Cedar Point 2009

Although Christmas will always be our favorite holiday, Halloween will definitely be our second favorite! We were able to travel to Ohio for a haunted weekend at Cedar Point the weekend before Halloween. Grandma Mary came with us from NC and we flew together to Ohio to meet with Scott's parents and sister Mandy. We spent the weekend at the hotel within the resort, all decorated for Halloween. Friday night was spent in the park, taking turns riding roller coasters, then doing haunted houses. Favorite coasters, Millennium Force, Maverick, and Top Thrill Dragster. Imagine Grandma Mary being launched at 120 mph, up 420 ft and back down again in just 17 secs! I'm sure she loved it, even though she says she'll never do it again!




Saturday morning was cold and we all bundled up to visit the kid-friendly parts of the park- just perfect for Connor. He loved all the rides and didn't seem at all scared. His first ride was a teacup ride and he wanted his Mom to ride with him... too bad she woke up with GI bug that had been teasing the family all week. Teacups were not a good start and even the Carousel was nearly enough to make a grown woman to throw up!

Is Summer Over Already???

My goal this week is to update the website bit by bit at night after the boys go to bed... so check back (I'm on night four now- last nights photo addition was lost by a wireless drop)!

The last couple of months have been a whirlwind- busy weekends, super fast weeks, and hectic nights. Mannix went a couple of months sleeping through most nights without waking for food, diaper, or a snuggle. Then... for either no reason or lots of reasons... he started waking up again, sometimes four or five times a night. His sleep cycle was thrown off schedule by travel, then he was teething four teeth, then he started crawling, standing, and cruising! The last couple of nights seems to be back on track... until the next tooth or he starts walking!

Since the last update, we've taken a few more trips. We've been up to PA for the O'Neill family reunion and Connor joined in some of the games organized for the kids- carnival style! Scott got to play some basketball and softball, although there were less sports than usual. Seeing Gram O'Neill, and the endless haluski, taco salad and chicken beer dip are always highlights!





After many months of wanting the swingset at Costco for the boys, and picking out a good shady spot, one day we just bought it on a whim...and then spent a few nights over the next two weeks putting it together. Reviews online averaged 18 hours of two people working to build it... It took us a bit longer than that, but it was broken down into several days with mixed company...and Connor helping at times. I really enjoyed the hands on building and working together and the smile on Connor's face as he came down the slide. Another of Connor's favorite activities is feeding Sebastian breakfast, bite by bite!



We also took a "working vacation" to Myrtle Beach for a PA conference at Kingston Plantation. Scott's mom came with us and our friends Betsy and Ethan were there also with their two girls. The resort has many pools and a great Splash pool with slides, lazy river, and giant dumping bucket! And not to mention the ocean! I did enjoy some of the conference, but it was hard to resist the family time! We watched dolphins at breakfast, fed the giant carp at Broadway at the Beach, took family naps, and enjoyed hanging out with the Fricklas family (four chances at being inlaws one day).













September weekends were spent mostly at home, with one weekend trip to PA for another wedding for another cousin- Congrats to Jill and Eric and their little Lucas. Its always good to see everyone and it was gorgeous weather! Scott got to help his dad tear down a dangerously rotting garage. It wasn't quite the demolition I had in mind, but at the end of the day, most of the garage was gone!

A couple of weekends ago, we went with a group of friends to a different pumpkin farm than in past years... Hill Ridge Farms. While its a bit further away in Youngsville, there were more activites for the kids. Connor didn't really get in the mood until the very end and actually cried when we went down the 80 ft slide together. I really thought he'd enjoy it, but he wasn't quite ready for it. He's reaching the age where everything needs to be his idea and if you ask him a question, he usually says no first and then yes. He's really coming along with his talking and he gets really frustrated if we don't understand, like the night he kept repeated a word before we left to go out to dinner... we finally realized he was saying "ginger"...he wanted to be sure we were going to the place that has ginger (china buffet- a kid friendly favorite).



Anyway, back to the pumpkin patch... there were animals, a fish pond, bouncy houses, mazes, an 80ft slide, a corn filled room and a hay jump room. Not to mention the hay ride and picking pumpkins. We all explored the farm bit by bit and met back for lunch together- and got surprised by a country singer serenading us! It was a great way to spend some time with friends and a great annual tradition!




























