Twins

Charlotte and Molly sure look alike at 9 months.

Let There Be Light

Mom & Dad gave us some new lights for Christmas. The family room is no longer a dungeon.

Down With A Bang

When I was a kid, 2 or 3 summers in a row, we went camping up in Port Henry, either at the village campground or Bulwagga Bay. We always went with our friends, the Koch's and I always remembered having a good time. Both campgrounds were sandwiched between railroad tracks and Lake Champlain. So 2 of the most vivid memories of these trips were placing pennies on the tracks (and then returning after the train went buy to find paper thin, smushed coins) and waking up in the morning and looking out over the lake and seeing the bridge. It was a cool sight and I think one time we actually drove over it. So when I heard the news in Oct. that it was coming down, part of me was a little sad. I really think, if I lived closer, I may had drove up to watch it.

So, here here to the bridge...thanks for the memories and hope your replacement looks just like you.

Happy Birthday Maeve

It's been a crazy month and I'll talk more about Christmas later. But I can't overlook the fact that today, our little Maeve turned 2 years old. We can't believe it. Tonight we celebrated by having Maeve's favorite food, spaghetti, followed by a giant cupcake and then present time. Birthdays are so much fun.

It's a Girl - Molly Elizabeth Hull - Born November 19, 2009

I know I'm a week behind with the official announcement on this blog, but with today being Thanksgiving, I figure this would be appropriate.

Molly Elizabeth Hull was born last Thursday morning (11/19) at St. Peters. Chris and Molly are both doing great. Molly has been gaining weight everyday and Chris is feeling bettter and better every day. Charlotte and Maeve are enjoying life as big sisters. Here are the details:

Name: Molly Elizabeth Hull
Date/Time of Birth: 11/19/09, 11:10AM
Weight: 7'1oz
Length: 21 inches


We ar so very thankful this Thanksgiving and hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Apple Picking

There's nothing like spending a perfect crystal clear day picking apples with friends. The 4 of us went up to Saratoga Apple in Schuylerville, NY with our friends, the Guyons, for another great afternoon of picking apples, drinking cider and eating donuts.


We started this great tradition 5 years ago and we look forward to it many future years to come.


More photos in our family photo album (If you have access).

Locking Down Picasa

I guess this story of the mother her found her son up for adoption on Craigslist really bothered up last week.

So, we locked down our Picasa Album so only people I invite can view it. You now have to have a free g-mail (e-mail) account to view our family photos. For those of you that already have a g-mail account, I have given you access rights. If you don't have a free gmail (e-mail) account and would like to view my photos, please click here to establish an account and then send me your gmail address. I will then add you to the access list.

Maybe we are being a little over cautious about this, but I don't want some nut job geting his/her hands on pictures of the girls.

A Day At The Plaza

It was another fun filled day at The Empire State Plaza for the GE Kids Day. This year, there were lots of balloons, bouncy bounce, really tall men, face painting, magicians performance by the Disney Channel's "Choo Choo Soul".

G-Mom & Papa came along for the fun and weather turned out great. Another great day. Here is Charlotte & Maeve doing some dance moves.

The Half Way Mark

Well we have been in the house a month and things are starting to settled. Time to focus on another life changer...Baby # 3. Chris is into week 20...Half way there. Here is a peek at him or her.

Happy Fathers Day

Well...we finally made it. After almost 2 weeks of being in the new house, it's starting to feel a little more normal. Yes, we still have a lot more unpacking to do, but we are starting to feel at home, instead in a house full of boxes. Today we took the day off with unpacking to celebrate Dad's Day. Spent the morning hanging out at home. Did a little shopping and lunch in the Afternoon, and then tried to play in yard. Mother nature put a end to that with the rain, so we came back in to watch the US Open. For dinner, it was off to Jumpin Jacks for dinner.

Another great Father's Day. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads.

Bad Karma

On Mother's Day after having a great morning with Chris, Charlotte and Maeve eating bagels and donuts (That's what Chris wanted), we went to my cousin Amy's house for dinner. The day continue on a good note spending lots of time with the family, hitting the playground for at least 1 hour. But then we came out to this:


That's right...some A-Hole decided to back out of the driveway across the street from my cousin's house and into my car...and then drive off without saying a word. We reported to Colonie's finest. Of course, they filled out a report, gave me a copy and told me to call my insurance co. I obviously suspected it was my cousin's neighbor (who wasn't home when the police came) and after I left, when he thought the cost was clear, he pulled into his driveway. My Dad was still there, and he did what most Dad's would do...get a little hot with the guy and told him he hit my car. The guy denied it and walked away when my Dad started taking pictures of his car. Well, I called Colonie's finest again, and supposedly the cop went to talk to the neighbor and look at the car. He called me back and said there was no physical evidence that his car had been involved in a accident, so he couldn't accuse this guy of the hit-and-run. Nice. Needless to say by looking at the pictures below, this moron is the culprit. I called my insurance Co and they basically said the same thing as the cop.

The final estimate for the damage was $1,870, with a $500 deductible, I got a check for $1,370. Luckily, my sister and brother-in law are friends with a guy who does body work and he was willing to fix the door for $1,370.

So in addition to spending time packing the house for the big move, dealing with lawyers, banks, I now had to deal with the insurance company and getting my car fixed (should be fixed on Thursday).

My mother always says, Bad Karma will always come back to haunt you. I believe in Karma to...What goes around, comes around and I'm guessing this hit-and-run will come back to haunt him.

