Ally's First Halloween Party

At school today Ally had her first Halloween party. It was just a blast, every one got into costume and played games, eat food, had a parade, and sang songs. Ally is a Pink Poodle this year for Halloween and she could not be any more proud. Check out some of the fun that we had at her party today.

Pink Poodle Ally Ridding her Horse

Ally, Ava, and Madeline

Every one singing fun Halloween songs

Pumpkin Carving 2007

Ally, Daddy and Mommy carved our Halloween pumpkin last night and it came out perfect. Ally did most of the cutting all by her self with her own knife (not to worry it is a kid safe knife).

We can hardly wait for Halloween Day, we have so much going on. At school Ally has a Party and then we have the night of trick or treating. Ally can hardly wait.

Keene Pumpkin Festival

We had always heard about the Keene Pumpkin Festival but had never made the trip to see what it was all about. Well this year we made the trip to Keene, what a sight. So many pumpkins to look at in each and every direction. The goal of the festival is to have the most carved pumpkins to brake the records. Last year Boston won the title and Keen was out to win it back. Here is a peek at all we saw....

We meet up with our friends Karen, Robert, and their 2 month old Mathew. It was so much fun, lots of food, costume parade, and tons and tons of pumpkins to view. The weather was just perfect as well, this year we have had an amazing Fall.

One of the other great parts of the Pumpkin Fest was that Ally got to ride on her first School Bus, she just loved it. She can't wait to be able to ride her own school bus to school too. Mommy and Daddy can, time is just flying to fast already we are trying to slow things down as much as we can.

Long Island Weekend

Last weekend Ally and I traveled with Selim to Long Island for a combo trip of business and family visit. The goal was to hit as many sea side/ resort towns to show and sell "Me Time" Selim's new line that is being sold only to specialty stores. So we packed up our rental car full of movies, mommy, daddy, Ally, Izzy too, and we were off. The trip took us from New Hampshire to Connecticut, to an hour and a half ferry ride over to Orient Point Long Island. Upon our arrival to Orient Point that is when the work started. We had fun shopping from shop to shop to find the perfect "Me Time" locations. The weather was a bit misty but it was still a blast to all be together.

The only downer to the trip was that I was suffering from laryngitis. It was very taxing for me to try to communicate with every one but we all survived.

After a day of travel and work we arrived at my aunt Susie's house in Northport. It is always so much fun to visit with family. Every one was home, Aunt Susie, Ramon, Cousin Becka, and Gavin. Alex was just in heaven. She so loves to play games with all of her cousins.

Friday Ally and I stayed behind with Aunt Susie while Selim hit up all of the small sea side villages along The Hampton's. After work we all head a great dinner all together at home with a nice warm fire. It was just perfect. We took time to go over our summer stories and share photos of all of our adventures. We had to keep it low key because Becka was gearing up for a big Crew meet in PA the next day and we were all hoping she would continue on her winning streak. Becka just turned 15 and she is rated to the be the #1 rower in the US among the 16 year olds, Way to go Becka! Keep it up, make sure they all eat your wake.

Saturday am we all had a traditional Dominican breakfast created by Aunt Susie and Uncle Ramon, complete with fried Cheese, mango, and Dominican coffee. It was Selim's first taste of what I grew up on. I do think he really enjoyed the good eats. After we wished Becka well on her Crew meet and sent Gavin off to school for his crew activities we traveled to South Hampton. Selim wanted to show Alex and I one of the towns he had hit the day before and some great new adventures for Alex to explore. We came upon Hank's Pumkintown. The had every thing Fall to do, Pick your own pumpkins, wagon rides, pony rides, corn maze, children's playgrounds (lots of them too) and tons of food. It was lots of fun had by all. We found some really amazing pumpkins some the size of Alex or larger.

We tried to convince Daddy we needed this one but he said "No To BIG!"

Tell me those are not much smaller, Ally almost rolled it

I spy and Ally in the Mums

After running and playing we all hopped back into the car and started to head back up north to New Hampshire. We had such a great trip visiting family, and having lots of fun, we hope to be able to see every one again very soon.

