Hanging at the park

One of our favorite places is the park ... especially the park with the big sandbox.

Vivian worked very hard to fill her pail for a very long time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KMu79-Aqv0

Meanwhile Pip built a sandhouse for Phil, me, Vivian, and himself. Here he shows some details:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdFwxMwTlR8




Later Vivian rocked the rocking dog ... she LOVES these toys!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edafRGU7uuo

Uncle Mike's Jaguar

I can't believe Pip actually fits this jersey!! Phil was so excited he took this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okbi-huuUMk

Here's a flashback to when Pip first wore it in May '07 when he was just a year...

Apple picking at Connor's Farm

Mom's group went to Connors Farm to pick apples on Monday. It was downright warm out there and we had a great time.

Vivian and Pip did the mini-maze:



Checked out pumpkins and picked apples.



And then we had lunch. Vivian was more interested in threatening to run into the pond, so she had to be restrained to a stroller. She's doing great with her words but was more interested in being cute than showing them off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx8JiF9vlZk

Taste Testing

A few videos from a weekend morning. I think I mad made pancakes and Pip and Viv were playing. Pip was all about his new marble toy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QM9y4CfVBo


Vivian gave it a try as well, but this clip is jsut a short of her on Phil's lap trying some pancake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzCbaTOABWU

Raytheon Canobie Lake Picnic

On Saturday we went to Canobie Lake for Raytheon's company picnic. It's becoming a favorite spot for us. We went around 1 and stayed through until just after 7, changing P/V into their pj's in the car before we left. They conked right out and didn't wink when transferred to their beds.

Pip rode the traditional kid rides that go in circles, but he also bravely tried some other rides too.

Here did the kid bumper cars, the caterpillar with me, the dragon coaster with Phil, and also swings:


Phil and Pip found the Boston Tea Party flume that sprayed water of passerbys. Pip taunted the flume ...


and felt it's wrath!


He loved the mini-dinos!

Unfortunately, Vivian HATED the rides. We tried to convince her to give the stagecoach a ride ... the grimace says it all.

Phil and I didn't get to ride very much, but I managed to find one that I could join Pip in.

Relaxing after the big day

It was so nice to hang out at the Balas' after the big wedding weekend. Finally the sun decided to come out and we could go outside.

Bubbles were in abundance ...



And Vivian found a very still owl:


Grammie also helped her blow bubbles:


Matt was the master of the giant bubble!


Back inside, Vivian cuted her way into a game of curtain peek-a-boo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7CqYYP_61g

And Phil joined in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ykbo335AYE


There were also more cute ones from this day, here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200909SeptemberTheNextDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCICZ2YGKofbNdQ&feat=directlink

Matt and Jen Bressler

The wedding was truly a wonderful time. Unfortunately we didn't get a ton of pictures ourselves because we were busy having fun. Here's the ones we got!

The beautiful bride and groom at their head table:


Cutting the cake:


All smiles!


This photo of Nathan dancing is a classic!


Again, we don't have many but the rest are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200909SeptemberWeddingDay?authkey=Gv1sRgCMTY6Nf-kOq68wE&feat=directlink

Rehearsal Dinner

Jen & Matt's wedding-eve!!! They held a fabulous rehearsal dinner at Canal Street.


The Balas Clan all grown up ...


Matt gave a heartfelt toast (very nice!)


And the girls all looked sweet hanging out for after-dinner drinks.


Of course, there were more pics ...
http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200909SeptemberRehearsalDinner?authkey=Gv1sRgCI6C_d2sxZnhqwE&feat=directlink

Ocean City

We left Jodie's and headed for the beach. Ocean City, NJ was perfect for families and we had a blast despite the weather (overcast, chilly, and on the last day a downright nor'easter!).

We got a rare family photo:

Pip and Vivian loved the boardwalk and all its fabulous food, rides, and people watching. We even rented a little bike/cart and rode the whole thing. Vivian was not happy about this initially, but quickly warmed up to it once we started moving.


