New Tricks

Ok William really?!

Stop. Growing. Up.

Big Brother David wanted to be included...

Little Will has been standing himself up on things for quite awhile now but the crib is a new trick. I found him like this ready to get up from his nap. It seems my second baby is growing at turbo speed. He'll be seven months old soon!

Big Dog 5K

Today it was time for Northeastern University's "Big Dog 5K." A friend from Church is a Northeastern Alumni and encouraged me to participate. I felt that I should since I'm nowhere close to achieving the previous goal I had set for myself. (If you don't remember I'm not going to embarrass myself and tell you but I did post it.)

Ben, Becky, Daija, Jan, and I

Notice the Charles River and look closely for the Longfellow Bridge

I love this picture!

A more formal photo including Dajia's mom who ran with her and the stroller that Ben pushed his two kids in...I guess you could say they ran the race too!

A sweaty Mom with her baby

I'll be honest and admit I didn't run the whole way. I know for sure some elderly people and a gentleman in a wheelchair passed me pretty early on. It was a struggle! I was surprised how far three miles can feel when you have not been active for awhile. I did enjoy the views of the beautiful Esplanade Park along the river. It felt good to finish and know that I did something physical.

Another shot of the whole group

Our little family

I rode the T down to the race and Brad brought the boys later. He got lost in the colonial mess that is near the MGH stop. I guess he parked in a lot that wasn't stroller accessible (lots and lots of dangerous and scary stairs) so he hustled a pretty long way carrying both boys to see me finish. I think that is noteworthy. If I had both boys without the stroller for a long stretch I would have probably sat down and cried half way through.

Brad actually brought David right along the trail and tried to run beside me as I finished. I got all teary eyed and it messed up my breathing so I told him to get lost. Afterward David enjoyed watching a dog jump in the river after a ball. He pointed out some "arrplans" up above that were actually a huge flock of geese. From that far away they do look kind of like airplanes. It was a good morning.

Apple Picking

On a recent walk to the park in our apartment complex an apple fell off a tree. It landed on the sidewalk right in front of us. I pointed and said, "apple." David repeated, "ah-phul." It is such fun to be in the midst of a toddler word explosion.

Today was the first fall field trip. Luckily the weather cooperated. My friend Melanie rode with us. We managed to squish her car seat in the back. Three cute little boys were smashed into the Corolla. (Oh how I covet a mini-van. But I digress...) I realized about half way through the trip out to Togus Farms that my gas was really low...red light almost empty low. It was embarrassing to stop when we were already running a little late.

David sticking out his tongue

Sadly David was the only kid who was in a stroller during the hayride. I just couldn't figure how to keep both boys contained. I think he would have enjoyed it a little more if he'd been free.

William enjoyed flirting with some of the other gals there.

Enjoying the apples

We were allowed to pick five apples each plus one to eat in the field. I was surprised how easy it was. The trees seemed to be pruned for even the shortest of apples pickers. Luckily my visions of having to climb up in a tree to get the apples weren't accurate.

I guess David had run off somewhere...

All he really wanted to do was pick the rotten ones off of the ground and push the empty stroller around. Our farm boy tour guide noticed David and said "He just has a mind of his own." Yeah buddy, you don't even know the half of it. (More...)

Beautiful Apples just waiting to be picked.

Lovely David Face

The cider doughnut was probably the highlight. Of course he wouldn't eat his sandwich for lunch. He enjoyed climbing rocks, constantly running toward the parking lot, and finally playing on the playground and petting the goats with Melanie and her son while I fed William. No matter how I try I never do end up going on these outings without the help of two or three others. I'm thankful that others are so kind to me and my children.

All three boys fell right asleep on the way home. Nobody wanted to take their regularly scheduled afternoon naps when we got back. At least we got some tasty apples and enjoyed beautiful fall weather. Ah seasons!

Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine

We drove just a little further to Maine and I'm glad that we did. This has been the only state that looks like I thought it would before I ever saw it. Rocky coast, lighthouses and all. I kept telling Brad we should have the next Cammack reunion here but he seemed to think it was a little far away for everyone else.

Nubble Lighthouse

View as we drove past the Long Sands Beach in York

I loved taking in the views as we drove along the beaches and through the little tourist town. This is a place to come back when the kids are a little bigger or maybe sometime for a weekend away. Quaint with lovely views, beaches, and a little amusement park. It was very busy since Labor Day tends to be the last big hurrah for the summer.

All of us near the lighthouse

I'm squinting and Will is sticking out his tongue.

Take Two. This is what David does when we say "cheese." And I'm still squinting.

It was so pretty we just took it all in!

The only way to safely get near the water.

A view of the Nubble Lighthouse. We couldn't go up inside. The only way to get there is in a little cable car over the ocean (or swimming but I wouldn't recommend that.)

I'm really grateful to have a husband who is adventurous. I always love to go new places and see new things but I have a hard time getting out the door. Brad is always there packing up the car and getting things prepared. I was a little sad for summer to be gone.

