A lil' bit TALLER now ..

You know how some people start their baby's life by taking a picture in a sweater or a swimsuit and don't stop taking that yearly picture until the child leaves for college? Well we don't have a sweater/swimsuit - we have the Saratoga Race Course! Our favorite family Saturday morning activity is going over before 7am with Ellie in her stroller and racing to get tables! Well, Bill does the running, Ellie and I stroll carefully while she drinks juice from a sippie cup and I have my travel mug of coffee in hand. We then make a big loop to cover a lot of ground to end up at the fence - in front of this fire hydrant. So we have taken the 2008 photo - and I'm taking this opportunity to show you how much she's grown in a year!

Rochester Weekend

While Bill was in NY for the 14th annual Father&Son Yankee/Belmont/Carmine's Weekend - the girls went to Rochester! A 4-hour car trip with a 2 year old quickly turns into a 5-hour one with pit stops - but, boy do we know where all the bathrooms are now! Grammy, Ellie and I departed Friday and stopped for a gorgeous lunch on Seneca Lake at the Pier House. Although it was hot, the breeze and the view of the lake made it all worthwhile. While staying at Aunt Ellen & Uncle Gary's house we had a wonderful time in the kiddie pool, hot tub, playing with sidewalk chalk and having 10th anniversary celebration dinner for Kris & Tricia on Friday night. Saturday after a few garage sales, feeding the ducks at the canal and Ellie's first ever visit to Wegman's, we had a relaxing lunch and afternoon. Dinner was a wonderful grilled pork with Italian beans, mozzerella and tomato salad and we went for ice cream after dinner! We also had a wonderful trip to the trout fish hatchery to feed the fish and to the deer park at dusk to watch the dozens of deer in the field. What a wonderful trip!

Home Run Derby

the State Farm Home Run Derby
Bill & I next to the largest baseball at FanFest!
Our friends Jeff & Cathy at Stan's before the Home Run Derby
Yeah! Our last time at this Yankee Stadium!

Bill and I had the opportunity to experience the Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium this week. It was truly incredible to be in Yankee Stadium for all that excitement. We also attended the FanFest at the Javits Center with random sightings of Goose Goosage, Bernie Williams and Jeff Nelson.

** 4th of July **

Ellie and Mommy riding on the Carousel
Ellie in her new wagon from Aunt Lisa
Ellie eating her first ITALIAN ICE (she prefered the cherry)

We'd played tourist on Friday as we went into town, and walked up and down Broadway with Ellie in her jogging stroller. We window shopped, shared Bruegger's Bagels, stopped for an Italian Ice (lemon and cherry) and Putnum St Market for a sweet treat. We then headed for Congress Park and the CAROUSEL! All 3 of us rode - how fun for Ellie as she laughed and laughed! She was so beat she came home and immediately wanted her nap! Saturday was the 'big' 4th of July parade - so we found a great spot, set up camp and watched the 10 minute entertainment go by. Josh was with us and that's always a treat for Ellie. Her favorite part of the whole parade was the big, dressed-up bear who rode in one of the trucks. We had pizza for lunch and the playground after nap time - Josh probably had more than his share of 2-year old activities - yet he was such a good sport - playing with Ellie the whole time. She just loves her cousin!

Here's a quick shout out to Shaun Q - who reads all our antics!