Thanksgiving Vacation (11/19-26/2011)

For the ninth consecutive year, we had our Camenga Family Thanksgiving get-together.  This year, we were back in Florida for the fifth time and, because of great distances and job responsibilities, our numbers were a bit diminished.  Still, we had a good time.  Andrew, Kristin, and Elisa flew down from New York, we drove down from West Virginia, and Mom and Dad made the brief trek from Cocoa as we all descended upon the South Daytona Homestead.  From Sea World to Sugar Cookies, mayhem at the park to manatees at the Springs, we had a lot of fun and the kids will never forget their encounter with the dolphins (thanks for sharing that day with us Gramma Lin).

Speaking of Sea World, here we all are feeding the dolphins

Same kids...different dolphin

Uncle Andrew either showing the kids a new use for the air conditioner OR explaining why we don't play with the air conditioner...you choose

Jonah, Elisa, Eve, and Cate on our "Hey, look at the manatee" adventure

Mommy and Eve showing off their star leaves

Grampa John, Gramma Lin, Aunt Kristin, Uncle Andrew, and cousin Elisa

An actual, in-the-flesh, coming to the surface to breath, full on manatee

Aunt Kristin and Grampa John opening Thankful Gifts

Uncle Andrew explaining the finer points of story-telling for toddlers

Cate, Jonah, and Eve at the beach before we headed back to West Virginia

A little trip to COSI (11/11/2011)

We made it back to COSI just before Thanksgiving and, as luck would have it, there was a "special" Dora the Explorer exhibit.  The kids loved seeing the character statues and playing in Diego's wildlife center.  We don't get over the COSI often enough, but when we do, it always makes us think that we should get over there more often.

Here they are with Diego (and that cat of his...what's his name?!?)

Here is Cate the Hermit Crab

 Here is Eve working those monkey bars.  This is the first time she's ever successfully transitioned from one bar to the next (oh so proud)

 And here is Jonah in a house of his own creation

Three tiny little kids in a tiny little sub...plus daddy wedged in the back blindly taking this photo

 They worked hard moving along this wall from left to right - no one even fell off

First Day of Pre-K (8/25/2012)

So, the kids woke up, had breakfast, watched a little TV, got dressed for the day, played with some toys, and then we all headed out the door for their first day of Pre-K.  Jonah was oh so ready for me to just leave them there, Cate wasn't too sure, but she was excited about school, and Eve cried.  I was strong until I got home...and then I cried.  Eve continued to cry, though a bit less each day, as the school year wore on (and I managed to learn to enjoy the daily three-hour-break).

Here they are as we were about to head out the door.

First Trip to the Movies

As usual, it has been a while since our last update and, as such, I have a lot of updates to do. So, let us begin where we left off.

Back in July, we took the kids to the movies for the first time. "Winnie the Pooh" was the movie of choice, although I think Eve really wanted to see "Cowboys vs. Aliens." It was a lot of fun. We snuck in some snacks, sat in our comfy chairs, watched the previews (which were all, thankfully, very mild), and then watched a delightful 67 minutes of Pooh and his friends.

This kids really liked it. They didn't panic when it got dark, no one complained about it being too loud, and they were all smiles afterward.

Now, whenever we drive near the theater, a place to which they have only been once, they have a tendency to ask, "Can we see a movie."

They're hooked!

The Wedding Weekend

We attended the wedding of my cousin (Marissa) on July 16. This was our first such event to attend since the arrival of our children so, we set out with fear and trepidation. Despite our darkest concerns, the event came off without a hitch (except for the planned hitching) and we had a very good time in Columbus.

Here is Eve enjoying some water from one of the "BIG GLASSES"

Eve, still drinking, and mommy directing Jonah's photo shoot of Cate

Cake anyone?

The lovely bride (Marissa) and the dapper groom (Jamie)

Eve and Jonah on the dance floor

Back at the hotel...let the mayhem ensue.

The kids loved jumping onto the bed (something that is an absolute "NO-NO!" at home).

Jonah, sizing it up

Cate, leaping forward

Eve, landing safely

Jonah - mid air

Cate - mid air

Eve (and duckies) - mid air