In lieu of having Festivus in January of this year, the Rosenberg/Crain/Ruschman family decided to meet in D.C. for an informal summer festivus (not that festivus is ever truly formal). The trip was a success by all measures; the weather held out, the hotel was nice, and we even had a rooftop pool to swim in. Livia has definitely obtained her father's dislike for cold water however, and she is not shy about letting us know it. The depth you see her in the water is about as far as she's allowed us to submerge her body outside of her tub to date.
Uncle Bobby and Cousin Gabriella joined us for Livia's first "butt" submersion in a pool ever. It was quite an event, and Gabriella is fast becoming a swimmer - although she prefers to hang out on her floating island (complete with an umbrella tree for shade).
The family in front of a backup "lunar lander"that was displayed at the DC Air and Space Museum. Other museum attractions that we saw included: the baby bathroom, the ladies room, the men's room, and the bench in front of the ladies room (so Livia could eat). You should have seen the bench - it had 4 legs - I've never seen anything like it.
After the air and space museum, all the cousins sat at a fountain in D.C.'s sculpture garden. Cousin Andrew was not shy about getting wet (who could blame him - it was really hot outside). Cousin D.J. helped us with Livia the whole weekend by feeding her and playing with her. Now that our Nanny can't be with us for 9 weeks (sprained wrist) we're thinking of hiring DJ for the summer. Livia, as you can see, had her head in the clouds (and her fingers in her mouth).
Aunt Michelle and Cousin Alexey at the fountain. Cousin Alexey loved the ducks that happened to land in the water and swim across the fountain. He has become fairly adept at walking. As Alexey and Livia are about the same age, they got along famously. Coming away from the weekend, I said the same thing about Aunt Michelle and Cousin DJ.
Gabriella in front of Aunt Lori at the fountain. Gabriella performed her contemporary dances for us throughout the weekend. I think Livia really liked it. Aunt Lori and Uncle Darren braved Friday night traffic with DJ, Andrew, and Grandma Mari to make it down to spend the weekend with us. I know that Livia (and the rest of us) loved seeing them as well.
What you are witnessing is one of, literally, two brief seconds that Livia allowed another human being besides her Mom and Dad to hold her. I think the heat had gotten to her, or maybe it's Bobby's charming ways, or a combination of the two - but this shot gives everyone hope.
Sharyn's big birthday moment in Ben & Jerry's. We all shared a sundae - Sharyn made a wish. I think her wish was for a nap, or maybe some coffee ice cream, at that moment in time.
On the way back from Ben & Jerry's we walked to a pier for a few last shots of most of the family. Bob and Michelle had left to put the kids to sleep and we convinced Uncle Darren (who managed to stay out of all of our photos!) to take this picture. Happy first summer festivus everyone!