Its hard to remember how we spent each weekend, but they always seem busy and productive, with a good mix of family and friends, chores around the house, and outings! I know each weekend is full of smiles, snuggles, giggles, and growing up! Connor has started preschool and has really taken to it and even gone on his first field trip (also to a pumpkin farm with his dad). Mannix is 9 months old tomorrow! I'll be sure to update with his stats from the MD after his appointment on Friday! We are watching for him to start walking soon!



OK- enough for tonight. Mannix has stirred but did not wake up yet (its 10:20). Check back for more updates soon!

Summer Fun

It has been amazing how quickly the summer is going by and how big the kids are getting. We have been busy every weekend with projects around the house, playdates, and weekend trips. Connor is an amazing helper, following his dad around helping work on the cars, clean out the garage, yard work, and helps mom with cooking, washing clothes and entertaining his baby brother. Sometimes he is just good company, but most often he wants to contribute.





We've been to two weddings this summer- Nicole and Matt got married in PA and Brandon and Aleea got married in the Outer Banks. We were happy to help them celebrate their special day and to visit with Scott's family more. Although we were only at the Outer Banks for one day, we enjoyed some ocean and pool time before we headed home. Connor loves the water and we've tried to give him lots of chances to swim. Scott gave me a scare when he tried to chase a sand crab towards us and I thought it was going to run onto the blanket and attack me!





Me and the boys in a snuggly moment before hitting the beach!

We've had lots of splashing this summer- we bought an inflatable splash pool with a slide for the backyard- perfect for the whole family. Its freezing cold at first when we fill it up (well water), but that doesn't keep Connor out! He loves the slide and bouncing on the seat and splashing in. Bounce, bounce, Splashdown!



We have also swam several times out at GGBObs- once on the Fourth of July and then again today. Connor is now wearing floaties and seems to be getting the idea of swimming. Its adorable to watch and he is so brave! We'll probably look into swimming lessons next year, but he seems to be doing well so far. He's braver than me!

Happy 2nd Birthday Connor!

This weekend we celebrated Connor's 2nd birthday. He's been working really hard on saying two and holding up two fingers. He picks the hardest two fingers to hold up, so its cute watching him struggle to get it just right! On his birthday, he spent most of the day with Daddy, and then picked Mommy up from work and went to the bank to see who won the annual piggybank challenge. He ended up with three personalized piggybanks, so we have a competition to see who can save the most change during the year, which all goes into a savings account for Connor. Mommy and Daddy each have one they fill up, and any change or money from others go in another(like for Aunt Sarah kisses, or Easter Bunny money). For year number two, Daddy's bank for Connor had the most money and Mommy came in last. Mannix is going to have a hard time catching up, but he already has his own savings account too. Its never too early to start saving!! Connor had a great 2yr check up at the pediatrician. He is 36 and 3/4inches tall (so if Grandma Shirley is right, he'll end up at 6 ft 1 1/2 in)- this is still 97%. He weighs 27 lb and 6 oz- back up to 50%. The MD was really pleased with his progress- no shots this visit and he doesn't go back for a well child visit again for 1 year! We went for dinner at a different Mexican restaurant than usual- it seems our favorite Torrero's which changed owners (and name) has gone out of business. We got Connor a play kitchen and grocery cart (with a million pieces of paraphernalia), and a backyard pool- we can't wait to check out the pool when we need a little splashing around!



Saturday we had his friends and family over for a backyard pizza picnic and outdoor festivities, like basketball, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and bounce house. An unexpected attraction was a toddler sized drum set, which was a present from GBob. Connor was scared of it at first, but wanted to check it out before long. It has a nice happy home out in the garage, with all Connors bikes and remote control cars. There are starting to be more toys out there than in the house.

The weather was perfect on Saturday- not too warm and just a little overcast...a big improvement over last years 105F weather! We also had Costco birthday cake (always yummy) and sorbets in real fruit bowls (also a Costco splurge).

