YES......We are still here!!!!

I know, I know....I am slacking in the "blogging" department. People are asking me for updates and new pictures all of the time and I am now FINALLY getting to it. To say that our life has been busy the past month, would be an understatement. A lot has changed (for the good), and we are slowly getting back into a normal life (whatever that may be). So, I will QUICKLY try to update you on what we have been doing and of course, include pictures of Logan :)

Since our last post, which I can't believe was around Mother's Day, we enjoyed our last few weeks in Hampton, VA. In the month of June, we took Logan to Busch Gardens, celebrated Dennis' first Father's Day, Nicole finished up the school year (and teaching for a little while) and we packed up our house and moved to Northern Virginia. For those who do not know, Dennis was reassigned back to the Coast Guard Recruiting Command and we are renting out our house in Hampton and are now back living in Northern VA. Nicole's parents graciously worked on their basement and that is now our new home (a 1000 sq ft little abode). We love it and it allows us to save money and for Nicole to be home with Logan. And of course we love being back up here for Logan to be around both sets of grandparents (and I think they are loving it too!!). Once we got settled in, July came along with the dog days of summer (man it's been HOTTT). We celebrated the 4th of July in Luray with all of Nicole's siblings and their "mates" (as Phil called them). It was a wonderful time with family and from there we went to Dennis' parents for a cookout. We discovered that Logan DOES NOT like fireworks (small or big). Maybe next year! We have enjoyed catching up with old friends now over playdates and spending time with family. Just last weekend, we took Logan to Sesame Place on our way to visit Dennis' family in New Jersey....he had a blast and loved seeing all of the characters! We also enjoyed visiting with Dennis' grandfather and other family members for the weekend. So, we are now home and trying to get Logan back on his schedule. He is still sleeping through the night (anywhere from 10-12 hours/night) and I have gotten him used to taking 1 LONG afternoon nap (2-3 hours). We get up each morning and go for a walk with Maggie (our dog), then are home for breakfast and playtime. We tried to go to a local park for an animal show a couple of weeks ago, but Logan had NO interest in sitting through that, so we went and played at the park instead. He still loves to be outside and run and play as much as he can. We are still lacking in the speaking department, but he definitely has become more vocal over the past couple of weeks and is making lots of noises (ba, da, ma, na). He loves to point out his shapes and counting is a new thing (he doesn't say "1, 2, 3", rather points with his finger as I count for him. We are still battling the throwing of toys and food and are now entering the stage of temper tantrums....all things that I am reading are normal for this age. So, even though he is a sweet boy most of the time, he has become trying at times as we are entering this "independence" stage. This too shall pass :) As far as for us (Logan's parents), Dennis took his servicewide (advancement test) and scored 12th out of 230ish. So, this means that in the next year or so he will be advancing to Chief. When that happens, there is a possibility of us moving again, but we will have to wait and see what is available at that time. There was also talk at his office of him going down to the gulf to help with the oil leak, but now with the cap working, we don't know if that is still going to happen. Again, we'll wait and see what we are told! As I mentioned earlier in the post, I (Nicole) will not be going back to teaching in the fall. I have decided to take a break and be home with Logan. I'm sure it will be an adjustment when August comes around and I won't be having to prepare lessons or wonder what students I will see again this year. But, I am ready for a break and need to be home with our son. So, that pretty much sums it up! And now for what you all have been waiting for.....PICTURES OF LOGAN.......

First BIG BOY HAIRCUT...the first time was just a trim!



Playing on the fire truck with Daddy

Meeting Super Grover!

Getting caught going up the slide the wrong way! UH OH!

Big Bird's Hot Air Balloon Ride

Waiting in line with Daddy....IT WAS HOT!!!

Flying fish ride with Mommy

Family picture with Bert and Ernie

Logan LOVES Cookie Monster

Watching Elmo Rocks Show

Water Park at Sesame Place


Watching the parade when we got to Sesame Place

Pretending to be asleep in the car on the way to Sesame Place

Playing with Mommy's sunglasses

Let's go for a swim, Mom Mom!

Taking a walk with Mom Mom

Playing on the tractor at Uncle John's


Logan loves Maggie!

Proud to be an American!

21 months

Chilling with Big Bird

21 months

4th of July


Mr Cool

Hanging with Uncle Tim

Train Ride at Busch Gardens

Just a swingin'!!!

Meeting Grover for the first time

Cookie Monster Love

Come on Daddy, let's go!

Sky Ride with Daddy

Water baby

Carousel with Mommy....not too sure about it!

Lil' Clydes Ride ALL BY HIMSELF!!!!!

Sesame Street at Busch Gardens

1st ride at Busch Gardens with Mommy

Elmo at Busch Gardens

Bluebird Gap Farm




Father's Day 2010

20 months