Quogue '07

We spent a lovely three-day weekend in the Hamptons, reconnecting with old Wesleyan friends, introducing a new generation (Elizabeth, Margo and Emily), and making new friends. As always, the food and drink was both excellent and abundant. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Dietche for allowing all of us to take over their beautiful home – and for inviting us back, year after year – and to Dave for giving our family the royal treatment. Check out the pictures from our weekend which, from the ferry ride, to the morning strolls, to the comfortable accomodations, was a mini adventure for our clan.

Busy dinner preparations
Sitting down to a fabulous dinner
Andy sleeps off a late night....
Playing in the pool

More Quogue '07

Family photo
Margo and Elizabeth bond over bubbles
Dave and Emily watch Margo, hard at play
Nikki and Margo
Lee and Emily, playing in the pool

First Trip to the Dentist

Yesterday, Elizabeth had her very first dentist appointment. She handled it quite well, even allowing a tooth cleaning, much to every one's surprise. This morning, she has been chattering on to me about the "tooth doctor" - she clearly enjoyed herself.

They gave her flashy movie star sunglasses to keep her occupied.
Say "Ahhhhhhh....."
And the best thing about a visit to the dentist? A brand new tooth brush!!

Sleeping Beauty

On Tuesday morning, Emily continued her ridiculous habit of waking up too early - this time at the obscene time of 4:42 a.m. We decided to let her cry it out - and she complied, screaming for more than fifty minutes. Aside from us, the only other casualty of this behavior was Elizabeth, who was unable to sleep through the screaming as their beds are along a common wall. I brought Elizabeth into our bed and she was able to get almost three more hours of sleep. Here she is sleeping peacefully after I got up with Emily (at a much more respectable time) - as Ollie keeps watch.

Visit with Melissa

This afternoon, Mommy's friend (Miss) Melissa stopped by for a visit - and brought some really cool birthday presents for Elizabeth and Emily. It was a lot of hard work to open them all, but worth it!! We had a great time playing with her and hope she visits again soon.

Emily likes the sprinkler as much as she likes birthday presents.

Both girls warmed up to Melissa quickly - Emily doesn't snuggle like this with just anyone!

Elizabeth loves jumpin' and dancin' with her new maracas - this picture is a bit blurry because, as usual, she is always in motion!!

The Many Looks of Emily Grace

Like my curls? Even when my hair is wet, they're beautiful!!
Somebody better catch me!Um, Melissa? Could you stop talking to my sister and my mother and help me out with these tomatoes?

Sliding Fun

Since trying out the slide in April and going way to fast and way too far, Elizabeth has refused to go on the slide again - until today. Late this afternoon, she conquered her fear and went down the slide at least twenty times. She finished off many of those rides with a somersault, although not this one - too busy hamming it up for the camera!!

Mini Reunion

We capped off our well traveled weekend (more than 600 miles in 36 hours!) with a relaxing afternoon at the lovely Findlen home in Hopkinton. Jen, Greg and Juliet hosted the third annual mini high school reunion. Our numbers were a little smaller this year as we missed Sheila (and Clint and baby Travis) and John (and Marisol and Michael). The kids enjoyed playing together and the parents enjoyed relaxing and catching up. We love that we get to see each other at least once a year and that we have been able to keep these great friendships alive. We are already looking forward to next year.

Elizabeth, Ethan, Emily, Juliet and Jack

Jacqueline, Jack, Jennifer and Juliet

Scott and Jack

The kids playing in the pool.

Feed Your Face 2007

Lots of food and lots of fun! The annual O'Connor family BBQ was Saturday night. Although we missed Uncle Michael, Auntie Sandra and Auntie Karen this year, everyone else pulled through and ate plenty. As usual, the cousins had a great time playing together - and Katie showed off her budding babysitting skills with the little ones. Great job Mom and Dad (Grammy and Grandpa) - we can't wait for next year!!

We might need a bigger swing for this picture next year!
Picking blueberries with Grandpa.
Katie and Elizabeth enjoy their icecream together.
Auntie Kathy and Meghan
Jillian, Elizabeth and Great Aunt Grail

Visit with Uncle Mike & Auntie Kelly

On Saturday, we went to New Hampshire to spend some time with Uncle Mike and Auntie Kelly who are visiting from Santa Fe. As you can see, we had such a great time - a big breakfast at Grammy and Grampy's house, a visit to a goat farm, two boat rides and lots of playing around. And they surprised Elizabeth with her birthday present - a Cinderella dress that she absolutely LOVES!! Our visit was too short and we cannot wait to see them again!!

Auntie Kelly and Emily play ball

Daddy, Elizabeth, Uncle Mike and Grampy head out for the first of two boatrides.

Uncle Mike, Auntie Kelly and Cinderella (oops, I mean Elizabeth)

Elizabeth feeds the goats

"Goose Poop!!!"

"I tickling her . . ."

Thought that I would share this funny moment between the sisters from this morning.

Making Progress

Despite the fact that, since late March, we have spent countless hours working on our home restoration project, we have only recently started to feel like we are making some serious progress. Our goal for the summer was to complete the back of the house, including the sun room, as well as the side. Last weekend, Lee and our good friend Mitch completely stripped the side of the house, which gives us hope that we might actually reach our goal before the snow falls. As for the back of the house, while Lee has been dealing with all of the little disasters along the way - shoddy renovations, water damage and the like - I have slowly been plugging away at the painting. Early this week, we completed priming the back of the house and the entire sun room. By tonight, almost the entire sun room had its first coat of paint, along with portions of the back of the house. We are pretty pleased, especially because we can only work when the girls are in bed, leaving us a few hours each night between 6:30 p.m. and sundown.

Absolutely, Positively No Fear

Over the weekend, I had a conversation with Emily's godfather in which he talked about a critical element that children must have to keep them safe - healthy fear. He also said that two of his kids had it, but one did not and they were always bringing that one to the emergency room, etc. (Dowley children, if you're reading this, you know who he's talking about!!). As he was talking, all I could think about was Emily - she has absolutely, positively no fear. This morning, I forgot to put the gate at the bottom of the stairs (silly me, I know, but we hardly ever needed a gate for Elizabeth so I'm not used to it). When I heard nothing but silence for about 30 seconds after Emily wandered out of the room, I went to investigate - and here's what I found. . . I suppose catching her here is good - last week, she scaled the entire staircase in less than two minutes (Elizabeth was the only one that noticed and by then, it she was one step from the top).

Aren't I clever?

But Mommy, I'm so cute, you cannot possibly be mad at me!