Annual Upstate Camping Trip

So me and the boys kind of have this tradition going.  We head up to this campsite in the Catskills for a weekend.  This was the first year we opted for a cabin over tents (a better call when rain was in the forcast...but the rain has held off, thankfully). Our cabin is creekside, and Dash has learned to skip rocks 🙂👍....oh and s'mores, too.

Hugo's 8th Grade Prom and Stepping Up Ceremony

We're so incredibly proud of this young man! 

Lookin' so sharp in that cyan suit!

He won some academic awards! Note the surprise! 😄

Hugo's two incredible principals from District 75 (Special Needs) have been with Hugo since Kindergarten!  Also so very proud of Hugo.

Diner Portraits

Every now and then, when we go to a diner, we get a moment to photograph the boys. They have become more particular about how they look, so these are posted with full agreement. Dash and Hugo, age 12 and 14, respectively. 🤩

HNY and HBD!

As we do, we celebrate the new year by celebrating Hugo. 14 today! Happy Birthday Hugo. (Celebrated with Dash, Mom, Dad, and Hugo's friend Gary.)

Pochuck!

We've been coming here every fall for years...always worth the trip. Big sky, great weather, and the last apples of the season.  Hopefully, 🍎-pies forthcoming.

Pie Makers

Dash and I made a pie! First of several I hope 😉. (Dash also made a dough-ball with a few apples inside—pictured beside the pie in the lower photo.)

Dashiel Q. - - Picture Day, 2022

Not sure how the pictures went for Dash today.  But as it was a balmy 70°F here in NYC today, tropical shirt and tie was a legitimate way to go. 🙂

Pumpkins are ready!

Our friend Gary (former schoolmate of Hugo's) joined us for making Jack-o'-lanterns. 

On turning 54

Yesterday was my birthday. 54! A highlight was coming home to see that my son's had decorated for the occasion. Each "smiley" balloon had a "thank you" message written on the back 🙂. Their love is the best gift.

Off to Middle School...

Hugo and Dash headed off to their first day of Middle School this morning! (Hugo heads "onto" grade 8 and Dash off to grade 7. )

Family Amusements...

So, there's plenty of cheezy places to go in Myrtle Beach, and we found this one.  Boys love rides :). Wince along with me as Hugo takes a few swings to try and ring the bell...and misses and almost breaks his shin, twice (maybe three times). 😆

Walking Myrtle Beach at Sunset

Same time, Same place as last year

We thought it was nice, so we went here twice. We returned to the same spot on Myrtle Beach, same time as last year. A little vacay time before the school year starts 🌞.

Nickerson Beach

Quality time at the beach this past weekend...We're an hour's drive away. Jen and I are standing beside Hugo and Dash for scale: 13 and 12 now, they're getting big!

Happy Birthday to Dash

Blowing out the candles on his Oreo cookie ice cream pie for his 12th birthday! Freakin' 12!! Amazing! ❤️

Camping in Unadilla, NY

A few recent pictures of last weekend camping trip with Dash and Hugo :).  We went, for the second time, to a KOA campsite in Unadilla, NY. This time, the boys had their own tent to spread out. The pool was open this time. And, beside our site, the Ouleout Creek that flows into the Susquehanna River just a few miles away...it was really a pretty location.

Da Boys...

Just recent photos. 

Jack and the Beanstalk - P255 Play

 

Today, Dash, Jen and I went to P255 to watch Hugo's and his classmates perform Jack and the Beanstalk. Hugo played the part of Narrator #2. Great job, Hugo!

Congrats to Dash

 Congratulations to Dash on making the National Junior Honor Society at his middle school — Steinway 141. We are very proud of him.