Cleveland Rocks!

Happy Halloween from our little monsters!

We spent a little less than 24 hours in Cleveland. It was a whirlwind. We stayed with newly weds, Stephanie and Chris (Steph and I roomed together for 4 years at JCU). We had a blast! The boys made themselves at home right away. Jacob gave Chris a big kiss and jumped on their beds and couch, drank all their milk and ate one of Steph's awesome stuffed cabbage rolls. Jacob also enjoyed their t.v. which looked like it was made for him since it was his eye level. Chris and Steph played hide and go seek for over half an hour with Jacob. He loved it and would crack up every time he found them. Raphael spit up all over Steph and rolled around on their floor. Jacob and Chris. Raphael can now roll both ways.

Steph and Chris

Our pumpkin!

The brothers. They have really been getting along great lately!

On Friday we visited John Carroll's campus and surprised some of the cataloguers at Grasselli library (I was a student worker there for four years). We made a quick stop at what used to be Arabica and the boys took their naps in the car. We also spent some time with Molls on Friday night and talked about our college years.
On Saturday we went to Fall Fest at the local high school. Unfortunately the temperature was 20 degrees colder then it was on Friday, but we loaded the kids up in the stroller and made the short walk. Jacob was intrigued by the robots that some of the high schoolers made for a class. They were pretty cool! As always, he got right in on the action and wasn't shy at all!

Jacob took a bite out of one of the styrofoam balls...when I told him we had to leave!

We spent Halloween night in the car, but it was cold and rainy so we didn't miss much (besides candy). We really do love Cleveland and wouldn't mind living their someday since we know we have such good friends in the area. Steph and Chris you rock!

p.s. I still need to post a picture of Jacob as Bob the Builder.

Happy Fall!

I love this time of year! The colors of fall are breathtaking. Today when we went on our daily walk we collected (or I guess I should say I collected) these fall leaves, berries and grass. The sidewalks were covered in leaves and it was like walking in a fall snow shower. We loved it!

It really is the simple things in life that can make us smile and bring great joy!

Bob the Builder and Skeletons

Happy early Halloween!

Thanks Mona for the cute skeleton outfit!

Poppy and Jacob playing Bob the Builder! How fun!


Our little cutie pies!

I can roll over Mommy!

Raphael at four months

Check out this hair..it is getting wild!

At his four month check-up Raphael weighted in at 12 lbs 10 oz (10%). However, he is 26 inches long (90%). He's long and lean! I wish at times that I could freeze frame Raphael how he is at this moment. He's cuddly, smiley, almost always happy and a little bundle of pure joy!

We're teaching Raphael how to roll!

He is on a fairly consistent schedule. He wakes up around 7ish, takes an hour nap after he's been awake an hour and then takes a 2-3 afternoon nap. Before dinner he'll put in another short nap before he's down for the night around 7:00. He does still wake up 2-3 times at night, but he usually always goes right back to sleep after eating, so there's no complaints here!

I like this picture...even though it's blurry!

Jacob is finally getting comfortable in his role as the big brother. He enjoys it when I put Raphael in his crib in the morning so they can spend some brother time together..it's very cute. I need to get a picture of this..it's priceless! I hope the boys will always be best friends!

Here's what is new with Raphael:

-he can roll from his tummy to his back

-he's eating rice cereal along with a few veggies (he seems to enjoy it!!)

-he can grab any toy within his reach

-he can talk...really loud!

Aunt Mary and Ed surprise visited this past weekend...they're awesome!

In other news, Stephanie got married! We roomed together at JCU for four years. We probably broke a record since virtually no one had the same roommate for all four years! She was so happy on her wedding day and she looked gorgeous! Congratulations Steph and Chris!!

Raphael has been to two weddings in four months!

We miss Aunt Maria

Aunt Maria is in Malawi. This is an African country on the Eastern coast. She's been here since August 4th. We have been able to periodically email and chat on gmail, but we have yet to hear her voice...it has been too long. We mailed her a package over a month ago and she has yet to receive it. In fact, she has yet to receive any mail that anyone has sent...I wonder where it is all hanging out...or if she will ever get it.

So far Maria seems to be doing well. I don't know all the details, but she's been working with mothers and children to ensure that they have a healthier future. She's assisted a sick dog who was almost poisoned to death, had dinner with some locals and has been driving on the "roads" (this scares us all...especially mom). She just came back from a week in South Africa, where she was at a conference. I can't wait to hear more stories and to give her a big hug. She's coming home for Christmas so that time is just around the corner! I admire her passion and zest for life!I found this picture of Malawi online..I want to be there...it looks heavenly.

We love and miss you girl, stay safe.

