Symphony of lights

I have always wanted to go to a big christmas light display. I love christmas lights! They are so magical! :) Last year we decided to go to a display in our city than changed plans. We were going to go to a well known place that even had a petting zoo and hot chocolate. Well, plans changed as they do at christmas time. We didn't get to see any grand displays:(
This year I decided it was time to go. I found a coupon to the display in our city. So, the other night we loaded up our cranky boys at bed time and took them down to the Symphony of Lights. WOW was it fun. The weather was threatening rain, but it just misted. It was great! They're were only two other cars the whole time we drove through.
Keenan: "This is the COOLEST thing ever" followed by hysterical laughter
Elek: "I love them(lights)" *Big smiles*
Camden: little finger pointing at everything "loo, loo" His form of look:)
What a fun time:)The kids kept asking, "can we go again!!?" and yes, we will definantly go to more Christmas light displays!

More Squirel pictures

The day we left town for thanksgiving Shaun was helping put a few last minute things in the van. It was his turn to see the silly squirrels. He took a few pictures of his own. From the doorway. He would open the door a crack and let the squirrel come to him. The kids thought this was funny- they could hardly contain themselves.

Photo assignment #3

My attempt at doing this photo class. Even though I bought a new camera. It sucks away any batteries with in minutes. So I frantically snap as many pictures I can in the few minutes I have before the batteries die. My kids want me to take it back. They want happy pictures again. Anyways....



Assignment #3 (part of it) Reflections



I have these new(ish) christmas dishes. I love them. One reflects the tree lights and the other is reflecting in the table. The first one is the tree topper(star) I just think it is pretty :)


Ignor the date stamp. Thats is all turned off now.

Hungry Squirrel

I came home with my arms full of stuff. When I opened the front door I saw something move to the right. My neighbor has two pumpkin by his door. There was a gigantic squirrel in front of the pumpkin. The squirrel had EATEN a hole out of the front of the pumpkin and was just filling up!! I just couldn't believe it. I had to take a picture! I think this is hilarious!!!! :)

White house visitor center,Natural History Museum and lots of pictures:)

These first three are at the White House Visitor Center.
Elek with his "school book." He loved this big boat thing behind him.
My sister made the boys little activity books to color and write in and put stickers in. They were a huge hit!


Keena liked the three clocks.




I had to take this picture of Camden "just hanging out" :)
When shaun was little he sat like this in his high chair. He even broke his collar bone!


The cutest court yard ever!


We were on our way to the Natural History Museum. When my bro in law wanted to take a "short cut." I think both his short cuts were the longest possible way around!!! I counted it as my day at the gym! What a workout! Anyways..... I love this little spot. You could only get here by walking. So, the kids were safe to run like crazies without worring about cars.




I think this picture turned out sweet. I was throwing camden around and tickling him. He was really laughing:)



I told Elek to run to me. He was so excited and silly. This is also a new favorite=)



Keenan was Obsessed with the leaves. He wanted the leaves in little piles and the leaves from the trees....



My sister was playing ring around the rosies with camden. He loved being out of the stroller!



I LOVE this picture! The kids aren't looking, but it is such a great memory! My nephew is throwing leaves at us and the kids were laughing so hard. It was cracking me up;)

Natural History Museum



So I tried to explain this to my boys. I finally said, "isn't it silly that jaguar wants to eat it." They thought it was weired! Keenan thinks everything is funny if you just say, "isn't it funny!?"



Camden hanging our while everyone is doing there "school work"

Keenan holding my hair-telling me how funny that is! Me trying to entertain a cranky 3year old who missed nap time and walked all over D.C. A sweet woman actually stopped and asked if she could take a picture for me. I said no, because keenan was finally being cheerful! I was afraid to have him pose for a "real" picture.

A wall of shells. Keenan asked if he could have the shells. I said, 'they weren't ours and had to stay here." K said, " I just need one!"

This is on our way back to the car on another"short cut"

But this picture is for Michelle. Just a little up close picture in DC. Ha, Ha:) Elek is actually saying, "washington dc"

I love the sun set on this picture.

