Mappy Chanuchristmas!

I was going to title this post something like "Babies: Fun and Hilarious." Because of this (it's a slideshow of a bunch of photos, not a video, so please don't be disappointed. It's just that there are like 24 photos in the set and I figured this would be better than a long list of photos):



True is excited about sparklie things. Understandable, as sparklie things are awesome.

We hope your holidays are / were / will be spectacular!

Threeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Oh hi! How you doin?



Me?


I'm happy.


Why? It's my birthday! Yup, the big oh three. That is, like, so big. I told my parents I'd handle this blog post, and they handed over the keys to the internet.

Let's get this party started! You hungry? How 'bout a special snack, for me? For all of us!

Cupcake?


Doughnut?


Ice cream!


Full belly? Check! Now, let's gear up for some fun

Fly Kicks


Fabulous accessories


Silly sidekick




Let's bounce!


I can't show you pictures of our shenanigans, it's classified. But it was epic, award winning even! That time, with the thing, and then the fire trucks? Crazy bananas, and exhausting



From now on, I walk the line



We love you , sweetbean. Happy birthday!

Washing Windows

Okay, so this is a little off topic. I apologize. I have just watched some of the keynote for Windows 8, and having been a Mac guy for basically my entire life, I am shocked to say that I am really excited about the direction Microsoft is going with their operating system(s).

I love how Windows 8 is just like Windows Phone 7. I love how they are taking the concept of navigating a computer and turning it on its head. I love that they are innovating. They are totally late to the mobile platform race, but in my opinion they have the most refreshing and interesting offering. I find it fascinating that they are blending their desktop OS so completely with what you find on their phones. Apple is doing the same thing, but frankly I don't look forward to my laptop looking like an iPad looking like an iPhone.



That is so interesting and full of potential for interesting ways to deliver information.



Incredibly vibrant and ridiculously intuitive. But so busy and kinda ugly!

I can't believe that Microsoft is creating something artful, elegant and more desirable than what Apple is stuck with. Weird right? I can't wait to see this stuff on store shelves.

Baby Sizemodo

We love doing science experiments. We just pulled Las Vegas up from the basement because we thought True might enjoy bouncing around in it. Holy crap it was dirty. I vacuumed it, Kate swarshed it with damp towels, and threw the fabric seat part in the washing machine. Glory of glories, it looks like new!! So we popped True in it to see what she thinks. Not a bad first impression! She certainly seems joyfully intrigued.

Now for the interesting part. Here's Cole in Las Vegas a little over two years ago: That photo was taken on June 26, 2009. Cole was almost 5 months old adjusted, 8 months old actual, so somewhere in between. True is 5 months old in this photo. So they're basically the same age! Do they look the same age to you? I don't know. Cole seems stronger, but True seems fatter. Of course, Cole had way more time in gravity to develop his muscles so his extra strength makes sense. Fun stuff!

Our Hurricane Weekend

Hurricane Irene came through last weekend and did some terrible things to a lot of unfortunate people. We were lucky enough to endure with no damage and no loss. This is how we spent most of the hurricane's passing itself: But afterwards we went out to splash in the puddles! And Cole learned how to use an umbrella... It was all so fun!! Until it was time to go home, then it was sad. But on the way home we got to check out the tree that fell across the road. It made Cole go "what?!" That's all I have to report on right now. I hope your'e having a lovely Labor Day weekend!

Crazy Helfet Extravaganza!

Last week, Otisfield Maine was overrun with Helfets from all over the globe. Just for context, this is what downtown Otisfield looks like:

The purpose of the reunion was to celebrate my Grandmother Edna's 90th birthday. I call her Gogo (pronounced with a british accent). This is her excited about cake:



Gogo travelled all the way from Plettenberg Bay, South Africa to be with everyone. Plett (as we call it) is here:


View Larger Map

What a trooper, seriously!

She was joined by all of her kids, and her kids' families. I'm still confused by where the apostrophe is supposed to go in that instance, but I figure you get the idea.

Also from South Africa, but from Cape Town, came my parents (accompanied here by my brother Dan and me):



Then from the UK came Gogo's son Keith and his wonderful family. This is Keith and his wife Gail:



And here are his two brilliant and gorgeous daughters Nicki:



and Charley:



Oh, I just realized that I have a shot of the whole family. Here it is:



From the illustrious NYC came Gogo's other son Clive with his also awesome family. Here's Clive and Keith being mischievous:



Clive's wife Susie enjoying the view from the dock:



And their son Aron who enjoys pretending he's an Abercrombie model:



From the left coast of the US, my brother Daniel and his family came from Portland OR. This is Becky:



And these are their awesome kids Theo and Henry:



Oh, and this is Dan:



If you put it all together, the whole crew looks like this:



This is the first time in the history of the world that there has been such an extensive gathering of the Helfet-under-Edna Clan, and it was really, really awesome as Cole would say.

There was tons of excellent food, goofing around in the water, playing in the basement on rainy days, enjoying the outdoor jacuzzi, and sitting around chillin'. The best thing though, was seeing all the different generations and families getting together and interacting with each other. It was quite a sight, and a real joy to be a part of.

Cole and his cousins Henry and Theo had a ball running around smashing things and giggling. Seeing them finally meet each other and become friends was a real treat.

To set the scene, this is the giant awesome mansion lodge thing we rented for the week:



Pretty sick right? And this is the pond the property is attached to:



Here it is at night:



I went out with my Dad at around midnight to get that shot, and while we were on the dock, we heard coyotes howling in the distance. It was incredible. They were distant enough that we weren't concerned, but we still went indoors soon thereafter. Who wants to take chances when it's almost a full moon?

We all spent a lot of time messing about in the water.













Those big inflatable things ended up looking a lot more fun then they actually were, but that's ok. Here's a bunch of other silly things we did away from the water's edge:













Cole finally learned to play Air Hockey:



Henry spectating (watch your fingers, eeek!)



Aron shared his saxy talents with us:



True loved it when my mom became absent-minded and stared at nothing:



There was lots of stuffed game all over the house. They were all friendly.



Happy Gogo on her birthday morning:




Giant yummy birthday meal!



And of course we enjoyed a lot of time by the grill and around the dining table:










That last one was at our good-bye dinner at a local restaurant.



Good night, Maine. Amazing to see you, family! So much love and fun. Too bad we're so spread across the earth. I'm so glad we can have so much fun and joy when we get together. What an awesome week. Thank you so much Gogo, for such a generous and loving gift.