Halloween

We went to Google's Halloween party this year and did a little bit of Trick or Treating. Xan enjoyed the rocks at Google. Max especially enjoyed saying Trick or Treat or Happy Halloween to everyone we passed on the street, and "Go inside and eat your dinner now" to most of the houses we visited.

September....Back to regular old life...

At the Beach: Santa Cruz

One great thing about living in Silicon Valley is the proximity of so many great places to visit. A day at the beach is only 45 minutes away.


Good friends are hard to come by. And new friends that brought a pool to the beach - that is good fortune! Especially since the ocean water was freeeeezing.



Xan practicing his trekking skills on the sand. Gotta keep an eye on this guy or he'll end up a mile away in no time.

What day at the beach would be complete without a kite?

Lake House Vacation in Holliston

Since I was a baby I have been going to the house in Holliston on Lake Winthrop to visit my grandparents. The tradition continues but now I bring my kids to hang out with their grandparents who now own the house. It has great memories for everyone in my family, for 3 generations.



Hanging out in the back yard.



Uncle Mike giving Max a ride on our neighbor's tractor mower.

Xan at Stoddard Park Beach.



Xan playing in the sand in the back yard.

Lawantaka Park with Aunt Trishy

The lake at the park has just a little bit of algae.


Watching the little waterfall from the bridge.

Trishy and Xan

Kylie's Birthday

Mary Pazooli's daughter Kylie turned 4 and her parents threw her the ultimate kids party. Max had a blast watching the magician, getting his face painted, looking at other kids ride the horse, and of course eating the frosting from the cake and cupcakes. Mary and her hubbie Brian did a great job planning and putting together a totally fun party. Oh, and check out Max the "Tiger Queen"...oops, he meant to say "Lion King."


Creating the Tiger Queen, er, Lion King. No really, that's what Max asked for.


Max the lion rabbit turned the magician into a balloon dog.


Kylie enjoying the music.


Zool's face says "Yeah, I'm really glad you came. There's no way I'm going to have a pony, a magician, a guitar playing singing chick with a mini-disco ball, 20 kids, and a face painter in my back yard again."

Tanya Visits!

Tanya & Max



Tanya is a bad influence. We even had a toga party. :)

The Bronx Zoo

I always knew that Max was a monkey but today was the first time I saw him bond with his kin. The Monkey House even required a second visit on our way out of the park. For some, it may be hard to imagine a huge amazing zoo, one rivaling the San Diego Zoo, in the middle of the Bronx. It is a fantastic experience for the little kids and the "big kids" too!


Max in the big spider web


Two turtles in the shell


Mimi and Boom Boom on the Asia Monorail


Max the Fox


I hope that was with a zoom lens!


Mezmerized by the fish and turtles

Fun with Molly's Kids

We spent Sunday with my best friend Molly and her husband Scott and their kids (all 5 of them!). We all had a great time!

Drinking Buddies


Max and Luke


Maggie, Murphy, and Luke waiting for ice cream cake


Wil showing Max his Lego treasures

New York City & the Lion King

Yesterday Boom Boom and Mimi treated Max and Mary to the Lion King on Broadway. We're not sure which part of the day Max liked best: the Ferry from Weehawken to Manhattan, the show, the huge Toys R Us in Times Square, or the taxi ride back to the ferry. It was like a dream for Max. And the Lion King was like a dream for us - what an amazing production. Words really can't describe the experience so I won't bother. I'll just recommend it to everyone (but all you 3 year olds out there - take your nap before you go to the show).

On the ferry.

Inside the theater looking over Times Square.

Max and Mary in Times Square. It's hard to get a photo alone in NYC.

Castle Park

This park in Chatham is becoming our new favorite park. It really does look like a castle made of wood that the kids can climb all over and through. Max finds new friends every time he goes and Xan, well, he just likes to chill in the swing the whole time.

Park Visit

Xan and Max went to the park with me and Boom Boom (grandpa).

Time with the Cousins

Spending time with the cousins - Xander loves to play with Peter and loves to be bounced.
See the short video:
Peter and Xan Video

Max loves Thomas, if you didn't know already. Here he just discovered cousin Jack's box of Thomas tracks and engines.
See the short video:
Max and Jack's Thomas Toys Video

4th of July

We all went to the 4th of July parade with Mimi and Boom Boom. Max loved watching the fire engines, the floats, and of course getting all the candy. Xan's favorite part was definitely the music and munching on some 'Nilla Wafers on the side of the road.

>

Welcome!

I am in New Jersey with Max and Xander during July. While we're here, there are some people that will miss the kids (and maybe miss them all year since so many friends and family live around the country). So that's why I started this blog. You can check back anytime to see what is happening in our lives these days. Enjoy, and come back often!

- Mary