baby's got a brand new trick

Okay- here is it people. He's got it!

And my absolute favorite part of this video is that he demands a snack for having done it. A man has got to be fed.

Cape Cod

Okay- so I've been pretty awful about blogging this summer. Apologies. I can only promise that it isn't a sign of 'the beginning of the end'. Just because I've got two kids doesn't mean I won't find time for the fans.
You have Lesley to thank for this one. These are a few of the great shots she took on the recent "Winter Clan" visit to Cape Cod.
Little kid

Big Kid

Both kiddos

Eva's Fish

Eva and Daddy took advantage of the perfect lake this morning to go for a fishing trip. These are the moments our childhood memories are made of. Both Mom and Dad share some of our happiest memories sitting in a fishing boat.

On the way back from the hunt:

Eva caught her first fish EVER. She caught this bad boy with a DORA THE EXPLORER fishing rod. No joke. This monster was almost as big as she is- and it served all the adults for lunch. Eva declined eating her fish. She's only wants to eat fish from Whole Foods.

Banff Baby

We hit Banff last week while we were visiting Cheryl and Wayne. It brought back so many memories of our first summer of 'parenthood'. We hit two three of our favorite local spots- Evelyn's Coffee Shop, The Salt Lick and the Candy Store. What else does a family need, am I right!?!
We burned off a few of our consumed calories by walking up to the great view of the Banff Springs Hotel. It was a chilly day- as we forgot it tended to be in the mountains. But- everyone snuggled together and enjoyed the fabulous scenery.
The Meraw Clan

Cheryl and Wayne :)

Taking his girl out of a drink at his favorite coffee shop..

Noah nibbling on an "evelyn's" cookie:

Canmore's Canada Day celebration

There couldn't possibly be a better place to celebrate Canada Day than in Canmore Alberta. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the country. We had the honor of celebrating Wayne and Cheryl's wedding here almost three years ago; and we were so pleased to be able to spend a few quality days with them here again.
The views from our condo:



The Three Sisters

We all hit the Canmore Canada Day Parade. Wayne said it best: "Parades are so fun with kids!"
The Ladies on their way to the big event:

mooseheads

Apparently Canada should be discussing their own debt ceiling- the mounties are no longer mounted!?!

Mommy and Daddy

Wayne and Cheryl

Noah's first freezie!!

Eva enjoying her flying freebie treats from the parade.

This was the mini water park that was in our condo!!! Amazing right?! Our daughter went down BOTH these slides ALONE!

Beach Bums

Oma and Opa's place is a beach paradise. We Meraw's are 'Lake People'. We have spent most of our time out west experiencing the water in many ways: boating, fishing, swimming, tubing and BEACHING!!
Our sand castle princess:

Eva dippin' in:

Noah: conquering the lake

sandy fingers...

and toes

Papa and Nana's church picnic

Nana and Papa's church does an outdoor picnic Sunday annually. It's always a great time- but is normally SIGNIFICANTLY WARMER!!! Everyone had a blast and enjoyed the biggest treat of them all- the rainbow jello.
Eva and her Nana and Papa:

Picnic Noah:

Mom's 10k

It's been a while people. I know. I promise to get back on the blog track ASAP. A certain little monster has been keeping me busy busy busy. Mom ran her first 10k a while back. It was a fun race- and once again she got to enjoy the company of her sweat sisters. These ladies make exercise fun.

And the reason to run: gotta make these munchkins proud....

updates!

Okay- fully aware of what an awful blog-mom i've been lately. I am working on some great Easter pics- they just haven't made it to the laptop yet- so bear with me with a little 'everyday update'. No fancy stuff: just what The Meraw Clan has been up to over the past week or so.

The honest-to-goodness favorite part of Mom's day (this and her glass of red wine about an hour after this....):

You think they won't let me drive this puppy? Oh- you have under-estimated how wrapped around my little finger these grown ups are my friend....

For real. They adore me. It's out of control.

It's 'GO TIME'


Here's a random photo of Eva sitting in the front seat of the car while Noah (most certainly) naps in his car seat. Who is this kid? For real- she's practically doing our taxes at this point.


Dad ran his first half marathon this past weekend. He ran it in two hours. For those of you who don't know much about running- for a guy who decided to do this about... oh... a few weeks before he did it.... two hours is a flippin' amazing time.
Because what all of us would have the energy for after having run 10 miles is most certainly THIS FACE:

Eva- looking beautiful- waiting for her Daddy to run by.

To say that we are so proud of our Dad would be a massive understatement. In the words of Eva "You're my hero Daddy".

The Face

Noah is trying on a particularly hilarious face this week. Check it out:

swimming!

For those of us who remember vividly Eva's first bath- this is some pretty scary footage:

jumping the second

rumor has it that this is the second generation of majorly jolly jumpers:

Scary moments with the Meraws: take one

Eva's elaborate blog take-over maneuver...

Eva's been eyeing the blog for some time. Mom's got the impression that her artistic prowess will someday be overshadowed by that of her little munchkin. She admits to secret hopes that someday her little monkey will say 'okay mom- i think it's time i take over the 'account of the blessed child'. That day will be a very proud one. A modern-day rite of passage if you will. But today is not that day. In the meantime Eva sharpens her photography skills with Mom's iPhone. Enjoy:
Eva's shoes in church:

Pictures of her loved ones skyping in from various exotic destinations:

And Mom really can't compete with the likes of Dad's butt making pancakes on Saturday morning.

Ballet

Eva has begun taking ballet lessons at the Boston Ballet School. I tell you what- they aren't fooling around!! These girls have a strict dress code; a dressing room; and a waiting room where the mommies have to wait while the girlies take their class. No Mommies past the double doors people! Except for 'peek week'!! This week the girls got to wear tutu's and dance for their parents. Mom grabbed some fun shots of Eva in her element. Eva loves ballet more than anything in the world. This is the happiest 45 minutes of her week.

Tell me this isn't the cutest thing you have seen all day?

Or that Eva's teacher doesn't look exactly like Roberto Benigni?!?!?

Attention all adult readers: this was way easier for all of us when we were four!

"Buon Giorno Principessa!!"

leaping

"What am I doing at the BACK of this line?"

"Ah- that's more like it"