A High and a Low

Well, it's ended up being a really good week. My High this week was the date night that David and I got to have on Wednesday. We had a really nice evening together (it was so nice being able to hold HANDS, not diaper bags or kids). We even got to sit at a little table for 2 - rather than the huge table for 5 in the BACK of the restaurants! We enjoyed it, the kids had a blast at Bradley's (thanks AGAIN Heidi!), and we felt rejuvented!

Now for the LOW - Josiah was registered for an art class that was supposed to start today. It was through our Parks & Rec. center - 75 minutes, 1x a week for 4 weeks or so. Well, it was cancelled. He was really disappointed - handled it well, but I was so bummed for him. I told him we'd go find him some special craft projects to work on instead. Oh well.

It's been good though. David has Monday off, so I'm looking forward to the weekend! :)

A Nice, Normal Week So Far!

The last two days have been really nice!! We've felt like it's slowed down now that we've made it through birthday parties, trips to DC, Halloween festivities, etc, etc. We've not been up to anything crazy except our normal weekly stuff, and it has felt so good!! It's raining today, and it's just felt good to lay low. After getting back from the gym this morning, the boys and I cuddled up on the floor with pillows & blankets and read some books by candlelight. Storytime was great, the kids are all down for their naps, and I'm off to get some cooking done. I'd really love to curl up and take a nap of my own, but I need to finish a few meals up for a client. It's been good to take a deep breath. Oh, and I've ALMOST agreed to train for the half-marathon in March. Kelli's beside herself with excitement, so we'll see!!! Courtney, you could come down and do it with me!!!! :)

Quick survey...

So I finally got all caught up with my blogging (took me forever to catch up on all of your blogs ladies!!! But well worth it!). You may have to scroll down to see all the pictures from the weekend. Anyways, quick survey for you all. What's your favorite candy?? Mine is Baby Ruth, and the boys didn't get a SINGLE one this year!!! Very sad. I would have bought it to give out, but the only big bag at BJs that had it also had weirdo ones - like Almond Joy and Mounds! I assumed that surely the boys would get some for me, but apparently no one hands it out!! So ladies, what are your favorites? Oh, and what candy will you automatically throw away and not even eat. Mine are those boxes of DOTS - does anyone eat it??

Alive and Kicking...but WAY BEHIND!

Yes, we're back and alive and kicking, but I'm so behind on so many things!! Blogging is one of them, and unfortunately it's at the bottom of the list!! Too many other things to catch up on. This morning, the boys were sleeping in a bit, and I decided we should stay home this morning and have a calm, play morning. It's been great - the boys and I have been doing play-doh for the last 45 minute while Callie is sleeping. Praying she has a GREAT nap - been a hard few days for her. Planning to get the gym after she wakes up, but how we have enjoyed our quiet morning today!!! Eventually I'll get pictures from our marathon weekend in DC posted - it was AMAZING!

Change of Plans

Jacob didn't even keep the mask on long enough to get the picture taken!!! Josiah was distracted taking this shot because kids were already going door to door in our court!! And Callie was distracted because of the crazy man next to her!
Here they are showing off their loot!
Not even 10 seconds after I put her down on the ground, she crawled over and grabbed a Snickers bar to chew on (it was wrapped! Don't freak out, people!) And so the addiction begins!

So all along, Josiah was planning to be Spiderman and Jacob was planning to be Batman for Halloween. Well, as a result of Kelli's amazing marathon, Josiah changed his mind and decided to be a runner!!! I kept thinking he'd change his mind, but he was determined!! We had a bit of a dilemna, as he really wanted to wear his tank top and shorts, but he agreed to track pants and a turtleneck UNDER his tank top. He was adorable. He had a bib number, medal, visor and everything! Jacob was thrilled that the Spiderman costume was available, and chose to go as that. Callie was an adorable butterfly. And David was...well, David. They had a blast going around to the neighbors houses. After they finished, they enjoyed handing out candy for a bit at home before having to go to bed. It was a very fun night!!!

