Update Four: June

Just a quick intro for June - we leave for Minnesota early tomorrow morning and I wanted to get this posted before we go. Getting myself and Asher ready to travel always takes longer than I anticipate...

Mark's parents came to visit for a week toward the beginning of June, so they were able to get plenty of quality time with Asher. The weather treated them much better this year than it did last year, when it was cool and rainy for their entire visit. Of course, it did rain on Mark's one whole day off, so we got fairly soaked while waiting in line to get into the Boston Aquarium.

Later in the month, Mark had a conference in Palm Springs, Calif., so Asher and I headed to Athens for a visit so we wouldn't be home alone. We had a great time visiting with family and friends, though we missed having Mark there with us.

Now for the pictures. As usual, I'll start with a more recent one and then go into the June pics. Enjoy...

                                                    

The boy and his dog hanging out before a weekend hike.

Asher using Grandpa's tummy as a seat.

Kisses from Grandpa.

Sitting on Grandpa's knee.

Hanging out with Grandma.

Hanging out with Grandpa.

Goofing off with Grandad - is that how you use those things?

Asher with Aunt Molly and our friend Lydia.

Asher with Grandma Louise.

Another shot with Aunt Molly.

Reading a story with Grandad.

Bath time in the bath chair.

Asher in his new bathrobe (thanks, Aunt Molly!).

Chewing on Darlene's finger.

Asher likes to be held during dinner, so this is my solution - we often find food in his hair afterwards...

A parting shot with Aunt Molly.

Snuggling with Uncle Lee.

Snuggling with Mama.

Hanging with Memere.

Back at home - tummy time!

Smiley boy.

Contemplating the world outside the window.

Life is exhausting...

Update Three: May

May was another jam-packed month for our little family - recounting the activities of the last few months makes me feel justified in saying life has been busy...

We started the month out with a long-overdue trip to Acadia National Park. We originally talked about visiting this reportedly beautiful piece of wilderness nearly six years ago, long before either of us ever dreamed of someday living in Maine. The plans for that road trip fell through, though, and after nearly three years of actually living in this state, we still had yet to make the drive north. Spring came early to our part of the world this year, so we made the somewhat spontaneous decision to head to Acadia before the tourist season began in force. We got a good deal on a dog-friendly room and were able to spend two solid days hiking at the park. The weather cooperated, so we were able to make it to the top of a few peaks, including Cadillac Mountain, which is famous for being the first place the sun rises on the United States (though we did not attempt to make it for the sunrise). Asher was perfectly content to ride in the front carrier as we tromped over rocks through woods and along the shore.

In the middle of May, Asher and I headed to Orlando for the annual conference I help organize. I was a bit nervous about flying solo with a baby for the first time, but all went relatively smoothly - it's amazing how willing people are to help a woman traveling alone with an infant. My mom met us in Orlando and played the role of nanny for the week, which was a great help to me as I was working ten to twelve hour days. She and Asher wandered around the grounds of the resort where we were staying and across the street at Downtown Disney, so now we can tell Asher he's been to the world's most famous theme park. They also made an appearance at a few of the conference events and Asher was a big hit with the people who met him.

Orlando was fun, but we missed Mark while we were gone, so it was good to have some quality time with him when we got home. The rest of May was relatively uneventful, though Mark had to fulfill some university-related duties like attending the graduation ceremony.

I'm just going to post all the pictures below rather than attempting to use Shutterfly - I guess this is just as easy and this way they actually show up here. As I've been doing, I'll post a recent picture before all the May ones.

Asher on the Fourth of July - ready to party.

In the morning before we head out to hike - do these boys look excited or what?

Mark, Asher and Syd pause to appreciate a scenic overlook.


Asher and I pose on one of the peaks.


Just chilling on the lunch break.


Asher, Syd and me after hiking to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak in Acadia.

Proof that we made it to the top, though I guess anyone who drove up could pose there, too.

Asher and me pausing to pose again.

Asher and Mark posing near "Thunder Hole."

Asher visiting me at work during the conference.

Relaxing by the pool with my co-worker, Megan, after the conference was over.

Tummy time with Memere!

Asher getting a bath in the hotel sink - it was a little tricky...

Asher with Memere.

Just hanging out in his jammies.

Asher with Tony, one of the long-time conference attendees.

Asher getting a bottle from "Aunt" Cheryl.

Disney World is exhausting.

Happy boy!

Relaxing with Daddy at home.

Feet! I love when he curls them together like that - so cute!

Reading with Daddy.

Asher in his Bumbo - he's a bit on the big side for it, but we make it work.

Asher chatting with his mama.

Getting used to the jumperoo.

Studying the "wildlife" on his jumperoo.

This picture isn't upside down - the baby is!

Asher loves his Daddy.

Modeling a t-shirt from Aunt Molly.