Yeah, a Broken Water Main!

 It's been below freezing for three weeks now and it's only December.  So there has been a lot of time spent indoors and the boys are going a bit stir crazy.  Last week a water main broke outside our house and provided a solid hour of entertainment with 3 dump trucks, a backhoe and multiple workers.  As you can see Caleb's enthusiasm was infectious.

Grammie and American Basketball

Boots had official business in Pittsburgh as the American University Basketball Team Ultimate Number One Fan so mom bravely made the car ride across the state with him. While Boots watched his AU Eagles put up a brave fight against the Pittsburgh Panthers (61-46), mom hung out with the boys and caught up

 on Yo Gabba Gabba.

Night Night Mama

Or more like "Nigh nigh mamaa" but no matter because Caleb just said his first sentence!

A New Toy Arrives from Bilt-Well

Poppy sent us some overflow from our trip to Philadelphia this weekend.  The boys are overjoyed with the extra sturdy box.  In the last day it has been a time capsule, traincar and store.

M is for the Grandparents Milham

Ladies and Gentlemen

In honor of Grandma Kimmy and Grandpa Nick's visit Jonas put on an all afternoon play.  Pictured is the audience (with varying attention spans) and our host who insisted on not wearing pants.

Brown Bear, Who Do You See?

Happy Halloween

The boys were joined by a pumpkin this year (Kip) and took advantage of his prime trick-or-treating location.  Did you know the Pittsburgh papers actually post an official trick-or-treating time?  This year 5:30-7:30 pm, taking into account of course: the day of the week, weather/nightfall and the Steeler's game schedule.  For all the photos click here.

Who Who Are You?

The boys are owls for Halloween.  Jonas was more enthusiastic about wearing his hat than Caleb who had it on for about one minute.  We'll try again tomorrow when we go trick-or-treating and help answer the door at Mika, Tom and Kip's house.

Sofa as Ship

A New Friend

Jonas and Caleb have a new friend named Kip Reynolds.  He is 14 months and is doing well holding his own with two older boys who don't give him much room to play.  Kip loves to check out our various cars, trains and trucks. When the boys are at his house he graciously

shares his two big dogs!

Chef Caleb

Caleb hasn't taken to trains as Jonas did but loves the kitchen and food.  The shopping cart, baking mit and various molds are favorites right now.

Belly Man

Caleb is very enthusiastic about his newest trick of showing where his belly is.  His favorite audience are the teachers at Jonas' school and the checkers at Whole Foods.

A Kippah for Caleb

Ahhh... Back to School

The best expression we could get.

At last school has started again.  Of course there are nice aspects about summer but mostly, this mom is happy it's Fall and Jonas is back to preschool.  He is thrilled to have Mrs. Bird, his favorite teacher, who knows how to play instruments and sing.  They also have the same Keens sneakers in blue (different sizes though).

If you look carefully Jonas' outline (taken last year) was incorporated into the new mural on the hallway and door.

Jonas loves the new automatic on/off water faucets.

Serious Fun

Chipotle as Fall Fashion

C is for Carie

Our beloved Carie is off to Prague for the semester and while we wanted to force her to stay in Pittsburgh with us we know she will have a fabulous time abroad.  Of course her last day was filled with extra toys and cupcakes from Vanilla.  Caleb even said a pretty good "carcar bye bye."

Big and Little

Caleb has started copying everything that Jonas does.  He saw Jonas on the stairs yesterday and went and grabbed a car of his own to play along.

Look Who's Eighty!

Last weekend we had a wonderful celebration down at the Shore for Poppy's eightieth birthday.  Everyone came in including all the cousins and KK and Jen from Boston.  Caleb couldn't quite stay up late enough for dinner but Luke and Jonas joined the festivities.

P is for Poppy

With Nanny at the National Hadassah conference in Florida, Judy and Boots in Maine and Andy and Debbie on a cruise, Poppy knew he only had one option- decamp to Pittsburgh!  We welcomed him with clapping and relatively behaved children at Dinette for dinner.  The boys loved the company and pretty much constant treats and new toys.  (The shopping cart pictured has since been padded after leaving a path of destruction in less than 24 hours.)  Jonas keeps asking people if they have "a Poppy" too and told me that he's better than a puppy (high praise from a 4 year old).

So, What's Up With You?

Seconds Anyone?

And yes, the floor looked exactly how you imagine.

House Crashers

For a second time the Cohens descended on friends who had just moved into a gorgeous new home (the first was the Millstones in Westport).  We pretend it's to show them how to use their stoves or organize a few things, but really it's so we can have access to pools and fancy bathrooms without formica.

The Friedlands have left the city for the burbs of Chestnut Hill, though they still have a Philadelphia address- how's that work?  Julien was a great sport sharing all his toys and new playroom with Jonas, 

Caleb and even Luke who stopped by to get in on the fun.

Summertime and the Livin's Easy

Bilt-well?

I sure hope so.
Our poor couch.  The boys cannot seem resist tearing it apart.  I put it back every night and sometimes even before breakfast it's become a tree fort, spaceship or swimming pool again...  and don't believe Caleb's innocent expression, he is just as guilty.

Just Hanging Out

A First for KK

Michael's uncle KK visited us for the weekend- his first time in Pittsburgh!  Jonas made sure he had plenty of ice  cream and rode the incline to the top of Mt. Washington for the view.

Daily Stroll

Put Down that Camera and Make Me Breakfast

Summer is Officially Here

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the Jersey Shore with Nanny, Poppy, Grammie, Andy, Debbie & Dave.  The boys loaded up on treats, sand and a bit of the ocean.  They could not get enough of the beach and even Poppy got into the act.  More photos here.