Bo Commander in Leash

Why are kids so obsessed with Barack Obama? Colton picked out his newest book because it had two of his favorite things...Obama and dogs. He thinks it is really cool that Obama has a dog simply because well he too has a dog. Notice Buddy in the background showing off Colton's new book too. The part I think is funny is that is published by the same company that does "Hello Wally" and all those other mascot books. Does Barack know this book is out there? Super cute anyways. :-)

Mom and I hit Fenway

Here are some pictures of me and my mom on our recent excursion to Fenway. It was a great game, perfect weather and awesome seats up in the State Street Pavilion! My mom was definitely impressed with the fact that they had menus and people who served you...oh the luxury of ordering Bud Lights, Fenway franks and cotton candy without having to get up from the game. The Red Sox beat the White Sox 6-3 and it was an exciting game all the way to the last pitch. Most won't find it shocking that my mom was high-fiving the guy sitting next to her the whole game...lol. Colton was a little bent that I took Nana to the game so I have to get tickets for a mommy/son game next year...maybe we will even let Nana come with us! :)

Classic Fenway sign in the background.

There is her high-five friend.

Nice night for a game...ugh...I wish we had seasons tickets!

The Hiltons hit the US!

My good friend Chucky (Elizabeth to some) was visiting from the UK with her husband Wayne and her absolutely beautiful one year old Rebecca (Becks). It had been about a year since we last saw them and let me tell you...that baby has GROWN!!! She is the chubbiest and cutest little girl you will ever see with the bluest eyes...I wish I had a close up so you could see for yourself but you know me...just took pictures with my phone so this is all I have to share. :(

We took the kids to Nantasket beach for a quick foot in the water, some time on the playground and a carousel ride. Then we had a cookout over at my house so all the Beantown friends could catch up with the Hiltons. I think there were a total of 9 kids under 5 running around the yard. Oh how times have changed...all for the good. Have a safe trip back and we hope you see you guys same time/same place next year. We miss you already! :)

A little photo shoot at the carousel...Colton is a lucky guy!

I think Becks likes Americans!!!

Ladies, Ladies...wait your turn...lol.

You would never know that we started the ride sitting in a stupid sleigh thing.

Colton and Lucie hanging at the playground.

Eying each other up...this is Miss Rebecca!!!

Chucky and Wayne making sure Becks isn't afraid of the seagull (Colton).

Ahoy!

Just a silly 3 year old...don't you think?

Manicures for Nana

My Nana is 83 years old and this was her second trip ever to a nail salon. The first time was many years ago though and she had fake nails put on that didn't last a week because she couldn't stand them. So I took Nana out for a one on one lunch date where we had the best grapenut custard pudding (we both are connoisseurs of this...trust me it was good) and then I told her we had to get our nails done. At first she thought it meant getting fake nails again but then I explained that they would fix up her real nails and make them pretty. She didn't want to go because she said her nails were so awful, but I made her. OK...so we get in there and she naturally picks out a pink polish. So while we were getting our nails done the women are talking in another language to themselves (picture that Seinfeld episode) and I look over and my Nana is trying to talk back to them saying things like "oh yeah", "yup", "I know"...then the lady looks up at her and goes "Oh you speak Vietnamese?" and "Oh you so cute, me take you home" oh and my personal favorite "do you want balloon?"...they had balloons up in the store and thought she would like one to take home. Hysterical...then next thing I know they are asking her "You like flower?"...so yeah of course she said yes and that is how two daisies with the glitter swish designs ended up on her ring fingers. To sum it all up she LOVED it and said she doesn't know what took her so many years to start getting her nails done. She told the ladies she would be back in a few weeks and that she would like a tropical flower for her granddaughter Nicole's wedding. She can barely walk and she limped all the way to the back of the salon to say good bye to her nail lady and to tell her she loves her nails one last time. I tried to point out a few other nail salons I thought we could try on the way home but she said it would be like cheating and she likes "her place". Oh she is something else and these pictures prove it.

Riley goes to South Shore Baseball Camp

What is cuter than five year olds playing baseball? This was Riley's first real baseball camp. It was great because they actually pitched hardballs to the kids and the kids could totally hit the balls. I was clearly really impressed. Riley learned a lot of new skills and has gotten really good at catching and throwing. His batting has always been impressive and he was one of the better kids, his first hit was a double! He has a lot of hitting practice in my yard, my neighbors thoroughly enjoy it when he hits the ball over my fence. I think Riley has almost out grown backyard baseball over at 11 Hawkins this summer...this camp put him over the green monster!!!

Riley up at bat.

Riley and Colton practicing running the bases (aka - tire them out)

Brayden prefers the pitchers mound.

You think that little stinker Brayden would let me get a group shot?!?!

These two just wanted to play with the big kids...they each brought a bat and ball with them.

What do you think Mom...am I the next Big Papi?

Chopsticks

Check out Colton using chopsticks. Not bad...however now that we have a dog hopefully less food will make it to the floor!

Cape Cod Chaos

The first week of August we rented a house down in Brewster with my good friends Donna and Katie along with all our families. With 5 kids to entertain for the week we lucked out by having great beach weather all week. We kicked the week off with a lobster bake, spent days on the beach where Colton surfed and showed Richard some of his surfing moves...now we have 2 surfer dudes and Kay is the surfer girl, they played in the sand, went to a marionette show, snuggled with the babies Angela and Theo, mini golfed, day trip to P-Town, Colton got stuck in a bunny hole and the kids rescued him (long story short...it really happened) oh they were busy and the adults were tired. It was so much fun though and I hope we do it again because the kids enjoyed it and it was a well over due vacation for me and I miss my friends already!!! Here are the limited pictures I have of the week since all I used was my iphone. Donna and Graham took lots of good pictures though so the memories aren't completely ruined by my poor photography!

We spent a long time looking for these snails!!!

The kids...a rose between two thorns!

Best Friends...I see lots of golfing excursions in their future!

Donna and Rich patiently waiting for our mexican feast...
oh El Guapos...how we will remember you.
The kids all bathed and ready for bed...thank god!!!

Baby Angela just chillin'...it's what she does best!!!

Baby Theo...too cute...notice Angela and him have matching outfits!!!

Katie and Theo at the Brewster Whitecaps baseball game.

Colton watching the game...naturally he didn't sit for long!!!

Rich and Colton..putt putt video...lol.
Rich liked to pick the ball up a lot and Colton liked to stick his ball and feet in the water. Quite a duo!!!
He looks innocent there doesn't he?!?!

Cape Cod 2009...can't wait till next year. :)

Buddy

Meet the newest member of our family, BUDDY! He is a 15 month old golden retriever and is already 83lbs and still growing...wowsers! He is that beautiful golden red (picture Riley's hair color) and absolutely beautiful; we think the perfect family dog. Nana, Colton and Uncle Corey picked Buddy up on Sunday up in New Hampshire from his first family which was sad to see him go but made Colton and so many others very happy. He was obviously well loved and trained by his previous owners because Buddy is so well behaved, we feel very lucky to have him! We can't remember life before Buddy and he is already so spoiled and smothered with love. He eats it up though because he loves to snuggle and give kisses to everyone. Once you meet him you know exactly where that cliche "mans best friend" comes from. Welcome to our home Buddy! :)