Ivers-sons are almost TWO

What a beautiful summer! Oliver and Liam had many wonderful adventures and continue to charm their parents daily. Their vocabulary has increased magnificently (sometimes to their parents' detriment) as well as their coordination (definitely to their parents' detriment.) Life is getting hilarious around here. Just this morning a conversation like this happened:
Mom: Who's that in your bus, honey? It looks like Mr. Turtle, Nelson Mandela, a string, Lord Shiva, a zebra and Che.
Oliver: Gaadii in bus
Mom:Yes, we should get Gandhi in the bus with his friends.

Liam is also running around the house yelling "Oh my GOSH!" about everything. At least he's not (yet) saying "Holy &(*" or something much worse. His dad does work in a jail, you know.









This summer, Gammy and Grandpa Scherer taught the boys how to share, and if they have slept just enough, have had enough to eat and drink, and the temperature and humidity is perfect, they do share very well. They alternate playing with whatever coveted toy, piece of paper, garbage, or whatnot, by saying "Miam toon" and "Ahvah toon." Most frequently the turns end up in crying, but they at least try.
The boys are climbers and scare the daylights out of everyone watching them except Grandpa Scherer (who the boys call PopPop.) Their most recent conquest is a tall stool we have that has no back. They hoist themselves up onto it (as the other screams that it is HIS toon), sit up on top, and then rock.
The boys have also begun to boss the dog around. I'm sure Poppy is pleased as punch. Have I told you that Liam has a lot of opinions about things? He dislikes peices of dirt on his shoes, stray strings on clothing, and anything out of place. He recently has begun making up and playing games that he is sure to lose. This is a disturbing and hilarious new adventure for him. Chris sometimes accidently calls him Amy.







































Although the boys are still not watching television, their father has introduced train and truck videos on the computer. Can you say obsession? I am not sure if they are more enamored with the computer, the "Big Twucks" or the "Choo twains." I'm so glad that their father is remotely excited about this because I already know much more about trains and trucks than I ever, ever wanted to.
The boys are also obsessed with their Uncle Erik, or Unkooh-OOH Ick, as they call him. They were briefly obsessed with our Austrian friend Gregor (they called him Gaa Gaa, which in Austria means poo-poo), with their Uncle Jonathan- Zio Jomfom- and with Keith Jones- Deet-DONES.










I am going to now launch into the litany of summer events and must immediately apologize for not having photos for many of the fun things we did and the people we did them with. My camera was snatched in Amsterdam, and our computer that held many of the other photos crashed, so I tried my very best to assemble as many pictures as I could. If your photo is not here, I still love you. Probably.





The summer started with a fantastic visit with Tia Moo (Megan) and her awesome Sconnie boyfriend, Eric. We attended the Brent's annual 3rd of July party on Conesus Lake and enjoyed boating, eating, some good hospitality (thanks Art and Margi) and jumping on trampolines. Move to New York, Megan.






Soon after, we had the opportunity to spend a few wildly relaxing days with Chris, Cat and Logan Brent on their new party boat. Do you know anyone other than Chris Brent who can make Margaritas come out of faucets? Liam and Oliver loved playing with their cousin and appear to be as in love with nautical engagement as their parents.











This horse photo is Lisa Pattison winning a 1st place blue ribbon in a competition- Congrats Lipa! You are in charge of Liam and Oliver's equine training.







After a fun party for Sara Kelly's 40 birthday (happy bday Sara!), a trip with Lauren to the Strong Museum of Play (boys lovvvvved), and a trip to the zoo with Lena, Rachel and Tia Lu, our long-awaited Austrian guests came to Geneseo for a wonderful week. Lucky for all, Eva and Gregor are fans of toddlers and became Oliver and Liam's favorite play toys for the whole week. We took Eva and Gregor to Niagara Falls and around Buffalo, biking on the Erie Canal, to a cottage on Conesus Lake, to the Allegany County Fair- where Gregor was able to sample a deep-fried oreo- and around Rochester. Chris and Tony made them some American BBQ with a smoker, and Eva and Gregor cooked goulash and dumplings for a big group of our friends- who ate this unbelievably delicious meal as though we had not eaten for two weeks.
Eva and Gregor went on to visit the American South West for an additional 3 or 4 weeks. We absolutely loved seeing them and are looking forward to visiting them again in Upper Austria this time!

Scott, Lauren, Erik, Chris and I kicked butt in a triathlon right before Chris and I left for our vacation while Gammy and Grandpa Scherer watched Liam and Oliver on a beautiful late July morning in Hamlin Beach Park. Everyone vastly improved their times over last year except me (I had some sort of flu.) But I did ride on a sweeeeeet new road bike.