You be the judge...Study the pictures. Look at the faint perpendicular line on the van and compare it to the "bumper guard" on his bumper. They match perfectly...but the Colonie Police didn't see it that way because there were no markings on his car. Boy, his car looks clean...I'm guessing before he got home, he buffed any marks out and gave the car a wash.

Sesame Street Live

Chris and I took the girls to the Palace Theater in Albany to see Sesame Street Live. Charlotte went nuts when all her "buddies" (that's what Charlotte calls them) and Maeve seam to go crazy the most with Elmo.


It was a great show, Charlotte & Maeve had a great time and everybody learned how to make music without traditional insturments.

Our Little 3 Year Old

It's unbelievable, but our little Charlotte turned 3 years old today. Chris and I still can't believe that our little peanut is 3. Time is just going by way to fast.


Saturday, we had the family over for some Munchies, Cake and Ice Cream with the curious George theme. Then today, the four of us celebrated Charlotte's big day again. She seamed to like all her presents, although I think her favorite was the Wall-E track and the puzzles.


Check out some more photo's in our family album.

Dakota's Dream

My wife's cousins daughter, Dakota, has Tay Sachs. A hereditary, degenerative neurological disease that is always fatal in children. Chris has been keeping updated on her ordeal through Dakaota's web site and the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation web site.

But even with reality, Dakota has a dream. A dream that some day will come true. Check out the video below entitled "Dakota's Dream" and learn about this disease...and if you can, help by donating to the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation.

Your donation will some day make Dakota's hope a reality.

Tis The Season To Be Jolly

It was a pretty crazy week last week. We not only celebrated Christmas for the first time with Maeve, but it was also Maeve's first birthday on Sunday 12/28.

Christmas started around 7:30ish with when Chris and I actually had to go into Charlotte's room to wake her up. Maeve had been up since her usual time of 6:00am. Charlotte became very excited after we told her that Santa had been here and had eaten all her cookies that she had left out for him. Charlotte's favorite present seamed to be her WALL-E DVD, while Maeve seamed to like her zoo and Charlotte's stove.

After a morning of opening presents and 2 showings of WALL-E, it was off to my parents house for dinner and more presents. After presents it was more fun, games and more food. Since neither of the kids had naps, I think both of them were asleep by the time we left my parents driveway, well after 10:00PM.


On Saturday, the family came to our house to celebrate Maeve's 1st birthday....I still can't believe Maeve is 1.




On Sunday (Maeve's actual birthday), the 4 of us celebrated Maeve's special day again, but in a more mellow manner. A great way to end one busy week. Check out more pictures of the week in our family photo album.


Merry Christmas Everybody and Happy New Years Too!!

Strong Like Bull

My brother has been a successful business man down in Manhattan for over 10 years now. He's company, Heavyweight Internet Group recently celebrated it's 10th anniversary. A few years ago, Sean decided to diversify and in addition to running a company, he became a Certified Personal Trainer by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He helps clients and maintains the training blog, Athlete In The City. He is the entrepreneur of the family and we are all proud of what he has accomplished. Check out his latest training video on his blog. Wow..My arms hurt looking at it.

Halloween At The Crossings

The 4 of us went up to the Crossings today for Colonie's annual Halloween Party. They had lots of cool stuff for the girls including story hour, cookies, cider, balloons, and Andy "The Music Man " Morse. We have seen Andy many times...he puts on a great show for the kids.

This year Maeve is a Duck and Charlotte is Tinkerbell. However, since Chris isn't done with Charlotte's Tinkerbell costume, Charlotte had to be a flower today.

A Day To Celebrate

This past Saturday, Chris and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Wow, I can't believe it has been 5 years. It has just flown by so fast, especially now with Charlotte and Maeve keeping us busy. Normally we like to go up to Lake Placid for a couple of nights, but this year we thought it would be too tough with the girls and Maeve is going through the "separation anxiety from Mommy" stage, so, leaving the kids with Mom and Dad was out of the question.

We did however, get to go out. The plan was dinner and, if Maeve was ok at my parents, a movie. So we went to Olde Shaker Inn in Latham for a very nice dinner. Afterwards we called the parents, and as soon as Dad answered the phone, I knew the movie was out...Maeve was screaming in the background. So instead we made a qick stop to Professor Java's in Colonie for dessert and coffee and then back to my parents house. That's OK...It was still a great day

Happy Anniversary Chris...I love you so much.

Incidentaly, we decided we couldn't stay away from Lake Placid, so we are going up this Saturday (10/11) with the girls. It should be fun.

Here is a recap video of our special day.

Moving In Your Sleep

This is how we find Maeve sleeping in her crib one day last week. How do you sleep like this??

Now I know I've probably slept like this before, but that was after 6-10 beers.

8 Friends & 18 Years = 15 Adults, 12 Kids and a lot of Fun

Chris, Charlotte, Maeve and I went up to the Saratoga Spa State Park for picnic with some friends that I graduated from Niskayuna High School with back in 1990. It's been a long time since all of us have gotten together so obviously there was a lot of catching up to do. Although it rain for about 20 minutes we all had a great time. A little rain didn't ruin this party and, in fact, I think some of the kids enjoyed the mud. I know it didn't stop Charlotte from eating chips and dip.

Hopefully this will become a July Tradition for years to come.

The next day, the four of us went to my cousin's house for my Uncle's birthday. It was hot...damn hot. But Charlotte had a ball with Katie and Michael in the pool. Happy Birthday Larry!!!

Check out more photos in our family album.