Maine .. the way life should be!

What a terrific 4 days we had in Ogunquit. The weather was tremendous. We spent all our time at the pool, we didn't even venture down the path to the beach. Our hotel, Anchorage by the Sea , was awesome - we had a great view of the ocean and felt like we were at a resort the whole time - complete with frozen drinks by the pool and loungechair dining for lunch! We walked and walked - down and back to Perkins Cove via Marginal Way - with wonderful views of the ocean. On the first night we took a walk after dinner and Ellie said, "Mommy, I smell the ocean!" She had a blast. Met lots of new friends, shared our pool toys and ate shrimp and lobster! Lots of great places to eat Mikes Clam Shack and Stutesy's - we had a hard time choosing!

Traver's Day

The weather was the best its been in years, the people were wall to wall (oh yeah, we were outside) and the winnings were plentiful! It was a great day!

Dog Days of Summer .. and Rain!

August has flown by .. Ellie visited the Animal Park with her friends at Trudi's - she talks about the giraffe and elephant all the time. The last two weeks are vacation from Trudi's so Ellie was treated to spending time with Aunt Lisa, Aunt Mimi, Aunt Maureen and Grammy - who graciously split the first week for us! Ellie loves going to visit the horses on Saturday mornings - we get picnic tables and then make our way out to the watch the horses workout. Next week is off to Maine ... ahhhh, our long-awaited vacation! But first today is Traver's - and anyone who knows Bill knows this is the most anticipated day of the year. For the record he was up at 4am today - he "just couldn't sleep!" Here's a few shots of the summer so far ...

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!

Ellie at the Ballfield

Julianna Farone (Bill's cousin Joe's daughter from Syracuse) had a softball tournament at our nearby field this weekend. Ellie was much more interested in picking dandelions, but at least she had fun doing it!

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Ellie loved being in the Klotz's pool on Saturday as we were at their house in celebration of Madeline's birthday. Ellie was thoroughly entertained by Sydney and Madison for most of the evening - and as you can see here, just loved floating in the water with Madeline. She's not real keen on the splashing part, but otherwise we could hardly get her out of the water!

Fun & Ice Cream with Papa

Ellie, Bill and Papa enjoyed a night out for ice cream while I was away. Ellie just loves her "Humpty Dumpty" for a small cone. She does so well, even eating the cone. While they played without me, I was in NYC for 3 days - some work, some play, and had a great time. I managed to visit all 5 boroughs - Staten Island all day Wed, Manhattan (including a bit of window shopping in the Village, dinner in Little Italy, stop for chocolate at Jacques Torres - and of course the work part - 4 agent visits), Thursday I was in Queens including a stop at The Lemon Ice King of Corona for a t-shirt for Bill (who loves Italian Ice). I also managed to see a Yankee game Wednesday night- complete with rain delay, double rainbow, full moon AND a win! And how fun, I had two celebrity sightings - Michael Rappaport (My Name is Earl) and Vincent Pastore (Sopranos)! But what a wonderful thing to be back home! Bill and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner out with friends Friday night at 51 Front in Ballston Spa. The owners previously owned Eartha's Kitchen - and this dinner was spectacular!

Future Soccer Star **

Ellie loved kicking the soccer ball around. We got her this one in Lake Placid with all the Olympic rings. She seems to resemble a goalie more than anything else - we're really just happy she enjoys herself!

Father's Day

Ellie and Daddy
Ellie and Mommy

We had a wonderful Father's Day - beginning Saturday night with Grammy bringing twin lobsters each for a pre-Father's Day treat - so much better than the traditional Father's Day tie!

The best part was that Ellie loved the lobster. When she first saw them she said, "Those are alligators!" But when we explained they were lobster and delicious, she was convinced. She had already eaten HER whole dinner when we began, then she nearly ate more lobster than I did! And she she was ready for more she would say, "Can I have more turtle?" So we laughed and laughed.

Sunday we enjoyed 9am mass with both Grammy and Papa. We took Daddy to Panera for coffee and a bagel after church. And a cookout at Papa's at noon was our next stop. Ellie loved playing soccer with Josh and Ryan and all Papa's presents! She took a nice long nap, as she is recovering from an ear infection - and hopes to be 100% real soon!

"Kissin' Cousins"

Anna and Ellie

When Bill & I were away in Lake Placid and Ellie stayed at Grammy's they also had fun with Aunt Ellen, Uncle Gary and Anna (my cousin, Tricia's daughter)

They went to Congress Park and fed the ducks and rode the Carousel. And Anna arrived with a wonderful gift for Ellie - a matching dress! They loved being dressed alike!

Lake Placid Weekend

Some people might refer to it as the Belmont weekend... Big Brown's quest for the Triple Crown, but I think I 'll continue to call it our Lake Placid Weekend.

Ellie went to Grammy's for a Saturday night sleepover while we shared a little time away in a beautiful summer spot. We shopped, found a great spot to enjoy the Yankee game and later the race. We met a group of great people, lost in our race pool (no, we didn't have Big Brown) and then had a wonderful dinner overlooking the lake at Jimmy's. We joined up again with our new friends at The Cottage for a nightcap and a cigar. It was relaxing and fun!

Backyard Fun with Her Friends!

Cassidy and Ellie on their 'bikes' in Trudi's yard
Ellie, Cassidy and Ryan holding all the 'basketballs'!
Ellie, Cassidy, Ryan, Gordie and AJ - hmmm, each with a ball!

Ellie's Friends!

Back row: Robin holding Sawyer, Trudi holding Hayden
Front row: Ellie, Alec, Spencer, Cassidy, Gordie, Ryan, Lindsay, Rayden

It was my birthday this weekend! I began my celebration at work on Friday with a birthday breakfast thrown by my team. We rounded it out with a team lunch meeting and a productive day. Saturday I enjoyed a facial for an hour at The Crystal Spa with Gerene. It was wonderful with all the aromatherapy smells and peaceful music. Everyone should have one hour a week that is that relaxing! Bill arranged a delicious dinner with Papa, Mimi, John to join Bill, Ellie and I. Italian was the menu - stuffed clams, shrimp scampi, salad, bread and pasta. Ellie loved opening all the presents with me and especially blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. Lots of treats for me - Crocs, Jibbitz, sandals, Willow Tree figurines, picture frames, and wine! What a great night we had. And Sunday was a stay-at-home day enjoying the nice breeze - Ellie and I read books and played Play Doh, while Bill recovered from his head cold! We'll continue the Italian theme tonight with leftover scampi on pasta with fresh bruschetta.

The Ladybug Song

This is Ellie's FAVORITE commerical. When she was little I would sing it to her and she would giggle, now she says, "Mommy sing the ladybug song!" So here it is!

Memorial Day Weekend

I started the weekend early with a noon departure from work on Friday to run a couple errands and get a 'summer kick-off' pedicure. Great treat - especially with a Starbuck's frappachino in hand. Friday night Papa came for dinner as he was going to Syracuse for the weekend. On Saturday we spent time outside in the yard and on the near-by playground. Ellie loves the slide and watching the big girls practice softball. Saturday was our on own in-house date night as we rented "Michael Clayton" after Ellie went to bed. Sunday was an early morning (up at 5:20am) - so after early mass we found lots to do - moving plants, fixing the front porch, seed & fertilize the lawn. Sunday afternoon we went to the Klotz's for a picnic. Ellie was entertained by the girls for hours - Sydney, Madison and Maggie. She loves to play with the big girls! By Monday, we were ready to rest. What a gorgeous day to enjoy!