US Naval Academy Ice Hockey

Mike took the family to a naval academy hockey game. The kids had a blast. It was fun that we knew someone on the team so we could cheer him on. To our suprise we were invited to skate after the game and get signitures of all the midshipmen hockey players who were waiting on the ice with sharpie markers. It was great. The kids and i got our skates on and skated for a while. Chase didn't want to leave until he had everyone sign his team roster booklet. He was easy to find on the rink because he was wearing SHORTS! It was Chase's 2nd time ice skating, Michael and Cameron were 1st timers. They all did great :)

January gave us our first snow day!!!!!!!!!!

I woke up at 7 am (on schedule for me) this morning and mike was already gone. I couldn't find the kids anywhere. I went downstairs and saw the back door was wide open and it was snowing. I yelled for the kids (as loud as i could @7 in the morning) because i wasn't going out into the snow after being awake for only 5 min. I needed to prepare myself. I finally saw something moving in the distance and it was all three of them. i was so glad to see them together. When they got closer i saw that Cameron was not wearing any shoes and she didn't have a jacket on (she was tough) - Just her PJ's. Michael put his jacket on her and was freezing but did his big brother duty :) They were exploring in the woods for about 40 min before i woke up and called them in. School was canceled and mike told the kids before he left for work. It is amazing that we get a day off school for a few inches of snow. We won't complain :) We went sledding, snowball fights, tiny snowmen, shoveled driveway, and sliding on the frozen creek in the back yard. It was Cameron's first time doing all of that. She loved it. We all loved it :)

I love our neighbors!

It is really nice to live in a little cul-de-sac. We know our neighbors well now. i love it. Cameron loves playing with Wyatt and Ayla. They are the little brother and sister that she hopes to have someday. I love that they are very open just as we are to having kids over any time of the day. i will hear the kids yelling for eachother from their windows. Becca is 11 and she comes over after school to hang out and have fun. I love our neighbors

It's Christmas time

Bethie and her family came to visit for Christmas from north Carolina. I am so glad that we are just 5 hours away from family. i love them and it was so nice to have them in our home.

It was fun trying to keep 6 kids from running down the stairs to see what Santa brought them before all the parents were ready downstairs.


Hanna thinks that Nana is the best seat in the whole house:)




Sophia loved wearing the bows on her head. She is a ham :)



Cameron had a runny nose so she blew it all the time. When Santa gave her cute band aids in her stocking she had to put it on something. She had no cuts or bruises so she put it on her tender upper lip. Super sexy :)

December 18th - Michael's 11th birthday

In our house, birthdays begin the second you wake up with breakfast in bed.




Then on to presents...



there were lots of "learn by trial and error" with lots of tears and bruises within a 24 hour period. All in good fun and now they know the rules of air soft :) it is nice that we live on a couple of acres of woods so they just go out and play navy seals:)





and on to fun yummy birthday packages.



It is sad that he had to go to school but it was tons of fun when he got home. He loved being treated like royalty on his day!
Nana flew in to celebrate with him and to stay for over a week. We love it when she comes :)



Michael requested a chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream cake. Wow! It was fun to make and really decadent.

Our monthly visit to Washington DC

We live 15 min from the metro station. The ride in was fun until the kids noticed the food ad and they decided that they were starving.



Our kids loved it and were troops walking the whole national mall. We were ambitious our first time out and then decided that we would visit DC once a month to enjoy everything little by little. Growing up in the area my family would ride our bikes to the national mall as kids. it was so much fun :)

I am glad the boys are interested in history because i wasn't until i was 18 (probably because i wasn't forced to take it i was able to choose for myself)


I can't wait to go in the spring with all the cherry blossoms. it is gorgeous :)

It sure is chilly in november!

Cameron got ready for school all by herself today (usually i have to suggest more practical pieces for the cold weather). I was very impressed with Cameron's ability to dress for cold weather after just a few poor wardrobe choices that left her shivering at school. I know she is 5 but the habit of going outside year round in undies and bare feet is a lifestyle she was used to.  Under her dress she has her PJ's and thermals . We were freezing in november :)