Our First Home

We closed on our first home on Friday! We have been a little hesitant to write anything until it was a done deal but now we can shout it out! It's in the same neighborhood as we live now (so no school changes) and is a little bigger. 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bath trilevel home. We are currently making a few adjustments before we move in on Sunday. Like removing the gold carpet (hardwood underneath), massive amounts of wallpaper removal, fixing up the walls, painting most of it (more to paint later), having the hardwoods refinished, getting the boys room some new carpet... My goodness! And that's what we're working on now! There is so much to do but it's a lot of fun! And did I mention that it's OURS???

Pictures to follow!

Jack and his "Lellow Belt"

We are so proud of our big boy! On Saturday, Jack earned his 2nd belt in karate - his yellow belt (or as he calls it his "lellow belt.") He had to follow his commands, do the moves, 20 push-ups... Mostly, I was impressed how easliy he went right into the room with his 2 teachers and 2 other people he didn't know. he was so brave and so proud of himself! He wore the belt everywhere we went that day! Way to go, Bubba!

Tooth Fairy Time

Our little Camden has finally lost her first tooth! It's been "wiggly" for over a month and then on Saturday morning she announced that it was almost ready. And we also realized that the adult tooth has already broken through. By Sunday, it was hurting enough for her to let Daddy pull it out. With one pull, it gave way! She is so excited to finally be like her friends (and to be able to push her tongue through the gap.) The tooth fairy arrived Sunday night - money time!

Halloween 2009

Oh how I LOVE Halloween! It is, by far, my favorite holiday! And we have some great traditions! Every year, since I was little, we have our traditional dinner of sloppy joe's. I know it's not gourmet. But the kids LOVE it! We have over family and friends for dinner, then off to the Fall festival at the preschool, and then trick-or-treating. As always, we had a blast! Check out my little firefighters Jack and Reed (they love dressing alike for Halloween), Ms. Camden as Daphne from Scooby Doo (she HATED the wig), and our Delaney's first Halloween(she was a ladybug.)

Preschool Pumpkin Patchin'

Yesterday, we took our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch! It was so beautiful and the boys had a blast playing, being loud, playing in the dirt and corn kernels... And Miss D just went along for the ride! Taking it all in - such a girl!

Random pictures

Just a few random pictures of the Fabulous Four!!!

Noah and Jackie Visit VA

Last week my girlfriend, Jackie, and her son Noah (11 months) came to visit! Delaney loves Noah and the feeling is mutual :-) They were super cute together! I loved catching up with Jackie and snuggling little Noah. Man! Things sure have changed since our ZTA days!!!

Visit from FL

Yippee! A visit from Nana, Papa, and Uncle Steven! It was just what we needed - a few days with some of our favorite people! Wish Christmas would hurry up!

Preschool days are here again!

Okay - so preschool started way back on September 14th! But preschool days ARE here again! And the boys are loving it!

Jack is in his last year of preschool :-( He is in love with 2 little girls but still insists he is marrying ME and Ava! And, as always, loves playing rough with the other boys. You'd think he'd get all his energy out there but I think his energy has no end!

Reed is enjoying his new classroom and all the cook new toys! His favorite day is music day! He's starting to memorize notes and words to new songs and likes playing the instruments. Reed has even told us that he now plays with other kids! That may seem silly but he usually likes some time to himself (I wonder why?!)

We are so lucky to have such a wonderful place to send our boys to! They are loved and treated so well! Also, learning more and more everyday! AND Mommy and Delaney get some alone time!!!

Our first baby is a 1st grader

Today our Camden started 1st grade! It was a little scary (for us, not her) but a little easier than last year! Last year I was a mess! Today, even Jack got a little teary. I think that's so sweet! Here is our girl looking as "girly" as she possibly can!

"Free Fall" Camden

Chesterfield Co. Fair

Last week we decided to take a trip to the fair! We wanted to do some special things before school started back and I thought this would be great! It was terrific! We saw animals, rode the barrel ride, saw a train exhibit, rode kid rides, and ate fried oreos for the first time. Jack and Reed loved the car rides. But Camden loved the bigger, scarier stuff! Her favorite was the "Free Fall!" I am so lucky to have such fun kids!

Build-a-Bear

At the beginning of the summer, we promised the kids we would take them to Build-a-Bear as an "end of the summer" treat. Well, they are running a special until the end of August so we took them over last night. It was the boys first time making one and they all had a blast! Reed made a wolf ("Wolfie") and dressed him as a firefighter. Jack picked a red, white, and blue puppy ("Frosty") and dressed him in karate gear and sneakers. And Camden picked a pink bear ("Courtney") and dressed her in a bikini and sandals. Perfect choices for each of their personalities!

And don't worry! We are making a special one for Delaney for her first birthday (we've got a little time on that!)

Visit to MD

Last weekend we were able to spend some time with one of our favorite families, the Yunker's! We've known Lee and Mike since college (we were in the same sorority and fraternity and introduced them!) Our kids are all very close in age and had such a nice time together. Plus, the Mommies and Daddies got some time to catch-up, too. especially since we haven't seen Mike since he returned from deployment. We visited the Baltimore Aquarium, went to a fancy dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse (or as the boys call it "The fire restaurant"), toured the Naval Academy, and played til they dropped! We can't wait til the next visit!

Little D crawling

Delaney learned some new tricks!

You know how when you have your first baby you can't wait for them to do everything? Like sit up, crawl, stand... Well that is not the case with your fourth child!!! I would be beyond happy to let her wait for all of those tricks. But... She had other plans! So 2 weeks ago, Delaney decided to sit up and sit herself up. Okay! Cute! But last week she started crawling, actually moving from one rrom to the next! And on the same day, she pulled herself into a standing position! Seriously? Why are my children always in such a hurry? It seems early? No?