The great pumpkin farm

Early fall is one of my favorite times of year. The air is crisp, but the afternoons are still warm and sunny. It is cool enough for a light sweater or jacket, but not so cold that you need three pairs of mittens, a scarf, a winter parka and boots. In early fall, the leaves are just beginning to change color and I begin to crave apples (especially empires...although this year I'm loving galas) and baked goodies from the oven. Last year we took Jacob to Becker Farms, where we went apple picking and introduced Jacob to his first pumpkin patch. This year we decided to check out the great pumpkin farm in Clarence. We had never been and decided to see what it was all about.

Our first stop was the tractor display. Jacob loves lawn mowers and tractors although he's looking pretty serious and unsure in this picture, maybe he's wondering why it isn't moving like Poppy's lawnmower.
Jacob sat perfectly still while a pumpkin was painted on his face.Raphael slept most of the outing, but here's our little cutie when he was awake. Lately he's been talking more and it often sounds like he says "ho ho ho." It is so adorable!

We saw our friends, the Fordhams, and heard from them about the pie eating contest for children 12 and under and decided to have Jacob join in on the fun. The first kiddo to eat a piece of pie without his or her hands was declared the winner. At first, Jacob did not seem to understand that he couldn't eat the pumpkin pie with his hands, but he still had fun and enjoyed his jack-o-lantern necklace that he received as a prize.

Jay and I joked that every year until the boys are 18 we will take them to a pumpkin patch, since it's becoming a family tradition. I can just hear it now; "no mom I am not going to the pumpkin patch so you can take my picture next to the cheesy pumpkin growth chart."

We're looking forward to Halloween. Jacob is going to be Bob the Builder and Raphael a pumpkin!

It's difficult to get a picture with both the boys, this is the best one we took! And sorry the pictures favor Jacob, soon before we know it Raphael will be moving around just as much as Jacob!

All about Raphael

Excuse the red eyes please!

In case you think I forgot about Raphael here is a post completely dedicated to him! On the 9th of September he turned 3 months old (happy birthday Grandma). It is hard to believe that three months have already flown by! Wow!

He has more hair than me!

Raphael is discovering his hands! He loves to put his entire fist in his mouth and watch his hand intently while he's sitting in his chair.

Poppy and Raph

He still hasn't lost any of his amazing hair! In fact it is getting quite long and our baby shampoo supply is quickly dwindling (just joking). Raphael loves to make eye contact with us and when he does he flashes us his amazing smile. He is very content, most of the time, and enjoys watching Jacob play and run around all day long. Soon, very soon, he'll be joining in with his brother's daily festivities!

He is truly a little angel and we can't imagine our family without him!

The Cottage: 2009

At the far corner of this picture my Dad is doing his daily swimming laps! Go Dad!

This year, unfortunately, Jay was unable to go the cottage. However, my sister was gracious enough to assist me with driving the boys over the border to the Bass Lake cottage. This year celebrated the 40th year that the cottage has been in the Keating family! I was a little worried about crossing the border, since I didn't have a birth certificate for Raphael. We did get pulled over, but it took less then five minutes for our paperwork to go through! Poppa is Jacob's best friend!

Acting tough, but really only looking tired!

Aunt R. and Raphael sleeping in!

Jacob wearing his Jamaica t-shirt from "ecca"
The weather was gorgeous when we first arrived! It was sunny and in the 80's. Rebecca and I thought the electricity went out...this is a long and funny story. We ended up talking to the neighbor who had the electric company come out only to show us how to properly turn it on!! Needless to say we felt a littlestupid since we were sure that the electricity had been knocked out (we were only pushing up the wrong lever the entire time). The boys slept really well every night and we enjoyed swimming every day! I love the cottage and can't wait to go back next summer!

All about Jacob

Jacob is a little spit-fire! Each day he wakes up full of energy and ready to take on the world! He doesn't require a lot of sleep (which has been evident since day one) and is constantly on the go. He is learning a new word virtually everyday and isn't afraid to tell you what is on his mind. However, he can be very polite since he's learning how to say please, thank you and sorry. He also likes to cuddle, pray to Jesus and give hugs and kisses. Lately he has been asserting what he'd like to wear, eat, etc. As soon as he wakes up he puts on his shoes and usually picks out a hat. The past couple of days he's insisted on wearing a baby bib as well! He's trying to eat his dinner with chopsticks, since this is what Mommy was doing! He also had to keep his hood up on his sweater ALL day long!

Making a tower with blocks!

Anniversary Party

Jay and his siblings hosted a 30th wedding anniversary party for his parents. The party took place at the Six Mile Creek Winery in Ithaca.Jacob enjoyed playing bocce ball and dancing. Raphael was held the entire day by different family members! I hope in 30 years Jay and I can celebrate with all of our family and friends! The day was beautiful and lots of fun was had by
all! Uncle Rick, Uncle Mike, Dad and Aunt Val
I had to include this adorable picture of little Raphael!