July 14, 2009

farewell to zach

Amy's coworker Zach got a new job, and invited us to his going away party at Martis's place. This is more or less how the day went.

After dinner, most everyone went kayaking. Even the pregnant people!


Ender loved being near the water, and loved being near mommy even more.


But he loved scratching out daddy's eyes most of all!


This precious moment brought to you by the numbers Two, π, and the letter C.
Get it... C... Sea!


Carefree lighthearted moments like this almost make you forget all about that terrible pun under the last picture... almost.


Nothing says "Father & Son Bonding Time" like sitting next to a body of water, especially when you're also sitting next to an interesting puddle on the dock.


In our ongoing effort to desensitize Ender to his fear of all plant life, we introduced him to some poofy blue flowers.


We also took his grass-fear training to the next level, and tossed him in the really tall beach grass a few times.


Amy showed Ender around Martis's garden.


He even tried to pull some minnows out of her little stream.


Ender showed off his new standing skills for everyone.


After a long day out in the sun, a nap with Martis was the perfect way to wind down before the long trip home.

July 13, 2009

ender's first birthday

Our young man is a year old! We had our own family party on his birthday, then we had a party with friends during the weekend. Thanks to everyone who came to the party!

At first he was unsure as to what he should do with this giant cupcake.


He figured it out pretty quickly, and soon was an unstoppable frosting eating machine!


I'd like one more of these, please.


We had to strip him of his frosted clothes before he could open presents.


Ender signing "Thanks for the presents everyone"!


I'm #1!



We had a monkey party in the park!


Ender handing out party favors.



































Time for the cake!


Singing Happy Birthday!


An old pro...


Mmmmm!!!


Cake and Ice Cream for everyone!


Más torta, por favor!


Opening presents, surrounded by his fan club.


Thanks for the presents everyone!


Piñata before...


Piñata after!


This birthday business is tough work... I'm ready for a nap!

July 6, 2009

4th of July '09

Last year on Independence Day, Ender still hadn't made his debut, and Amy was so uncomfortably pregnant that she sat out the fireworks. This year was quite a different story...

We started the day off at Linda's annual 4th of July barbecue extravaganza in her huge back yard.


Since Ender has never had a back yard, and only seen them on very rare and fleeting occasions, he had no idea what to do with the bocce balls.


Ender and daddy got to swing in a hammock!
(and daddy had no idea how to pose without looking like a total goofball)


This is exactly what Thomas Jefferson meant when he wrote about Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.


Then Ender and mommy took a dip in the hot tub!


He decided to play his own version of Marco Polo. It mostly consisted of him floating around making faces at people to get attention.


Ender, ladies man that he is, spent most of his time in the hot tub surrounded by his new girlfriends. You know... the usual.


The poor little man ate so much delicious food and so many yummy desserts, that he got a tummy ache.


And yet, by the time we got to Liberty State Park, he was ready for more ice cream!


Daddy is playing around with the camera again...


Ender loved watching the boats and looking at the city!


This is our artsy-fartsy picture of the day. The kind you hang on the wall at the summer home.


And yes, there were fireworks. Happy Independence day everyone!