October Road Trip

With the DVD player loaded and the car full of snacks, we did an overnight in New York. We stayed on Staten Island at a Navy Lodge and enjoyed viewing the Statue of Liberty from the ferry. Times Sqaure was

October Road Trip

NYC is not a far drive from southeastern Connecticut. We loaded the DVD player for the kids and headed to Staten Island to stay a a cheap Navy lodge for an overnight. The weather was sunny and warm and we beheld the Statue of Liberty from the ferry as we crossed to the city. We enjoyed the buzz and chaos of Times Square and the view from atop Rockefeller Tower. The Peanut Butter & Co. has a menu with peanut butter in every selection. YUM!

Halloween 2011

Hailey and Lucas posed with friends Joey & Cassia, Lucas tried on Joey's costume, and here are the pumpkins the kids carved.

Early Snowfall!

October Road Trip

We stayed at a navy lodge on Staten Island and enjoyed viewing the Statue from the ferry. Times Square had great energy and bustle and we loved the view from the top of Rockefeller Tower.

Family Gathering

It's great to be on the same continent as family again. Tom's Aunt Carolyn (Roachie) and Uncle Bob came with  Katie and Brian (Tom's cousins). Katie's sons Andrew and Jake and Brian's son Ryan were all very sweet to energetic Lucas and Hailey. We enjoyed a wonderful seafood lunch, a  portion of a USCGA football game, and a trip to the Groton Submarine Museum. Thanks for making the effort and the trek from western Massachusetts!

More in September

We had to pony up and get a mini-van! It's much cooler than we expected and we've been enjoying all the technology and comfort it has to offer.

Amy's best pal Amy and her daughter, Sophie, came for a visit. Lucas and Hailey loved practicing how to be a good big brother or sister. Amy helped with some house projects and her husband Rick even popped in for an overnight while on business. Mystic Pizza (in Mystic, CT) is still awesome as ever.

It's wonderful to be close to the beach, we've enjoyed many quick visits to dip our toes in the water, build a sand castle, or hunt for sea glass.

September 2011

Soccer season was fun with Dad as the coach and Lucas and Hailey making up nearly a quarter of the team!

School is finally in session...

Last week the hurricane/tropical storm left a path of destruction- surprisingly, we were NOT one of the 700,000 who lost electricity for hours-days at a time. Thanks to all that helped removed the big trees and branches. We were pleased to have Poppa and Grammy's help as well. They weathered the storm with us- thanks for helping Tom take care of the fallen trees and for cooking a delicious dinner with Hailey's help as well.

Lucas bounded down the stairs fully dressed with backpack in hand ready to go at 7:26 this morning. The school bus picks them up at 8:55. Hailey's first day started out a bit slower and with a few more costume changes...Needless to say, they are off to the races and happy to be there.

 

By the way...we've recently learned 

that we're expecting a GIRL!

Summer Fun

We have missed the beach, but are making up for it. Swim lessons in Holland have definitely paid off! We got our "fast" shipment (8 weeks, versus the expected 4) from Holland today and expect the rest before the month is over. The house is grand and school starts next week- hooray!

Spring/Summer 2011

Our final months in Delft were well spent. Kids had great success in school, swim lessons, soccer, and, most recently, a local 1 K race. We enjoyed farewell parties and will always be grateful for the friendships we made here. Tom will return a few more times until he's granted the Phd. In the mean time, the writing has been going very well. In other news, we leave Holland with a pretty terrific souvenir- we've got a baby on the way (just one) due at the beginning of 2012!