Tad Turns One!

Tad sizes up breakfast, a chocolate muffin, on his first birthday.

He is still not quite sure what to make of it...

Yum! Forget the cheerios and banana - I could get used to this.

Opening a birthday gift on the way to the airport - a friendly elephant!

My first (and favorite) birthday gift to date.

A view of the Newport harbor from our condo.

Hanging with Pop. This guy likes to be outside as much as I do.

Doesn't this monkey look like me?

Tad turned one on May 20th. We were very lucky to spend Tad's birthday weekend in Newport, Rhode Island at Amy & Tim's wonderful wedding. Amy Scofield is one of my dearest and oldest friends - we met on the soccer field in about the third grade. I have always loved spending time with the Scofield family as it involves endless laughter and love. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. As my mom said, "I don't think there are any pink flowers left in the state of Rhode Island". The reception was at one of the elegant Newport mansions and we ate, drank and danced the night away. Congrats to Amy & Tim!

It was great to see friends from growing up, as well as Boston, and spend the weekend with my parents. Check out the monkey birthday cake they brought down for New Hampshire. Aunt Jeannemarie spoiled us and came down from Boston to hang out with Tad while we were at the wedding events. Tad is setting quite a precedent spending his first birthday in Newport. We were thrilled when Tad started walking the week before our trip. It also made the long delay at Boston Logon much more tolerable. Thank you for an amazing first year, monkey!

Race for the Cure

Pit stop for snacks.

We joined Johnny's Wells Fargo team at the Race for the Cure walk in early May. Aunt Barbara & Bryce joined the cause - Bryce was a speedy walker! Tad, the youngest cousin, always likes watching his oldest cousin.

Month 11: Springtime in Atlanta

A Taste of Marietta with the Cipperlys: great food and music!

Trying to walk...

Hanging with the Dads.

Sweet Claire resting after some serious dancing on the Square.

The best seat in the house.

On the way to the festival!

Pets for wise Uncle Rocky. At first, Tad was petrified of the big, white frenchie as if he was saying, "I didn't know they came in white. How scary!!!" Tad is now enthralled by Poppa's favorite offspring.

Hi folks!

Serious Tad.

Crazy man!

We had a wonderful spring with Tad, complete with many family BBQs and adventures outside. Tad crawled and cruised around with his push toys and then took a few, tentative first steps in the beginning of May. By the end of the month, he was officially on the go and we haven't rested since... these blog postings are long overdue!

The Howells Cousins

1-2-3! We attempted to capture a group shot. Quite a challenge...

Our First Mother's Day

Look! No hands!

Sweet Kit.

Can someone please get me some shades?

The big kids: Elsie and Bryce. It's hard to believe they already will be 4 in September!

Elsie entertaining Tad. He was very intrigued.

Tad and a giggling Brooke.

Tad loves sticks, especially eating them.

Last Mother's Day, I was very large and we were anxiously counting down the days until Tad's arrival. This year we spent a wonderful summer afternoon with all the Howells cousins. It's amazing how the first year has flown by. The Howells/Thompson crew came into town from Savannah and the adults enjoyed a tasty dinner out on Friday night. On Saturday afternoon we all gathered at 665 Edinboro with Addie, Grammy, and Poppa. Somehow the adults all avoided the camera. We enjoyed a tasty dinner and great company. Bryce treated us to a performance of the Mother's Day song - unfortunately we didn't capture it on video. Thanks to the Schmitz/Ligibel for the perfect summer crab outfit!

Go Irish!

A future linebacker? Tad's Great Granddaddy and namesake, Tad Harvey, was a tackle for Notre Dame. In addition to his athletic skills, we hope Tad inherited his big heart. Great Gram and Grammy shared these wonderful family treasures with Tad. It's unbelievable how helmuts have changed.