In the last week of July and early August, the boys were treated to a full week and a half away from their parents! Oliver and Liam stayed with Gammy and Grandpa Scherer, then Babcia and Grampy, then Tia Lu and Uncle Ick while their parents spent a drop-dead, amazing, wonderful week in Amsterdam with our friends Dan, Maggie and Kurt. The canals, the food, the drinks, the company, the side-trips, small towns, museums, shopping, hilarious late-night conversations, and bike riding was really tremendous. Yes, Chris almost did not get into the country, and yes, we were robbed while we slept. But we had a great time. Thanks Dan and Maggie.
And thanks grandparents and Lu and Ick! We were able to have a good time because we left the boys in such capable hands. Apparently, the boys were on their best behavior. All the pictures sure lead us to believe they had a very fun vacation from their parents.






















































































































































The rest of August went in a blur. Our family spent a thrilling weekend at the Ivers' cottage with Lauren and Erik. Good food, good company, lovely time.




We had the absolute pleasure of celebrating Lipa Pattison's graduation from college with a party at Tony and Rachel's. CONGRATS, LIPA!!!!!










At long last, we met our new favorite red-head, Simon Marenstein! Our family met up with Harry and Dina and their adorable, way-too-smart-and-cute-for-his-own-good child in the Catskills for a weekend that seemed much too short. We love you Marenstein family and can't wait to see you again!!! Happy 1st birthday Simon!








On Labor Day weekend, Chris put together a BBQ for our Geneseo friends. We ran the Oak Tree race- Chris took third place in his age group- while the Giorgises and Reinerts watched the kids. Then Ben and Nancy, Kim, the Bailey Jonses, Michelle, and special guests Keith Jones and Shelly ate, drank, and threw kids around. Great end of the summer!

September photos are not up yet, but the boys started back to day-care and LOVE their new class room. Tania had a birthday. We had a remarkably sunny and fun weekend at the Susquehanna with Steve, Lisa and Paige Brent, Jonathan Ivers, Lauren and Erik, Aunt Nancy and Mimi, Gammy and Grandpa, and Joe, Katie, Johnny and Andrew Scherer. Julie Brent turned something above 30 and so did I. We had a birthday party for Scott, Kim and me, who turned the same age 3 days apart. Megan turned something over 30 too.





A few shout-outs:

• Congrats to Allen and Christy on the birth of their beautiful Parker Sheilds!
• Leora and Nati on the birth of their new boy!
  
• Congrats to Dori and Justin on the birth of their adorable Alexander!
• Happy birthday to a ton of people including #2 to Dominick Giorgis, Eva, Jim Ivers (who is NOT 2), Katie Scherer, Tania Giorgis, among others.
• Happy 8th (seriously) Anniversary to Chris and me.
• Aunt Nancy rocks. She babysits and seems to like it.
• Aunt Judy and Aunt Pat- we missed seeing you as much as we should have this summer!
  
• We're sorry we missed you at the lake, Geoff. Hope the next poetry book comes out soon.
  

21 Months!

Our sincerest congratulations to Emily and Craig who had these two sweet babes named Astrid and Stella. All our best to your new family and sleep patterns.








The past four months have been jam-packed with fun, trips and learning to say "NO!" Both Liam and Oliver say "Noh-noh, noh- noh." It was totally adorable the first few hundred times, and now is feeling a tad terrible-twoish. Even though our rug rats are still quite small, they are learning new words and animal sounds everyday. They enjoy giving each other hugs and fish kisses, and like to climb. At parks, they run in different directions; although, if Liam is on the swings, Oliver needs to be right next to Liam. They have decided to fall in love with Sesame Street, and can name most characters.
Oliver is very interested in where Liam is at all times- he says "Miam?" whenever the child in question is out of the room. He calls himself "Ah-vah." Also, the boys are in love with their father and ask for him ad nauseum. When I get up to get the boys out of bed in the morning, they cringe from me and say "noh-noh, Da-da." Whenever the dog starts barking to announce a visitor, the boys run to the door screaming "DA-DA!" Oliver and Liam have taken to calling me Amy rather than just Mom from time to time, thanks to Tia Lu.


Daycare is finally over for the year and I am home on summer holiday, so we are at long last getting back to a sleep schedule that works for everyone and making summer fun running around Main Street, coffee shops, lakes and the backyard.






