Traditionally, Labor Day marks the end of summertime. Usually, this is a major bummer. But this year, I think my family had a pretty awesome summer, making it a little easier to watch it go.

[caption id="attachment_1256" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="Emmett and His Shovel in the Boat"][/caption]

Some of this summer's highlights:

1. Emmett got his first buzz cut.


2. James and I got engaged and started planning our wedding. (Have I directed you to our wedding website yet?)


3. We visited with Cousin Gus, Aunt A and Uncle Mac in Michigan.


4. Emmett took swim lessons.


5. We had Emmett's first trip to the Jersey shore with Nana, Gran-D and Aunt Niki.

A couple of days in Maine with Gran Lucy, Grandpa Mac, Uncle Shawn, Aunt Sara and Cousin Ben were a great way to top off the summer.� We enjoyed a yummy lobster feast (and learned just how much Emmett enjoys corn on the cob), spent some time on the beach and the boat, did some shopping in Freeport for Emmett's fall wardrobe, and mainly just relaxed.

[caption id="attachment_1257" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="Emmett with Gran Lucy and Cousin Ben"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1258" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="Emmett Devours His Corn on the Cob"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1259" align="aligncenter" width="539" caption="Emmett Confronts a Lobster With a Grill Lighter"][/caption]

Who else is looking forward to toddlers playing in piles of leaves in the fall and making snowmen in the winter?� I know Em and I are.

For more photos from our Labor Day visit in Maine, view the set on Flickr.

Age Timer: 19 months, 3 weeks

Busy isn't even the word to describe the past couple of weeks.� Packing and moving (and unpacking) took over our life for a while, and then once we were done with that (well, almost), we headed over to Michigan for Labor Day weekend to visit my sisters, brother-in-law and new, 2-month old baby nephew, Gus.

[caption id="attachment_941" align="aligncenter" width="484" caption="Emmett tries to reason with Gus "][/caption]

Besides the unfortunate incident of me leaving my digital camera in the seat-back pocket on the flight to Detroit,� (I'm still mourning its loss, which included an adorable video of Emmett on his first-ever flight) we had "great times" in the Great Lakes State, watching an Olympic sailing qualifying race, hanging out with babies and taking pictures (on cameras other than my own).� And Emmett's first couple airplane experiences went surprisingly well.� A little bit of crying here and there, but nothing we (or other passengers) couldn't handle.

In other news, Emmett has not one, but two toofers!� Two of his bottom front teeth have broken free, and James and I agree that now he looks just like a classic cartoon baby.

The rest of this week will involve finishing touches on the apartment and new digital camera shopping (so we can take pictures of said apartment).

Man, it feels good to blog again!

More of last weekend in pictures ...

[caption id="attachment_942" align="aligncenter" width="470" caption="2 Month Gus"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_943" align="aligncenter" width="520" caption="Getting changed together"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_944" align="aligncenter" width="523" caption="Adrienne, Gus, me & Emmett"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_945" align="aligncenter" width="524" caption="James keeping Gus pacified on a yoga ball"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_946" align="aligncenter" width="527" caption="Party pic with Aunt LuLu"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_947" align="aligncenter" width="453" caption="Family pic in the park"][/caption]

Age Timer: 7 months, 3 weeks