I got a present in the mail today.

I've been wanting a video monitor for my kids for a LONG time...

...ever since Ian was a baby.

And we FINALLY found one.

Well, not a baby monitor, per se.

But a wireless webcam.

With pan & tilt.

And 2-way audio.

And night vision.

That Joe can check from work.

Coolest. Thing. Ever.

Wanna see my babies as they were just a couple of minutes ago?

First, we see Blake (cuddling a blanket)....then we panned over to Ian (with his nightlight/creature in the window)....

HOW AWESOME IS THAT??

Editor's Note: For those who expressed interest, it's a FOSCAM Wireless IP Camera, also available on Amazon.

Do you see Blake in any of these faces?

Because I certainly do.

Jen

Joseph

Linda (Joe's mom)

Tummy Time.

It's been a busy few weeks around here.

So, if you'll bear with us...

{and you'll want to, because my kids are adorable}

...here's what we've been up to.

Blake is sporting one of Joseph's baby outfits...

I have a sneaking suspicion that Joe wasn't 5 months old when he wore it... =)

Ian has been making jets and space shuttles out of cardboard boxes lately.

Each comes complete with a 'STOP....'

....and 'GO' buttons...

But also...

...destinations buttons for 'SPACE,' 'HOME,' and 'GRAMMY'S HOUSE.'

A couple of Fridays ago, it wasn't nine-hundred degrees outside,

so Ian and Joseph camped in the back yard.

Though, it being urban camping, movies were involved. =)

Ian often reminds us that eating outside is one of his favorite activities.

We were happy to oblige on the morning of his backyard campout.

Ian was pretty content after a nice sleep outside...

...And Blake and I enjoyed them for breakfast al fresco.

Blake is finally learning to love toys--

his 2 month-long teething extravaganza has really helped to expedite that process along, for sure.

...and this boy looooooooves to swing.

We're now 2-for-2 with Crazy Duck success stories.

Ian loved it. Blakes loves it.

Win-Win.

We went to Maine last weekend to celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. Blake got to meet my cousin, Isaac, for the first time--and Blake literally melted into Isaac's arms. I'm pretty confident it's because Isaac *may or may not* have been Ian's *shape* when he was a baby.

I like to call this picture "KINDRED SPIRITS."

Great-Grammy got some good cuddles in...

...and also built up her muscle tone at the same time.

Joe's dad was in town for a few days on business,

so we took advantage of the good weather and brought him to

our favorite spot for some blueberry and raspberry picking.

Annnnnnnnd....I think it's time for an up-size in clothing...

Granddaddy was pretty excited about blueberries!

One must sample the blueberries before one commits to the whole blueberry bush.

Last night we headed up to Canobie Lake to eat dinner...

...but after a long day of berry-picking,

Ian was pooped.

boston > schenectady > palmyra > toronto > and back
part 1

Joe knew he would be presenting at a conference in Toronto in August, so a few months ago (even before Blake was born, I think), he invited the rest of us along.

does anyone else think Blake isn't quite sure about the idea of this whole ROAD TRIP thing?

Ian was with Blake on this one...

At about Springfield, MA, Blake started getting hungry, so we found a field where Joe and Ian could play soccer.....allthewhile....

....I fed Blake.

....and Ian had a great time...until he fled the mosquitoes.

We were able to spend the night in the Schenectady area with our friends, Jared and Ashley. Ian had a fun time playing with their little girl, Gwen.

On Saturday morning, we headed for Palmyra, making our first stop at the Hill Cumorah and visitors' center.

I think I'm going to start a collection called "pictures Ian takes of me" because HE IS AWESOME.

Joe always gets a token 'action shot.'

The Smith log home was not stroller-accessible (what were those Smith's thinking??...hee hee. Just kidding. Stop the lightning!)...so Blake got the carry.

Ian was in rapt attention the whole time we were visiting the church sites--he was asked (and answered!) many questions. When the missionary giving us our tour asked if there were any questions, he raised his hand confidently and said, "What kind of wood is this made out of?" I WAS A PROUD MAMA. Also, we learned a new fact: the wood that made the log cabin was from the Sacred Grove. There's a new tidbit for you all.

Ian was excited to head upstairs to where Joseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni.

Blake was an absolute PLEASURE on our tours!

We especially enjoyed the tour of the frame house. Blake did, too, can you tell?

A nice lady from California took our picture in the frame house. She was awesome.

Yeah, Blake had a rockin' good time.

I'm 96% sure that Joe wasn't supposed to touch this rake.
(And I think the nice lady from California agreed.)

It was a hot day, so Ian and I took a little rest at the cooper's shop (one of the locations where Joseph Smith hid the plates).

We took several paths through the Sacred Grove. Ian was able to tell us a lot about what happened there. It was wonderful.

Joe found some ripe raspberries as we were leaving the Sacred Grove. He and I disagreed on whether or not one should eat them. I'll have you guess who thought what. =)

Like mother, like son--Ian could not get enough of the flowers at the sites.
They really were gorgeous.

On Sunday, we went to the Whitmer Farm. Even though Joe and I had both been to the area previously, we'd never been to the Whitmer Farm before. It was--by far--our favorite part of the Palmyra experience. It had an amazing spirit to be felt.

We wish we'd known we could go to church there! How cool would THAT have been!?

Inside the home where the church was organized...

I love red doors. With all my heart. It makes me love the Whitmer's even more.

Blake slept through the whole tour. He's been such a good traveler.
As has his big brother.

A nice missionary was kind enough to take our picture in front of the Whitmer home.

After an uneventful border crossing, we got to our shwanky hotel in Toronto.

Blake really likes it.

Ian's having a great time, too. They even have 'Word World" in Canada. SCORE!

That's it for now. We're headed to find all of the poutine we can. Maybe lunch AND dinner. =) Joe's hoping to join us for lunch.

Hugs from O'Canada!