Would you believe...

....that the day after running 26.2 miles, Kelli woke up to run with me in the morning??? And it was COLD!!! I love you Kel!!!

The Marine Corps Marathon!

Kelli - still smiling at Mile 13!
My two little Marines saluting at the Washington monument!
Josiah took this picture! :)
Melissa & Kelli - winners!!!
They put this on the back of their shirts - very cool!
This was on the way to the race that morning - very excited racers (and sleepy children!)
This was at Mile 1!!!
Kristen and Josiah waiting at Mile 13 to see Kelli & Melissa
Callie stealing kisses from Tutu!

Wow - what a day!!! An amazing day - very inspiring, very exciting. Kelli & Melissa did great. Kristen and Mom were a HUGE help with the kids. All in all - just an amazing experience. SO glad to be a part of it. Way to go Kelli! You are an inspiration to me! :)

Saturday - Day 1 in DC

We love DC!
Here's Kelli! Ready to go!
Josiah and Jacob in front of the space shuttle - their MOST favorite thing right now!
Mom, Kelli holding Callie, and Kristen at the Smithsonian Metro stop!
How gross is this? My boys are on the floor at the metro playing with a rocket toy. The metro floor!!! I'm sure they were FILTHY!!! But they had a ball!

Mom had gotten the boys new jammies (with the soldier theme!) and this was them playing with their army guys in their soldier jammies making a soldier face!
All aboard the metro!
Kristen had the magic touch at the expo - Callie fell asleep in her arms while walking around!
L to R - Kristen, Josiah, and Katy as George Washington!
Aren't these masks the funniest?? Josiah & Jacob as our 1st President!

On Saturday morning, Kristen and I got up and ran together...in the rain!!!! Neither one of us REALLY wanted to, but the idea of running together was enough to get us out of bed and into the cold rain!! It was really actually fun - we ran past our old house (didn't realize the road was such a big hill) and got to see old bus stops, etc. Fun way to start the morning!!! After the rest of the house was up, we went downtown for Kelli to go get signed in the for the race. They have a huge Expo at the DC Armory with lots of vendors, free stuff (yippee), running clothes, shoes, etc. Some hilarious t-shirts with cute sayings too. Afterwards, we headed over to the Mall to see the Air & Space Museum for a bit. Josiah was so excited to see all the rockets and space ships (his latest passion). We dropped Kelli off at the hotel in the late afternoon and headed home to get a good night's sleep before the race!

And so the weekend begin!

Man, were they excited to see Aunt Kelli or what?
Callie very much enjoyed "walking" with Kelli. I told Kelli to stop encouraging her!!!
Mom took the boys to the party store to pick out his party plates for the "party". He decided on soldier plates all on his own (sort of random). We thought it was very fitting since we were there for the Marine Corps Marathon!!
This was after he opened some new Color Wonder coloring books from Aunt Kim, Uncle David,and his cousins. He decided he wanted to color under the piano (probably wanted a little space from his brother!)

On Friday, we began our day of airports!! We got to pick up both Aunt Kelli and Aunt Kristen from the airports. We had a fun day hanging out, celebrating Jacob's birthday with the family, and just being together. (Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of picking up Kristen from the airport. I stayed home to feed Callie and put her to bed. I gave the camera to Kelli, but she blew it!! Oh well)

Lego Land!!!

Sorry about the random kid in the picture (the long sleeved blue shirt kid) - I couldn't very well ask him to get out of the shot! :)
Callie and Bailey


The kids at at their "own" table. It was really actually nice - Courtney and I had lunch to ourselves (sort of!) :)

Josiah was feeling very hands-on loving, and Jacob wasn't quite feeling it!!!



After getting up to my Mom's house late Wednesday night (in a monsoon - rained so hard that my wiper blade broke!!), I met Courtney at the mall with all our kids (sans Rebekah who is in school). My mom had told us about this Lego store there, and it was a BIG hit with the kids (and kept us away from the very crowded play area!) What fun!