Of all the times I've been to DC I've never been this close to the white house. We were at the drive way in the front when suddenly police officers started to clear the area. I kept trying to take a picture to prove how close I was. I started to walk away. When I got here I looked back and saw what a perfect picture this would be. So I stopped and took another picture. The police didn't like this and started to yell at me to leave. I couldn't help it I was so excited to get this picture!!! If you make it big you can see someone walking on top of the white house. When we walked to the main road(where they were pushing everyone too) There were all kinds of emergence vehicles blocking the whole street and entersections. It was a little crazy.

Overall it was a fun day. After finally making it back to the van we went and picked up my Aunt, met up with shaun and my parents and brother and his family, sister and her family and friend, cousin and another friend to eat dinner. We didn't make it until and hour and a half late, but it was so fun. It is always funny to eat out with my siblings and all our kids. They see us coming and try desperatly to shove us in the most out of the way corner. We were not let down. We had our own room off to the side. It was great... food, family and tones of fun!!! ;)

Holloween 2008

Crazy amounts of trick or treating candy!



The crew afterwards.
Elek is a teridactal, keenan a spider with all the extra legs and camden was a puppy. The most exciting part for camden was his glow stick. You couldn't bribe that thing away from him. We had to peel his fingers off it to put him to bed and then he cried. Keenan loved this bag of treats that one house gave him. He would not go to the next house if he couldn't see this bag inside of his trick or treat bag. And Elek said, "It was so awesome!" and he "liked that everyone was dressed up in silly things and he liked that."




Toys'r'us had a hollween day. Bring the kids dressed in their costumes and they get to "trick or treat" around the store. The boys got all kinds of fun things. These little blinking neckless' (keenan is holding his to his eye), glow sticks, candy, re-usable-ecofriendly trick treat bags?, stickers, tatoos and other random things. They were even able to have a parade with the big geoffery giraffe. They had fun :0)



Camden wearing his holloween shirt and being silly :)

We also went to Old Navy. I received and email saying that old navy was doing some holloween stuff. So, I dressed up the kids in their costumes and brought them. The first 100 people got a coupon. The kids got a piece of candy. The kids got a free shirt for being dressed up. Any shirt up to $14.50. Then they had holloween shirts for $1. Talk about a major shopping score. I got 8 shirts for $4. WOW!!! I was so excited!!!

where did the time go?

MOM!!!!
what.
CAMDEN!!!
(me walking around the corner. nothing happening. turn down hallway. BABY going DOWN the STAIRS!!)

So, we had a great visit with the family this weekend. And they left us with a little present. A gigantic, horrible cold!!! we still love you though:) On monday camden was sick. Poor baby:( Tuesday elek. Wed, cool I think Keenan will miss it. Wed night what happened? We were eating dinner and my two big boys were coughing and misserable. They could hardly eat. When shaun came home we went to M.O.M.'s My favorite little organic store. The cough medicine we had just makes them very awake....not good. We went organic cold medicine. This was new to me. I can't believe what a variety of medicine they have. The cool thing was that I could actually pronounce the ingredients. Well, Keenan came in with me. He is my little side kick. He happily "helped" me find medicine. I found my beloved grape seed extract, emergen-C, zinc, some cough med - and of course fruit leather. It is like a fruit roll up, but all natural.....My boys love these and now that they know what they are I can't seem to get away without them. We left with quite the heafty bill and a amall lunch sack of medicine. Why does medicine cost so much? A small part of me did think get something for you. But I'm not sick.
When we came home everyone was dosed up and put in bed. But, not before elek decided to cough so hard he threw up. Fantastic! In addition to going to sleep they each had they're water bottle, through-up container and kleenex. Oh ya - MY extra pillows too. Demanding boys...All this in the hope they will sleep...Right? Shaun and I settled down to watch a nice little movie. When suddenly I was slammed with a stuffy nose! What is this? I was up all night.
Finally I went down stairs to sleep. Woke up when shaun left at 6am. I though since i'm up I'll give every one they're med. Finally at 8 I gave up. Which brings us to Camden.

MOM!
what.
CAMDEN!!!

