Our First Family Camping Trip

We recently took the kids camping for the first time and a good time was had by all. We went with our friends, and camping saviors, the Schultz's. Here's our gang (Rory, Owen & big Luke) with their gang (little Luke & Katie).


The kids had a good time playing at the playground...


and Tom joined them...


and so did I...Wow, did that hurt!


Luke & Katie played firefighters. Here they are inspecting the roof of a playhouse.


It rained most of the weekend, but that did not stop us from having a good time.


What happened to Owen?


Wow, finally a dry spot!


Camping buddies forever!

Rory's First Haircut

Amy recently gave Rory her first haircut...


and Rory just sat patiently, while chewing on a dish rag (she's currently teething).


Rory really sat still while Amy gave her a trim.


Here's Rory after her haircut.

More Swimming Lessons

The boys just finished another round of swimming lessons. Here they are posing before they head into the deep end (17 ft.).


They were able to jump in and hang-out on the edge of the pool.


Here Luke is practicing his kicking, while Ox poses for a pic with his friend, Sean.


All the kids had a good time practicing in the diving well.

Rory's 1st Birthday

We took Rory out to lunch for her birthday and she was psyched!


Mom and the boys made Rory her first ice cream cake.


Rory wanted to participate, so she grabbed the Kitchen Aid and jumped right in the mix.


Here's the finished product.


Here's Rory gearing up to blowout her candle...


and she really enjoyed her cake.


Can't you tell?


Time for presents... (Nice wrapping paper, Amy!)


and she seemed to like her gifts.


As is tradition, Rory received her own stool.


Our neighbors, Cooper, Makenna and Kullan & our boys helped Rory celebrate her big day.


Does this pose look familiar? Rory was spent as her big day came to an end.

4th of July (2009)

We all attended the annual 4th of July Penny Carnival and the boys loved the inflatables.


Rory & I were feeling patriotic as we watched the parade.


Before the fireworks, Luke and his friends hung out and played some ball. Hey Poley gang, how about that chair, circa 1977? Anyone up for some whiffle ball? Shannon, how long do you think it would take you to strip that chair?!


We arrived at the fireworks nice and early to claim a good spot (not that there are really any bad ones).


Our friend Tom, a jack of all trades, painted all the kids faces...


and here are the boys with their friend Katie, sporting their new face paintings (& their Coney Island tees).


Rory was just beat and she had to take a little snooze before the fireworks.