a new view

Well, along with everything else changing in our lives in the coming year, why not change the blog too? We'll probably be doing some experimenting in the future until we land on a good 'feel' for the growing Isaacson family.

And while we're on the topic, hopefully some of the images shared on the blog will have a new look as well: BETTER! That's because I upgraded my camera in celebration of becoming a Master, traveling to Europe, and upcoming baby and CO move. I still have a LOT to learn about it, but I'm already loving it so far. Here are some examples with my portrait lens:

The one and only, number one love of mine, Super dad-to-be, TI
(happy Father's Day, Babe!)

Around Boston, our last Freedom Trail tour with special guest Drew LaForge

Off to Gloucester, Beverly, and Cape Ann with Soren to meet Miriam and Pete for dinner!

GORGEOUS decaf cappuccino, mmmm!


Pete and Miriam

the gang wolfing down some pizza (I was already done)

Miriam's apple pie she whipped up!!

And back in Boston on today's 90-degree day


Garlic scapes!! Haven't tried them yet but like green onions, from the first day of the farmer's market across the street!

And finally, the first box packed (of MANY, including the ones calling my name as I procrastinate with photos.). Back to the boxes, and then to bed!

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. Way to be.

20 weeks, baby!

It's banana baby time!

Karate kid's kicks and punches abound, ligaments are stretching, pants aren't fitting, I keep eating, headaches are coming, sleep is leaving, and there's still not a whole lot of evidence of it all! October seems far away but is getting closer and closer.

Baby is about 6.5 inches long, about the length of a banana, and 10 oz (and size of canteloupe?). It's swallowing a lot, forming taste buds, and beginning bowel buildups - gotta start sometime. I found a midwife in Colorado (I hope), and the advice-seeking on baby stuff has begun (anyone have any favorite must-have's as new parents?) I have to say I've been overwhelmed by all the things people/books say you need, especially new. We are hoping to recycle as much as is reasonably possible by buying a lot used. We'll see what we find once we get to CO!

In the meantime we have one month left in Boston, believe it or not. We'll miss it here, but we are excited for the next phase of life. Time to focus on organizing and packing, and planning our trip to Europe starting July 5 (!!). This baby is going to have been a world traveler before it arrives :)

bump on the bubble

We've returned from a final epic Northeast adventure! Acadia National Park was one of the last places on our checklist that we wanted to go before leaving the East Coast. Tim's birthday and our 5 year anniversary (theme = wood, perfect for camping in the woods!) were the perfect opportunities.

We departed in our powerful Ford Focus rental car (which the employee insisted was extra powerful to get us up those windy Acadia hills) and arrived Thursday afternoon to Bar Harbor, Maine. First stop, blueberry soft serve and a burger and blueberry beer for the birthday boy.




Another fun coincidence of the trip is Dinah and her friend Allison from VT were planning a trip at the same time, so we met up each day, starting with a walk at low tide across the harbor to a small island. Don't get stuck there after 7pm though, or you're swimming back! Be sure to check out the slideshow for more way wacky pictures.








We then checked into our campground in time to discover a cool lookout over the Atlantic, including an impending full moon rise over the eastern horizon!





Friday we headed to the "bubbles" and Jordan Pondhouse. We hiked from Jordan Pond straight UP the South Bubble, which was awesome, and took this "bump on the bubble" picture to commemorate Karate Kid's 19th week:


(the bubbles are in the distance)


I've been feeling baby movements for the past couple of weeks which is really weird and fun!

Then we descended to Eagle Lake, back around and up the Nubble, and the North Bubble. We were hoping there were stubbles to hike somewhere but only bubbles and nubbles. Finally we ended back at the Jordan Pondhouse for their famous popovers (hollow muffins). The raspberry lemonade was super yummy, and it was fun to meet up again with Dinah and Allison who had been biking all over the island. We ended the day at their campground instead of ours for dinner.



Saturday we intersected again at the top of the tallest peak on the Mount Desert Island, Cadillac Mountain. We think it's called that since a Cadillac could make it to the top. Dinah and Allison ascended via the most vertical route - bouldering straightup - while we took a more leisurely ridge route. So when we happened upon each other again at the top (islands are small!), we rescued them from their treacherous descent by inviting them along our route and then driving them back to their car. They added to the fun with interesting yoga poses. More pics to come...





Saturday ended with more blueberry soft serve and pizza for dinner in town. That night the clouds rolled in and a huge thunderstorm woke us in the middle of the night, but it was kind of cool. It was gone by the time we had planned to get up and watch the sunrise, but lingering clouds definitely hid and muted the effect we were imagining. It wasn't too difficult to go back to bed though:)

Sunday we checked out of our campsite and finished adventuring with a final hike up the Beehive (iron rungs bolted into the boulders!) to the Bowl trail by a lake. This place needs more creative names we decided.





After lunch (Tim had to try lobster tail!) in Bar Harbor (and double ice cream!!), we drove the 5+ hours home, both refreshed and exhausted. It was totally worth it, although we think it doesn't beat the Northwest's beauty. We are blessed to have enjoyed all of these adventures!

eyes photo shoot

A couple of weeks ago we had the privilege of joining up with Anya Hartshorn, a talented friend from UPS who is also a great mom and photographer. She was visiting for a few days and offered to take some pics of us, so we decided on a 'band' theme and headed to some classic Boston sites.

Despite fighting the wind (what's new in Boston), she did a fabulous job! Here are a few favorites:










Check out all of her other great shots (accompanied by an Eyes original song) at anyakathrynphotography.com.



Thanks, Anya!

5 great years

Tim and I get to enjoy the day together celebrating 5 years of marriage, plus a Master's degree, a baby on the way, moving to CO, and a trip to Paris all coming up in the next 6 months! Life is rich and good, and we are super blessed and thankful. Seriously.

I think Tim and my cards to each other are a funny marker of what 5 years of marriage has done to us already. We both independently made tree-themed (wood is 5 year symbol) construction paper cards for each other.

Mine:

Tim's:

And they both have poems on the back. Of course Tim wrote his for me, and I just borrowed someone else's. Even our creativity is becoming one!

Another special anniversary treat was getting to see the babe again at the 18 week ultrasound! It wasn't as active or cooperative as last time and spent a lot of the time standing on its head it seemed, or at least very comfortable right where it was. For awhile its hands and arms were behind its head, sort of reclining in utero. Too early to get up perhaps. Or maybe an acrobat or gymnast? I can't say the pictures are that clear, but feel free to take a closer look!





We are more and more excited every day.

abmaster

No more school! Graduation achieved! I have my MPH and now am commissioned to work toward alleviating disease and poverty.






Husband Super Support






I had to end with the cheesy border shot

But I couldn't do it without looking fairly ridiculous! The sash means Delta Omega - official Public Health Honors Society, I guess. I'll eventually post a public website portfolio of my work from this degree to help people get a better picture of what it means.

It has been a fun 2 years here in Boston and definitely worth the adventure; I can't believe it's already accomplished, and with such faithfulness from God in providing a job at just the right time to pay for it all. Wow.

Mom and dad O came for the extended weekend. We had fun at the Bleacher Bar
at Fenway Park, walking the Freedom trail (for the last time?!), the SOWA artists market, church, graduation, and a trip to the North Shore (see slideshow).
It was great having them on our home turf for a few days.

Mom, the model


Rockport

What have I been doing post graduation?
Eating, mostly.
I made raspberry blackberry pound cake.


Then homemade raspberry marshmallows


And Greek lamb burgers (get it?) with a yummy yogurt cucumber quinoa salad.


Next up: 5 year anniversary! The fun is just beginning!