Hit that Oregon Trail this July

It feels like a long time coming when you buy your airline tickets on Christmas break, but here it is July and our epic journey has begun.

Up early for a cab ride to Logan, playing around at KidPort terminal C and plenty of time to catch our flight. Up, up and away -- Boston to Denver then Denver on to Portland PDX.

Thunderstorms over Missouri are blamed for the bumpy ride, but there's plenty of sunshine up here above the clouds.

The boys got pretty excited to finally get their much anticipated plane ride(s), and they made good travellers with their backpacks all loaded with books and crayons and things to pass the time.



Portland at last! We're really excited to see Auntie Ann!

Thomas turns 3

Thomas is 3 at last! Annoyed by having to wait until after Marty's birthday, we celebrated Tom's 3rd b-day with a lovely party and a big tugboat cake. Pictured is the post-party actual- day mini-tug ;)

The stats: Tom is 39.75" and 36 lbs. He's riding his new green Trek 16" bike which Marty passed down to him for his birthday. And he's got a snazzy helmet with blue flames! His favorite color is blue. And he's a "big boy".

Happy birthday big guy ")

PMC Kids Ride 2009

Another rainy Father's Day morning in Needham for the PMC kids ride. Marty on his red Gary Fisher for his third PMC ride and personal best, 10 laps, 8 miles. Thomas was riding for the very first time, on his styling green Trek Jet. He did one whole lap and some more in the tot loop, for about 1 mile total. Well done boys!

Martin turns 5

Another year has passed by so quickly. The stats: 47.25" and 49 lbs. I just keep shaking my head, he's just so grown up. Now entering a Lego fascination. He loves his new bike, with kickstand and red bell. He's even got a skateboard and Tony Hawk helmet. And baby, I love you through and through.

Bike to work week

How psyched was Marty to have a bike commuting Dad on bike to work week? They hitched up the Alley Cat to Dad's bike, donned his helmet and backpack, and off they rode down Rt 117 to Marty's preschool. That's a big adventure from the kid who says he doesn't ever want to own a car he'd much rather go by bike.

Chugga chugga choo choo

The family hit the rails -- all aboard Amtrak on the Saturday morning Downeaster from Woburn to Portland, Maine. Two hours on the train just flew by, clickety clack clickety clack here comes the train down the railroad track.

Portland was a lot of fun, too. Bill's pizza. The Children's Musuem (where they got to be firefighters, fishermen, and launch a space shuttle for Nasa!). A "swanky" hotel with Starbucks coffee in the lobby, the waterfront and a bakery with fresh warm scones. And dinner with a bird named "Seagully".

Rockin the Aquarium

The boys recently enjoyed a trip into Boston to visit the NE Aquarium with "Auntie" Paula. Trains and penguins and a visitor from Scotland - add pizza and gelato and you've got one EPIC day! It was even a purple train...perfect.

Oh yeah, and Thomas is now taller than a stingray. But he prefers "Thomas shark".

We love you Auntie! We'll take you to the Aquarium anytime!