Febuary

Lizzie and Ryan spent a few days last week clearing off the farm pond for ice skating! We had a great chance to use the ice over the weekend. Here are Rachel, Dan and Lizzie taking a spin. The ice was perfect!
Lizzie loved it and by the end was much more confident and was practically running across the ice.

The babies cooperated for much of the time and were happy to watch for the most part. Here Maeve is taking a turn around the ice.

I love this one because you can see Griffin saying "waaait for meeee!" Neither dog wanted to spend time on the ice, so were especially glad for a chance to walk around off the ice.

Martin tries to watch Lizzie. He slept for most of our skate, but woke up near the end and was very interested in what was happening.

I think Lizzie and Ryan used this method to clear the ice.

Grammy got in on the action near the end.

Can you tell they are having fun?

Here is our growing boy - he is always standing up and walking around these days. He and Lizzie spend a lot of time playing together.

Lobster in February! What a nice tradition.

We have been remembering baby Wilson on his birthday this month. We have been thinking about how to remember him best at this time of year and we started out a new tradition on his birthday with making a king cake. Thanks to Kate for finding the mix and helping me put it together. Lizzie got the baby in her piece of cake this year, so she got to be queen of the cake for the day.

Martin at 9 months

Here you go Aunt Irene - let's see if this will work. I will try to get more with both kids and add those another time. Martin at 9 months.

UMaine Basketball

I am on a blogging roll, so here are a few pictures from the UMaine game yesterday. We had a great time and are so glad that we made the trip! Martin is wearing his new UMaine jacket - very adorable!
Here he is at dinner afterwards at Pat's. Ryan and I spent a great deal of time at Pat's when we were in college and it is always fun to go back.

Lizzie was pretty excited by the game - Grammy and Grampy brought her "Mops" (pom poms) and she loved cheering along (and getting on the jumbotron). I didn't get a ton of pictures, but Dan, Kate and Maeve also cheered along with us at the game.

Go Blue!!

2012!

We have had a busy 2012 and here are few of the snap shots. Pictures of the UMaine basketball game yesterday and ice skating today coming when I can get them off my camera. Now that we are through the busiest garden time and the holidays are behind us, Ryan was able to update his "cartoos" (Lizzie's term) to include Martin. Looks great!
We are getting back into the weekly play time with our friends Emily, Jonas and Rowan. Both sets of kids are remarkably close in age and that makes for a lot of fun.

We also celebrated Lizzie's adoption day anniversary. Here she is - very excited that she gets to eat a candy cane after lunch.

We also had cupcakes to celebrate - with candy cane frosting, of course!

Christmas, part 5

We had a lovely boxing day in Litchfield. Here is Martin with Grammy Phyllis.
Martin with Aunti Angi.

Lizzie loved her dress up outfit! She has since worn the earrings to another party - very fancy!

Lizzie loves her new dolly. She carries her around everywhere. We haven't convinced her to pick a name for her yet (instead she keeps changing it) but regardless, this doll and her carseat have been all over the place with us!

Lizzie enjoying her special cup in her fancy new bunny slippers.

Martin helps timber open a present.

Martin likes his new seat! Thanks Mimi and Timber!

I didn't get a good before and after shot of the living room or tree and didn't seem to get a good picture of Mimi (I might have had my hands full! I will try again next time) but know that we made quite a mess and had a wonderful time. The kids slept the whole way home and we are still unpacking from our visit!

We had one last Christmas party yesterday - I still need to upload those photos, so that will have to wait.

Christmas, part 4

One of my favorite gifts. Lizzie picked out this garnishing kit for Uncle Dan all by herself.

Lizzie helps harvest brussel sprouts for dinner.

Christmas, part 3

Martin and Uncle Dan had some fun this Christmas - lots of games with gravity!
See what I mean? Martin kept bringing his legs to that position and throwing himself backwards for more! So fun.

Santa put a few presents on the roof again this year (as he would when we visited my grandparents as a kid). Here is Lizzie lugging in her present.

Ryan brought them down for us.

This is a bit out of order, but here is the result of Christmas morning at home. I am still cleaning up from this!

Lizzie loved her new dress (over her jammies) and her new scarf.

Brinkley enjoyed Christmas as well. Here he is with his new toy.

Martin loved his new toothbrush - he used it like a drumstick for much of the morning. You can see Brinks looking on - they have a special bond!

Lizzie was full of joy and excitement.

Santa came!

Martin and I woke up first Christmas morning. Here we are patiently waiting for Lizzie and Ryan to wake up.

Our stockings were full!