The 4th

We went to a parade on the fourth and yes, I cried. They always throw lots of candy at this particular one. My brother came prepared and brought a halloween pumpkin for Logan to fill with candy and I think it was brimming when they left. We all can get pretty competative. See those little sets of elementary school legs behind us in the picture? They were our competitors. We'd all yell and cheer really loud when the floats came by and try to get more candy than them, they were quicker and could scramble faster, but we were taller and out numbered them. What mean old bullies we are! It was all in good fun until the tallest family we know, the Larsen's appeared across the street, then we had a candy fight with the gross candy no one wanted to eat flying back a fourth as the parade went on. We had a yummy BBQ at my sisters house, tradition.

And a water balloon toss...

which Cody won.

Daddy's girl

There's no denying...

6 years

Cody and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary this weekend. Cody got "us" a vacuum. Yeah, I didn't really know what to say either. Although, after his impressive demonstration and having the pleasure of watching him vacuum while I had my feet up on the couch, crunching away on sugar snap pea pods, I was convinced he didn't have to start sleeping where I was sitting. No sir, I'm not the type of wife who gets mad at her hubby for calling a household cleaning item a gift. We've got to cut the sweet men in our lives some slack. After all, this year we weren't supposed to be swapping gifts. Instead, we surprised each other. I gave him a nasty cold I'd had all week, he was thrilled to get that. I got a swanky new vacuum. Apparently he's been "wanting" it (a vacuum, folks...) for a long time and read all the reviews and polled friends and family who own this particular model. There were beautiful flowers and a thoughtful card as well, intended to smooth over any uneasiness he anticipated I may encounter upon it's unveiling. To be truthful, I'm growing more excited each day, thinking of new crevasses of our home which have never before heard the roar of a vacuum. We've been through 3 vacuums in 6 years and that sucks. :) get it? With a toddler, a good vacuum is a must.

I'm as happy as could be. Cody is wonderful. It's amazing how every year we grow more and more fit for each other. We enjoyed a nice dinner out together while Rick and Moshi offered to babysit. Thanks! It's incredible how a little time together can strengthen two people for so long. I love that when you have a child, your love for your spouse changes and you love something new together and that alone makes you stronger.

sum sum summer time

I love these summer legs! These two adorable sets of legs encompass what being a kid is all about for me? Scrapes, cuts and bruises. I can feel the sting now, just thinking about skinning the palm of my hand, meticulously picking the pebbles out of wounds. Stepping on a rusty nail, cracking my heal, flying over the handle bars. Don't you have a million of those stories? If not, I'm sorry, what a terrible childhood you must have had.

The marching bands the kicker

I'm a quirky girl, let it be known. One of my quirks is that I cry at parades. Nope, no particular reason, I just do. We live in a pretty small town, about 15,000 folks. We heard they had a parade on Memorial day and went down to Washington street to see it all go down. It's a good thing we got there on time because if we blinked too long, we may have missed it. We sat and watched the townies, girl scouts, boy scouts and police march by from our camping chairs. Then the fireman came by...tears started to well. 'Seriously?' I thought to myself and laughed, half cried, 'why?'. I was pregnant a few years ago when Cody first caught me shedding a parade tear. I told him it was pregnancy hormones getting the best of me, deep down knowing I'd be searching for an excuse come the next parade. I have no real attachment to fireman, I appreciate their sacrifice, but I don't have a personal story about being saved from a burning building or anything. Sometimes the emotions come when the marching band strides by, that ones the kicker for me. I get that welled up knot in my throat and start checking for mascara streaks. Not a musical bone in my body, definitely never a member of the band in high school or anything. I'm not really sure what that quirk is all about or why I do it.

7 Harward's came to town

We welcomed Cody's family to town at the end of May and had an 11 day adventure with them around New England. A spreadsheet was created months in advance with all of the scheduled activities, each day planned to the minute. In the end 30% of it was followed but fun was had by all.The G-rents and the wee ones.

Cody's little sister Jodie and her husband Kris. Cody's oldest brother Tobby, his wife Amy and their daughter Lily.

Merging Families BBQ

Late night fires

We went to Six Flags New England and this was Tobby being excited to ride the Thomas train at Thomas Town. We took turns making dinner's we're famous for. Mine was homemade pizza. I would recommend doing this if your housing and feeding a crowd. Everyone gets excited to make their dishes and you'll be even more excited to NOT have to cook every night.
Ferry ride across Boston Harbor

Candle pin bowling, Amy and Cody won. I think I bowled a 65. What's the trick again? Fast down the middle? Slow and steady? Oh yeah, that was a 65 and we had the bumpers up!I love Nantasket Beach, sharing it is even more fun. Jodie fell in love as well.

These girls are the biggest book worms and this is usually where you could find them, with the chair facing the wall, reading book to each other.

Lily and Emerson conspiring to commandeer the Duck Boat.

Do you smell something?

Never under estimate the journey your nose can take you on. There is this intoxicating smell that is followed by the dawn of Spring. I thought this aroma was only privy to my parents house when I was a kid, somehow emanating from the wood work, pool towels hung on the back deck, a new pair of jellies or the cool leather furniture on my summer knees. I was pleasantly surprised when a few weeks ago I caught a whiff of this sweetness in my own home. I can't help myself when I start to breath it in, my eyes close and I can't open my windows wide enough to fill the rooms with more of it. I restrain myself from flailing my arms trying to pull more of it in or from breathing a dramatic "Ahhh"... (exhale) every time it hits me. What is that smell? It's so much deeper than fresh cut grass or budding tulips, it's emotional. I know I couldn't appreciate it year round, so much of the wonder of Spring is found in the return of what was absent. I don't smell it in every one's house which makes me believe I have a tailor made spring scent, just for my snorting pleasure. I never have to struggle to find something to add to my happy list each day while I'm getting high on these euphoric fumes!

