July

With Apogee in full swing, (and us about to move house next month), it seems a small miracle that I am finally getting a few pictures up on Sam's blog. Leader training started late June and it's been full steam ahead ever since. Sam LOVES the leaders and often requests a "bike ride with the leaders!" We're in our second round of trips right now and over the next couple of weeks the Apogee season will be wrapping up. Following are a few pictures from leader training as well as a few other shots from Sam's summer.

Our friend Sue Wells came to help out with training again this year. She and Sam were pretty sweet on each other.

Sam made himself right at home with the Apogee crew. Notice he's situated himself between two cute blonds here!

Sam & Maggie, one of our western leaders.

Sam bids the leaders farewell as they head out on their training trip.

Sam & I snuck away from the Apogee goings on and spent the 4th of July on Casco Bay with Kristin, Bobby, Gordie and a freind, Nora. Kristin and Bobby have fixed up a wonderful little skiff. The pictures don't show it, but it's a real beauty now!

A "life is good" kind of day.

Sam & Daddy take a break.

Sam's friend Macy turned three recently and had a wonderful, country party at her house. Activities included a wagon ride, swimming, naked pinata (the line up pictured above), cake and even fireworks! Macy was a gracious hostess to her all-boy guests.

Here, Mr. Gilly explains the pinata rules to the contestants.



Mimi & Big Poppy came to help out with Sam & meals during the between trip change-over. Apparently we worked them pretty hard!


Sam & Gordie were delighted to find a fleet of dump trucks, an excavator and a bulldozer at Mormor & Cappy's house earlier this summer. Their grandparents love them so much that they called in the big trucks just for the boys' entertainment...(and decided to have a new septic put in during the process!)


Boys and trucks...what can we say?...
(Notice Sam's yellow Wellies. He went through a phase earlier this summer when he had to wear them constantly, indoors and out!)

June

This morning we woke up to a beach weather kind of day and decided that's just where we wanted to be. So we packed up and went to beautiful Popham Beach. Sam did a lot of running, splashing and digging, and at one point exclaimed, "Fun at the Beach!", which verified our hunch. Following are a few photos of said fun...

After a nap in the car the fun continued in our back yard where Sam spent the rest of the afternoon naked and happy.

May

Here are a few snaps from May!

Sam & Gordie have joined the VFD and are in charge of keeping Engine No.1 clean and ready for action. Here Gordie gives it a sponge bath. (Sam meant to help but was more interested in dumping the water out of the bucket!)

"Come out and play, Mormor!"

Sam and his girlfriend, Sylvie. Sylvie took care of Sam this year and has just graduated from Bowdoin. The two were pretty nuts about each other so it was a sad parting. Luckily Sylvie will be in Maine awhile so we'll hope to see her again soon. For now we have this photo on our fridge and Sam often requests, "want to look at Sam & Sylvie!"

Kevin's latest endeavor has been setting up a slackline in the backyard. "Let's do some slacklinin'!'" is now a common refrain from Sam.

Slacklining has been a good antidote to the Apogee pre-season build up. Life is all about balance, right?! :)

Sam and Mommy go for a ride in Mr. Gilly's big red truck. What could be more fun?!

April

I may be the world's most inconsistent blogger. Clearly this is not a daily log, nor even a weekly log. Every 4-6 weeks seems to be the best I can muster. Following are some pictures from April. We've been having some very nice spring weather of late, but you can see from some of the shots that it wasn't long ago that we were still in our down coats!

To celebrate spring, Mormor gave Sam a special rake. Here the two of them get to work on yard clean up. Putting leaves into the wheelbarrow is Sam's favorite part.

Gordie & Sam gather sticks.

Look, Sam! Spring really is coming!

Inspecting Dad's buzz. This is Kevin's answer to the Barber Shop.

Sam LOVES bike rides with Daddy. Guess that gene passed.

A walk with Dad on the Gilroys' country driveway...

...that ended with a face plant in the mud!

A bike mechanic in the making. I may need to remind Kevin about U.S. child labor laws. For now Sam is a willing worker!

One to Ten Video

We took this video last night to commemorate Sam turning 18 months. In it Sam demonstrates his latest party tricks, counting to ten in Spanish and singing his ABC's. It's a little like putting a bumper sticker on your car touting "My kid is an honor roll student", but hopefully you'll humor us and get a kick out of it. :)

Easter 2008

We enjoyed Easter this year at Mom & Dick's house along with Kristin, Bobby & Gordie. Here are a few photos of our day together.

Our little Easter Bunnies looking springy in blue & white.

Sam & Aunt Kristin.

Sam proved neither hunter nor gatherer. This one find of the yellow egg was about the extent of his egg hunt. Gordie thought the whole thing was pretty great, though, and pressed on until all the eggs were found and nestled nicely in his basket.

More boys in blue & white.

A round of "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" with Cappy on the piano.

It wasn't exactly a warm, springy day, but the sun was shining and it felt great to be outside. Looking forward to those daffodils!

Taking a stroll with Mormor. Great to finally see some patches of grass!

Maine March

Following are a few images of Sam from March...

I know, I know...everyone takes this photo of their kid. I'm sure we won't be posting pictures to our family and friends if Sam comes home with a Mohawk at age 15!

Sunny Sam.

Yup. It's still pretty wintery here in Maine. Luckily Sam seems to have nothing but fond feelings for snow and ice.

A little spring shoveling in Mom's bike helmet.

Taking a break.

Vaaacuum!

I took this picture today. The vacuum cleaner is one of Sam's greatest obsessions. He often says good morning and good night to it, and regularly demands, "Mama vacuuming!" He also will chant, "1,2, 3 vacuuming!" Not sure where that came from, but it's a good motivational cheer. I'm hoping this interest will last long enough for him to learn to operate it on his own. He's also quite fond of brooms and mops, ...as well as ceiling fans.

Construction

Kristin and Bobby just started a remodeling project at their house in Freeport. The other day Sam got a chance to check it out with cousin Gordie. A giant hole, piles of dirt, an excavator and a skid steer...eureka!

Uncle Bobby, Sam, Gordie & Mormor check out the equipment.

Gordie and his GC daddy.

Sam gives Mormor the "scoop"! (so punny...couldn't resist!)