Spring photo-shoot-orama

This weekend was absolutely gorgeous.  We took advantage with some fun walks and in the process took a ridiculous amount of pictures.  Enjoy. 

 Something just clicked with Ira.  When you ask him to smile, he now actually smiles rather than making a scary monster face.  Let's see if it lasts. 

 Showing is age

 This town is covered with Forsythia.  I love it!

 Bwa hahaha.  And you thought I wouldn't be able to climb up here!

I usually hate even the thought of belly shots.  But you know, you're only 39 weeks pregnant once, or twice, or ten times depending on your clan's size.

 Caption suggestions welcome here.

 Stuck between a rock and a baby.  (Kristen gets credit for that one.)

 Every parking lot should have a sign like this.

 O.k.  You can come out now.

Have a good week every one!  We'll keep you updated if anything eventful happens.

2012 St. Patrick's Day

We had plans to party with friends, but they ended up getting pink eye.  And we all know how pink eye affects Sharon.  Highland games will have to wait for another time. Our unplanned event was that we ended up in New York City and saw some of the St. Patrick's day parade.

 Ira wasn't sure what to make of all the people in green.

We stayed long enough to see a few bagpipe groups go by and a a lot of policemen.

Sharon put her amazing cake decorating skills to work and made this sweet cake. She also perfected the corned beef and cabbage.

 Sharon's interjection:  This cake really makes me smile as I think, "My 3rd grader made that all by herself?!?" And then I realize that I don't have a 3rd grader, and that I'm the one who made the cake.  It didn't turn out how I envisioned, but it was extremely fun to make...and watch Ira eat.

Ira eating the "apple-con."

In other craftiness, we remember Ira drowning in most of his clothes when he was born.  So our solution was to buy a load of cheep onesies and tie die them for baby #2.  Sharon has experimented with quick and easy versions of the art, but never the real deal.  It was more fun the second time around, perhaps since Ira helped. 

Spring in Central Park

We decided to get a visit to the temple in before the baby came. Such a treat. Ira and I enjoyed our early morning walk through Central Park where spring was starting to unfold. We even caught some of the New York St. Patrick's Day Parade, picture are in our St. Patrick's day post.

Ira liked the pond with the Ducks

 I enjoyed seeing the green lace on the trees and the emerging flowers.

 

 Some early morning hockey. It was pretty with all of the mist coming off the ice.

 It was tricky trying to capture the moment with my cellphone, but I liked the way this one turned out, with the city and nature merging in the early morning light.

February Family Visit

It was great to have a visit from my parents and my youngest brother, McKay, while he was on his 'ski break'. We love seeing family and having time to catch up and talk. It snowed while they were here but we didn't get any skiing in.

Ira loved uncle 'kk', Papa, and Grandma

Sharon tried out some new recipes for us. These lemon pudding cakes were a nice treat.

My cousin Josh and his family came down for a day from upstate NY.

Ira also loved their visit. (He's a social kid). He was pretty goofy while they were here.

Kennedi, Ira, & Libby were excited they all had the same kind of pajamas. 

Ira was so sad to see them leave, he couldn't stop crying. We look forward to getting

together with them again.

West Point Visit

 While my family was here we made the short trip out to West Point, NY. We did a thorough walk through of the Military Academy's visitor center and free Museum. 

 Reporting for duty.

Down in the basement they had an Atom Bomb display as part of the large weapons exhibit. I'd never been close to one before, amazing to think how destructive such a small and simple looking thing can be.

I also enjoyed the history of war gallery that pointed out the major shifts in military strategies over the years and the war leaders that introduced them.

I don't have many pictures because I was the one lagging behind everyone reading the exhibits, but we can take you when you come to visit :)

Danbury Railway Museum

Happy March everyone!

We're all settled in our new apartment here in Danbury, CT and are having fun in the same ward we were in a year ago.  It's good to see familiar faces and know the territory.  

We had a blast when the Quinns came out to visit last week.  Having family around is the best.  Hint hint. For those of you who have slept on our floor, we just got a second air mattress!

Here are some pics of our visit to the Danbury Railway Museum, otherwise known as Ira's Dream Come True. 

Ira followed Grandpa out to the train yard...

and almost immediately biffed it on some slippery ice.  

Ira calls this the "Thomas Train."  I keep thinking the Thomas shows will bore Ira out of his mind, but since he got scared out of his pants watching Veggie Tales last week, I guess boring is a-o.k.  

We tried to replicate some train yard super model shots they had in the museum with Mckay.  

So majestic. :)

Ira with Grandpa and Grandma.

I'm not a huge fan of having my belly-shot taken, but I had to show off the Pennsylvania car.  

I can still get the top and bottom buttons together on my coat, but nothing else.

Speaking of being pregnant, I'm feeling good and have been nesting like crazy!  Now that I've got less than 4 weeks till my due date, I'm suddenly packing hospital bags, organizing cupboards, setting up babysitting, and reading up on birthing.  I feel like I've just sprinted a few laps after bending over to put on shoes, and can't stop checking out books for Ira about becoming a big brother.  We're really liking our Bradley class, and love the birthing center I'll deliver at if all continues to go well. Here's a link if you're curious. http://www.ctbirthcenter.com/

Work is keeping Anthony busy, and being a few blocks from a library and park are keeping Ira busy.  Spring can't quite decide if it's begun or not, but we try to get out when we can. 

More Quinn photos and updates from Anthony are pending.  

Have a happy Sunday everyone!