Happy New Year!

What Christmas looks like here

Winter in Virginia

Kids attempting to "sled" on the yard in an ice storm.

And just like that... It's Christmas time...

Halloween II

Happy Halloween!

Firehouse

A

Apple picking in Bluemont

Alone with the kids while dad helped his mom, I decided to take everyone apple picking. It's now one of my favorite memories. We took a wagon out to the fields, played for hours on the slides, fed pigs and goats and ate apple cider doughnuts. We came home exhausted and covered in dirt.

Waiting for our wagon ride

Back to School for the oldest two!

So long summer

This guy

It's been 8 years since he was born early, struggling to breathe. We spent every night staring into his crib in disbelief that he was ours, surprised it was even possible to love another being that much. Now he's this funny, goofy, kind and curious kid who can spend hours on his bike or in the pool, loves a good neighborhood or family party and creates Goonies-style obstacle courses in the backyard. 

I can't imagine a son I'd love or want more in my life. Happy birthday!!    

Choo-choo!

I love these photos Mimi took. Such great memories of riding that train as a kid.

Denver

Congratulations: It's a princess

I thought we were out of the princess phase, but then the invitation came. Another little girl at school wanted to have a princess party and all attendees were to wear their favorite ball gown. She was just so happy and proud to have been invited somewhere important. 

No brother's allowed! 

No. 3

A few pics from the summer before it's even begun. She wore the goggles in the car on Day 1 of the pool. Jumped out of the van and ran ahead saying "Come on guys. Lessgo!!" Then as soon as she felt the cold water she wanted nothing to do with it. Hopefully that doesn't last...  

On your mark...

This photo made our school newsletter. I can't stop smiling when I think of it. You'd think his dinner was at stake.

Girlfriend can ride a bike!

After fiddling on a scoot bike for more than a year, mom suggested she just try and made a joke about "believing in herself." Next thing you know, we can't get her off her brother's old bike. She's a natural.

Mother's Day, part II

I know what you're thinking: Get that poor girl a haircut. See, we were going to. Then the chicks arrived (see below), then she tripped in the foyer and knocked three front teeth out of the sockets. So Mother's Day we ended up in urgent care and at the dentist the next morning. She had to go to Kindergarten orientation with puffy lips and gums, but was smiling just as big as ever.

Mother's Day weekend, part I

The "perk" of being room mom apparently is that you get to take home a bunch of baby chicks in the spring. Except this year, only four hatched out of more than a dozen eggs (the teacher blamed a faulty incubator). We wound up with two very sickly birds (not pictured) that later died. You haven't really experienced Mother's Day until you've buried dead chickens in your back yard.