I have several saved drafts and things on my mind to share with you but something incredible happened today and I cannot help but let it skip to the front of the line.  Our dear friend and professional photographer, Amy Hill, came over to spend some time with Kate and I.  She hasn’t seen Kate since she was 8 days old so of course she’s changed quite a bit.  Lucky for us Amy brought her camera and she captured some of the most gorgeous images of Kate.  Here are just a few of my 85 favorites!  Thank you so much Amy!

One other big event happened today – Kate laughed for the first time!  It was so precious.  I forgot how beautiful a baby’s laugh is and I can’t wait to hear it again and again!

Our dear friend Jill surprised us with a visit – via a business trip to Florida.  Walter last saw her at her wedding in September but Noah and I couldn’t go and she’d never met Kate.  With our addition and extra space we were able to welcome her to stay with us.  We had a blast!  She was with us for a little more than a week and it was just like old times, well almost.  She was a great house guest and spare set of hands and she instantly won Noah over with the never ending game of “BOO!”.  While she was here we met her brother, visited mutual friends, introduced her to some new friends of ours and generally just enjoyed each other’s company. 

One night after work she surprised us with a huge present – a Wii, complete with controllers and games!  Of course we hooked it up immediately and got sucked in instantly.  Jill used to be our gaming buddy back in the day.  We would stay at her house until the wee hours of the morning, usually until I fell asleep on the couch, playing all kinds of video games.  Hopefully with the internet enabled system we can once again be gaming buddies, even though we’re so far away.  We miss you Jill!  And oh yeah, THANK YOU!

Here are Jill and the kids right before she left for the airport.  Noah was SO not interested in taking photos and SO sad that Jill was leaving.  We suspect he may have thought she moved in permanently.  He certainly accepted her as part of the family!

Since I’m only averaging one post each week I might as well share the rest of our “Family Fun Days” with you.  Below are some highlights of the rest of Walter’s time off. His first week back to work went pretty well.  Noah was sad after one nap in particular when Walter wasn’t here but we kept busy and managed to keep his mind off of it.  We also had a house guest (more in a later post) which gave him something new to enjoy.

Here we are on a play date with our friends Beth and Aaron.  We see them at least once a week and really enjoy their company. 

Noah, Kate and me on the carousel -

Noah has been a bench rider for the past several months but once again ventured onto the horses.  Two year olds are so weird.  And this one is so in love with his Daddy!

And another day we went to “Apoe and Agoon’s” Farm (Walter’s parents).  Noah loved it!  He checked everything out and did an amazing job supervising the work.  Kate on the other hand decided she’s not one for the great outdoors.  She complained the entire time, couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, she couldn’t figure out why anyone would go there voluntarily.

We, of course, post only the happy photos though so everyone thinks our kids are angels.  Just kidding.  We did work really hard for these smiles though so I have to share them!

Noah hunting oranges -

This is a tangelo orange.  You can’t do this with all oranges but if you peel the skin and cut the top off you have instant orange juice, there is none fresher.  You just squeeze the orange together and drink, and repeat, and repeat, and repeat.  I felt very outdoorsy doing this!

Here is Noah washing his hands -

It was a gorgeous day!

And here is a panoramic photo of the farm.  With such limited space here you can’t enjoy the full size photo but you get the idea.  Claire and Herbie work very hard growing all kinds of fruits and vegetables and have for years.  While it’s not my cup of tea I give them a lot of credit!  It really is a labor of love!

And then to torture Kate even more we went down the road to Lion Country Safari.  She didn’t like this place much better, the bugs were just a little smaller.  We did the drive through, which we haven’t done in over a year because Noah has never enjoyed it.  Well I think he’s finally old enough to appreciate the giant animals and interesting sights.  He really loved it.  We also did the water park (the only one open in January) but didn’t get any photos of it. 

Noah kept saying – “I want the rions to go ROARRRR!”  I love that kid!

And he was fascinated by the zebras!

If you look closely you can see the baby white rhino under the mom.  He was soooo cute!  There were also two giraffe babies but their photo didn’t come out so well.

On a more somber note, one of the reasons I’ve been so slack in blogging is my Dad.  He gave us quite a scare this week.  We’re not sure why but he experienced a seizure and brain bleed.  He’s still in ICU being poked and prodded and at the moment all of the doctors can only scratch their heads and wonder what happened and what should happen next.  I’d like to give a little public love to my sister, Nikki, who happened to stop by the house when my dad was home alone and all of this started.  Had she not we’re not sure this story would have ended as good as it has.

