Birthday Morning

We woke the boys up by singing to them in their cribs.  It's a silly tradition, but it's a tradition, so we continue to do it!

Then it was present time!  They seemed to get a kick out of ripping the paper off the boxes.  We got them a bunch of "Little People" things to add to their collection. 



 

Nate

 

Ben

 

Sam

 

They also loved the Mickey's that their favorite big brother got them.  Eli even wrapped them!  He also passed them out before I was ready with the camera so I missed the shots of them actually opening them...Oh, well!!!

Natey grins from ear to ear

 

N-B-S

(Sammy did not want to pose...he wanted to play!)

 

Benji passes out the Mickey's!

 

We surprised them with balloons on their chairs.

Ben

Sam climbs up for a closer look.

Nate's excited.

 

Nate

Sam

Ben

Ben

Nate

Sam

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday Boys!!!

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday to my little love bugs!

 

I can't put into words the love I feel for you each and every day, or the prayers you answered, or the void you filled...

 

You are becoming the most amazing (and adorable) little boys!

 

I cherish each of you, especially your smiles, giggles, and snuggles.

 

Happy Birthday, Ben!

 

2010

 

2012

 

Happy Birthday, Nate!

 

2010

 

 2012

 

Happy Birthday, Sam!

 

2010

2012

 

2010

Nate-Ben-Sam

 

2012

Ben-Nate-Sam

Project Sweet Peas

It's that time of year again!  The boys' birthday is approaching and I'm getting sentimental!  I am again trying to collect donations for Project Sweet Peas.  Last year I collected  a giant box full of goodies and a pretty sizable check to send them.  I'd like to top what we did last year. 
We are so fortunate that our NICU experience was relatively uneventful and we were able to bring all of our boys home healthy.  To pay tribute to them, we ask for donations in lieu of gifts for their birthday.  Of course, some people still bring gifts, but the donations are important too.  If you'd like to collect items, here's the list:

Blankets
Disposable Cameras

Picture Frames

Stuffed Animals

Birth Record Pillows

Baby Brush/Comb sets

Baby Caps

Baby Booties

Baby Mittens

Baby Eye Masks

Children's Books

Hand/Foot Molds

Tissue Packs

Journals / Notebooks

Pens

Puzzle Books

Baby Lotion

Baby Shampoo

Lip Balm

Hand Sanitizer

Gift Cards

(Gas, food, VISA, etc..)

Travel Size Toiletries

(Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothbrush, Toothpaste)

Shaving Kits

Photo Boxes (for Memory Boxes)

Holiday Themed Items

Decorations for Isolettes

(Mobiles, Name Plaques, etc...)

All items must be new (or newly made). If you'd like to pick something up and donate it, please let me know and we can set up a time to meet so I can gather things together.

Also, if you're able, please vote for PSP on Chase Community Giving on Facebook.
The preemies thank you!!! 

The Brady Bunch

Way to start off the season!

Go Pats!!!

 

E-N-S-B

 

Last Beach Day of the Season

Traditionally we close out the beach season on the Saturday after Labor Day.  The beaches are empty and the weather is (usually) pretty good.  We've been going for a few years now.  We invite our families and friends and have a great time.  This year the crowd was pretty small, but the weather was great.  We had a little hurricane force wind that created some crazy waves, but the skies were clear and the sun was bright.

It's Frisbee Time!

Sam thinks that Dave needs some help with the tent.

How many kids can fit into this chair?

Boys on the rocks.

Kite Day!

Eli in motion.

Ben

Sam

Nate

We finally made it to Perkin's Cove.

A view of the boats.

A view of the ocean.

 

Super fun day!  Can't wait for next year! 

What will we do without the beach???

Ummm...

Notice anything?

 

 

It seems that we have an apple snatcher!!!

 

(I think his name is Ben).

Labor Day S'mores

Every Labor Day we head up to my dad's to hang out at his cottage.  We alternate between swimming or having a campfire.  While the skies were clear, the temps weren't really "swimming" temps.  We opted for building a campfire instead.

I was in charge of collecting kindling with Eli.

 

 I was in charge of this branch...until it was in charge of me and

I went tushie over tea kettle down the hill behind me.

Eli's getting all his sticks in a row.

 

 The Eagle Scout gets things started.

 

 "This one has to go here for a perfect Tee-Pee formation."

or something super Eagle Scout-y.

Oooohhh!  A caterpillar!

 

Nate tries his first s'more

 

 Sam was not interested!

 

 Ben sinks his teeth in!

 

 Is this why they call them s'mores?

 

'cuz I want s'more!

 

Natey goes back for s'more.

 

Dave was so full from his s'mores that he needed a nap.

 

 Eli decided that he needed a carrot to wash down all the marshmallows.

 

 Ben concurred.

 

Sam followed suit.

 

 

 

On the way home, we saw a large black creature on the side of the road. 

Dave thought it would be a good idea to pull over to the side of Rt 93,

back up in the breakdown lane, and take pictures of the bear. 

 

By the time we got to it, s/he had scampered off into the woods. 

 If you look to the right of the double tree in the center,

and you zoom in 300%, you can see it.