Pumpkins

Daddy and Zachary carved our pumpkin. Zachary was especially helpful cleaning all the seeds off, but he wasn't so fond of eating them once they were baked. Mama and Daddy sure enjoyed them though.


Here Zachary is showing the pumpkin he picked out on his field trip with school. It was too cute, and also nice that he could actually lift it.





Big thank-you to Aunt Brooke and Uncle Yossi for coming to New Haven to help out while Daddy was in Florida. It was so fun having them come with us to pick pumpkins. Uncle Yossi took Zachary into the haze many times and Aunt Brooke helped Zoe touch every pumpkin.

Zachary seemd to know right away which pumpkin he wanted. He grabbed it and carried it over to our wheelbarrow in a flash. It is probably because he wanted to go in the hay maze again, so he didn't want to waste time being choosey.



This is the age when it is easy to capture lots of pics by the pumpkin "patch." Zoe was happy to pose with all the pumpkins as she hasn't begun running yet, so she stayed close to maintain balance.

Zoe walks, baby Joshua, and other goodies

It was an exciting weekend for our family. On the morning of our new nephew Joshua Ari's bris, Zoe took her first steps. The first time she walked to get to Mama. But the second time (see 3rd photo) she was chasing the bigger kids for a piece of cheese they had swiped from the brunch spread. Too cute we say -- a real foodie at heart! It was very special that Glenn was already taking her picture as she took the steps and that Great Grandma Rita was there to see it. We can't believe our baby is growing up so fast.



Zachary and Zoe would like to introduce their new cousin Joshua Ari. Here they are striking a pose during our visit. Joshua is so adorable and a great baby. We are so glad we got to spend so much quality time with him.

On the morning of the bris, Zoe and Zachary got dressed up to celebrate this special day. We think they looked pretty cute, but they couldn't possibly steal the spotlight from our adorable, loveable nephew. His parents hosted a great party to celebrate his bris.

We felt especially honored to have a role in Joshua's bris. Uncle Glenn held him before the procedure and gave him wine. His parents and Aunt Betsy are in the background watching. Aunt Betsy actually held him during the circumcision - wow that was quite a sight. He did great and his parents were glad to get him back in their arms when it was all over. Mazal tov on this important milestone in his life!

Zachary - in his favorite outfit on what could almost pass as a bear skin rug. Save this one for his wedding day!

Zoe turns 1 ... party party party!

Zoe had her "official" birthday party in our sukkah. We had Elmo balloons and an Elmo cake. The weather was great and we think fun was had by all. Here we are at the entrance of our sukkah.


Zoe saw the Elmo on her cake and had to have it - so instead of the first piece of cake, she has the first licks of frosting off of the Elmo figure on her cake. Don't worry though she did get a piece of cake with her Daddy, see below.



Zoe also enjoyed playing in the playroom and didn't she look cute in her dress!

Here is Zoe on her actual birthday September 24. Such a ham, posing for the camera.

Zachary looked sweet playing outside on Zoe's birthday, so had to share a cute one of the big brother too.

We of course had cake with candles to celebrate Zoe's birthday. Zoe has had enough exposure to birthday cakes this year that I think she knew what was coming, and was probably thinking, it is about time I get some cake to eat too!



Here Daddy, do you want to taste my cake ... no just kidding, I will eat that too!


All the singing and eating tired Zoe out, cake done, thumb in, time for a bath and bed!

Sukkah 2007

Today we built our sukkah! Grandpa Stan and Daddy did most of the work, but Zachary also helped out. The weather was beautiful today and this made it even more fun.


Grammy Ellen and Grandpa Stan posed with Daddy and the kids in the doorway as we were finishing up.

Zachary and Zoe checked out how level the ground was in our sukkah. Zoe helped us collect leaves on the ground and Zachary is already insisting on eating in the sukkah.

Camping (again) and apple picking

We braved camping again with Zachary and Zoe. We had a great weekend with our friends Adam, Mona, and Aidan Nolde. This time we went to the Yale Outdoor Center in East Lyme, CT. The weather was perfect.


The kids enjoyed swimming in the lake. The water was very pleasant. And we were able to see some little fish too. Zoe tried eating a few stones and even a snail, but not to worry, we fished those out!


Zachary really enjoyed hanging out in the gazebo. We went both days, several times so he could watch the water, eat, and run in circles with Aidan in the gazebo. Perhaps someday he can build us one in our backyard.
Zoe was happy to eat at the picnic table, but then again she is always happy to eat, and anywhere for that matter.

We went apple picking with the Filhart family so we would have lots of good apples for Rosh Hashana. It was lots of fun and we got a ton (literally) of fruit.


Zachary and Sapir did also help pick fruit as well as taste it. We have never seen Zachary eat so many apples!

Zoe really wanted to drive us home ... but much to her disappointment we felt she still needed to ride in her carseat for the ride home.

Zoe is 11 months

Zoe had a busy week as she turned 11 months old. We went to the park with Grammy and Grandpa and she had her first run down the slide. She had lots of fun. Pretty soon she will be a pro on the slide just like Zachary.



It also seems that Zoe has begun to "cruise" around the furniture a little bit, and has discovered how to crawl up the stairs. Guess we need more gates at the bottoms of the steps too. She is certainly keeping herself (and her parents) busy exploring now that she can get around. Wonder when she will be walking ... LOOKOUT!

Zoe looks too cute in dresses and still lets us put cute matching bows in her hair. We are enjoying this for now, knowing full well she may exercise her right to veto both dresses and bows someday.

We went to Ben and Jerry's for a very yummy treat to wind down summer. Zachary was so excited (not a surprise, see last entry -- birthday cake) and of course he got sprinkles on top.

Zachary's 3rd Birthday

The celebrating for Zachary's 3rd birthday began in Florida with Grandma Gaile (GG) and Zadie Marvin. We had cupcakes and presents at their house the night before we came back to Connecticut.


On Zachary's actual birthday August 15, we went to the neighborhood diner. Zachary ordered grilled cheese and french fries. He was so happy. Zoe also had fun, although
she left quite a mess under the table. For dessert, Zachary got chocolate ice cream with sprinkles and whip cream. He LOVED it!


The next day, Grammy Ellen and Grandpa Stan came to visit. We had another birthday dinner with them (Pasta with Pesto, aka PASTO). For dessert we had birthday cake and wore party hats. Even Zoe joined in the fun.

Then on Sunday we had a party with Zachary's friend Eitan and all of their local pals. We had pools in the backyard, balls, ride on toys, and of course the swing set. Both Zachary and Eitan had their own ice cream cake. Zachary was so excited when he saw the candles and enjoyed eating his cake.



Here are some other recent pictures of Zachary ... he is a busy boy so it is harder to catch him these days then it used to be. We can't believe he is 3 now, times sure has flown by.




Stay tuned for Zoe at 11 monthes.