Finally, some blog updates!

Well, after a couple of busy months, we have finally gotten around to updating the blog! Below are several new posts from March and April.

Easter and an Early Spring in Boston!

For the past few years, April has brought an extended winter and lots of dreary weather to the Boston area. Finally, this year was different. Spring seemed to come early this year, and the snow was gone very early and the warm weather made it possible to get outside and play. This spring/summer should be a lot of fun with Cameron and Isabel since they can walk and explore everything now. Below are some photos of April in Boston!

Easter morning, Cameron and Isabel checked out their Easter baskets, which included some new gear for the beach this summer!


Then it was off to church. Isabel left the white bow in her hair just long enough to take this picture :-) Church was an interesting experience. The kids don't seem to want to sit quietly for an hour straight...I wonder why???


After church, it was very nice outside and the kids climbed into the chairs on our back porch. Cameron was reluctant to give up his new fire engine, so that makes an appearance in this year's Easter photo.


Another Easter photo...


Isabel has finally started to get some hair! She is 20 months old in this picture and still has not had a haircut! She is sporting a couple of "antennas" that make her look like little Cindy-lou hoo.


Another picture of Cindy-lou hoo...and Cameron. The kids have become expert stair climbers.


On a nice April morning, we met Rob, Steph and little Georgia Howard at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary just north of Boston. We all went for a little hike. After a long winter inside, it was great to get outside and explore!


A picture of the Darling family at one of the ponds during the hike. Cameron and Isabel like riding in their backpacks :-)


On most mornings, the kids have some playtime before breakfast where they can sit and enjoy a good book.


Cameron sporting his "tough guy" face in the back yard.

Cameron is not too sure he likes the bubbles...

...but Isabel likes chasing them around the yard.

Cameron does enjoy "mowing" the lawn.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes...

Isabel has been learning all of her body parts...she especially likes to show people her belly button!

March Trip to Orlando, Florida

In mid-March, the Darling family escaped the New England winter and took a trip for a long weekend to Orlando, Florida. Meghan's parents and her sister Chele were meeting us there, so we were looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend.

For any parents with two young kids that are reading this, you will understand the misery of the airport/airplane experience with two toddlers. The first challenge is getting everything through security without losing a shoe, a bottle, a bag, or a kid. Once you emerge from the other side, the next big challenge is getting everything onto the plane. And getting everyone situated. And keeping the kids happy for a 3 hour flight. Cameron and Isabel are just getting to the age where they really have an opinion and love to express that opinion VERY LOUDLY. We brought new toys, a small DVD player, and lots of food, but it was still quite a challenge. The kids probably gained a pound each during the flight since what seemed to work best was giving them lots of food. Luckily, when we arrived in Orlando, we were welcomed by warm weather and the promise of a pool and a cold drink waiting for us.

Below are some pictures from the trip.

The Duke men's basketball team (2010 NCAA National Champions!) was playing in the tournament while we were in Orlando, and Cameron is already showing signs of being a #1 Cameron Crazy!






Isabel is going to try out for the next round of eTrade commercials....
"Excuse me, but I am trying to make a call here..."

"Got to call my broker and see how the market is doing..."

"Yeah, I see. Well, put a sell option on the Gerber stock and buy me lots of shares of that Fisher-Price stock. I have a feeling that one will take off..."

Cameron likes to wear his Monkey backpack around and one of his favorite activities is to "read" his books.

Dad and Isabel going out to the pool. Isabel is sporting her little cover-up and her sun hat.

"Dad, this water is nice. Can we jump in??"

The Darling family together in the pool. The kids really like to splash around and jump into the pool. They are definitely going to be swimmers like their mom.

A new skill is that Cameron and Isabel have learned to climb onto chairs...and sofas...and beds...and just about everything.

Another new skill is that they have learned that their little fingers fit very nicely into their noses....note that dad took this picture instead of telling Cameron to remove his finger from his nose :-)

The playground at the hotel was a big hit. Cameron and Isabel have learned to play pretty well together.

"Wow, look at that slide!!!"