California-Take One!

We had a wonderful time in California, celebrating with Joel as he graduated and visiting with Mom, Tony, and Dad! We walked A LOT and enjoyed the balmy California weather. We strolled through Carmel, took in the sights of Cannery Row, looked for seals and sea otters, and just enjoyed each other's company. Here are some pictures of the trip. I will follow up with some more later.

Titus and Tony "Pa" during one of our many walks downtown.

Titus and Dad "Grandpa" dancing at an English Pub.

Titus and Mom "Gran" when everyone first arrived. Titus was a little unsure at first, but he came around really quickly! He sure loves his grandparents and we are so lucky to have them in our lives.

Titus and Dad "Grandpa," and Bunny, the newest member of the Titus toy collection.

Titus in his Ergo. I am happy he likes this carrier, as he was in it for most of the vacation!

Titus and I went for a walk on the Monterey Recreation Trail.

Titus giving me his best Zoolander pose at Carmel Beach.

Joel and Titus at the beach. That water was freezing!

Titus, tuckered out during one of our walks. This area is known as the Cypress Coast and this tree is one example of many of the Cypress trees growing along the shore.

I took Titus to the "Dennis the Menace Park" and he enjoyed his first time on the swings!

Titus' first airplane ride!

We were fortunate enough to fly to Monterey, California to be with Joel as he graduated from Naval Post Graduate School. It was Titus' first plane ride and it was a big one! We flew from Providence to Chicago and then on to San Jose. He was a little rock star! He played with his toys, ate his food, and even got carried around by one of the flight attendants, who was missing her own sweet baby. Joel figured out a way to have him play on his blanket on the floor, which was a great lifesaver! We also got him to sleep some in his Ergo. All in all, he did great!

Mama, it is way too early for pictures!

Eating bananas from the teether. It was a MESS!

Sitting on Joel's lap and watching the world go by!

Titus and his ever present string of drool!

Book Club

I was invited by some gals from church to be part of a book club and thought it would be nice to share what we will be reading, just in case you are looking for some good books! It is exciting because the books will focus on growing in our Walk with Christ and the fellowship flowing from that will be wonderful. It will be a mix of fiction, non-fiction, biographies, etc. I am just so thankful for this group and eager to get started.

Our first book is "My Hands Came Away Red" by Lisa McKay. I actually suggested this at our first get together, as I previously read it and was so taken by it that I had to pass it on. I am happy that it was chosen and excited to read it all over again. Hopefully, you will get the chance to read it and enjoy it as well.

Baby Shower Bonanza!

It seems that everyone at Officer Candidate School has had or is about to have a baby this year! It has been so fun to see everyone become parents for the first time, second time, or third time. We have become regulars at Babies R Us and the Cake Lady! This past weekend, we had a baby shower for Dionne, who is expecting her little girl in November. Her husband is Joel's office mate, Scott. It was a surprise shower and Dionne was so overwhelmed! It was a great day, as you can see by the pictures.

SURPRISE!

Everyone gathered around the gift table

Dionne having some grub. Check out the diaper cake ;) wink.

I know this picture is blurry, but I wanted to show you Titus moving and grooving. He loves to bounce and dance.

Titus, sporting the Ralph Lauren, and K.C.

This party animal is zonked out!

Labor Day Hikes

Well, the weather has definitely changed and the sun is sinking earlier in the day, which means only one thing. Fall is on its way! We took some time this weekend to hike at Bluff Point and to take in the Long Island Sound on the Niantic Boardwalk. Soon it will be too cold to venture outside, so we are trying to make the most of what we have right now!

Titus, peeking over the Ergo, to check out the scenery.

The boys watching the sunset.

Titus in his cowboy socks, courtesy of Grammy, and jacket, courtesy of Auntie Kristi.

Ready to Roll!

Hanging on the boardwalk.