Fall To Do List

This fall Selim and I made a Fall to Do list. It is not like the typical Honey Do list, it was more of a must do and see list for New England. It included hiking in the lakes region, sea kayaking, apple picking, photos of fall colors, and so on. So far we have achieved a good portion of the list. Three weekends ago we went apple picking with Jim and Nikki to a great little apple orchard that was known for its cider apple dough nuts. Well worth the wait in the long, long line out and around the building.

A beautiful mid September weekend we traveled up to the lakes region to hike Mount Manger. It was a perfect day for a hike. The weather was sunny and cool. Selim, Alex, Tab, and Izzy traveled up the mountain while enjoying the breath taking views. All of the fall color was starting to truly bloom and vista we amazing all 360 degrees around us. At first I was not to sure if Izzy and Alex would be up for the 2.5 mile hike but they trooped thru it with smiles on their faces. We even did the ledges and both Alex and Izzy scaled the rocks and made it to the top. With the exception of the frequent bathroom stops for both Izzy and Alex, (yes Alex does...go in the woods) and the snack stops we make it in great time to the top. We had brought a back pack filled with food and refreshments for us to enjoy with the beautiful vista on top of the mountain. We even brought Izzy her own food and water bowl, Alex really enjoyed serving Izzy her food on top of the mountain.

The last weekend of September we traveled to New Castle to rent a sea kayak for the three of us. It was so much fun to tool around the bay with a small boat. At first it was rough going for us to get the hang of paddling and stirring at the same time. We hit land a few times before getting the groove. But that was fine too because Alex liked it when we would bump land and have to push off again to get going again. Again we had a wonderful day with the weather. After we were done boating it was time to get dinner so we went to Portsmouth for dinner down town. After dinner we walked around the shops and visited the local Starbucks bathrooms. Ever since potty training we are sure to visit each and every bathroom around. Small price to pay for having such an independent girl. And I must emphasise "Independent". There is not to much that Alex does not want to do on her own any more. She chooses her own cloths each and every day, some very interesting choices but I am not about to smother her creativity, I like to see it grow. The only things that I have had to learn is that I have had to add on more buffer time to our departure and arrival times since she has to do every thing on her own now. She has to chose her shoes, put them on, climb into the car on her own, get into the car seat all alone, and buckle up too. Now this process alone adds at least 10 minutes to any departure. So now when we are leaving the house her first question to me is "are we running late?". I am guessing I have been saying that quite a bit as of late, simply because we are due to her new found independence.

PHOTOS TO COME BLOGGER WAS HAVING SOME DOWN LOADING ISSUES!

This fall has been truly exceptional weather wise. It is very unusual to have such dry warm weather in October so we are trying to make the best of it while it lasts. We have a few more goals to meet for Fall activities and we will be sure to update as we get them done.

First Day of Preschool

Alex is now a school girl she had her first day of school on September 10, 2007. She is a student of Meeting House Montessori School, in Bow. She attends school Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30-11:30. She loves it. She is learning so much. They are teaching the kids Spanish, karate, and creative movement dance, along with the regular school studies. The first day of school was very odd for Mommy and Daddy. Dropping our baby off and leaving her at school just felt odd. To Selim and I she is still our Baby but she says she is ready. No tears for drop offs and lots of smiles for pick up. Monday and Wednesday Bubby and Bubba pick her up after school while mommy works but Mommy does Drop off and Pick up on Fridays.

Luckily Alex has a friend from Gymboree in her class Madeline. They seem to be close in school which works out well to have a buddy in class from the start.

Alex at School on her first day

Live from Turkey

We had an amazing vacation in Turkey. We arrived in Istanbul, Turkey on Aug 22, 2007 and quickly jumped on a plane to bring us to big Grandma in Izmir, Turkey. We spend a couple of days in the city adjusting to the 7 hour time change and catching up on what has been going on with Grandma since the last time we saw her back in November. Lots of great stories to be told from both sides, Turkey and US stories, mainly what has been going on with Alex since our last visit. We went thru many pictures and presented our gifts from across the big ocean.

Alex and Big Grandma making French Toast

Family Photo

Grandma had some of her old movies that were on reels put on to DVDs so we spend several wonderful hours watching Big Grandams youth with her beautiful children, Mia and Bubby. It was so fun to see what their life was like back then. All of the proper things they would do and dress so amazingly.