I am shocked to see my little baby had crossed over the barrier that had been keeping him in for the last 4-5 months. And is speeding down the stairs. What happened? When did he learn this? When did he start thinking through a concept. What happened to my baby that would stay where I put him?
The poor baby was a bit bored. I did plug the other two in and left camden to wander. But, just because I'm sick and sleepy - I don't think he should go and grow up. Learn new things- Where did the time go...
I guess I have to say good-bye to my sweet, smilly faced, baby.
Maybe, after nap he'll have forgotten what a big baby he's become..... :)

He moved so quickly. I didn't even have time to scoot back to take the picture before he was going!

Look at the gleeful smile :)

And Down he goes. With toy in hand even. Man he was fast!

Pancakes!!!

I always ask the boys what they want for dinner when I'm out of ideas. Last night Shaun was working and it was "that" time again. Elek and Keenan said they wanted pancakes. Well, Keenan says, "panpakes!" :) Pancakes are so easy and I almost always have the ingredients. I just need and excuse to make them for dinner:)
The boys and I sat down to eat. They were all giggly when I sprayed "black mist" on the top of them and dumped "vampire mix" sprinkles on top!!! I called them Halloween Pancakes! They were thrilled when I put ghost marshmellows in the hot chocolate! Keenan said, "T H I S is so C O OL! :)"
I love moments like this:) The kids are happy, I'm happy, everyone is laughing and sweet. Dinner is all eaten up, bellies are full. No money spent, we didn't plan it out or go somewhere. I'm gratefull that I was able to sit back and "take a memory." -My camera still doesn't work:( It is nice to remember how good my kids are. And forget about whatever mess happened earlier.
When Shaun came home the kid all but jumped out of the skin to show what was for dinner! The kids were not let down. Shaun did a great job of being excited to eat sprinkles:) After dinner we all watched Casper. (not the best language in this "kid movie") The boy's were still sweet and happy - they cuddled all in. Elek and Keenan got a kick out of the ghosts. It was fun to watch there faces and hear them laugh when they got a joke:)
What a great Halloween dinner/movie night:)

Number FIVE!!!!

Happy Birthday Elek!!!

I am really glad I took a picture early in the day of the cake. My camera slowly died by the end of the night. I love this picture though. Elek had a hard time coming up with one theme for his party. Finally it was decided to have a Super Hero party. Kids dressed up in "hero" costumes. We had a "put the mask on Spiderman game," a Batman cake, and a collection on hero plates.



Elek did love his cake. In the morning he told me, "Mom, I don't think I want a Batman cake. Maybe I should have an Iron Man cake." I said no. And He was happy again for his Batman cake!



Miss Muffet meets sleepy princess!

Elek and his small "posse" were opening presents! Keenan had a hard time this birthday. He wanted presents and his own cake.... really He thought the whole thing should be more about Him.

On Elek's actual Birthday we went to Red Robin's. While we were ordering Elek told me to tell the waitress it was his Birthday. We weren't sure if He knew they would sing to him. So, Shaun and I thought we better warn Him something would happen. (Elek thinks he wants to delve into things- then freaks out- it's just better to prepare Him) When the people came out clapping and singing, He sat there with a big smile on his face, but wouldn't look at anyone. He really leaned into shaun's side too:) Keenan was also not sure what to think of all the attention, but Camden just wanted to know what the heck was going on behind him! We probably should have turned his chair more. Elek loved His Birthday Ice Cream and even shared the cherry with his very jealous brother. Keenan ended up with ice cream too. Keenan shared his little cookie stick. Everyone was very happy. And we were glad someone elses kid was pulling the leaves off the fake plant behind us!

Happy Birthday Elek:)

Lots of Love:)

Goose Egg

The boys and I were outside playing with some friends yesterday. My neighbor and I started to talk about how well Camden was walking. (first mistake) Camden was trying to keep up with the kids and was falling a bit. (Nothing bad no ouches) We started to talk about kids getting goose eggs on their heads. (second mistake) I said I would rather have the kids fall and NOT get the goose egg. And have a bruise over a few days. She said she would rather have all the damage at once.

