From Our Own Back Yard...

Here are a couple of shots taken from our back door. The trees were just gorgeous!!

New England in the Fall

Here are some photos taken on our trip up north last weekend. The upper part of the state was already past peak but on the ride up there was alot of color. It was pretty foggy so you really can't get the whole effect of the foliage.







We saw this gal along side the road and couldn't help but take a pic. She stayed put for quite a while.

My New Favorites

While my mom was visiting, we went up north to do some leaf peepin'! While we were there, Joe found these rocks with the awesome background scenery to take photos. These are my new favorite photos of the kids!! I especially like the one of Nate...isn't he handsome?! :) Oh and Maddie's in pink, Lexi in blue.

Our Ga-da Visit

For the first time since the twins were 2 weeks old, my mom came to visit! We weren't sure how long it would take for the girls to warm up to my mom but it was almost immediate! Ga-da, as Maddie called Grandma, quickly became the favorite in this house! And now, even after she's gone home, all I have to say is "Where is Grandma?" and all 3 kids go running for the door to see if she's coming! We did quite a bit in her short stay - breakfast with Joe's folks, pumpkin chuckin', pumpkin' pickin', leaf peepin' to name a few!

Here are some pictures taken the night before she had to leave.

My mom holding Maddie, me holding Lexi and little Nate all worn out!

Nate and Grandma

Nate and Grandma again

Grandma and the girls (Maddie's wearing the backpack)

Grandma and Lexi

Grandma and the girls

Pumpkin Pickin'

We had the most beautiful day for our pumpkin pickin' this year!! Last year it was in the 40's and rainy and just raw! This year it was 70 degrees, sunny and just perfect! And my mom was visiting from Michigan, so it made it even better!! We had a minor meltdown with Maddie for some unknown reason, but as soon as she found the "appees", as she calls them, she was good to go! The girls LOVED picking up the apples off the ground under the trees - and we even paid for them even though we were advised just to throw them away. We took TONS of pictures but I narrowed it down to my favorites...

This is Nate, Lexi (in the piggy tails) and Maddie sitting on the rocks that lead into the patch. Of course, they were all interested in the rocks and wouldn't look up for a picture!!

And this is Miss Maddie with daddy telling him she wants THAT "appee"!!

And the girls in the wagon with their pumpkin and apples!

And Nate looking at the apples and the girls making sure he doesn't steal any!!!

Maddie's First Dance Video

I think Maddie's going to grow up to be a dancer! Look at these moves!!

http://www.theledvinas.com/Pictures/maddance.avi

Hand Holding

On the walk to the Schnitzel Fest, for the first time ever, the girls held hands! Because of the leashes though, Maddie used the "other" hand instead of the one closest to Lexi. Lexi's in the blue, Maddie the pink. The last two photos shows Maddie dancing to the music! She loved the band and danced for quite a while!

Schnitzel Fest 2006

Today was the 4th annual Schnitzel Fest here in town. We took the kids and walked around. We were going to try some of the schnitzel and good German beer but they ran out before we could get some! :( Anyway, here are some pics from today's event!!

Nate Being Nate

Joe took these photos of Nate this afternoon after we got back from Schnitzel Fest. His eyes seemed to pop right out with the color from his shirt! Love the funny faces!

First Day of Preschool 2006

Here are a few pics taken today - Nate's first day of preschool! He looked so handsome with his new polo shirt and a nice fresh haircut!! And of course, the girls had to get in on the action as well!! (The single pic is of Lexi - the girls with me, Lexi is on the right.)

He did really well! They've changed the routine a bit from last year. We didn't have to take him to his classroom like before. We meet in front of the school and the teacher goes and picks up the bus kids first and then comes over and gets the ones waiting in front of the school. She has this neat little rope with those large pop beads on it so each student grabs a bead and follows. We thought Nate was going to take his bead and do fine but he tried to walk away so one of the teachers held his hand in one hand and his bead in the other to show him how to do it. But the best part is....HE DIDN'T CRY!! He just turned around and looked at us as he walked down the hall!!! I was SOOO proud!!

How Can You Not Love This Face?

Joe went out to mow the neighbor's lawn tonight and apparently Nate couldn't find his hat. So he went to the coat closet and found the next best thing - one of his sister's hats!! Isn't he a cutie?!

The Nose Knows!

Here are some pics of Nate's nose and eyes a couple of days after he fell on his face! You can see he has a little bit of shiner on his right eye. And in one of the pics, you can see the swelling that's still there a tad. Poor little guy! Sorry they're not all in focus 100% - he wouldn't sit still!






This one was taken last night. He fell asleep half on the ottoman and half on the couch and looked nice and comfy - especially in his new pjs! :)

Like Father, Like Son

Joe finally got home tonight after being in PA/DE for 4 days. He crashed on the couch before 6:30pm because he had been up since 4pm yesterday afternoon. Nate finally fell asleep too - and when I glanced over and saw this, I couldn't resist the photo op. You can't tell they're father and son, can you? They even have the hand between the legs!!!




These were taken last weekend! The boys were messing around on the floor and so I snapped these.