Aidan has had a busy summer! It started with Meytal's wedding in May, then camping at the beach in June. Mac celebrated his 31st birthday and since then we've had a busy social calendar. At the end of June, we went to DC for a day to visit with friends of Galit's and their families. Mac & Galit celebrated their 7 year wedding anniversary. We celebrated 4th of July with the Honigs here in Montpelier, VA (it was SOOO hot!). We went camping at one of our favorite local parks Bear Creek Lake State Park, where Aidan had a blast swimming in the lake. We even went on his very first canoe ride. Dani & Brad came for a quick weekend visit while they were in Norfolk (sorry no pictures!) Meytal, Galit's sister, came for a quick weekend visit. Galit celebrated her 29th birthday. We went camping at Cowen's Gap, PA with Mac's parents, sisters Meghan and Mo, Mo's fiance Chris, and Mac's cousin Julie over the Labor Day weekend. We had a great time and Aidan even got to go fishing! This week Aidan started his 2nd year of preschool. He has the same teacher and mostly the same class so he is thrilled to be going back. Coming up for us -- a fall that's just as busy: a trip to the Outer Banks with the Honigs, Aunt Mo's wedding (Aidan is the ringbearer), and in December a much-anticipated trip to Disney World.

Visiting with the Sackins in DC -- Playing parachute	Visiting with the Sackins -- The kids pose for a photo op.
Indepence Day with the Honigs -- Jack (3) and Aidan get an ice cream treat.	Natalie comes over to play -- Two firefighters to the rescue!
Camping at Bear Creek -- Playing in the lake	Happy boy!
Aunt Tal visits and plays videogames	Aidan the Builder helps Daddy
Grumpy boy! (not really)	Mommy's new haircut and 29th birthday!
Camping with the Frasers in PA -- Fishing with Daddy	Camping with the Frasers in PA -- Uncle-to-be Chris teaches Aidan horseshoes.
1st day of preschool	Reading a new Thomas book to Fred

For Mac's birthday, we drove up to Maryland to Assateague Island State Park where we camped right on the sand and the beach was just a sand dune away. Assateague Island is known for its wild ponies and within the first hour of our stay we saw a pony eating our neighbors' food! It was a short drive to Ocean City and we had a great time on the boardwalk and at the beach.

A young buck and fawn munch on the grass in our camp site.	The buck passes by to get to the grass on the dunes.
One of the many horses just wandering around the camp sites.	Aidan LOVED this shark at the Ocean City boardwalk. He said, "It's too bad it won't fit in the car."
Ripley's Museum at the boardwalk	A Pilot! One of the many playgrounds at the beach.
Monster truck driver -- another beach playground.	Getting buried in the sand.
Saying good-bye to the beach.

Aunt Dani stops by for the week on her way home to Texas.

Aidan doesn't graduate preschool for another year, but the "undergraduates" presented a gift to the graduating class and sang songs for the parents.

The procession.	Aidan & Miles -- his best friend from school.
Saying good-bye and thank you to Mrs. Marbold, his teacher.

Of course every sleepover at our house, we have to have the ubiquitous tub shot! It's amazing to see how fast the boys are growing up.

Crush gets some outdoor time and Ben is fascinated!	Ben (nearly 18 mon), Jack & Aidan (both 3 1/2)

After a year and a half of preparation, the big day was finally here! Aidan's Aunt Tal (Galit's sister) was a beautiful bride and Aidan now has an Uncle Josh. And despite the chilly, rainy weather, we managed to have the ceremony outside which made for some gorgeous pictures. Aidan made it all the way down the aisle, despite hours of protesting before the time came, and made sure to get his "payment" of a matchbox car from Mommy who was already at the altar. The best part of the day was visiting with family we haven't seen in many, many years -- Galit's Uncle Shlomo on her dad's side, and her cousins Josh & Megan and Aunt Merideth on her mom's side.

