Bummer!

The fate of my favorite tree (see here) is to be determined next week, and it's not looking good for the 100+ year-old beauty. Story here. 

Natalie Merchant - Life is Sweet Live

My anthem these days.

Merry Christmas

Christmas traditions are alive and well in these parts. Enjoy the season!

Portraits On The Beach

These two...

These two have been a challenge lately. Alden is potty training. 'Nuff said. Myla is a real toddler now- she's mastered the word, "No." They fight with each other, steal toys from one another, and push each other. It can get ugly. But, every now and then they are best friends who play together so nicely. And when it happens, I'm reminded of how wonderful siblings are. And how fleeting this age is. These two, partners in crime, best friends for life, are absolutely adorable... for now.

Myla Love

Through The Years...

Our family sure has changed rapidly over the past 4 years.

Alden was born a week or two after this
picture was taken. He actually was here
for Christmas 2009.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

We made our 4th annual trip to Maple Row Tree Farm to chop down our tree. She's a beaut! I'll take a pic once she's completely decorated.

Too much Christmas cheer for Aldy!

Belated Halloween

Halloween was postponed not once but twice this year due to storms. In fact, it was the second year in a row that we trick-or-treated with some patches of snow left on the ground from a freak snowstorm. I think this is pretty unprecedented stuff- I wonder if it ever happened in my lifetime prior to this? Despite the delays, the kids had a great time.

Friend Maddie as Strawberry Shortcake, Alden the monster,
Lanie the doctor...

...and Myla the owl.

Transformation

My favorite tree, a magnificent-old Oak that hangs over a colonial cemetery, eventually turns the prettiest shade of yellow during Fall. I vowed to get pictures of it this year and I'm glad I did since Hurricane Sandy blew all of its leaves off prematurely. Here she is in her seasonal splendor.

October 20, 2012 - red, orange, yellow and green 

One week later, October 27, 2012 - completely yellow

 

Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

We made our annual visit to Jones Family Farms to get pumpkins two weekends ago. The kids had a great time and Ben and I took full advantage of the plentiful photo opps'.

My three munchkins