Snow Jam 2014

Atlanta got our once a year (or every two years) snow at the end of January.  As usual things shut down for a few days.  We have learned to make the most of it.  The kids love it, Brian gets a snow day (sort of), and Mom gets to make lots of hot chocolate while doing extra loads of wet laundry!

 the cul-de-sac kids out on Day 1

 lots of sledding (yes, we actually own a sled)

 tastes good

 snow was a little soft for snowballs, but that didn't stop anybody

 sledding alone or together, doesn't matter, all smiles!!

 snow angel

Day 4 found us with a bit of cabin fever, Daddy had to go out of town, we had an appointment to get the car fixed, and who can turn down milkshakes with these two??

As I type this I am aware that we might have snow again on Tuesday.  I'm not sure I'm too excited about that, but I know two little boys who will be ready to get out there and play!!

Monster Jam 2014

There is nothing like the Monster Jam!  This is something that everyone should try once, the kids absolutely love it.

 Scooby Doo wiped out at the end of his freestyle

 some pointers from the club level

 it is pretty cool to see popular characters that the boys know

 turn, turn

The big winner . . . Son of a Digger!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Matthew

I think we say it at every birthday because it's just so hard to believe that it's all happening so fast.  I can't believe our "little" boy is 4!  There are actually two boys running around our house, our yard, our lives, and it is so much fun (most of the time)!  Matthew is really good about understanding that his birthday is right after Christmas, and I think he enjoys knowing that he's getting more presents in only a few days.  This year he asked for a pirate party with some of his friends from school.

 a family selfie

 the birthday boy patiently waiting to open his presents

cake time

We eagerly awaited the big 4.  3 is tough, and we were hoping to leave some of that toddler/baby behavior behind.  We'll just say it's a work in progress for now.  Love you Matty!!

A Quick Visit to Farmville

We had an almost three week Christmas break this year, so the boys and I took a little trip to visit Grandma Caren & Papa Marvin

 running & playing soccer in the big backyard

Thanks for letting us crash your house for a few days!!

Christmas 2013

We enjoyed focusing on the true reason for the season this year.  It's really cool to see the boys learn and begin to understand our faith.  They have great questions, and we'll continue the struggle of the difference between Jesus and Santa Claus, but for now, we're enjoying it all!

 making cookies for Santa

Humeston family Christmas, Uncle Nick's girlfriend wisely suggested Pez dispensers instead of a large bag o' Pez

 Merry Christmas Grandpa John

 spreading out reindeer food

(super sweet Matthew tried to put the sealed ziploc bag next to the tree, love him!)

 2 excited little boys!!

We love these 2 little characters so much, and getting to experience the magic through their eyes is the best Christmas present!

December 2013 Highlights

 A rainy day visit to the pink pig

 Telling Santa what we want for Christmas

- they actually wrote their own lists this year

 Polar Express in Chattanooga (in our pjs)

 "This is first time I've had chocolate milk" (true statement)

 "This is the most fun night" (true statement)

 what does one do on a cold and rainy Saturday morning? we go swimming in the hotel's heated indoor  pool!

 Annual gingerbread house decorating, I think more gets eaten than used for decoration, but that's what it's all about right?

Thanksgiving in a Nut Shell

A big thank you to Lisa & Denis for offering to have Thanksgiving dinner in their apartment.  It was a lot of fun to celebrate with the 10 of us and Denis' parents as well.

 our first kids table (they loved it)

 Natural History Museum

 terrible picture of the blue whale, I read somewhere how you can go lay down under the whale, and it's quite peaceful

not quite a bucket item, but still happy that I tried it, even if we did look kinda kooky

 Our hotel for any Gossip Girl fans

Matthew feeding baby CeCe

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Bucket list item = dream come true. I always wanted to see the Macy's parade in person, and the birth of our niece Celine earlier in the year made that a possibility.  We decided to celebrate Thanksgiving in NY with the Somar's, so parade here we come.

The weather had been terrible, and we weren't even sure we'd make it to NY, but despite the wind and rain, we made it!

 You can go the night before to see the balloons inflated.  Because of the weather we thought this might be our only shot to see them.  If it's too windy, no balloons in the parade!

Brian and Mike got down to the parade route just before 5 am to get us an upfront spot.  By 8 we were all snuggled together to wait until 9 when the parade started (it's about 10 people deep by then)!

no more pictures Mom

Andrew waving at Sonic

the balloons did fly, but they had to stay low

all of the handlers are dressed like their balloon

not as many kids along the route as I expected, we saw every clown, character, confetti throwing person there was

(we are still finding confetti)

On a personal memory note . . . there are times you don't want your camera to fail.  Mine did.  The camera card decided it didn't want to hold any more photos (even though it showed room for 400+ more), the extra card was in the hotel room, my phone battery died, Brian's phone battery died.  But you know what, part of me is ok with that, I don't have every memory captured on technology, but I did get to see the joy on my son's faces when they got high 5's from power rangers, and I got to laugh with the boys when the clowns took each of their hats off to put confetti on their heads.  I'm so glad we have proof of these memories, but I'm also happy that I got the reminder to live in these moments when they're happening!