Dancing Girls

I've received a few "complaints" that I don't post as many videos as I used to. Here's one of the girls from last week, when Elizabeth asked me to "take a movie" of them dancing...could the two of them be any funnier?

More Cousins!!

Congratulations to Josh and Natalia on the arrival of their beautiful and healthy daughter Lucia and special congratulations to Nolan as he assumes the all important role of big brother! We wish Natalia a speedy recovery and look forward to meeting the latest addition to the family!

Photo of the Week*

*Idea "stolen" from Kerry, who takes some amazing photographs!

Pumpkin Carving

A Friendly Visit

Yesterday, we had a much anticipated visit with the Boucher boys.  As we announced a few weeks ago, Elizabeth's friend Ethan became a big brother - and the girls were very excited to meet Owen and spend some time playing with Ethan.  As usual, the parents (Janet, Kevin, Lee and I) shooed the kids away and enjoyed some much needed down time - although I did manage to spend the entire time holding Owen who managed to spend the entire time sleeping, so things worked out just perfect!  One of best parts about being friends with Janet and Kevin is that they are pretty much the only people with whom we can talk honestly about our kids - and usually, Lee and I end up being relieved to find out that we aren't the only parents being driven out of our minds by our children (because it sure feels like that some days!).  It was a great visit, but too short, as always.

Ethan, Emily and Elizabeth, completely engrossed in Ethan's computer.

Janet and Owen

I love this one - Elizabeth and Ethan sharing the responsibility of holding Owen.

Simultaneous Swimming

We got lucky and were able to switch the girls' swimming classes around so that they are now both in the pool at the same time - Elizabeth in the big kid class by herself and Emily in the under-36 month class with Lee.  Although they largely seem to not notice each other, every once in a while one of them would catch a glimpse of the other and it was pretty cute.  Here are some pictures from this past Sunday.

When she's in the pool, I don't have to remind her to smile - this is a perma-grin!!

Greatest Husband (and Father!) in the World: Part II

As you already know, Lee encouraged me to go to game three of the ALCS at Fenway. What you don't know is that the game was on the eve of a three-business trip for me, so his encouragement was actually even more selfless because basically, I left the house on Monday morning and didn't really return until Thursday night. After the Sox game, I flew down to Bermuda to speak at a conference about emerging trends in reinsurance. Although Bermuda is a beautiful place, it might as well have been Des Moine for all that I saw of it! Not surprisingly, Lee was completely unruffled by my absence - the only issue was the girls' hair, but I lined up some friends to fill in for me while I was away. Considering that he already picks out their clothes, there was no outward evidence that the girls were mother-less for four days - which just goes to show what a great father Lee is.

Greatest Husband in the World: Part I

If you know Lee, the title of this post needs no further explanation. But if you know me, you know that you'll get one anyway. Last Monday, I was given the opportunity to attend Game 3 of the ALCS at Fenway Park with some friends (with awesome seats, no less). Without hesitating, Lee told me that I should go - and not wanting to pass up such an amazing opportunity, I did. Even though my beloved Rox Sox lost (okay, they got blown away), it was so incredible to be a part of a playoff game in Boston. Click here to see more pictures from the game.

John Lester

Fall Swimming Begins

Emily started fall swim classes on Sunday morning.  After a summer spent clinging to mom and dad in the pool and dashing away from the waves at the beach, Lee and I were pleasantly surprised at how well she did.  There was absolutely no clinging - indeed, Emily put on a show of strong kicking, reaching and bubble blowing.  We were duly impressed.

Pumpkin Seed Hill

On Satruday, we made our annual trip to Pumpkin Seed Hill for pumpkins. Emily is a bit under the weather so she didn't really enjoy herself until the end of our visit. We checked out the farm animals - pigs, roosters and turkeys - enjoyed a hay ride, played in the child-sized "houses," snacked on apples and cider, and picked out some pumpkins. Click here to see more pictures from our pumpkin trip.

