Russel Orchards

A fall favorite on an indian summer day.

Claire's Intuition

A 7 month pregnant Kate came to visit and from these pictures you can tell Claire was asking about the baby. She knew there was something special going on... An amazing moment.

New 'do

So I ended up with a plain old bob even though I had envisioned this...

New Red Shoes

Doesn't every girl need a pair of red shoes? As fall rolls around, we were forced to retire the sandals for some real mary janes -- especially now that Claire walks. We had tried to go cheap and Claire's feet weren't happy. These See Kai Run shoes however are now worn everyday and Claire loves them.

the last of summer

We had the chance to take Cole and Ollie for the day as Meg and Tim both headed back to work. We spent most of the day at a state park swimming during which an ice cream truck showed up and Cole asked if we could get some.... Steven replied, "Why not?" which thrilled Cole and we spent the next 45 minutes trying to decide on a flavor. It was the first ice cream truck experience for all the kids, it seemed only necessary to document it.

She Walks!

That was a grape that lured her across the room.

Franklin Park Zoo

Why is this ALWAYS funny?

Not so merry-go-round

In an effort to ensure Claire's well-roundedness, we thought we should expose her to the world of the Carnie -- this one at Salem willows. We only managed one trip around the merry-go-round with her actually ON a horse. The rest of the ride was spent in my arms, screaming for mom.

Baby Ava

Amy and Jered's daughter, Ava, arrived on August 14th, while Claire was away visiting Laney and Papi in New Hampshire. I can't even remember when (if?) Claire was ever that small. Next to Ava, Claire is a bit of a monster, and has equivalent social skills... Her only interaction with her cousin so far consists of pointing at her and grunting angrily.

Hotter than Hades

A day at our friends' pool was a nice respite this week from Claire feeding herself barnacles, rocks, and shells on the beach (she likes salty foods).

Chicago

Our trip to Chicago was planned around two big, happy events... Missy's baby shower and Heather Lewis' wedding. It was also the first time we left Claire overnight. (she did great with the Veenema grandparents.) As much as we missed her it was a weekend to remember -- late nights, dining out, lots of laughs, not much sleep, some shopping, and just some time for ourselves with people we love... Just wishing we all lived closer together.

Seeing Heather's happiness on her wedding day, and Missy carrying the soon-to-arrive baby Zion were special reminders of two of life's best moments: becoming a wife and becoming a mother.

Cousins

DSCN1610, originally uploaded by kristaveenema.

Almost all of the current Ferguson cousins were together at the lake recently -- including 2 of the 3 in utero. This was the most successful attempt at putting them all together for a picture...

Playground Time

Climbing Slide, originally uploaded by kristaveenema.

Claire is no longer content to sit in a swing.

Appleton Farms

Cole and Claire at Appleton Farms, originally uploaded by kristaveenema.

A weekly highlight of every summer: trips to Appleton Farms. This week we shared a picnic with Meg & Tim and the kids after picking snap peas and strawberries. Claire always loves hanging out with her cousins -- and no one can make her laugh like Cole.

Learning to Brush

West Beach

At Beach, originally uploaded by kristaveenema.

Meg hooked us up with a Landmark pass, which gives us easy (and free) access to West Beach in Beverly Farms. To our surprise, Claire enjoyed both the frigid water and the taste of saltwater mud.

Vermont Wedding

DSCN1453, originally uploaded by kristaveenema.

A great old friend from high school was married last weekend on Ames Hill Road in VT. It was an amazing time. The ceremony in the upstairs of the barn; taps to micro-brews protruding from a nearby trailer; some bluegrass; some great food; some great speeches; and most importantly a lot of laughs with great friends. A perfect summer wedding.

Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake

After a big weekend between home and VT, we headed up to Wolfeboro on Sunday afternoon for some R&R and to celebrate the start of Steven's life between jobs.

Big Events...Big Joy

It was a weekend to remember. Steven's Dad turned 60, so we were in Vermont on Saturday at a surprise party for him, (he is well worth all that driving in one day.) The following day Claire was baptized in church. I was able to finish sewing her dress (in the car on the way to Vermont) so she wore haute couture by Veenema to mark this sacred event. She was quiet and solemn as she was blessed and called "a child of God." We had a big party in our backyard where Claire ate a chocolate cupcake and was ecstatic to be welcomed into the world of sugar. We also celebrated Steven's Magna cum laude graduation from Suffolk Law School. As a wife and mother, let's just say I was overwhelmed- to be the mom of little, happy Claire and the wife of a smart and sweet man makes me tear up... a lot of blessings... a lot of joy.

Visiting G-parents in VT

DSC01823[1], originally uploaded by kristaveenema.

Here is claire, playing with gramma.