Then on to Albany!

After Binghamton we headed to Albany for an almost 2 week visit! We had an action packed week, which included 2 trips to Hoffman's Playland with the O'Sheas, a trip to the NY State Museum with the Wolf family, lots of swimming in Grandma & Grandpa's pool (including a swim with the Sherwin Family), many trips to playgrounds, tractor and tricycle rides, an introduction to Nintendo, morning iPad with Nana, an introduction to checkers, lots of late night card games, a sushi date for Mom and Dad, Dad's annual trip to the track, a celebration of Liam's birthday, a celebration of Uncle Pete's birthday, Uncle Dan's bachelor party, and of course lots and lots of playing!

 checking out cousins' new swing set

 ok, explain rolling over one more time, Briella

snuggling with Grandpa

 Uncle Pete's birthday cake: designed by the Glassman Gals

We love Hoffmans!

All aboard!

 snuggling with Grandma

big smiles at Liam's 5th birthday...

 a construction-themed tumbling celebration!

a visit to Binghamton

After the baptism Anna, Abby, Elizabeth, Grandma, Grandpa, and I headed to Binghamton for a night to visit Grandma Jane and Aunt Diane. It was great to see them.

Behind me and Elizabeth is "my tree." It was planted by Grandpa Elvin in the year I was born. Who knew a 34 year old blue spruce would be that big!

Elizabeth's Baptism

On Sunday, July 21st, Elizabeth was baptized at St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, VA. It was a beautiful day and she was happy to celebrate it with Mom, Dad, Anna, Abby, Nana, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Becky, Liam, Kieran, Briella, Uncle Dan, Aunt Bridget, Rich, and Cornelia. After the baptism we celebrated with a party at our house.  Thank you everyone for helping to make it such a special day.

pretty girl!

our family with Father Pat and Elizabeth's godparents - Uncle Jeff and Aunt Bridget

all the cousins! 

 beautiful cake made by Nana!

 yum!

a new view of the world

I can hold my head up (and stop looking at the ceiling for a change!)

this rocks!

a new view of the zoo

A few weeks ago we headed to the zoo for a visit. Since Abby was going to be making the trek without a stroller for the first time we decided to park as close as we could to the zoo. This led us to find a parking lot on the opposite end of the zoo from our regular entrance. It was awesome to start the zoo at the other end. We got to see some exhibits we had never seen before, ride the carousel, and found a great place to eat our lunch. The highlight of the trip was this giant turtle:

look at me!

Happy Independence Day!

all ready for a fireworks show!