Happy New Year! Happy Birthday! Go Blue!

It's been a while since all three of those could be said together, but 2008 started off with a bang. Sara threw together a small tailgate party to celebrate the New Year and Jeff's birthday, and the Michigan Wolverines managed to pull out a win in their bowl game. Go Blue!




Helena all ready for the Michigan game




Daddy and Helena




The Birthday Cake (of course, made from scratch by Sara)




Helena's Dora cupcake (she couldn't keep her hands off of it)




The Birthday Boy




Helena helping Daddy blow out his birthday candles

Crayola Factory

Only an hour from home in Easton, Pennsylvania, Crayola has a factory that teaches how crayons are made, and makes an excellent day trip for kids. Helena had plenty of opportunity to draw and color, and take part in the many activities at the Crayola factory.




Helena coloring with Daddy




Helena working on a project with Mommy




"Do these overalls make my hips look too fat?!?"




Helena drawing with markers on the glass wall

The Bass Pro Shop

The Bass Pro Shop is conveniently located at Patriot Place, an up-and-coming strip mall next to Gilette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Besides being a mecca for camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing enthusiasts, the Bass Pro Shop also contains a small fish aquarium and plenty of "real" stuffed animals to keep Helena occupied and amused (we, amazingly, spent an hour walking through the two-story store, duringwhich we actually made some purchases before heading over to the Patriot Pro Shop to do some further shopping).




"Wow, Daddy, look at all the fishies!"




"I don't know what animal that is, but it is pretty darn big!"



"I think we should get this bed for home!"




"How do you like my new hat?"



"I couldn't hit a fish in a barrel let alone an inanimate object!"




"Soldier of Fortune" coverboy

Sledding Good Time (continued)

Please make sure to look at the video link in the prior posting. Below are still shots from our sledding fun in Massachusetts.



Helena in her new snowsuit testing out the snow




Helena and Daddy in the snow




Helena getting a face full of snow




Helena sledding by herself




Helena and Daddy riding down the sled path




Cousin Stephanie getting major air over the sled jump




Cousin Robert




Cousin Rebecca




Daddy getting some major air over the sled jump




Wipeout!!!





"Hi-ho, Hi-Ho, it's up the snowhill I go..."




Cousins Gabriel and Adam with their snowman




The girls just chilling out in the snow




Cousin Josh




Cousin Avi riding down with Daddy




Cousin Kobe




"I don't want to go inside! I want to stay outside in the snow!"

Happy (early) Birthday Cousin Zack (and Daddy)!!!

During the family's recent trip to Boston, an early birthday celebration was held for Helena's cousin Zack (who is turning 1), and her Daddy (who is turning, eh, more than 1). They both share a birthday (January 2nd).




Cousin Zack, happy to be turning 1




The birthday boys - cousin Zack and Jeff




Cousin Kobe licking icing off of Zack's fingers





Helena enjoying her slice of cake (and leaving no prisoners)




Helena with her Dora the explorer balloon




Zack holding up his Elmo balloon with Cousin Rebecca



Helena and Cousin Avi

Sledding good time in Massachusetts!

During our long weekend in Boston, we visited some of Sara's cousins who have a large hill in their front lawn. Thanks to about a foot of snow, they created several sledding paths, which Helena, her Daddy, and other family members gladly took part in and enjoyed. See the below link for video of our sledding fun, created and graciously posted by Sara's cousin, Gregory. Awesome job!

You Tube Sledding Link

Say Cheese!

Helena turning the tables on her daddy, who usually takes most of the pictures, now that she has her own digital camera