A Visit with the Capiobianco Family

The Capobianco Family came to stay with us for a few days after we arrived home from NJ. Steve and Don have been friends since high school and Kimmie and I have become very close over the years so we were all really excited to spend some time together. They live in Portland (OR, not ME) so we haven't had the families together since Ethan and Giorgia were babies! The first night was a tad crazy. The kids were bouncing off the walls and we were barely able to eat dinner together. Things settled down a bit after that and we really had an amazing visit.

The big kids enjoyed showing off their reading skills.

Steve was brave enough to let Jacob and Enzo help him make pancakes.

Thursday night we drove up to Chauncey Creek Lobster Pound in Kittery Point, ME.  It was a perfect New England summer evening.  The weather could not have been better and the kids, all 4 of them, were really well behaved!  All 4 adults enjoyed every morsel of their lobster. 

Friday morning we went to Halibut Point in Rockport and spent a lot of time climbing all over the rocky shoreline.

The biggest boys took off for their own adventure...

...and so did the littlest boys!

All the boys...

...all the kids...

...all the girls...

...all the Schoenholtzes!

Keeping an eye on the lobster boat.

Even after all the walking and climbing, Jacob was excited to have a turn with the back pack.

Friday evening, Kayla came over to watch all of the kids so we could go out just grown ups!   We were absurdly giddy about this and took full advantage.  Our first stop was The Bell and Hand where we ended up after Kimmie and Don's rehearsal dinner all those years ago.

Then we checked out the "new" greenway.

Then we had dinner in the North End at a wonderful place called Aria Trattoria.  It was another beautiful night and we had a table by the open windows overlooking Hanover St.

It was the night of the Fisherman's Feast so after dinner we wandered through the busy streets and ended up at Mike's Pastry where we each selected several items to sample.

Saturday morning we let the big boys have their own time together and Kimmie and I took the kids to Kimball Farm for our own adventure.

These 2 really became great buddies!

While the little ones napped, I took the big kids to Silver Lake.

"Stay away from the rope.  Stay away from the rope.  Hey guys, keep away from the rope".  Oh nevermind.

Giorgia had her first loose tooth on this trip and I'm sure he was just checking it out, but this picture makes me laugh.

NJ and PA

Friday August 9th, the four of us drove down to NJ for an, ahem, 40th birthday party. Yes, Steve and his friends are all turning 40 this year and Neha was throwing a party for Netesh that was on a day we could make it! It was so amazing to be in the same place with so many of Steve's friends and their wives after so long. Us and the Capobianco's stayed with the Gohil's all weekend and the adults and kids all had a really great time. Unfortunately, we pushed the kids a little too far (up too late, no nap and lots of activity) and Jacob ended up quite sick on our trip home. Another bummer was that I did not bring my camera to the actual party and have no pictures of my own or of any adults! I will have to post an addendum to this post if I can get Neha to share a few with me. We were in Flemington, NJ which is not too far from Easton so on Saturday we drove over to visit with Uncle Eddie and Aunt Pat! Matt and Amy joined us and we had a lovely visit.

The boys were allowed in all of Ed's cars, even the Metro.

So close....

Steve was so excited to check out Ed's crazy mower.  It is a lot of property to keep up with so it makes sense for him.  Steve was so jealous and was whipping around the yard.

Not quite.

All together now!

Back at the Gohil's, the boys got the ball stuck between the rim and the backboard and had to use Kieran and a boogie board to clear it.

Ice cream!

Movie night.

And then it was time for us to leave.  It wasn't long after this picture that Jacob has his first barf of the day.  The poor kid.  I thought if we just got him in the car he would sleep, but when we got him in the car, he threw up everywhere.  So, we let him nap while we washed everything and hit the road again.  We made it to a rest area on the Merritt Parkway and he threw up again all over himself, me and even into my bag.  I had to strip us down in the parking lot.  Modesty just does not exist for me anymore.  He was much better the very next day but that was a long ride home!



Early August and Emma Turns 3!

Jacobs teachers love to put sunscreen right into his hair.

The kids got some temporary ink at the Naukabout Festival.

This girl can seriously drive!  She was flying around the yard with her sidekick.

Emma graciously allowed the boys to help her open her presents.  Once they were open they had to immediately hand them over, but they were happy to be in on the action.

Happy birthday to you Emma Lynne!

He's not too big to end up with cake all over his face...

...but he may be too big for this ride on toy.

No battery?  No problem.