When the rain began we took cover in a mini-golf course. Luckily it was empty so Pip's style of play was not a problem (read repeating favorite holes over and over, shoving rather than hitting the ball, and both of then generally running all over the place).


Both of them were unstoppable on the boardwalk. Phil and I gave in and just ran right along with them.


One evening we stayed out a bit later than normal and went to Wonderland. Pip rode his first bumper cars .. what fun!


Despite this video, we were successful in getting them to sleep in the same room:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkKGknoqbg8

And, rain be darned, we made the best of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjX8JVk9SBk

There were lots of good pics from this adventure, including Pip's first bunk bed experience (top bunk, of course) and some cabinet climbing (R rated).
http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200909SeptemberOceanCityNJ?authkey=Gv1sRgCOy59aqt9p-b6QE&feat=directlink

Visiting Jodie, Mike, Sammy, and Charlie

After Sesame Place we stayed with Jodie & Mike's clan for a few days. It's always nice to hang with them.

Pip immediately latched onto a go-kart they had out back and squished a zillion cherry tomatoes (the girls helped with this and Vivie ate all she could find, green, squished, red, or un-squished).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzAkQnsSSXw




Mike got Pip to eat all his food by convincing him the food would grow his muscles. Here, after downing a pancake, he shows off his newly improved biceps.


We also visited their local park. Lots of hide and seek, and Vivie rocked the swing (as she always does)!


Later Vivian enjoyed her first ice cream cone (Snickers flavor). She did so at Phil's expense, stealing his cone, refusing to give it back, and eating it all without an ounce of regret. She walked it off with her signature waddle.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReSTAfXkG-4

This excellent video is of Phil putting Pip, Sammy, and Charlie to bed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmQGGxIc2_I

We found not one but TWO Primo's Hoagies on our vacation. Phil was so excited he posed for a picture himself.


To see all the pics from our visit with Jodie, click here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200909SeptemberVisitingJodie?authkey=Gv1sRgCNaN6syhouaOSw&feat=directlink

Sesame Place

Our second stop was Sesame Place ... expensive and crowded (Labor Day Weekend = Bad Idea), but fun regardless.

Pip initially wanted to climb the huge four story net extravaganza and insisted on starting on the top. But his feet kept slipping through the larger holes and he got freaked out. I think this is as far into it as they got:


MUCH more fun was the big climbing/sliding cone. Pip scaled it with ease and had a blast sliding back down. Even Vivie had fun running about in there.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPA_NbQhVIc



Next was a sand put with punching bags hanging down. Pip got bopped senseless and loved every second of it. Vivian and I smartly watched from above.



Here Pip dances ... hysterical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO4Tv-3YwHM

A bit later Pip saw Elmo posing for pictures (LONG LONG LONG line). Thrilled does not begin to describe it. He waved and yelled "Hi Elmo!!!" until we dragged him away.


So we decided the Elmo show would be a good idea. Pip was sad he did not address him directly or hear his appeals from the audience, but we assured him it was only because Elmo was busy working.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NnMcMQAIt8

After the show Vivie and Pip got to check out Dorothy (the goldfish for you non-parents).


The we did the carousel, a Pip favorite. Vivie bravely gave it a try, but shortly after it started she broke down in tears.


Our last stop was the big roller coaster which Phil lured Pip onto. They survived but let's just say Pip was not running back into the line again.


Check out our web album for more pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/NatalieBalas/200909SeptemberSesamePlace?authkey=Gv1sRgCIfbpuvOjZGwpgE&feat=directlink

Capes

Stop #1: Holiday Inn Express just around the corner from Sesame Place. They were both very excited about the concept of a hotel. The night went better than expected. Pip and Phil slept together (Phil got kicked a lot), Vivie slept in her pack n play, and I got a whole queen bed to myself!!

The next morning Pip and Vivian donned towel capes and practiced their super-hero moves. Pip was too fast to capture on camera but we got Vivie.

We're off!

Our big fall vacation was underway! We left the Saturday of Labor Day weekend for a whole week of adventure. To start off the trip we stopped at the library to load up on books. Pip and Vivie snagged our books and started reading themselves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMG03VpK8rU