Hiking

We went hiking with all 3 kids in Great Falls, MD a few weeks back when my niece was visiting. When we got to the start of the trail it said "Danger - This is one of the most treacherous trails east of the Mississippi". I asked Joe if we should turn back...he said no, they were exaggerating! HA HA! (Spoken like a true male) About 1.5 miles into our adventure, after Abbie Grace had already taken a spill and had a nice goose egg on her forehead, being asked multiple time by people coming the opposite way on the trail if we were sure we wanted to take 3 kids any further we decided to stop and let Joe go check out the next little trek. He came back to report there was a "small cliff" we would have to climb up but he didn't think it would be a problem for us. Now, he's carrying our 28 pound child on his back, Jess and I are switching back and forth with Abbie Grace, and Ian is having a grand ole' time! After much debate we decided he and Ian would finish the hike and Jess and I would take the other kids back the way we came, which meant I was then carrying the 28 pound chunky monkey on MY back and AG in my arms at times for the next 1.5 miles. We all made it back safely though and had some good pics of our adventure. I don't think Jess will ever go hiking with us again though!

Abbie Grace and Great G-Ma

We went to visit Joe's grandma, who will be 90 this year, and Abbie Grace just loved sitting by her and chatting! The first pic is of the kids playing with the toys from the toy box Joe and his sisters all played with growing up!

Swimming Lessons

Evan

Here are some pics of Evan from a recent impromptu photo shoot.

Snow Day

Silly Kiddos

The kids were playing on the couch in the playroom tonight and I heard Abbie Grace say "I got my 2 babies right here" She is such a little momy.

Happy Birthday Grammy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMY!!!

SC Trip and Christmas

The kids and I went down to SC right before Christmas. It was nice and warm so we spent some time at the beach, at parks, and having a great time.

Evan's First Haircut

Marine Corps Museum

We took the kids to the Marine Corps Museum last weekend. They had fun going through some of the obstacles they had setup. This is a GREAT museum if you are in the DC area.

Abbie Grace

The dress Abbie Grace has on was my niece Jessica's dress when she was the same age. (Jess is now 20!)

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to wish all my friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you for your constant support, encouragement, and love through these crazy years of being the mommy of 3 under the age of 5!

Here's an update:
Ian is doing great in Pre-K. Just tonight at dinner he corrected Joe on something he said and Joe asked him if he was going to be one of those know it all kids. Ian replied yes:) He loves to draw, color, and write...in his own timing though, not when the teacher asks him to. He is a loving big brother with an occasional hit to remind them who is in charge! He and Evan have matching bruises on their faces where they collided the other day!

Abbie Grace is still our drama queen. I never knew the tears could come on so quickly but they do many many many times a day. She is especially sensitive to Joe and hates to disappoint him. She continues to mother the other kids in her class at daycare! Potty training is still underway....unfortunately. For a control freak like me this is really hard to know she will get it in her timing because I won't this stage OVER with!

Evan is our little sick boy. He currently has pneumonia and a double ear infection. The poor little guy has been sick since he was born it seems. This along with getting his molars and eye teeth could put us all over the edge!! Thank the Lord for Motrin to relieve some of the discomfort though. He is walking around some but would still rather crawl but we think by Christmas he will be a pro. That will make him our earliest walking at 13 months. Here comes trouble! He's already mastered the stairs unless he seems me...he just lunges forward and expects me to catch him.