The Harbins: Professor Maxwell!

No, this title is not referring to our genius of a son. But speaking of the little cutie pie, Max is already over 14 months old and still living large! He is running around, babbling loudly, eating everything he can get his hands on, reading lots of books, still sleeping like a champ, and learning to express his pleasure and displeasure in new ways. He is so much fun and loves to laugh and giggle. Thank goodness for spring time, because Max is ready to be outside each and every day. He can't get enough of running around the porch and yard... we are currently working on going down steps. It's a challenge and way too time consuming for his normal speed of life.

Last weekend Justin was away on his annual Man Trip for 4 days of fishing and manly bonding. Max and I missed him so much but we certainly weren't going to sit at home doing nothing! Justin's family has a tradition of going to The Hunt Cup every year. I went for the first time two years ago and it was amazing. For those of you who have never seen a steeplechase horse race, it is quite an experience! The Hunt Cup is a 4 mile course across beautiful hills, with 22 fences for the horses to cross. We tailgate and picnic all afternoon, and then cheer on our favorite horses either right at the fences just a few feet from the horses or up on a hill overlooking the course.

Justin's great grandfather, Francis P Harbin, was a horseman. He left Braddock Heights with his horse and enlisted in the Calvary in the 1^st World War. He maintained his interest in horses for the rest of his life. The only child of his who absorbed this love was his son, Justin's Granddad, Edwin E. Harbin. As a child, Ed was taken with his father to polo matches as well as such events as The Hunt Cup. Ed passed his love of horses to his family and Justin rode his first horse when he was around Max's age. Right before he passed away several years ago, Justin and I went to the Manor Race with him and Justin's Dad. It was my first steeplechase, perfect weather, and a day we will always cherish! It was not overlooked that Justin's Granddad must have been so happy to see the 5^th generation of Harbin boys at the Hunt Cup this past weekend. To end the perfect day, the horse Professor Maxwell won The Hunt Cup!

Aunt Meaghan knows the way to Max's heart... food : )