Many exciting events took place in the last four months. I was able to go on a ridiculous senior trip to the Bahamas (see large absurd Cruise Ship and imagine 53 seniors on a floating bed in international waters. Super fun.)
We celebrated Easter at the Gambill's house with the Brent/Scherer families and had a fun and relaxing spring break filled with Vampire books, salt mine tours and spring swimming lessons for the boys. The boys also had their first ever hair cut, given by Gammy Scherer. All were happy that the hockey-mullets were gone except for me.



We also had a big ole party for Chris "Ivy" Ivers, who turned 35 in April. We went to Swan's German Market for lunch (what is birthday lunch without cured meat and pitchers of beer?), his mates took him to a brewery tour in Rochester, and then we spent the evening at Lauren and Erik's eating more pork and possibly sampling some of the brewery's wares.

































May was when teaching + momming became a little too frantic a pace for a mere mortal like me. I believe in the last blog I raved about how all of my worry about returning to work was for naught. I was wrong, once again. Luckily, the weather was improving and Liam and Oliver started to be able to run around on the outside of the world. We were able to visit with Chris, Cat and Logan Brent at the Conesus cottage, Aunt Nancy came to babysit, the Ivers came over for a relaxing Mother's Day (my new favorite holiday), my students had their Renaissance Festival at school (thanks to Grandpa Scherer for babysitting!), Kim McGann moved into her new home, Andy Scherer turned 2, and we were able to celebrate Tony Jones' bday with another brewery tour- this time the Southern Tier brewery. We also had another two pot-lucks, one at our home and one at Dori and Justin's. Good food, good company- new babies!







June brought the Keuka triathlon in which Lauren, Erik, Scott "Gorgeous" Giorgis, Chris and I participated. We kicked serious arse. Many loving fans came to watch this hilarious race- Jen, Kim, Michelle, Ben and Nancy- and then tailgate with us afterward. What is the point of doing a triathlon if you can't drink beer and eat junk-food after? Thanks to Gammy and Grandpa Scherer for watching the boys!


Also during June we had a fabulous time at the Bailey-Jones potluck, celebrated Ben's birthday (before he took off to Utah and Nevada for his NSF grant work- Congrats!), enjoyed the APOG beer and wine tasting, visited the Geneseo Art Stroll, and went to the Strong Museum for an afternoon of fun with the characters of Sesame Street and Tia Lu.


We took two weekend trips: the first to Pittsburgh and the second to the Catskills. We were able to spend another fantastic weekend with Uncle Joe, Aunt Katie, cousins Johnny and Andy, and Grandpa and Gammy Scherer, Aunt Sarah and Aunt Nancy. We went to the Carnegie Science Museum (see photos) and the boys fell in love with the water table. We also got to swim at the hotel, and in general relax and hang out with the darling Johnny and Andy boys. Happy 5th Birthday, Johnny!

We brought Tania, Scott and Dominick to the Catskills and were able to visit there with Grampy and Babcia, Zio Jonathan, Aunt Pat, Aunt Judy and Marty. Happy Birthday Grampy! The weather was beautiful, the lake was warm, the food was phenomenal. The funniest part came when the boys were walking down to the beach and Oliver ran right into the water, socks, shoes and all. Do you know how much water a diaper can absorb? About 5 pounds. It's quite shocking, really. The boys subsequently went swimming and we ended up with a baby-nudist colony at the Ivers cottage.


































So far, July has brought chillaxing wonderment. Megan and her wonderful friend Eric (from Sconnie) came into town for a visit. The boys loved Aunt Moo and her Boo and Chris and I loved seeing both of them! We went to the Brent cottage for the annual 3rd of July Ring Of Fire- Thanks Uncle Art and Margi! We had a great time swimming, jumping on the trampoline, eating junk food and not sleeping. Oliver was up forever saying "Miam, Miam? Dada? Fish, fish (kissing noise), Nigh-Night? NO-NO!!"

























You may notice photos of boys standing on a beautiful table- Grampy Ivers made this for Liam and Oliver. Thanks!















You may also notice that Liam and Oliver both posed for a photo shoot in a cop car. Is it freaky to anyone else how comfortable Oliver seems? At least Liam had the good sense to appear unhappy.




One of the boys new favorite games is playing in Chris' new car. Please (for the love of everything good) ask Chris about cars. I don't want to hear about them any longer. Why can't the boys want to talk about turbo-charged engines and cylinders yet?????






Happy Birthday to just about everyone! There were a lot of birthdays these past months- hope you all enjoyed!









We wish you all a wonderful summer!