It was good to see all Connors friends (some a little too young to enjoy the bounce house)...and Mommy and Daddy's friends! Thanks to everyone who helped Connor celebrate!






There are two more babies soon to enter our world and circle of friends! Amy Nester, a childhood friend of Margot's is in labor right now with baby Lily! And our friends Tim and Maria who just moved closer to us are soon to have Baby #2, with big brother Quinn. Maria's due date has come and gone, so it won't be much longer! Babies are so much fun! We look forward to meeting the little ones and wish their parents good luck!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

Life has been busy as always since the last update...and the boys have been growing as always. Each weekend has been full of activities and goes by too quickly! We've been able to spend lots of time with Margot's family the last couple of months and look forward to some time with Scotts family the next couple of months. Here are some of the highlights...

Carolina Hurricanes- We've enjoyed playoff activities and Connor can say "GO CANES!". We've done lots of tailgating and plan to watch Tuesdays game at home. Scott is actually cheering for Penguins now, which makes watching games with him a bit annoying. Theres a good chance that Tuesday will be the last game as the Penguins sweep the Hurricanes in a display of pure domination. But the rest of the family will be cheering for the CANES!



Easter- Connor is an easter egg hunting fool! He loved looking for eggs and looking to see what was inside, and especially loved finding candy or change. Before Easter we practiced at the church egg hunt/picnic at Duke Gardens (which was almost ruined by a full dirty diaper). The Easter Bunny hid eggs in the living room on Easter and Connor only needed a little help to find them. He also got to look for eggs out at Grandma Shirley's (7 dozen eggs for two kids), and the book grandma brought over an overflowing easter basket.





One hot Saturday in April, we went to an air show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. We forgot a camera which was disappointing at first, but it let us enjoy the experience without trying to get the perfect photo. The highlight was an awesome display by the Blue Angels! I had always wanted to go to an airshow, and I loved almost every second of it...I didn't like the small planes that did rolls and dives and looked like they were going to crash at any moment. Connor and Mannix enjoyed it and were good about wearing earplugs...and both slept through the loudest jets! It was a HOT day and Uncle Ian had turned down our offer for sunscreen, so we were all ready to go at the end of the show but look forward to more airshows in the future!

A couple of weekends later, I got the chance to cross another item off my "Bucket List"- Go to a Nascar Race. Scott and I planned an overnight trip to Darlington, SC with Grandpa Bobby and Grandma Shirley as a Christmas present for Bobby. Grandma watched the boys, while we went to the Southern 500 and watched Mark Martin win... ok, we didn't quite watch him win, we left 50 laps early trying to beat the traffic, but then we couldn't find the car! We had great seats, close to the track and across from pit row, right where the cars accelerated for their running starts. I actually think it was as loud as the jets at the airshow. We saw some small crashes along the walls, a car catch on fire, and some cars slide into pit row. Scott and I were intrigued by the fans pointing in the direction the cars were driving when their favorite driver went by... and Scott drank a 24 oz can of Miller Lite!







The next weekend, Margot left the family at home for the weekend, while she went to NYC with her siblings to celebrate Melissa's 30th birthday. Scott set us up in a great room at the DoubleTree Suites in Times Square- we ate bagels, went out with Melissa's friends, and enjoyed the lights of Times Square! We enjoyed the quick trip to the city together. Sarah and I had a good laugh in the airport when we split off from Ian into the casual traveler line, while Ian got in the expert traveler line. Sarah asked me what was the difference between a casual traveler and and expert traveler, and at that time, I took my belt off for xray...and dropped my blackberry creating a big commotion as the battery popped off and went across several rows of people. THAT is precisely the difference! Happy Birthday Melissa!





Mannix has been making us smile every day- hard to capture all the fun moments on film. One of his newest tricks is babbling and blowing bubbles- messy but cute!




We also started giving Mannix rice cereal, since he was always hungry at dinnertime and seemed to watch our every move at the table. Its like baby crack!



Connor continues to be a great big brother, giving kisses, sharing toys, and fetching diapers or pacifiers. Mannix laughs when Connor shows off and loves his antics! They are so cute to watch together!



Stay tuned for pictures from Connor's 2nd birthday party!