Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Saratoga Springs

Last minute (actually Saturday morning to be exact) we decided to hop in the car and spend a weekend in Saratoga Springs. It is about 4 1/2 hours from Buffalo and located 30 minutes from Albany in Upstate New York. We are beginning to think about where we would like to end up after Jay's oral surgery program is completed.  Besides the craziness of having all five of us sleep in one tiny hotel room which had two fire alarms throughout the course of the night, we had a good time.
 Theo rolled all over the bed! He is going to be crawling soon.
 The boys were super excited to go swimming in the hotel pool!  Luckily another family let us borrow their floaties, since we didn't have enough hands to watch the two boys swim and Theo on the side lines. 
 All ready for bed. It took them awhile to settle down. After Jay and I camped out in the bathroom, however, they ended up falling asleep.
 I love this little man!!
 Finally asleep!
 The next morning we headed to church, found a bagel shop for lunch and then checked out the Saratoga Childrens' Museum. It was the perfect size for our little kiddos. 

 Jacob in the tree house.
 Saratoga Springs is a gorgeous city with lots of fun artsy shops, restaurants, art studios, etc.  The parks looked like they'd be beautiful in the summer and the lake was another pretty spot. It is a wealthier area due to the race tracks and casino.  We decided that we'd probably rather visit here then actually settle down and live here. We shall see what the future holds!
 Jacob the firefighter. These boots were huge on him!
Look at Theo's morning hair! He's enjoying his morning fruit!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Jay's 30th!

Good morning Daddy! The boys opened presents with Jay before breakfast. He added some books to his classics collection.  He also received a shirt and some siracha peas.
 Jay was surprised when his parents and Dean arrived to take him out to eat!
 We enjoyed a delicious Floridian torte from Dessert Deli!
 We had a fabulous dinner at 800 Maple! Thanks Mom, Dad and Dean for coming up. The food was great and the company even better. 
Reading books with Grandma after Sunday Mass.

Happy 30th Birthday Jay! We love you!

Happy New Year

 Theo is getting so big. He's getting ready to crawl soon!
 The boys love bath time. They are excited for their upcoming swim lessons.
 On the Feast of the Epiphany, the boys dressed up as the three wise men. They brought baby Jesus gifts...it was very cute!
 Surgeon Raphael!
 Theo already has his two bottom teeth. He is a drool machine!
 Brothers!
All the boys together with Clifford. Clifford is visiting us from Jacob's school for a week.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Jacob's 4th birthday

 Jacob had a pretty low key birthday this year. He did however, enjoy many phone calls and birthday cards and gifts in the mail.  We can't believe four years has already passed since his birth.  He is such a smart, funny and loving little boy.
 Raphael had a hard time accepting that it wasn't also his birthday.
 Pattern blocks were one of his favorite gifts.
 Getting ready for some Zetti's pizza.
Happy birthday Jacob, you brighten up each and every day!
Jacob wanted to share his cake this year. We had cake to celebrate his birthday, Seamus' birth and Aunt Maria's engagement. What a month!

Christmas


 We had a wonderful Christmas in Ithaca. We met the newest addition to the family, Seamus Michael, who was born on December 3rd.  He is a beautiful little baby!
 Jacob and Seamus.
 Theo is already over six months old. He had a great first Christmas. Aunt Maria also recently became engaged.  Congratulations Maria and Pano.
 Here is our family photo shoot prior to Christmas Eve mass.  Jacob had just been crying so he doesn't look his best.
 All the grandsons on one coach.
 Here are all the Keating girls and the boys!
 Doesn't Rebecca look awesome for just having had a baby?
 The proud grandparents.
 Our little family.
 This is Theo on Christmas morning. Jay was sporting his winter beard.
Opening gifts, gifts and more gifts.
We headed over to the Albanese side on Christmas morning.  The cutest little Santa Claus was waiting to see us....

I love this picture of everyone in the family room together.
 Beautiful Aunt Laura and Theo.
 Poppy once again made his delicious seven course meal.  This year it included:
Baked brie and marmalade wrapped in puff pastry
Mixed greens and arugula with goat cheese
Onion potato roquefort soup
Crab cakes and clams
Lemon sorbet (Mom and Laura made this and it was excellent!)
Roast lamb with rosemary sprigs
New York style cheesecake and Christmas cookies
 The soup, made by Jay!
 The delicious sorbet.
 The crown jewel of the night-lamb!
 Seamus and Theo, they are going to be best buddies.
 Holding a newborn is pure joy.
 Mom cooking while Theo plays and sits in his high chair.
A tired Theo and Aunt Kristen. We had a wonderful time catching up.
Happy New Year to all of you! We are so blest to have you in our lives.