Back at the Kazas

We returned from Jacksonville, NC Tuesday evening. The Kaza family generously hosted us that night so we could hang out a bit more. MJ and Joey enjoyed playing with their cousins Wednesday morning.

MJ and Peter wanted to get in the stroller so they could go see the train. You can hear a train from their house and whenever the boys hear it, they talk about it for 10 minutes.... "I don't see the train...Maybe it's too far away"... it's pretty cute.

Here are Joey and Catherine. She is 10 weeks older than Joey, and a very healthy girl. But Joey is a bit taller and definitely heavier. Catherine is crawling and pulling herself up to standing... not too much longer for Joey. It goes way too fast.

The kids put on a play in the Kaza's basement where there is a stage. It is really one of their favorite things to do when they get together. I actually saw two plays this week. The first was their own creative plot line. Wednesday's show was their version of Hansel and Gretal.

MJ and Tommy played pretty happily upstairs while the play was going on. I'm so happy MJ can get together with his cousins. They are good playmates and help us learn how to behave socially.

Stink Barns

Uncle Christian had some leftover fireworks. The younger kids really enjoyed when he light the "stink bombs" which MJ called "stink barns." He was a bit excited and nervous about the whole thing, but had a pretty good time.

North Carolina

Here are Joey and I with Michelle and Baby Natalie. Doesn't she look amazing for just having a baby 1 week ago! Joey was a bit tired and cranky so we had to use the pacifier for the picture. I like how Natalie and Joey both have their arms strecthed out.

Natalie is such a sweet baby. I think she is about 6 1/2 pounds and Joey is about 24 pounds. There are 5 months apart.

Here is Joey with Godfather, Luke.

Joey really had a fun time.

Carrots and trip to NC

Later on Sunday, we tried giving Joey some carrots. Why carrots? I'm not sure, I think I should look at the order of food introduction for MJ. Carrots were not a big hit. Joey ate them, but didn't look as happy about the taste.

Monday, Mario headed off for work again, this time back to Cincinatti. My mother-in-law and her family were making a trip from NY through VA to NC to meet their newest grandaughter, Natalie. They entertained my crazy idea to hitch a ride with them, so off me and my boys went in the van. There were 11 of us altogether, and we had a great time. I'm glad it was able to work out. MJ and Joey were able to spend a lot of time with many of their aunts and uncles, and Grandma Suarez. Here's MJ in his carseat in the "big van".

Uncle Christian and Aunt Michelle have a lovely home with a nice fenced in yard. MJ found the dirt quickly and was literally rolling in it. What a boy!

Wedding in Charlottesville

Last Saturday-Sunday we headed back to good old Charlottesville for Jack and Montana's wedding. It was fun going back to a place we lived for 2 years. We had to take the standard boys in the hotel picture. Can you see Joey's incredible drool spots?

I'm bummed our canera was taking fuzzy pictures. Below is most of the Darden gang in attendance at the wedding. It was probably the most well-organized and best time-managed wedding we have been to. They had babysitters lined up for the 2 families (with 3 kids total). So, our kids were watched in a suite where both the wedding and reception took place. I think both of the boys were good, but MJ didn't fall asleep again. He eventually fell asleep on the drive back to the hotel at about 12:20am. Poor kiddo was a little off his normal schedule for a few days after that.