Some R&R before the big day.	A quick visit with Cassidy made them fast friends!
Aidan's Savta (Galit's mom)'s family	He made it down the aisle!!
Sabba (Galit's dad) and Aunt Tal (Galit's sister), the beautiful bride	Could he possibly be any cuter?
Aunt Tal, Aidan, & Mommy	Aunt Tal and Sabba do the Father/Daughter dance
Aunt Tal and Great-Grandpa Harry (Galit's Grandfather) dance	A Jewish tradition where bride & groom are lifted in chairs for a kiss.
Aidan finally agrees to dance with the bride	The beautiful cake
Aidan finds his true calling -- wedding photographer

Aidan's school held their annual Spring Fling. This year it was on the South Anna river. We didn't think we'd even get Aidan in the chilly water, but as it turned out, we couldn't get him out!!

Cousins Aidan and Adam	Aidan loves to play Pony Boy with Savta
Randy's family & Mike's family	Great-Savta, Shir (cousin), Great Aunt Margol and Great Uncle Yossi, Galit, Aidan, & Savta

School Pictures 2005

Aidan and Galit flew down to Florida to stay with Aidan's Great-Uncle Mike and Aunt Randy for cousin Kayla's Bat-Mitzvah. It was great to spend time with Galit's immediate family (parents and sisters Meytal and Edva were all there), as well as family from Israel (Galit's Aunt Margol & Uncle Yossi, cousin Shir, and grandmother). Aidan really enjoyed getting to play with his cousins (last time they met, he was only 10 months old), and visiting with far away family. We were sad to see everyone go! Galit didn't get to take as many pictures as she would have liked, so once we get more from her parents, we'll post them.

Galit and Aunt Margol match.	Aidan and Aunt Tal take a break from playing video games.
Aidan and his "Savta-Ravta" (This is Galit's Savta (grandmother), Aidan's Great-Savta).

We spent Christmas in Canada this year, with a quick stopover at Penn State to have some long overdue visits with friends. Aidan's first response when we got to Penn State? "I don't have to sit on that lion again, do I?" We had dinner with the Tices (Galit and Kristina both majored in special education at Penn State) and met their beautiful children Nathan and Maddie. We had breakfast with the Mosers (Karen was Galit's co-operating teacher for student teaching) and met their gorgeous baby Caitlin. We also visited with friends Robin & Scott and met their handsome son Brendan! Of course we forgot to bring our camera to any of our visits, so no pictures, but we all had a wonderful time visiting. We then headed up to Oakville, Ontario to visit Mac's family for Christmas. We had a wonderful time and so did Aidan -- it was the first year he really understood that Santa = gifts. Although Galit (having little prior Christmas experience!) made the mistake of telling him he might hear the reindeer hooves on the roof and Aidan was up all night waiting to hear them. When we got up in the morning, he was devastated that Santa had not come because he had not heard the reindeer.

Quick PSU visit.	Writing a letter to Santa.
Our Christmas PJs	Leaving food out for the reindeer
Yearly tradition: Twas the Night Before Christmas	Family Picture
White Christmas and then some!	Great-Grammie and Great-Grandpa Fraser
Meg and new puppy Ruby -- all tired out!

Jack the Dinosaur and Aidan as Thomas	Ben (10 mon), Aidan (3), and Jack (almost 3) have a sleepover.
A Native American for school's Thanksgiving luncheon	Savta (Galit's mom) visits for Hanukkah

Since his Aunt Dani gave him some Thomas the Train DVDs last year, Aidan's been obsessed! So this year, Aidan decided that's who he wanted to be for Halloween. When wearing his costume (i.e. when he's not eating or sleeping), he insists on being referred to as "Thomas," not Aidan. Lucky Aidan got to go to the pumpkin patch 3 times in one week! Once with the MOMS Club, once on a field trip with school, and once with Mommy, Daddy, & the Honigs.

Thomas and the 5 Little Pumpkins	Who's going to carry this one back -- Aidan or Jack?

The State Fair of Virginia is held just around the corner from our house. Aidan had a great time with the animals, the rides, and watching the parade.

This calf is just a few weeks old!	One of the three little piggies was pooped!
Aidan claims he'd cut the grass more if he had this to use instead of his bubble mower.

Aidan celebrates his birthday at preschool.	Wearing the Sick Kids Hospital scrubs from Aunt Meg.

To see pictures and updates from birth to October 2004, click here.

Whether you call, write, or e-mail we would love to hear from all of you!

• Home Phone: (804) 569-3873
• Address: 7091 Mill Valley Ct., Mechanicsville, VA 23111
• E-mail: mac@silverdog.com, gfraser@silverdog.com