Thanksgiving

Have I mentioned how much I love our new computer? I uploaded 650 pictures in like 2 minutes! The catch-up game continues...

Here's another update:

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. I really wanted to take Noah to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. We've never been as long as we've lived here so we decided to stay in the city and convinced my parents to come down and hang out with us here instead of travelling upstate to their place. So, they watched Gabriel while we took Noah to see the balloons! Jon had to work an overnight shift the night before and didn't get home until almost 8am, so we didn't get a super early start to get a good spot (poor Jon got dragged right back out the door as soon as he got home!) but it was still really fun. Noah had kind of a confused look on his face the whole time. He was up on Jon's shoulders most of the time because we were about 40 people deep in the crowd and could hardly see anything on the ground, but whenever a balloon came he would get really excited. Unfortunately we would only see the balloon for about 30 seconds as it passed between the buildings we were standing in between! But it was so much fun to be outside and see it close up (sort of) and be around lots of people enjoying themselves and getting into the Christmas spirit. I was actually kind of bummed out that we hadn't done it every year we lived here!

After the parade, we headed back to our apartment where my mom had single-handedly prepared Thanksgiving dinner! (thanks again, Mom!) We had a lovely day with the grandparents and Gabriel celebrated his first Thanksgiving like a champ. He loved his home made sweet potatoes (i.e. non-Gerber baby food) and corn!

We're so grateful for good friends, family, and especially the gospel at this time in our lives.

(an obvious favorite)

(not so obvious favorite... when I asked him what

other balloons he liked he kept saying the "baker one")

sweet Gabriel

ready to eat!

Lawrence Farms!

Our computer has finally arrived... so here's update #2!

We headed upstate to Lawrence Farms last month for our annual apple and pumpkin picking fun. I grew up going to this place and it's been so much fun to watch my kids enjoy it too. We spent the weekend at grandma's house and then headed over to the farm on Columbus Day. The location is so picturesque and we always go away with a great pick of apples. This year was no exception. Noah had been talking a lot about apples at school. They made apple pie and did some great apple artwork at school, so he was very excited to see where they actually came from! There's a great little children's village that was a lot of fun this year and we were able to get a few little decorative pumpkins too. Gabriel enjoyed being strapped to me (his favorite place) most of the time while he napped and then woke up in a good mood to get some good pics. Oh, and I also finally decided what my favorite kind of apple is... Gala!

To Infinity... and Beyond!

Our new computer is on its way! In the meantime, one of our friends let us borrow her netbook so I figured I could start playing catch-up with a few things I wanted to post.

This year the boys dressed up as Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story. Noah has been completely obsessed with this movie all summer... just in time for it to make a comeback too! I really wanted them to have a theme to their costumes especially since Noah LOVES for him and Gabriel to match. So, whatever helps them bond more is fine by me! So, I picked up these costumes at good ol' Tar-jay and then crafted a jetpack and wings for Buzz. It ended up being quite the little project, but came out really great.

I think I might have played up Halloween a little too much because it was actually a really hard day for Noah. Who would have thought asking people to give you free candy would be so traumatic, but it was! On our way to a neighborhood trick-or-treat parade to local businesses, the dry cleaner lady and the nail salon lady saw Noah and ran out to give him candy. He totally freaked and refused to say "trick-or-treat". They were very gracious and gave him the candy anyway, but I quickly realized we were not off to a good start! So, I tried to remind him on the train that he needed to say "trick-or-treat" so people would give him candy. His response was: "I'm a little stressed about saying trick or treat, mom!" HA! I couldn't believe he said that... but I totally got it (and now I realize that I must say "stressed" way too much!). So, as you can imagine the trick-or-treat parade was a total bust because he didn't want to talk to anyone. He would only go if his friend Lexi was there to help him out or if I dragged him in. So, he didn't get much loot (total bummer for us!) and I also kind of think he didn't like people recognizing who he was. Everywhere we went people were calling him "Buzz" and saying "to infinity and beyond" and he was totally embarrassed. I was kind of sad for him, because I totally thought this would be a great age for him to finally 'get' Halloween, but apparently not!

I guess there's always next year...

here are some pics:

Buzz and Woody

(BFFs eventually...)

Woody

Buzz

(taken the week before... when he was still excited about it!)

on the train after our little pep talk...

'stressed' little Buzz refusing to trick-or-treat

Woody chillin' in the stroller!

technical difficulties

It happened. Our computer officially died... hence the lack of posts these past few weeks. I am dying to post pics of the boys in their Halloween costumes, Gabe's 7 month update, and a few other recent adventures. But it looks like it will have to wait another week until we order a new computer :(

I've gotten a lot of housework done in the meantime!

until then...

Central Park fun

We headed down to Hecksher Playground at Central Park a few weekends ago to enjoy some early-fall weather and family time. This is definitely one of our favorite Central Park playgrounds... there is so much to do it can really be enjoyed during any season (although the summer is our fav!).


Gabe opted for the swings while Noah went for the giant slide. We had a little picnic lunch, played in the sand, rode the tire swing, ran through the castle, and ended with a little family photo shoot... since for some reason we ended up wearing coordinating colors!

Little Red Lighthouse Festival

We headed down to the river for the annual Little Red Lighthouse Festival a few weeks ago. We've never been for some reason as long as we've lived here, but I was determined to get the kids down there this year, even if it meant hauling the double stroller back up 3 serious hills by myself!

It was THE perfect fall day and even after a few bumps in the road (i.e. realizing almost all 3 of my stroller tires were almost out of air on the way there and Noah falling asleep on the way only to say that he wanted to go home as soon as he woke up when we finally arrived) I was glad we went. We had a little picnic, decorated a lighthouse cookie, did some hula-hooping, and enjoyed a reading of "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge." Fun was had by all.

Noah (a.k.a Mr. Crankypants) waking up after a snooze in the stroller

(and not wanting to get out of the stroller for a 1/2 hour)

at least someone was happy we went!

fascinated by the lady on stilts

a little hula hoop action

boys + lighthouse

6 months old!

Time is just flying by (so much that I didn't even get a chance to post a 5 month picture!) and I can't believe that Gabe is already 6 months old. We had a little photo shoot with Noah's old 6 month t-shirt so we could compare him and Noah at this age.

Gabe

Noah

I am loving this age right now. He's finally starting to take real naps, he's giggly and smiley whenever people are paying attention to him, not quite mobile so he can't get into Noah's toys yet (dreading this!), and he loves to be held and cuddled. I'm suspecting a tooth any day now... we've had a few rough nights this past week but he's a trooper.

I finally have some video footage of him for the long distance relatives. Sorry it's taken me so long to post! (and sorry for the super annoying mommy voice)

and last but not least... here are some 5 month pics that I didn't get a chance to post:

feeding himself already!

(I still squeeze his chubby little legs into this thing even though they get stuck everytime I try to get him out... and I have to peel the seat off of him!)

starting to sit up on his own

so happy in this thing!

watching "Little Einsteins" with Noah

finally getting them to bathe together

chillin' at the playground