Well, the kids had a wonderful time outside - no one was hurt. Except for a few unfortunate slugs and a worm...



At 3am I woke to what sounded like a kid falling out of bed. I jumped up, went into the boy's room. And in the dark started asking Keenan what happened. He seemed really asleep. I thought well it must not have been bad. Then I looked at elek on the way out. He was completly under all his blankets. He never sleeps that way. I went to him. He suddenly popped out and very awake said, "I hit my eye on the door." Thinking of the loud noise that woke me up, I touched his forehead. A huge goose egg. Poor kid:( I put some medicine on it. Today it looks like this. Not bad for smacking your head on the bathroom door frame in the dark.

1st Hair Cut....Kind of :)

This is what we started out with.....
I thought it looked alittle crazy and messy.....




Just a little trim so we can keep the curls.... Still messy though and no curls....

Here is the end result! Now it is very short. His Cute little curls are all gone :(

Harpers Ferry

We LOVE Harpers Ferry! The boys decided they wanted to take their Dad to Harpers Ferry last week. Elek was even building "harper ferry bridges" with his legos:) One of our favorite spots is over looking the Shenandoah and Patomac Rivers. There is a great walking bridge that we walk to the middle of. (I'm a little chicken to walk all the way across!)


This is part of the train bridge with the train going through the tunnel. Elek and Keenan love it when a train goes through when we are so close :)

Over looking the rivers

Camden spied the camera!

Since Shaun was finally able to go with us I thought we would document the moment and test out how long he could hold those heavy boys while I tried to get them to smile.

Camden is such a good sport. I don't think the other boys were ever in the stroller much. Camden however, is almost always in the stroller. We should have put the bug net down. The mosquitoes were crazy. Mosquitoes were like a cloud hovering over Camden - taking turns on the fresh young blood!

I love how OLD everything is here. The steps are chiselled out of rock. We had never been down this path. It was gorgeous!

Elek loves this "little window spot." He always wants his picture taken here. This time he wanted to take our picture here. I was impressed with how clear he got the picture.

Since I usually have the three kids by myself - I can't go up this path. It is a stairway going straight up made out of rock. It goes to a church and the top part of the town. This picture was taken about half way.

Here is the church. Still didn't go in though.


We had a fun time watching the train and finding new trails to go on. It was great to have Shaun go with us. The boys loved showing Him all their favorites spots!

Look who's one!

Happy Birthday Camden!!!!

We always have cupcakes for the big 1 birthday. These were supposed to be blue...green is good too:)

Camden knows something is up and he's happy about it!


Not sure about the burning cup cake coming closer to him.

Camden did something the other kids didn't do. The others figured out the cake was good and took there sweet time eating it. Camden tasted the cupcake then with lightning speed had the whole top half in his mouth with one bit. It was funny to see him just go at it!

He was done so quick and happily asking for more with his hands cupped together motioning more. What the heck he only turns one once - so he had lots of cake!!

My niece also has a birthday in september and she wanted her picture taken too =)

This turned out to be his new favorite toy. He only had to wait two days for the older kids to get bord of it so he could play with it! Luckily Camden was a good sport and let them have it. Camden loves to walk around with the little colored balls and bang them together. Camden realized there is a string to pull the helicopter with, so he sits down and pulls it at himself. Then sits there and tries to figure out how it moved :)


Well, it turned out to be a very happy first year. We were a little worried at first. Our first two were so good as infints - it was a hard lesson to learn on the third one that babies get fussy and don't sleep:) But we are so happy to have Camden with us. He is so happy and smiles all the time. Not many things get him mad for long. He now :

sleeps though the night

has six teeth

walks

climbs onto the couch and can through himself off and not cry.

gets when things are funny and will "crack himself up" :)

climbs up the stairs with no fear

entertains himself for short periods with toys

love, loves spatchulas and serving spoons and hammers- anything with a long handle to carry. Camden will actually cry when I take the spatchula away to cook with it.

can say mom, dad, elek and look. Elek was actually his first word, but mom was a very close 2nd.

Happy Birthday Camden boy:)

Lots of love