Alex had having a wonderful time with her Turkish family. It is amazing that even though we all only see each other once a year but she still remembers every one and has love for every one. After visiting Big Grandma for a few days we traveled to our Summer house in Cesme. It is always so much fun but best of all RELAXING. We are right on the water in a summer town with no worries other than which beach to go to for the day. I know that Selim got some truly deserved rest. We got to catch up with Uncle Aydo, Auntie Mia, Cousin Enver, and Cousin Muine.

Typical after beach Bath in the Sun

Alex and Uncle Aydo
Auntie Mia, Alex and Uncle Aydo

(Can you feel the love?)

Cousin Muni, Alex and Cousin Enver

(As Alex would say "Lets Play")

Aqua (AKA Mojito Bar)

Daddy and Ally chill during Sun Set

Selim, Alex and I took some mini day trips. One day we went to Greece for the day. That was so much fun. It was just a short boat trip across the bay (1 Hour) to Chios. We traveled around the Island by small car and visited small villages and beaches. One of the beaches we visited was an old volcanic rock beach. It was made up entirely of black rocks, no sand at all. It was just amazing. The water was crystal clear and the beach was just amazing to walk on and lay on. The sound of the water coming in and out was like a rain maker. If you are ever in the area it is a must see.

Alex on her way to Greece

Mommy and Ally
Visiting Pirgi

Volcanic Rock Beach

When we returned to Izmir we stayed in the new Tobey Family Apartment, it was so nice, (Thanks so much to Jim and Nikki for all of your hard work on putting it all together for all of us to use). All and all I think we had a wonderful time in Turkey for Summer 2007. Relaxed, visited family, shopped, and spent valuable family time together. We returned back home on September 5Th to give Alex some time to adjust back to east coast time before starting Preschool for the first time. What and adventure she is about to start.

Ally getting her Second Hair cut and Mani Pedi

Selim and Tab in Amsterdam

Long Weekend in New York

Last Thursday Alex and I joined in on one of Selim's NYC trips. We had a great time. While Selim was in meetings Alex and I went exploring the City. We made some stops at Central Park and the zoo. But we spent most of our time walking up and down 5th Ave, shopping. Alex had a blast. She got all sorts of great new stuff. I thing best of all, she got new flip flops from the Disney Store that are from the Little Mermaid collection. Now she just wont take them off.

We spent some time in the Huge Toys R Us in Time Square, were we got to play with all sorts of new stuff, like Moon Sand. A must get for kids that like to play in the sand but it dries out to fast it never dries out and molds just like play dough.

Alex in the World of M&M Time Square

Selim with the Wall Street Bull
Dinner in Little Italy

Alex loved all of the street performances that were going on. But again her favorite part of that was giving the tip for the entertainment at the end of the show.

We went to visit the statue of Liberty as well while were were there. It was all of our first time to go out to the island. What a beautiful area, lots of great walking areas, amazing views all around, and a nice little cafe to get a bit to eat.

After our few days in the City we meet up with my aunt and uncle for dinner and then headed out to Long Island for the night. It had been some time since we had been to Aunt Susie's house so we figured that since we were so close we should stop by for a quick visit. They have been doing all sorts of renovations on there house that is still a work in progress but it is looking just beautiful. Great big new bedrooms, hug kitchen, and open and airy family room. So nice to spend time with our Cousins as well. Alex loved making water balloons with cousin Becka.

We spent a good part of Saturday hanging out at Aunt Susie's pool and visiting before we left to catch the Long Island Fairy back to Connecticut to head back home. We made it home by midnight on Saturday so we could have some time on Sunday to catch up on all of the home stuff and visit with family.

One of Alex and Selim's favorite thing to do now is mow the lawn. Here they are giving the yard a second mow for the week. As you can see we have been working very hard on getting our yard to a finished state we have all sorts of flower gardens and rock walls (Selim and Alex love collecting rocks from the property and making walls).

It is funny to us because any time any one asks Alex where her favorite place to go she will always say New York City. Now this has been a true statement for about an year now. What can we say the girl likes the big City.