Prescott Park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

On Labor Day we decided to head up north. We've only seen the Manchester New Hampshire air port and decided Portsmouth was worth a try. We got through the toll booth quickly thanks to the EZ Pass (why didn't we get this before?) and enjoyed driving around the charming historic looking downtown area. I think Portsmouth beats both Providence and Boston for looks in my book. We got out for a walk around Prescott Park.

We were sad that we didn't get a family photo with the reunion shirts on so we repented and tried to take one. This is the best we could do.

Dad and Will

David and Mom

Brad made me do it, I swear

David preferred to lying on the dock....

If you look carefully the middle part of this bridge has been drawn up to let a sail boat through. We were both pretty fascinated because neither one of us had seen a drawbridge before.

Beautiful old homes. Maybe next time we'll be able to do the Strawberry Banke tour.

Well Mom this is my last attempt to get you here for fall--you'd love Portsmouth!

Brad wanted to be sure we had a photo of this. It was just across the river in Maine (we think).

We considered stopping at touch tank to let David touch starfish and other sea creatures but we got a little lost in search of a drive through and decided it was better to head onto Maine.

If Life Were a Dollar You'd Be a Quarter

For my birthday we decided to go back to Parlee Farms for more raspberry picking. Brad was sad that he had missed out before. Sometimes I wonder if he'd make a better at home parent than me...

William turns 6 months old and Deidre turns 25. Happy Birthday!

David enjoyed seeing the animals again even though he didn't laugh quite as hard as last time. Brad enjoyed watching David enjoy himself.

Another shot of the six month old sweetheart. Pretty cute!

David and Brad walking out to pick some berries.

I was really impressed how much more efficient this trip was with my husband helping. It probably took a quarter of the time compared to me going by myself. We unloaded, enjoyed the animals, picked raspberries (more than last time), and enjoyed a treat. It makes me wonder why I do these things on my own!!

The loot--it didn't amount to much but it was a very lovely morning.

We spent some time at the Pheasant Lane mall that is just over the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border. Must not pay sales tax! We had William's six month photos taken at JCPenny (for all of those New Englander's this was MUCH better than my last experience at the Natick Penny's) and enjoyed browsing. We thought the Target was very interesting. It was on two different levels and had a special escalator just for the cart.

For Mom: Proof that I did not open it!

Brooke gave me a book and one of her famous hand made cards. It said "If Life Were a Dollar You'd Be a Quarter." I was honestly a little offended because I thought she was saying I was 75 cents short of a dollar (I was thinking 75 cents short of sanity) but gratefully realized she was just referring to my age. Phew. Thanks Brooke.

My Mom had a photo book done of David's first few days and of our BYU graduation. Brad and I were touched by this because we lost all of our photos when our computer crashed during the summer of 2007.

We had a lovely child free dinner at the Cheescake Factory. I couldn't believe how many people remembered to call; I felt really special. I must have had seven phone calls during dinner. I felt a little bad for Brad since it was supposed to be a date...I think next time I'll leave the phone at home and return calls later. Part of the curse of living out here is the time difference! We actually sat in the car and just chatted for about a half hour after we got home. It was such a nice day.

Early Birthday

I have this distinct memory of my first birthday away from home. It was my freshman year at BYU. My Mom had just left to get back home and I had started my first week of classes. I turned 19. The day came and went without anyone really making a big deal. I was pretty devastated because my family (espeically Mom) had always made things special. I came to this realization that I was an adult and birthdays just weren't that special anymore. I told myself to grow up and move on...

Stacey and I in our jammies--dosen't really look like I grew up does it?!
And thanks to Brad for the cute new pj's

Janelle (holding Tiffany's baby Jacob) and Jenna

Janelle was the party planner. She set up the tent, planned the games, and brought goodies. It was a nice surprise and much needed girls night out.

Tiffany, Lacey, and Melanie

Tiffany provided the backyard and more goodies. Everyone brought a homemade treat or a game or both. We just ended up sitting in the tent and talking the entire night (We'll have to do another one and actually play the game Janelle.) We probably would have stayed a little later if there weren't hungry babies and tired husbands waiting at home. Thanks ladies, you really made me feel special.

Sitting

A friend offered me some help with my new calling (assignment, job) at church. The first miracle was that we got the broken DVR to work so the kids were occupied by a taped edition of Sesame Street. We had a few precious moments to do our work. And the second miracle...

Ok, well the second miracle is that my friend just happens to be a fabulous photographer--Staci Hopkin Photography.

Will Learns to Sit
(The third miracle!)
Staci titled this photo.

Mommy and Will

I can't say I'd normally let myself be photographed in this type of situation but Staci had a way of just quietly talking me into it.

Little Will
This looks quite like a six month photo shoot doesn't it? Thanks Staci for everything. Visiting Teaching here I come...