Happy Halloween!

Much like the wild and crazy parades in New York City this time of year, Helena's daycare held its annual Halloween costume parade (though not as wild as those in New York City). The costume parade was followed by snacks provided by all of the parents.





March of the little people in costume (do you recognize the princess in the middle?)




Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the cutest baby of them all?!?




Helena as a beautiful princess




Ella and Helena




Alexa and Helena




Helena and her classmates enjoying Halloween snack




Helena enjoying a glass of apple juice with her Halloween snack

Sporty Spice

Helena getting ready to go to school in her Elmo sports suit

....you've got the cutest little babyface!

Can you pick out the real "baby face" in this picture?

Happy 2nd Birthday Helena (the finale)

Two weeks of parties culminated with a final celebration today on Helena's actual birthday. Helena's mommy brought cupcakes to school for snack time, which pleased Helena and her classmates who were used to just getting goldfish or pretzels (it was apparent that at least one of the children does not get cupcakes or cookies at home as she inhaled hers in one gulp). Helena also had a special birthday dinner with her parents and enjoyed more cake. Helena's parents would like to thank all of their family and friends who took part in or sent birthday wishes; we look forward to many more years of celebrations.




"Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me..."




"Bottoms up!"




Helena and her classmates eating cupcakes




Helena and her classmates chilling out in their party gear




A funny face from the birthday girl




Apparently, they ran out of cupcakes.

Happy 2nd Birthday Helena - New Jersey Edition

It's not even Helena's official birthday yet, but she is already having her second birthday party, this time with the family in New Jersey. After a wonderful dinner out at a restaurant, the family returned home for a homemade cake prepared by Sara (she's accepting orders now for birthdays and any occasion).




Helena making a funny face while out at dinner





Helena, dressed in her party outfit, with Daddy and Mommy




Helena's Elmo Birthday cake (created and prepared by Sara)




"Is that cake all for me?"




Helena eating birthday cake




"I really like this gift"




Tickling Elmo while he is still in the box



Opening birthday gifts




"I'm going to take my own picture if you don't mind!"




Helena with Grandpa and her baby doll Becca




Daddy with Helena and her baby dolls, Carol and Becca




Helena getting ready to go out for a ride on her new tricycle with her baby dolls

Happy 2nd Birthday, Helena - Boston Edition

Although Helena's birthday is not until the 16th, the family headed to Boston this past weekend to celebrate Helena's birthday with her family and friends residing in Saux country! This is the first of many celebrations that are forthcoming.




Helena playing with her balloons




Decorating baby pumpkins




Helena and her pumpkin




Helena eating pizza with Charlotte




Decorating cookies




Hmmm....I think I need to add a couple of sprinkles (why not just dump in the whole container?!?)




Mommy and Daddy with Helena



Helena's Elmo birthday cake




It's my birthday, so if I want to eat the icing right off the side, I will!




Going for a spin after cake




Helena was so pooped after her party, she crashed back at the hotel




Out for dinner celebrating Helena's birthday at Bugaboo Creek (the waitress is holding a stuffed animal moose head)

Jeff goes to Ann Arbor

Before it was known that Michigan's football team would start off with a debacle, Jeff made plans to head out to Ann Arbor in the middle of September to see Michigan play Notre Dame the third week of the season. What looked to be a clash of the titans before the start of the season, involving the two winningest programs in college football, turned out to be anything but that (and Michigan almost had to forfeit the game after-the-fact because of a rules infraction). Anyway, Jeff's friend, Mike, who is a Domer fan, was a good sport despite the beating his team took. Hope to make it out to South Bend next season for the annual match!




Jeff posing by the Block "M" in the Diag. It was rumored that if you stepped on it before a bluebook exam, you would fail it. Jeff didn't step on it for four years!




Jeff standing on the Michigan hockey team's bench in Yost Ice Arena




Jeff with Charlie Brown in Yost Ice Arena




Jeff and the Blank Family, friends from college (Jamie, Ella, and Howie)





Mike and Jeff on their way out of Michigan Stadium with two minutes left in the game. You can't see the scoreboard in this picture, but the score is Michigan 38, Notre Dame 0!