Doyle Family Beach Bash

I can't believe it's been a year since I posted an entry for last year's Doyle Family Beach Bash!  This year's festivities were just as fun.  The beach was fairly empty (as Hurricane Irene was due to arrive only 24 hours later) and the kidos LOVED playing in the sand!

The pitter-patter of 8 little feet!

Before the kidos came along we had a cat.  Her name was Johnny (short for John Deere) and we sort of inherited her from Bobby's brother's family.  We loved having her and were quite sad when she didn't come home one day (she was an indoor/outdoor cat).  We always knew we wanted another cat someday and decided a few weeks ago that the time might be right.  I wanted to get a cat while I was still home full time with the kids and Bobby wanted one in time for winter (also known as mouse season around here).  We also felt like if one or more of the kidos turned out to be allergic, it would be easier to take the cats away at this age.

So off we went to the local feline rescue shelter.  I was looking for a nice, sweet, young ADULT cat but Annie had other ideas.  She set her sights on the smallest kitten there and absolutely couldn't be swayed.  She carted (and chased) it around the room saying "kitty, kitty, meow" and giggled and squealed with delight.  At one point I asked her if she wanted to take the kitty home with her and she looked me right in the eye and said, "yes."  Of course she waited for this particular occasion to use this word for the very first time.  As luck would have it Annie had chosen a kitty who was part of a sibling group that the shelter refused to split up.  So instead of coming home with 1 quiet, adult cat we came home with 2, rowdy kittens.  I feel good about their history - their mom belonged to an elderly man who had 2 great-grandchildren similar in age to the trio so they are used to the eager hands of toddlers who just want to love all over them.  They were born in April so they're about 5 months old.  

We have them hanging out in the bathroom for a few days while they adjust.  Annie already knows where they "live" and is constantly whining to go see them.  Stay tuned for the adventures of 'The Triplets take on Maggie and Moe!'

Magpie (aka Maggie)

Black Strip Molasses (aka Moe)

These kids are brilliant!!!

Obviously every parent thinks his or her own kids are the smartest and most talented kids ever.  We feel no different.  :-)

What a beautiful row of animals!

Brilliant!

Eli brushed his hair all by himself.  Notice the height he was able to accomplish.

Brilliant!

Such speed!

Such feeling!

Such concentration!  Brilliant!

My first 'Mommy art.'  Brilliant!

You know you're a Bostonian when...

So this entry was inspired by an entry recently posted on a friend's blog.  She and her husband are native Hoosiers who relocated to Texas where their daughter was born.  In her case she was expressing her concern for the fact that her 2 and 1/2 year old was starting to say ya'll.  I have similar concerns...

The trio have a speech therapist (who we love!) who works with them once a week.  Now I think that speech therapists, like TV news anchors, should be accent neutral.  Right?  Well, imagine my surprise when I walked in on one of their sessions and overheard this:

"Twinkle, twinkle little STAAAH
How I wonder what you AAAH"

Oh boy!

Splash pad fun

Eli tests the water with Auntie Lizzie

Ready to give it a try

Mikie debates whether he wants to get wet

Sorry about you pants Auntie Lizzie!

Mikie was beyond exhausted and not entirely thrilled to be wet

Nana, Eli and cousin Connor

Auntie Elly and Connor

This one just makes me smile - Connor LOVED the water!

Cousin Connor turns 1!

Our nephew Connor turned 1 in July and we got to help him celebrate two times!

Auntie Cathy, Mikie, Connor and Elly

The cutie birthday boy!

Connor enjoying his birthday cake

 Eli enjoying Connor's birthday cake

Happy birthday to you!

Auntie Lizzie and Annie

Our attempt to get a photo of Pop Pop and MeMe with all 10 grandchildren.  This is the first time all 10 of them have been together.  You should see the out-takes...they are hilarious!

Cute cousin moments

Our amazing stroller

I know I promised quite a long time ago that I would share some photos of our very cool stroller.  I was recently reminded that I never got around to it...

I cannot imagine my life without this stroller.  It has literally given me my freedom and independence!  We bought if off of Craigslist (with the help of some special people - thanks Deborah and Alice!) and were able to save a lot of money.  It is lightweight (aluminum frame) and folds up like a giant clam - although I'm able to roll it right into the back of our van so I actually never even have to close it.  There are 4 large tires which makes taking it "off road" a breeze and we've taken it on many a hike already - rocks, mud and roots are no match for this thing!

Because of it's size and creative design it does attract a lot of attention (even more then having triplets does) and the number one comment I get is "I didn't even know they made strollers like that!"  My response is always, "I didn't either until I needed one."  The next question people ask is, "how do you decide who sits in front?"  The answer to that is, whoever I grab first.  I do anticipate that in the near future we will need to establish an elaborate rotation schedule...

Here we are at the zoo several weeks ago.