Our professional photo shoot

The plan was to take beautiful pictures outside with the foliage but the temp was in the 20's so we opted instead to do them at our house so we could run inside afterwards to warm up. This the first time we have had professional pictures since our wedding. It was fun and tiring and definitely not something we want to do every year. I love the expressions on the kids faces in alot of these pics. These are unedited, rough drafts of the pictures.

The joys of an older sister

 notice the stickers on her belly and cheeks.

 Add a wand and some glasses and voila... the 1 year old diva.

Israel's John Deere 3rd birthday

 Israel wanted a riding mower cake and plates etc. This was as close as we could get. He loves mowers and John Deere.

 The internet is great for finding odd birthday stuff!

 Cake topper John Deere hats courtesy of Ebay. Riding Mower on cake and Tractor also from Ebay. Cake decorating skills all Mike's handy work.

One happy little 3 year old!!!

Goofy

 Happy 18 months Nairi!!! Her language is exploding. She is stringing 3 and 4 words together no doubt in part to her copying every word that comes out of Keira and Isarel's month. She even says " Why????" when you tell her to do something or to not do something. Which you know having 3 kids who ask why to your every move is not annoying in the slightest.

 Kung Fu fighting with the scare crow?

 I can't believe he is going to turn 3 in a few days. He is such a sweet, silly little boy.

 I asked them to sit down so I could take a pic. Yeah they listen well.

 Giving Nairi a kiss. He loves her and he bothers her like crazy. At 18 months old Nairi can say. "Israel!! Bothering!!"

 JUMPING

Whatever Israel does she must copy.
In other news Keira and Mary are adjusting to school and I am adjusting to my new title of chauffeur. Israel and Nairi have deemed school pick up time as snack time and the floor of the van and their carseats now have enough crumbs to feed a small daycare. And I think I have come to realize that what I thought was witching hour before was just a precursor  The hours of 3 -5 pm are nutty around here. Everyone is tired and cranky, there is homework and dinner prep and aye yi yi. Its nuts. I have never been so glad to see 7 pm.

 If you have little kids and need some humor to your day read this http://athimons.com/2012/10/02/get-real/

Mike's 31st birthday- a few weeks late!

Blowing out the candles is a family affair in case you can't tell. Mike is disheartened because two people recently thought he was 40. Poor guy. Me being the sympathetic wife said " Well what do you expect since you are bald and grey and haven't slept past 6 am in 5 years? " So everyone please tell the guy how young and handsome he is.

Boston Aquarium

 First on the agenda. Ride the T!!!! Keira and Israel were so excited to "ride a train and go in a tunnel"

 Getting ready to leave on the orange line. He is excited and nervous. Its written all over his face.

 Keira is holding on tight!

 Outdoor seal tank in the rain

 The scuba diving staff were as exciting as the sea creatures

 Seals

 Mary enjoying Boston and the aquarium although you can't tell by her face! :o)

 The water and walk ways around the aquarium are really cool. Too bad the weather was so damp and dreary and rainy

 mini penguins

 giant turtle

 Keira touching the sting ray in the touch tank

 Lots of lots of very cool jellyfish

 Nairi is scared of the jellyfish.

 Love the tall buildings of Boston

The aquarium was under construction so we were given free IMAX tickets. We watched a show about whales and dolphins  Although the movie was not that exciting it was fascinating to watch in 3D ( or least for me since I have never watched a movie in 3D before.) The kids looked adorable in their 3D glasses but the picture came out really dark.