If you're in the mood for something sweet...

A large helping of piping hot cutie pie, with a generous dollop of hand whipped adorableness.  

Enjoy.

Under the Phoenxiville Sun

It's always fun to have friends come to visit us here at the abode.  This weekend was no exception as we were lucky enough to have some very special visitors. 

 Chris was my room-mate in college, best man at my wedding, and one of the great friends that I'll have in this lifetime. He and his wife Becky are both teachers in Schenectady, New York and a week off from school for them gave us the chance to spend a few days together.

The weather was so nice that we pretty much just laid around in the sun for two days.  It was the type of weather that makes you seriously consider moving to southern California.  But then again... if we didn't have to live through all that Pennsylvania rain/snow/wind/slush/sleet would those perfect days be as sweet?  I think not.

Flattering or Freaky?

The other day we got this letter in the mail:

Are we wrong to feel like this is a little creepy?  Maybe this happens all the time, but I sort of feel like it doesn't.  It could just be two people who really like our house, but it seems like there would be a better, less stalker-ish way, to convey that message, right?  

You could say, "Hey we really like your house, if you're ever looking to move give us a call." Or some variation of that where you don't write a big fat $BUY$ complete with sandwiching money signs.

Is this odd, or is it just us?

Boys

Jen and I have said on occasion that if we had to choose we would rather have all boys than all girls.  I don't know what this decision is based on other then the vague notion that it would be slighty more pleasent to have a house full of racous, hormonal teenage boys, then one packed with giggling, boy-crazy, teenybopper girls.

Anyway, Jen's cousin Lauren and her kids (all boys) were down to visit earlier in the week. Tyler, Andrew, and Conner were really good with Aiden and they immediately accepted him into their boy fraternity.

I'm sure that Aiden would love to have a little sister to take care of, but really what boy doesn't want to give their kid brother a nice noogie now and then?

Here is the epitome of boy bonding.  I am trying to teach Aiden to give a hearty boooo! whenever he sees anything related to the New York Mets.  So far he has mastered "blugh."  Not bad for only 2 months of practice!

Aiden has Philies fever!

Bon Voyage Benners

For those of you who know our friends Mike and Rhianwen, or who have read their blog, you know that they will soon be moving to Los Angeles.  Mike is an amazing writer (which is why they are moving to LA in the first place) and if you want to read his account of their decision to take this step check it out here.

On Saturday we went to a going-away party for the Benner's. It was a great time to hang out, meet some of Mike and Rhianwhen's friends, and watch lots of little kids run around.  These first two pictures are of Rhianwhen and her Mom holding Aiden, and one of the party's other babies, Edan.  Pretty cute, huh?

We also got a little bit more Benner time in on Monday.  Valley Forge Park is a great (and big as we found out) place to a walk... and walk... and walk.   

What started out as a casual afternoon stroll soon turned into an epic forced march (the "trail of tears" was briefly referenced).  By the second hour morale was getting low, and there was some mutinous chatter circulating among the women-folk.  A typical exchange went something like this:

 Jen/ Rhianwhen-  "Do you know where are? Or are we just walking?"

Rob/ Mike- " Of course.  See that church over there? Thats where we started."

Jen/ Rhianwhen- "You mean the church on the other side of that mountain??  It's farther away NOW then it was 20 minutes ago!"

Rob/Mike- "Yeah, but at least we can SEE it."

And on it went- through hills and dales and replica revolutionary log cabins, until finally we  stumbled back into the parking lot, tired and broken (but happy.)

In reality the near nonexistent drudgery of our long walk was FAR overshadowed by how great it was to spend so much time with our friends.  Mike and Rhianwhen have been in our lives as long as we've been married (and longer for Rhianwhen and Jen), and it's going to be hard to have them so far away.  But more than anything we are beyond excited for this next stage in Mike and Rhianwhen's life.  

Bon Voyage Benners!  

And in conclusion, Aiden hates hats.

Party Time

The season of birthday celebrations continued today.  This time it was Jen and Dad's turn.  After church today Jen and Aiden and I, along with Aaron and Bethany, went to Mom and Dad Jones' house to get our party on.

Looking at this first picture you may wonder exactly which party-related activity is taking place.  We are clearly not eating dinner, having cake or opening presents (that was later).  

So why were we all standing around staring at a computer screen?

It's Gwyn!!!

Thanks to the magic of "Skype" Gwyn was able to join in the celebration from under her mosquito net in Uganda.  It was great for us all to talk to her, and see her together. Having her in the conversation made it feel like a real family get-together.

She'll be home pretty soon and Aiden can't wait to meet his Aunt Gwyn!

Ah yes, and now we're opening presents.

Aiden is giving his undivided attention.

Toby is really interested in Aiden.  He likes to sniff him and give him little kisses.

This birthday cake looked like something straight out of Doctor Seuss, and tasted like sweet blueberry goodness.  Good work Mom!

A happy Grandpa and a happy Grandson.  What could be better?

2 Peas in a Pod

Aiden has his first buddy.

Jen and my mom took Aiden on a road trip to Lancaster today.  Most of my mom's side of the family lives in Lancaster, and we figured it was about time for them to meet our little guy.

There is no shortage of cute kids in the Lancaster clan, and from what I'm told Aiden hit it off immediately with the youngest of the bunch: Lewis.  Lewis is Aiden's second cousin ( I looked it up) and they were like, you guessed it, two peas in a pod.

So, as you may notice there is a little bit of a size difference between these two fellas.  The discrepancy wouldn't be as odd if it weren't for the fact that Lewis is 6 weeks older than Aiden. He looks like Yoda, to Aiden's Jabba the Hut. 

Yet another confirmation that our son does indeed have the infamous Jones 'Fat Baby' gene.

Surprise, surprise.

Aiden finally gets a chance to be with his Great-Grandma Rogers.

Forging Ahead

Yesterday (Jen's birthday) we went to Valley Forge Park with our friends Steph and Bill.  It was another really beautiful afternoon for a walk, and lots of other people/babies/dogs were out enjoying it too.  Aiden came of course, and so did Steph and Bill's dog Jake who was adventurous enough to splash in the creek.

We (I) forgot to bring our camera, but we took these pictures with Jen's camera phone.

Not too shabby, huh?

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Swing Kid

Back when Jen was pregnant we always used to talk about how when Aiden was born we would resist the influx of "baby gear" that always seems to take over the home of all first time parents.  At that time it felt as though there were a potential tidal wave of plastic seats, toys, swings, rockers, walkers, and other riff-raff poised to flood our tidy abode at any moment. However we were confident in our ability to resist the coming onslaught...

"We don't need all of that stuff,"  we used to confide to each other smugly.  "After all, what do babies really need?  A toy here, a blanket there, maybe a cardboard box to play in? Our house will look just the same then as it does now..."

In retrospect that opinion was based primarily on the exactly zero times that we had previously raised a baby in our home.

Needless to say the wave has crashed (and continues to crash.)  Aiden now has cradle, a bassinet, a crib, a stroller, a bouncy seat, a boppy, a bebe pod, two car seats, and his latest aquisition:  the swing.