Ahoy matey!

Roughneck Roscoe & Muscles Merritt

Nightmare Noah & Mighty Mack

We took the kids on a pirate adventure yesterday.  Donning tattoos and swords they boarded a pirate ship, took down enemy pirates, and found the treasure chest at the bottom of the sea.

The boys are back in town

Roscoe's cousins Mack and Noah were in town this past weekend and the gang got to hang as a threesome for the very first time. Remember this, only 8 months ago?

At 3 1/2, Mack leads the pack. Roscoe and Noah are separated by just 6 months. I forgot (already) how special it feels to hold a new baby. Compared to Roscoe, Noah seemed so so tiny. His pronounced little features and sweet, calm demeanor reminded me in the nicest of ways that it's almost our turn, again.

After lunch and a soccer game, we camped out on the couch with the kiddos--toys strewn about, and cartoons humming in the background. In the company of his red haired cousin and aunt, Roscoe fit right in--convinced that dark would surely trump light, it's still crazy to me that I gave birth to such a fair complected child. But when the extended family is in the mix, it's pretty clear where his genes came from! Roscoe tested Mack's patience with his constant biting, pulling, and yanking. Mack was a good sport, but made it clear that he wouldn't be sitting next to Roscoe in any future photo ops.

Mack the "hulk"

Uncle Brian

Aunt Courtney

Baby swap

Cool buddy and his momma

First fists of dirt. Later I got to fish out a slobbery twig.

Cousins!

Hey Noah!? You're cute!

Red/ish hair rules!

The afternoon was just a preview of the fun to be had later this summer, when we'll all be packing up and heading south for a week at the beach in Charleston, SC. There's so much to look forward to with these little guys in tow!

More Noah!

Welcome to the world Noah Potter!

Our nephew, Noah, was born at 10:12 this morning, weighing 8 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 20 1/4 inches in length.

He's a beautiful little guy with brown hair (so far!), and we can't wait to meet him soon.

Congratulations Courtney, Brian and Mack! We love you!

Cousins!

Over the July 4th weekend, Roscoe and Mack got to hang out for a second time. Isn't Mack sweet? Thanks to one very squirmy subject, even with two cameras this was the best shot we got!

Growing up, I always wished to live closer to our extended family. The Ragos kids have some great cousins on the Smith side, and it would have been nice to have spent more time with them when we were little. Now, I wish the same for Roscoe; despite the distance, it would be so cool if the Dietz/Sears boys could see each other often enough to really become buddies.

We're all looking forward to welcoming Mack's little brother in November. With the red hair gene dominating so far, who guesses that cousin #3 will be another redhead?

Tres Amigos!

Brian and Courtney (Andy's sister) found out today that they are expecting another little BOY!


In November, our nephew Mack will have a new little brother, and Roscoe will have another cousin! Yay, 3 little boy cousins--so cute!

Congratulations C & B!