Monday, October 24, 2016

Halloween - Evan and Eliana 2010

Looking back, I kinda regret the stress of always trying to make the shots perfect. As you can see here, they're not, but they're still really funny and cute, and their true personalities shine through. This was Halloween 6 years ago in 2010. Eliana's first. So cute as a bug and I love Evan's monster costume!
Dad, can we go trick or treating now?

 Eliana's face.






Sunday, October 23, 2016

Halloween - Evan in 2008

October 2008. It was Evan's first Halloween, he was only 4 months old, and when you're that young, Mommy and Daddy get to pick the costumes. Here's Evan looking cute as a teddy bear.
Why am I in this giant pile of teddy bears?

Evan at 4 months, a little larger than a big pumpkin. 

Not sure what Mommy said here to get him to make that face!

Saturday, October 22, 2016

How I Found Out: Eliana



Mommy had some pretty creative ways of letting me know there was a new addition to the family. It was July 2009, and we were down at the beach in Cape May, NJ. Evan and I were playing in the sand enjoying a nice sunny day.

Look at that chunky baby! Me and Evan digging on the beach.

Then Mommy had Evan give me a card. What's this? Happy Father's Day? But that was three weeks ago! 

Oh what a nice card, a picture of Mommy, Evan, Elvis, and Lucy. "Happy Father's Day from the FIVE of us." -Ok, that's cool, thank you!

Ohhhhh from the FIVE of us! Wait WHAT??? I look at Mommy and she has happy tears. Oh my GOD we're having another BABY? Wow, that was exciting news and made for the best belated Father's Day ever. E-L-I-A-N-A! Eliana was on the way!

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Favorite Videos: Too Many Zooz

The kids love this video of this incredible busking performance in the Union Square subway station by these two musicians who call themselves "Too Many Zooz." Wait for the sax player's circle dance. Well worth it.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Back to School

Well this is old news now, but Evan and Eliana are back at school and have already had the St Dot's Carnival, Eliana had her class trip, and Halloween is only a few short weeks away. Eliana is now in 1st Grade and Evan is in 3rd.
First day of school. Eliana brought along her matching American Girl Doll.

Off to 1st and 3rd grade with fresh new backpacks!

Great first day portrait by Mommy.

Evan and his buddy Sean glad to be back at school. 

Eliana has the same teacher that Evan did in first grade! 

Evan and Connor.
Getting ready to enter the classroom.

Eliana and Kieran and some kid already yawning!

Batting Lessons with the Phillies' own Matt Stairs!




Matt Stairs holding the flag after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008.


Back in early September, Evan had the chance to take batting lessons at the Philly Hit Zone with former Phillies slugger Matt Stairs, who was part of 2008 World Series team. Evan had some difficulty over the summer on his tournament team and really went into a batting slum and was starting to not enjoy baseball. I told Matt what was going on and he put his hand on Evan's shoulder and said, "Evan, during the 2009 season, when we were making another World Series run, I didn't get a hit for 2 months." He then helped Evan correct some of his mechanical issues and Evan started hitting the ball with confidence again. 


Evan started drilling the ball in soft toss.

Posing with Matt after a great hitting session.