Elizabeth was totally hamming it up for the camera (which is unusual, believe me!).

The girls enjoy the hayride to no where.

Emily

ESPN: The "Legends" Tour

When our friends Sarah and Rohan offered us the opportunity to tour the ESPN facilities in Bristol, Connecticut, we jumped at the chance. This afternoon, we got a behind-the-scenes look at ESPN and were not disappointed. We were in awe of the unbelievable facilities - the technology behind the shows is amazing. Did you know that it takes 130 people to produce each show on ESPN? We saw just a little piece of what all of those people do and it was pretty neat. We got the chance to hang out in the NFL Live and Sports Center studios, running into some of the "talent" along the way. As the tour was ending, the most amazing thing happened - we were walking by a car and our tour guide said "there's Lou Holtz." And there he was. And yes, I got a picture (thanks Lee!). The Man, the Myth, the Legend. I was so excited, I called my dad on the way home!! You can see more pictures from our tour here. Inside the NFL Live studio. Marcellus Wiley and Mark Schlereth were very friendly and even posed for some pictures. Miss Sarah and Elizabeth get the feel of things at the Sports Center desk.

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz and Maureen.

Goodbye to the Land of Enchantment

Our last night, we stayed in a hotel in Albuquerque. As you can see, everyone was totally wiped out. From our room, we were able to watch the amazing sunset, before turning in for the night. Goodbye to New Mexico, we'll see you soon.

Not a bad sunset picture, considering it was taken through the hotel window.

Feeding Felix

One the girls' absolute favorite things to do in New Mexico was help Uncle Mike and Auntie Kelly with Felix - especially feeding him. Every he cried, they either wanted to put his pacifier in his mouth or feed him. Uncle Mike and Auntie Kelly (and Felix!) were very gracious and almost always allowed the girls to help. It was very neat for Lee and I to watch this nurturing from our daughters - they were always so gentle and loving with him.

Last Day - Albuquerque

At the end of our trip, we spent a day in Albuquerque. We went to Sandia Peak, which was absolutely incredible. We took the tram to the top of the Sandia Mountains and at more than 10,000 feet above sea level, the view is unparalleled. The tram takes about 15 minutes to reach the top - and the ride is either breathtaking or sheer terror, depending on whether one is afraid of heights. More pictures from the rides up and down and the view from the top are here.

At least Emily enjoyed the tram ride up to the top of the Sandia Mountains....
View from the top.

After spending a few hours at Sandia Peak, we headed off to Explora!, the Albuquerque children's museum, where the girls had an absolute blast!! For the girls, this might have been the best part of our trip (other than hanging with Felix) as they were finally able to let loose, explore, play and use their imaginations to the fullest. They simply loved it! More pictures here.

Is Emily into it or what?!


Even Felix enjoyed himself a bit at Explora! (here he is, giving his mom the LeBlanc crooked smile.)

Simply Santa Fe

When we weren't on the road, we spent a good deal of time walking around in Santa Fe. We made a couple of trips to the Plaza and spent a few hours on Canyon Road. The Plaza was filled with tons of people, music and lots of shops. You can see more pictures from around Santa Fe here (there are more albums below).

One of the neat places we visited in Santa Fe was the Loretto Chapel. The Chapel contains an amazing staircase - it has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. It is said that it was built without nails by a mysterious carpenter, who arrived in response to a novena by the Sisters of the Chapel in the late 1800's. There are more Chapel pictures here.
The amazing staircase in the Loretto Chapel.


But mostly, when we were in Santa Fe, we just hung out with Uncle Mike, Auntie Kelly and Felix - playing, reading, making dinner, and just having fun. Click here for a bunch of "just hanging out" type pictures!

The girls really love making pizzas for dinner with Auntie Kelly - so much so that we just might have to start a new tradition at our own house!

Uncle Mike reads to the girls and Felix after dinner.
One of the best parts of any day - when Uncle Mike and Auntie Kelly let the girls feed Felix!!