Charlotte turns 1!

Charlotte turned one this weekend and we all headed down to Wakefield to celebrate. All of her crazy cousins were there eating cake and chasing each other around the yard.

Alex is enjoying her birthday treat...


...but Charlotte takes the cake!

Sunapee Island: July Vacation

I had a week off in July, so we headed up to Sunapee for a bit. The kids were all around and we had a ton of fun boating and swimming. Cara got a bit antsy up there with all the commotion, but she'll get used to this family being a party 24x7.

Cara is getting pretty big... and smiling!


Cara and Charlotte check each other out cautiously.


It was a beautiful night up at Sunapee...


... and a nice day as well.

It seems that many of the children, young infants and older teenagers, are not really familiar with common concepts in boating. I am not saying that they are not bright, just unlearned in the ways of the mighty Lake Sunapee.

Girls, I think that is supposed to be used IN the lake.


Despite being the brave captain that he is, apparently he hasn't heard that he is supposed to go down with the ship.


Seriously? Some of you are almost driving... can NOBODY following how the canoe works?


Maybe food is scarce up at Sunapee, it is an island after all, but are they cooking the children?

Nana visit

Cara's Nana came by to help babysit on Thursday so that Brigid and I could get some work done. It was fantastic, though now Cara believes that she should be held twenty four hours a day!

Cara really enjoyed her visit with her Nana,
but it is hard to tell how her Nana felt.

Salem Cookout

We had some friends over for some burgers, dogs and chicken on the grill Wednesday night. Ben and Cara are changing so quickly it is great to check in often!

Ben's got a way with the ladies!

Ben gets comfy on Brigid's shoulder.

Cara freaks out in Jennie's arms, is there ANY way to calm this kid down?

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a fantastic Fourth of July weekend with friends coming in from all across the country for a UNH mini-reunion. Cara got to meet her parents' college buds... which automatically makes her parents sound very old.

The Bagdaddies and Banana Tree Girls reunited... Cara played the part of Julie Z.


Auntie Michele was the baby whisperer. Cara looks sceptical here but she came around.


Cara didn't take much time falling asleep in Nicole's arms.


Ethan is trying to get somebody to play kill the man with the ball...


...so yes, I played.
But look at the right stiff arm Ethan is using to fend me off,
that kid is tougher than he looks!


Amy, Brigid, and Cara smile for the paparazzi

Michele, Vicky and Jamie ran the Fourth of July Road Race. Jamie was too fast so by the time I got to my camera spot she had already run by. I managed to grab a couple of pictures of Michele and Vicky as they finished very near each other.

Cara hit the race as well to cheer on the ladies. As you can see, she worked herself into a frenzy.

Cara all worked up.