat in general. Or I should say, in attempting to swallow it. She'll chew it for ages but when it comes to swallowing it she spits it out. So I guess she's getting some protein out of it! Her favorite part of the day came when it was time to load the dishwasher. She's a master at getting the jet dry cap off and in her mouth in less than 10 seconds.


By 7:15pm, though, Sophia was toast. She took her bottle and curled into a nice little ball in her crib. Which is, essentially, what I wanted to do too. At least it's not for another 12 months.