Here’s my Dad -

He is the most amazing cook!  This is him cooking Thanksgiving dinner in 2007. 

And here is the moment we realized we don’t take nearly enough photos of him.  Because – well, that’s Noah.

And so is this.

And here’s a real oldie, unfortunately I’m not omitting much in between -

I know, it’s not very politically correct to wish anyone a Merry Christmas these days but that’s what we celebrate and I’m taking it upon myself to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!  I do also wish great things for those celebrating other holidays, we even went to a Hanukkah party this year, but right now it’s Christmas Eve so a Christmas greeting is what you get!

It doesn’t feel much like Christmas outside, with these crazy 80 degree days in the dead of winter, but the trees and lights are up and we’re anticipating a visit from Santa.  Tonight we’re going to the candlelight service at church which is always very beautiful and tomorrow we’re zig zagging across Palm Beach County to make our rounds with the family.

Last week we had a few friends over for brunch which was very nice.  Here are a few moments from the day -

My awesome peppermint bark hearts, that wouldn’t have been possible without my super crafty friend Kim, whose idea I totally ripped off!

Pretzel rods – these were awesome!  I made some kid sized ones too!

The grub!

Those cupcakes are the size of my head!  Costco rocks!

The kid table, missing a few of the kids.

And something no one thought they would ever see.  Our friend Dave touching a baby.  Kate wasn’t too sure about him at first but as soon as she realized they spoke the same language (of food) all was forgiven.

Later that afternoon I recieved a beautiful gift from my friends Ed and Nanda of Petunia Flowers.  They made some poor guy bring it all the way up from Miami but I am so grateful, we have really enjoyed it!  Ed and Nanda were the angels that did my shower arrangements, aren’t they so talented?!

And it had the most adorable little card -

And since we’re on the subject of Christmas I suppose I should share with you our trip to see Santa.  It was very anticlimatic and horribly dissapointing.  We drove all the way down to Aventura Mall in Miami because we heard it was a great experience.  I was having trouble deciding between there and PGA.  I knew the PGA Mall (the Gardens) had a gorgeous Santa but not much else.  I was told this one had a very pretty Santa (shoot me, we’re into photos) and a lot of kid things to do.  We took the bait and boy did we make the wrong choice!  Santa was a class A jerk!  Even in Boca you get a very friendly guy who wants to know your name and what you want for Christmas.  This guy was all about the photo.  He pulled the kids onto his lap, yelled at Walter about where to stand (because of course you can’t interfere with their overpriced poor quality photo scam) and then told Noah where to look.  And as soon as one picture was taken he wanted to know who was next.  Ummmm, there was no one else in line.  We felt very ripped off and I felt violated on the kids’ behalf.  Anyway, they did have a train ride and a play area but that hardly made up for it.  Here are some picture from the experience.

It was definitely a gorgeous place with a pretty Santa, I’ll give them that -

Noah really enjoyed riding on the train.  It was a very short ride and he wanted to go again but we all had lost our Christmas spirit by then.

And here’s our OCD son closing the train door.  We’re going to claim he’s a gentleman in the future, but for now it must be OCD.

So we’re hoping the nice Santa will visit tonight.  Afterall, we’ve all been pretty good.  I hope you all get exactly what you’re wanting.  Is it wrong to ask for a silent night (with no hungry middle of the night wake up calls)?

Before yesterday it had been awhile since you heard from us.  Sorry about that!  I’m trying to catch up.

I’ll start with the rest of Bruce and Peter’s visit.  On Thanksgiving Walter, Ian, Bruce and Peter took all the kids to Sugar Sand Park.  They had a great time!  Kate and I stayed home and watched the Macy’s Parade.  Walter managed to get a few shots -

Jaimie                                                                     Olivia

Noah                                                                      Ian and Amy

Here’s Noah the day before at another park.  I picked this one out because I wanted to show you a photo of him in this same tunnel awhile back.  What a difference two years makes!

Then in December…

Remember our girlfriend Lauren who let us do her (amazing) pregnancy photos?  Well she had her little guy Max a few days after the shoot.  He was born on December 3rd and is just too cute for words.  We were originally supposed to do photos on the 6th, it’s a good thing we didn’t wait! 

Here they are in the hospital -

Isn’t he too cute?  Beth and I actually dragged our whole gaggle (of three kids) to go see her.  It’s amazing she even let us in the door!  And then we dragged the new mom of two to a playdate the following week -

Noah                                                                              Kate and I – my sister made me this great sling!

Aaron loving the swing - as always!