"flap your wings"

I have no words but her interpretation of "flapping her wings" says it all.

The Walk for Hunger

07'

08' 09'

We walked 1/10 of the Walk for Hunger this weekend. We tried Emerson in the back-pack, stroller with lots of food, our arms and shoulders, but 2 miles was her finishline. The most fun was meeting up on Boston Common with the family, letting the kids blow off steam at the playground and ride the carousel.

In other 1/10 news, Cody lost 10% of his body weight! This man can diet like nobodies business, not fair. I am so proud of him. I love my big loser!

Emersonisms

We fired up our pit the other night and had a roasty toasty fire on the back patio. For some reason Emerson is stingy with her affection towards Cody, making him work extra hard for a little kiss or snuggle. Fortunately, the fire warmed her heart and she had nothing but love for dad. We are eating up this stage of life she's entering. Our little twenty-monther is full of fun and life. She's doing lots of things that keep us laughing and amazed.

• She can count to twenty on her own, but omits 6,7 & 16,17.
• Her favorite letter is "O".
• She pretends to read whenever she see's ANY letters. Find us in the children's section of any given library on the South Shore.
• She loves spotting flags, school buses and anything purple while in the car.
• When we tell her to keep her eyes out for something, she squints her eyes closed really tightly. So, instead I told her to cup her hands together making binoculars. Now she closes her eyes tight and puts her fists over her eyes. We get such a kick out of this.
• She sleeps through the night people! A big deal in our house since we went 18 months without a solid nights sleep. So grateful for that.
• Emmy sings the entire Happy Birthday song whenever she sees a cake or anything with sprinkles.
• She loves "octadons". We've been learning shapes and the octagon is by far her fav.
• Emerson's staples: cheese in all it's forms, peapods, smoothies (with spinach, sometimes flaxseed and avocado shhh.), veggie chips, raisins, PASTA, apples, whole wheat pancakes with sprinkles,cookies and fruit snacks.
• Dancing to anything.
• Ants and other creepy crawlers. She feels the need to get on the ground and talk to them too, asking them if they're hungry "num-num?" or ask where their mom is "da momma?".
• When trying to choose something she says "Umm, how bout dis one".
• Cailou, George and Teletubbies
• Coloring with "marters" and "pins"

Big Push

The beach beckoned us again. We surrendered, with Nani in tow.

Well hello there Mr. Sixty-six degrees! You are lookin' mighty fine today and you're making me feel warm and felicitous inside as I soak up your sweet rays. Just wanted to thank you for your much anticipated arrival to Spring. I can't tell you how much I've missed you. Oh and BTW, You can tell Mr. Thirties he's not welcome around these parts for a long time, thank you very much. I think the last time we saw you was some time back in the August. Please feel free to pay a visit more often. Oh, and please do tell Mrs. Seventy that she is more than welcome to pop out regularly. Thanks for all you've done to brighten my day and spirit!

XOXO Mer

Happy as a Ham

We hosted Easter this year. For some reason I was nervous to cook an 11lb ham. Meat scares me sometimes. Who knew it was as easy as sticking it in the oven for three hours, taking a nap a glazing it 15 minutes before serving. I guess most people probably know that. Maybe it's just turkey that urks me, giblets, necks and other scary parts in small bags...basting. Yeah, hosting Easter is more my thing. Either way, I loved filling my house with people I love.

84 Egg Easter Hunt

Easter Loot

Emmy was spoiled with THREE Easter baskets from my brother, sister and us. This girl can put away some serious sugar. Her and her cousin Logan never stopped.

Eggcelent

Decorating Eggs on Easter Eve.

Zen moments

Love love love this park. We have a state park down the street from us and this little spot by the waterfall and bridge just puts me in this dazed stare and makes me think about tranquil things...ahhh.

Definitions

Quality Time-(n.) Time during which one focuses on or dedicates oneself to a person or activity.

QT with mom:

Emerson masterfully manipulates her bed time routine by holding up her sweet little finger and saying "one more" with this pouty little face and sweet cheeks. Between those and her glasses, there are always 15 more.

QT with dad:

(*Cody IS a fabulous father and spends lots of REAL QT with her daily. Emerson was more than thrilled to hang with the boys.)

Taming the beast

Please indulge me as I speak of an important rite of passage familiar to many home owners known as..."The first mow".
Our lawn had been neglected for a year prior to us moving in. There was a blanket of dead crusty leaves from last fall which became saturated with ice and snow from a brutal winter. It felt like an itchy wool sweater, we couldn't wait to tear off. After purchasing his and her rakes, Cody and I were anxious to resuscitate life into our grass. We bought a shed which Cody assembled single handedly in an afternoon and has 11 nasty bruises to prove it. Luckily he won the fight. Although it does sit quite proudly on a bit of an incline in the corner of the yard.

I have never seen two people more excited about a lawn mower. I had to look around and make sure I hadn't walked into a John Deere convention. Cody said "Ohh, it's so shiny and red, I hate to dirty it up by mowing the lawn". After emptying the clippings collection bag over a dozen times, I think he fell less in love with it.

Emerson's love dwindled too when she heard the terrible noise the beautiful red machine made. Then, this distraught face turned into tears. I think she felt as though she'd evened the score by throwing sticks at it when Cody would make his passes with the mower, letting out an evil little toddler cackle.

We cheered him on in the yard for an hour then went inside and turned the flood lights on for him. We watched small puffs of his breath in the air as he finished up his rounds. Still keeping the faith for the concept of Spring, what I've seen it look like in the past and know it will soon be!