Cult of Personality

I have to thank the band, Living Color, for that headline. But it certainly fits for this post. For the last couple of weeks Simon's personality keeps coming out in different ways; one of the ways you'll see in the videos.

We've lived in Skokie now four years and never visited the Devonshire pool...until now!



Kind of an artsy one here, holding grandma Janet's finger. Look out Annie Leibovitz!



Sunday was my first father's day, and we spent part of it at GG and Papa's place. Here he is with great-uncle Scott, and it sure takes a lot to get an infant to look at the camera as you can see in the reflection.



With first cousin, once removed, Brian Bosley.



What are you doing trying to get away from me? It's father's day, for crying out loud!



Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for...

Jolly June

It sure has been nice that mommy is done with residency. She is studying for her board exams, but at least she ain't in the hospital!

Last Sunday we were invited to an ice cream social at great aunt Sandee and great uncle Al's house. But before we left we had to get Simon ready for his GQ photo shoot.





With first cousin once removed, Justin Laven.



With the host of the social.



And now back at home.



Of course, after a long, fun day there has to be bathtime.



Grandma Frances sent a very nice gift to celebrate Rachel's graduation.



Also during the past week, Simon was ambushed by a raging pack of rashes.





Dear Uncle Aaron and Aunt Shauna, I LOVE the outfit. Your nephew, Simon.







GQ Take Two!







Life can't always be fun and games.





I think the kid has definitely won the battle for the most hair.



We've also noticed lately that he's starting to show a more diverse set of facial expressions.

Futon Fun

Count how long it takes you to spot who's never far away from the action.

The End of An Era

Rachel turned in her pager today! She's done with residency, officially. And we have pictures to prove it. These are from this afternoon's graduation ceremony.



W/Dr. Amanda Robertson, who will be practicing in Kentucky, and Dr. Cara Butler, who is staying put to practice at Lutheran General.



From left: Associate program director, Dr. Michael Moen; associate program director, Dr. Thomas Iannucci; senior progam specialist, Roxana Geana; and program director/OB/GYN chair, Dr. Daniel Pesch. (sorry Amanda, but your eyes were closed and it was the only picture I took of the group).



It was a long journey, but as Old Blue Eyes sang, "The Best is Yet to Come!"



These were taken since we returned from Vermont.















The kid and SportsCenter are one. It was all part of the master plan.

Cousin Carnival

We had a wonderful time in Vermont visiting the Lavens. Simon did fantastically well on the flights despite a more than two-hour delay yesterday.

Before I post photos/videos from the trip, here's one that was taken a few weeks back after we took a family walk around the neighborhood.



Rachel recently purchased a new carrier, and at the Manchester, NH, airport she was still learning how to use it. To me, Simon looks a bit like Spider-Man.



The Lavens have a terrific property as you'll see during this post. As soon as we arrived Saturday afternoon it was time to play in the yard.

Here's almost one-year old (June 23 birthday) Jacob Harry.



Two-and-a-half-year-old Samuel Hans wanted dad to climb the tree, so he obliged.







Bathtime is always fun!





Samuel usually watches videos before bed, so he was kind enough to let us join him.



After the kids went to sleep we had dessert on their deck. I had Cherry Garcia with some of Maria's homemade chocolate sauce. MMMM!



Now on to Sunday. After breakfast it's playtime in the yard.





Samuel giving Simon a kiss.



The kids like to fill the wheelbarrow with water, play around for a while, then throw out all of the toys and then irrigate the lawn (albeit in only one spot).





For lunch we headed to a local snack bar, which is about a 10-15 minute walk from their house.





Here's mommy making her first appearance of the weekend.





Now for the best part of a summer lunch -- soft serve!



We initiated Simon into the summer fraternity by allowing the bugs to make their acquaintances with him.



Sam obviously didn't enjoy his ice cream.









Another perk of the snack bar is the stream nearby.





Simon had everything he needed for a comfortable stroll back to the house.



After a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate-banana milkshake, a nap sounded really nice to me. While I was enjoying my slumber Maria, Rachel and the two little guys sunned on the deck.





And they already know how to play Twister!





Raise your hand if you're tired.



After breakfast yesterday morning.



And more playtime outside!







And now for the best part. We wanted to get the three kids together for a picture, so before we went home yesterday we plopped Jacob and Simon on the couch and asked Samuel to join them.

We then had to try to get them to smile, so all of the adults, including Maria's mom, Inger (who flew in Sunday night for a weeklong visit), were clapping and singing, etc. It seemed to work.













We were sad to leave but had a great time.

Rachel took this before leaving for work this morning. Simon is now sometimes sleeping in a new position.



And now onto the videos.

First, it's Simon. This was on our flight to Vermont on Saturday. Food is always on his mind.



We did not arrive empty handed, of course. Is Sam the next Ted Williams? You be the judge.





Look at the hand-eye coordination on Jacob.



We weren't going anywhere, yet, but Sam wanted to say farewell anyway.



The kids definitely have a shot at being trilingual.