Max

Alex, Lauren’s older son and Max’s brother

And then we sent Kate and Max on their first date.  They are only two months apart (although she looks about 6 months old next to this precious 9 day old baby) and already enjoy each other’s company.  Just kidding, they’re probably sharing stories about how their older brothers torture them when no one is looking.

Kate and Max holding hands -

Kate with the “yes!” or “score!” fist pump, Max thinks she’s boring -

Too cute.  Is she mocking him?

And then my little bipolar princess -

And our attempt to get all the kids in a picture.  Alex refused so here’s everyone else.

Beth and I fought over, I mean took turns, holding Max.

My girlfriend Lauren is about to have a baby!  She’s expecting her second son, to be named Maxim (“Max”), most any day and is anxiously awaiting his arrival.  She happens to be one of the most beautiful women I know and Walter and I were lucky enough to do her maternity photos today.  Here are a few shots from the day, all published with her permission.

Alex wasn’t really sure he wanted his picture taken.  He warmed up fast though and pretty soon we were coaxing him out of photos!

Is he not the cutest kid ever?  Noah and Alex are about 6 months apart and they are both all boy.  When we get together, especially at the waterparks, it’s double trouble!

We “borrowed” the ultrasound idea from a friend and fellower photographer.  Thanks Virginia!

Lauren is gorgeous and has the most perfect baby bump!  I know how awkward and uncomfortable it is to be nine months pregnant but I think if my pregnant body looked anything like hers I would have complained a lot less! 

Lauren’s husband, Rob, put up with a lot today!  He was such a trooper and didn’t complain once!

Wednesday night I attended my first bris!  I know everyone thinks I’m crazy for being so excited about it but I had never been to one and it was amazing!  My friends, Gena and Josh, had their son Spencer on the 19th and Jewish tradition is that boys are circumcised on their 8th day of life.  Let me just tell you that he is the sweetest, most perfect little boy.  He’s a little guy, born just under 7 pounds, and he’s so beautiful you can’t help but melt every time you see him.  He’s also the first baby I’ve ever seen with platinum blonde hair! 

The bris ceremony was beautiful!  Not the actual procedure, but the prayers, songs, tradition, and heartfelt dedications – like nothing I’ve ever seen.  It was also my first time meeting a lot of Gena and Josh’s family and friends, who were all very lovely and welcoming, and I was touched by how open and friendly they all were.  You never would have known I was a total stranger until that night, I really felt like a part of the festivities and their circle of loved ones.  It was a great night and other than a few whimpers Spencer did very well.  A few drops of the Manischewitz made sure he was very comfortable and once everything was over he slept like a perfect angel.  He was a gracious host, letting everyone hold and snuggle him.  Hopefully he wasn’t too well rested for the night ahead because I’m sure mom and dad were looking forward to a good night’s sleep!

Here are a few photos from the ceremony -

I have a thing for babies in yarmulkes!

Spencer was named for his grandfather who had a thing for M&M’s

This is all homemade and all amazing!  Aunt Marcia taught me how to properly say rugalach.  I wasn’t able to hide my schikza ways from her!

Mom, Dad, Spencer and the Mohel, who they call Seif the Knife – yes, really.

Well, I was able to go to Cinicinnati and attend our friend Jill’s wedding.  It was looking a little iffy between hurricane Ike and baby Kate, but luckily Ike missed us and Kake decided to hang in there a bit longer. 

I flew up on the 11th (Yikes! That day will never be the same.) and stayed the night with Dan and Diane.  I hadn’t seen them in like six years!  Wow time flies!  Their oldest child at that time was just over 1.  And now look at them!  They’ve grown so fast!

The day of the wedding was raining and overcast.  I didn’t get to see much/any of Cincinnati at all because of it.  Thankfully it did stop raining in the evening so it didn’t ruin the wedding.  It was hot and muggy though.  It reminded me of Florida.  Anyway, Jill was a beautiful bride and I was glad that I was able to make it.  Everyone was pretty disappointed that Dawn couldn’t come but unfortunately she was too far into the pregnancy.  Here are some pics (of course) …

The church …

The beautiful bride …

The reception …

And the happy couple …

I actually stayed at a hotel in Kentucky that night to make it easier to get to the airport the next day.  It turned out that Saturday was beautiful (in the morning anyway).  Here is a view of Cincinnati from the Kentucky side. (Click the picture to Zoomify – enlarge, zoom and pan)

And I’m not sure what it is with Cincy and pigs with wings …

It was a lucky thing that I flew out on Saturday because it turns out that Ike visited Ohio and the airport was shut down and over a million peeps lost power, including Dan and Diane! Sorry guys!