The Binker Family Blog

coming soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:49:00 +0000

Just wanted to let all our loyal readers know that we're still here. We returned from our annual Whidbey Island vacation last week, and I'm still sorting through the nearly 300 photos. Plus Mason had Kindergarten orientation on Monday and we're enjoying our last week before school starts. So I promise to have more photos up soon!

4th of July, etc.

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:54:00 +0000

Swordfighting, Binker-style:

Max waiting in the car for Mason:

Max's First Oreo Cookie:

Mason at his first bowling party (the girl in the pink and white striped dress is his girlfriend, Diana):

New Camera!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:36:00 +0000

Yeah! Our new camera arrived this week, so we're back in business. We (well, really it's just me, Marla, but let's pretend we share) chose to get an upgraded Sony Cybershot, the W120, so that the old battery and memory sticks work, plus we don't have to learn a new menu. It's working well so far. In addition to excellent still shots, it has improved video capabilities. So here's a little taste of how we used it today:

Technical Difficulties

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:48:00 +0000

My camera broke 1.5 weeks ago -- so it might be a little while before I have new photos to post. I'm trying to figure out which new camera to get. I need to hurry up before I miss more shots like this one:

Just Us!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:40:00 +0000

I've been a little behind on my photo-processing and uploading... we've been too busy with fun summer activities, like camp, swimming lessons and the like.

I've been meaning to post a few pics of Mark and my weekend away. Grandma and Grandpa took the boys and we went off to Wilmington, a nice little town about two hours west of Raleigh. We walked around the historic river front, toured the Bellamy Mansion, enjoyed a cruise up the Cape Fear River, dined at a restaurant with tablecloths and wine glasses, learned about the local haunts during a Ghost Tour... We also checked out Wrightsville Beach before heading home on Sunday morning. The best part was being "just us" for 32 hours, although we did miss our little guys.

Jon and Alli's Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:10:00 +0000

This past weekend we drove to Atlanta to attend the wedding of cousin Jon and his bride Alli. To make a long story short, we had planned on just Marla and Mason flying but due to a reservation error, all four of us made the 7-hour trek by car. It was worth it -- Mason had a blast with his cousins at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding reception. Following are a few highlights from the trip; for a full photo recap, check out this SHUTTERFLY LINK.

Happy Mothers' Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Sun, 11 May 2008 15:26:00 +0000

Happy Day to all you mothers out there!

Today is a dreary, rainy day in Raleigh. I was awakened at 6:33 am by Mason bearing cards; I sent him back to his room and told him to come back when the clock said 7. He returned at 6:57 and presented me with two cards and a gift certificate for a spa -- time for a pedicure. A little later Mark took both boys downstairs and let me sleep in 'till 9.

We're not sure what we'll do with the rest of our day -- probably watch a movie and do the laundry. Knowing the forecast for today, we spent yesterday outside at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Mark attempted to get a decent shot of me and the boys, which proved to be next to impossible... but here is the best one, along with a few others of the boys being cute over the past few weeks.

Latin Fiesta

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:12:00 +0000

Yesterday, Mason and Max's pre-school, Spanish for Fun, held their annual Latin Fiesta. Max performed his first dance; he did better than some of his classmates:

For Mason, it was the last performance at this school, as he will graduate next month. He had been practicing and was very excited about the event. Unfortunately, there was a slight problem at the beginning of the dance -- the "hunter" was late, and the teachers asked Mason to fill in; then when the "hunter" arrived, they took the bow and arrows off of Mason and sent him back to his spot. As you can see, he did his part with a not-so-happy face... he wanted his chance in the spotlight. It was a difficult lesson to learn.

Artists at Work

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:29:00 +0000

I can too eat with a spoon!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:20:00 +0000

Max wants to feed himself. Most of the time he will eat ONLY what he can put in his own mouth. He loves yogurt, and seemed to want to eat it himself, so I decided to let him try. The result... well, a little mess never hurt anyone, right?

Brotherly Love

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:17:00 +0000

Sir Mason

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:10:00 +0000

This past weekend we visited the North Carolina Renaissance Fair. Mason had the opportunity to meet "Queen Elizabeth" and be knighted as Sir Mason. First he had to listen to her give a speech on honesty, bravery, and chivalry. Then he knelt on one knee while she tapped him three times with a sword. We opted to wait 'till next year for Max's ceremony; he might have lost an ear if he wiggled too much.

First Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

On Friday, April 4, Max got his very first haircut. Grandma Fran and Grandpa Bob witnessed the event (and took photos, of course). Max did very well, squirming just a little and not crying at all. He looks much more like a big boy now. What do you think?

Max's 1-Year Photo Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:20:00 +0000

Max and his bear, Theo, had a lot of fun at Portrait Innovations on Friday. As you can see, the photographer had no trouble getting him to smile. Grandma Fran and I had fun watching him, too.

Celebrate!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:12:00 +0000

Max had a great time celebrating his birthday this past week. A party at school, another with playgroup friends, and another at home with a few family friends. He's been very busy sampling cupcakes and cakes, playing with balloons, and partying like a one-year-old. Naturally, we took a ton of photos.

Click HERE to see his playgroup party.

Click HERE to see his home party.

Click HERE to see his school party, day with Grandma Barbara & Grandpa Jerry, and other fun activities.

Birthday Boy!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:03:00 +0000

One year ago today, Max joined our family. He has been such a joyful, wonderful addition. Here are a few photos of our birthday boy from this morning and from his party at school yesterday; check back for more photos of his celebrations!

Happy Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Max was excited to be exploring the front yard last week. He was wearing a sweater made by his great-grandmother (known to most of us as Nanny) and trying out the new skill of walking in the grass.

Belated Valentine's Day Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:24:00 +0000

Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to wish you a happy Valentine's Day last week. Our techie has fixed the glitch (thank you, Mark) and here they are...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy February!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:28:00 +0000

January has flown by; guess it's time to update our photos. We've had a very busy few weeks. Max is learning to walk by himself. He started school two mornings a week and loves it, especially when he plays maracas, sings and dances. He has also discovered a love of noodles. Mason continues to enjoy school and playdates with friends. We are trying to figure out which Kindergarten to enroll him in for the fall.

Mark went to South Carolina for a week to cover the primary, and Grandma Fran came to visit and help us out. We had a lot of fun playing with her and are looking forward to her next visit.

A Visit from Uncle Rick

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:48:00 +0000

Uncle Rick visited us from Seattle for the weekend. We took him to two of Mason's favorite places: the Natural Science Museum in downtown Raleigh, and the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. He seemed to enjoy feeding the boys to the dinosaur and looking at butterflies. We hope that he will come back soon and bring Uncle David along!

Happy New Year from Max

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:43:00 +0000

Since we have Mason featured in our first two video segments, here's one starring Max. It was also my "test" to see if I could get the video from my new camera onto the web without Mark's assistance... if you can see it, I did it! Now if I can just figure out all the editing options in our software.

Introducing...Mason's new playset

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:12:00 +0000

Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Jerry got Mason a new playset for Christmas. In this video, Mason shows it off.

Thanks Grandma

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:36:00 +0000

Marla got a new little video camera for Christmas. This is the first video we've uploaded from it. Mason is saying thanks for the planes his Grandma Fran and Grandpa Bob sent him from their trip to Hawaii.

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 01:25:00 +0000

New Friend this Week

noreply@blogger.com (Mark and Marla) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:25:00 +0000