Summer would not be complete without a visit from our favorite Red Sox fans...Aunt Mindy, Uncle Ben, and Owen!

One of Paul's summer highlights was playing t-ball.  He was excited to play on a team and practice his throwing, hitting, catching, and of course, sliding.  (Many thanks to OxyClean and Shout! for keeping Paul's pants white the whole season :)  Here he is in his favorite position- shortstop...watch out, Derek Jeter!

 

Oops!  Technological malfunction...just turn your head sideways to view this one...

Over the course of the season, Paul finally did learn to stop running at first base.  However, now he is trying to learn how to "steal..."

Cape Cod 2012~

Lunch at JT's- a great start to our trip!

 To pass the time until check-in, we went over to the Brewster Whitecaps' field so that Paul could run the bases and sit in the dugout.  Fortunately, the Whitecaps were preparing for an out-of-town game in Falmouth, so we were able to meet a few players before they left.  They even gave Paul a bat to bring back to the game on Sunday! 

Our first night on the Cape...after dinner at Land Ho! we went over to Nauset beach so that Paul could do some preliminary digging to "warm up" for the trip.  We found out that there was a shark siting earlier in the day, so there was no swimming allowed.  We did, however, see some harbor seals making their way up the coast.

Vacation would not be complete without a cookie and a Coke from the Brewster Store!

Headed to the Brewster Whitecaps' Game- many of today's greats played in the Cape League when they were in college.

Paul brings back his bat that he had been given by the Whitecaps for the team to sign after the game.

Dig...dig...digging at Flax Pond in Nickerson State Park.  We dug a hole big enough for Paul to sit in!

Paul enjoyed sticker "Baseball Stories" that we picked up at the Brewster Store...each page was a new scene to create!

Paul and Dad checking out the pier at Woods Hole...

Lunch at The Landfall in Woods Hole...Paul enjoyed dining with Aunt Cari and taking quick breaks to monitor the boats traveling into and out of the harbor.

Surf's Up at Arbor Pool...

Batting cages in Harwich...Batter Up!

Happy Fourth of July, all!  Paul spent a good amount of time fishing off of Grandpa's boat with his Spiderman fishing pole.  Unfortunately, only the "weed-fish" were biting!

Since we have been having some nice dry weather, it was the perfect weekend to pitch the Brooker Family Tent!  The three of us had a camp-out Friday night, and then Paul and dad returned for another night.  They "roughed it" in the backyard with sleeping bags, baseballs, books, and of course the laptop :)  Here, Paul shows Aiden the inside of the tent...



The IV turns 4!

Happy, Happy birthday to our sweet boy!  Paul has had an ongoing fascination with "Good vs. Evil," so this year's family birthday party theme was "Star Wars."  Pictured is Paul with his Luke Skywalker cupcake...

Some of his Four-Year Favorites:

Favorite Sport: Baseball (still)- although he expressed an interest in hockey during the winter, we're not so sure we want to pay for the equipment and new teeth as he gets older...

Favorite Team: Yankees (still)

Favorite Player: Derek Jeter (still)

Favorite Movie: Star Wars

Favorite Superheroes: Spiderman (see below) and Batman

Favorite Foods: Hot dogs and Pizza (still...hey, the kid is consistent, right?)

Favorite Song:  Centerfield by John Fogerty (along with The Star Spangled Banner, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, and God Bless America)

Favorite Color: Purple (still)

Favorite Chore: Mowing the lawn with Dad

Paul brought in a Spiderman cookie to share with his friends at school on his birthday...yum!

Paul invited his friend Aiden, (and his friend Alex, who came with us another time because he had a baseball game!) to Friendly's to celebrate his birthday.  Here, they indulge in Cotton Candy ice cream. Note the new Spiderman watch on Paul's wrist...

Thanks to all who helped to make Paul's birthday so special!

Father's Day, 2012
Paul was excited to help PJ open his Father's Day book this year...

Here they are, looking at the cover of this year's book, with a picture of them looking at last year's book...

Since Paul's birthday is so close to Father's Day, we had a combined family Father's Day-Birthday Party... alright everyone, say "Cheese!"

St. Matthew Church 5K- Mom's second of the year!  It was a hot morning for a run, but we had a great time and delicious food afterward!

Strawberry picking with Aiden and Ella at Chase Farms...what a perfect June evening!  The weather was warm without a cloud in the sky.  Paul worked hard to fill up his quart container with the sweetest, juiciest berries he could find.  Afterward, we were rewarded with a yummy strawberry sundae at the ice cream stand.

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day, 2012- We would be remiss if we did not post our annual video of Paul driving Grandpa Palmer's boat!  Each year he gets a bit steadier at the helm :)

Paul has been a busy boy!

Going for a swim in the tub!

Thanks, Aunt Lynne and Uncle Roger, for the rally monkey and Angels t-shirt.  It sure is nice to have west-coast baseball fans in the family!

Celebrating Mother's Day...
Paul and Mom enjoy the annual "Muffins with Mom" event at his school.  Blueberry muffins and ice cold milk- a perfect afternoon treat to share together!







Paul helps Grandma with her Mother's Day gift- he wanted to be sure that she knew there was some candy inside...!

Paul and PJ were excited to go to Frontier Field to see Andy Pettitte pitch for the Empire State Yankees as he prepared to resume his career with the NY Yankees.  

 Indoor baseball...Paul sports his baseball pants as he trains in our living room "stadium."  He likes to mark each of the bases with a "popper."  Can't wait for summer t-ball to start in July!!!



Snacking on apples with Aiden...yum!

The Penfield Town Library has lots of great kids' events.  Here, Paul gets to meet some of Darth Vader's allies from Star Wars. 

"Working"

This desk belonged to Grandma Palmer when she was little...Paul loves to sit in the office and do his "homework."  He loves to write on notepads and then cut out his creations using his favorite pair of purple-handled scissors :)

We had to finish the hunt for the basket after Mass because the Easter Bunny was especially tricky this year!

Happy Easter, 2012!!!

Coloring Easter eggs with Aiden :)

Paul's Easter Party at School- after indulging in party treats, the "3's" made their way to the carpet to await the arrival of their special guest...

Enjoying the annual "Golden Flyer Easter Egg Hunt" at Nazareth College with the Krenzers. These boys didn't let the chilly temperatures and wet grass slow them down!

Mmmm...smoothie!

Family Movie Night! Jammies, sleeping bag, popcorn, and... TOY STORY!

Happy Spring!!!
Here's what we've been up to over the last few weeks...

Family Time at Sesame Street Live!