April '10

It has been quite a while since the last update. Here is a taste of what has been going on so far this season. We have made some chocolate lollipops, colored Easter eggs, gone on 3 eggs hunts, visited Sweetbriar Nature Center, and celebrated Easter. Enjoy the snippet.

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Apple Pickin' '09

My mom, Caleb, Joshua and I headed out to Lewin Farm in Calverton to do a little apple picking. The weather in the morning was pleasant with some amazing clouds filling the sky. The apples were delightfully ripe and the picking was fun. Joshua had to hold an apple in his hand whether it was ripe or rotten (thankfully he didn't think to eat any of them). Getting pictures was a bit of a challege with Joshua not wanting to sit still- surprise, surprise. This was my mom's first time apple picking and I think she had the most fun. As we were heading out with our harvested apples I had a chance to watch Caleb try to run and catch my mom as she had Joshua on her shoulders. All three of them were running and laughing and I was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of gratefulness for my family and all the blessings I have been given. I prayed that God would let me keep the memories of this day forever.

Baking w/Grammie

O Holy Night

Tia and Ryan (being the Tia and Ryan that they are) decided this year to have a live Nativity Scene at their house, complete with barnyard friends. The night was cold, but not the kind that freezes the tears to your face as they leave your eyes...thankfully. Many Terrys were involved in the making of this wonderful recreation: Tommy and Andrew were wise men (go figure), U. Tom, Rachael and Phoebe were angles, and Noah and Micah were the shepherds. Ryan represented Joseph, Tia's friend Sarah played a very pregnant Mary, Ryan's father and sister sang some beautiful Christmas Caroles as Tia narrated this creative reenactment. The piece d'resistance had to be Sherian Terry who played a very disgruntled inn keeper opening the door with a ferocious, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" It was a wonderful night, hopefully one that they will do again :).

Lake Mary

After spending the weekend in Boca, the boys and I drove north to Lake Mary. We spent the next week visiting Amy and her family, though there were not many pictures taken. Here are some shots we were able to capture:

Boca

Before heading up to see Amy and her family, Heath, Caleb, Joshua and I flew into Fort Lauderdale to visit my cousin and her family. We all had a good time eating a delicious homemade baked ziti, enjoying the warm weather and just spending time with each other. Caleb and his cousin Alexa had the most fun of all. They played so well together. Joshua was passed around happily and posed for some photos in his Dolphins gear. Heath chatted about baseball with cousin Joe and I enjoyed capturing it all on film. Thank you for your hospitality Chrissy. We'd like to do it again soon!

Picking

October in NY is a time for picking: apples, pumpkins, peaches etc. So since we are New Yorkers who are we to buck tradition? So far we have picked two out of three of the above mentioned. Perhaps next week we can try our hand at peaches...if it is not too late.

Sesame Place

Sean, Lisha, Diane and Reed invited Heath, myself, Caleb, Joshua, Dave and Connie to accompany them to Sesame Place for the weekend. The weather couldn't have been better. Since we were in Pennsylvania, Heath thought of calling up Jason and Reina to see if they could join us as well. Unfortunately Reina was on call but Jason was able to bring Neela down for the day.

Day one was fun. Caleb, Neela and Reed all got along very well. They played on all of the rides they were able to climb on or swim in but the kids didn't seem very interested in riding any- although Neela did enjoy the carousel. The kids were able to get pictures with some of the characters such as Grover and Bert. None of them seemed to be too scared of the over sized characters, maybe just a little standoffish at times. Jason cut out a little earlier than the rest of us since Neela was overdue for her nap. It was great to be able to have the kids all play together and hopefully we will see them again soon. Day one came to a close with Caleb playing one of the carnival games and winning two stuffed penguins which we had upgraded for one cute stuffed worm, who is now named Tiddler.

The weather was a little warmer for day two but the kids didn't let that slow them down. Caleb and Reed had a bit of a treat in the late afternoon- a Dan Zanes concert! Both boys had a blast, and so did the adults. Caleb was in his zone clapping and dancing along to the music. Reed joined in the fun as did Sean, Lisha and myself. Heath watched Joshua as he slept and Connie took some pictures. The concert was great and after all that dancing what could have been better than a cooling and relaxing ride on the lazy river? Sean and Lisha took Caleb and Reed around and afterward we all enjoyed a bit of ice cream. Unfortunately Sean was given the smallest ice cream cone known to man. He seemed to enjoy it all the same.

The trip was a huge success and I hope we can do it again next year! Please enjoy the smallest of snippets of the pictures that were taken.

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Our Family

I had a little time on my hands, don't ask me how, so I put together a little collage for our wall of some pictures that Connie had printed out for us from time to time, as well as some that I had taken myself and other new ones that were taken but not printed out yet. What a sentence! Anyway, Here is the finish product:
It is poster sized, 20x24 if I remember correctly. The shine on the middle picture is the flash that I don't know how to get rid of. I think it came out pretty well. It didn't take too much time to put together either. I think the hardest part was choosing the pictures. I hope you guys enjoy it :).

Past and Present

Heath and I got to thinking back to when we were Caleb's age and also wondering who Joshua will look like. Of course the latter can't be known until he makes his arrival but here are a few shots of Heath,Caleb and myself at 2 years old.

Ah, To Be Four Again...

Rachael had a birthday party this weekend to celebrate turning four. The usuals were there minus Connie and Dave who were in Florida, hiding in the air conditioning. The weather was decent enough for the kids to go out and play on the swing set and with a bit of silly string. I guess being at a fourth birthday party made some of the older kids feel a little nostalgic of their own time when they could swing without a care in the world, never having to worry what people were thinking of them (see picture of Noah below). Others did not seem so happy to have their picture taken at a time when they might also have been reliving their youth (see picture of Phoebe below). The kids got along very well together, which for the most part is always the case. Presents were opened with much enthusiasm. Upon receiving an outfit with a matching set for her doll, Rachael became very elated, what set her over the edge though as she proclaimed was that, "there's a hanger too!". Happy Birthday Rachael! May your fourth year be completely fever free.

Kyle's 11: LET'S PARTY!!

Kyle had his birthday party last night. His parents were nice enough to volunteer their place for the bash. All the usual suspects were there, minus a sick Sean Terry family and Emma and Jonah who were flying the friendly skies back to England. The do-flunkies were there in abundance until they found their way in front of me and then they were doomed. There was a chocolate birthday cake made by Carolyn and a lemon coffee cake made by Grammie K. They both looked scrumptious. The kids all played well together and so did the adults for that matter. Have a great 11th year Kyle, you deserve it!

Live from New York, It's Sader-Day Night!

Today all the local family was invited to celebrate the Passover Holiday at Sweet Donna and Uncle Ray Ray's house. The Sader meal was a first for most of the guests in attendance. It came complete with explanations of the items that were presented on our plate; the unleavened bread symbolizing the Jews quick retreat from Egypt, the bitter herbs representing the bitterness of their enslavement etc. Ray Ray lent his voice to a rendition of "Let My People Go" and the children helped with the story of Mosses and his plight with Pharaoh to, let his people go. All ten plagues were rained down upon us as Keira used props to send the message home, (the tastiest of all the plagues had to be the boils which fell in the form of M&M's). It was a enjoyable dinner with the extended family, and maybe a new tradition has begun... we can only wait till next year to see.