I promise to do better!

Christmas was 4 months ago BUT I never posted pictures.  So, here is a brief description of the past.

We spent it in York this year.  Six children who were foaming at the mouth for Santa Claus to arrive.  It was exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time.  

Great grandkids with GiGi

Open your eyes, Collins.  Look here, Collins.  Big boys, keep smiling.  Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.

And Cooper is off!

Writing letters trying to convince Santa to overlook their past misdemeanors.  Santa is clearly lacking in the short term memory department.

Last picture before nighttime.  The kids were beside themselves.

Santa came!

Banks got lots of baseball stuff.

Gifts for the big boys to share.

Collins got his first bike which he has yet to ride four months later.

Hughes got a guitar.  Still trying to figure out lessons.

The big joint gift for all three was a letter from Santa telling him that he left a trampoline in their backyard in Virginia.  Oh, but Dad was going to have to put together because Santa couldn't fit it on the sleigh.

Christmas was great.  We went to St. Matthews for two days and then headed back home where is proceeded to snow off and on for 3 months.  Exciting at first - miserable at the end.  BecBec had a long visit up here where she was not prepared for so much snow.  I think she'll start keeping a winter box here with snow boots, scarves, thick gloves, etc.

Pinewood Derby was in February.  All three boys got to decorate a car but only Hughes' raced.

 He got the Out of This World certificate.  He was thrilled.

Had a quick trip to the zoo on one of the rare days it was above 40.

And Hughes' class celebrated famous Americans by having a living wax museum.  Each student picked a famous American and then dressed like him and prepared a little spiel.  Hughes chose Martin Luther King, Jr.  I learned a lot about him like he skipped two grades in school and that he was a smoker.  Interesting fact about the day he died, his assistant picked all the cigarette butts off the concrete and out of their room so his secret habit would not become known.  Still an amazing man.  Oh and try telling an 8 year old "no, you can't paint your face", "well, how is anyone going to know who I am".  It was an interesting conversation.

Collins' bestfriend Avery who he lovingly nicknamed "A".  She chose Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Where have we been?

I made a deal with myself:  I could not leave for SC until I updated my blog.  So, here are a ton of pictures.  Since the last time I updated, we have had a hay ride, Halloween, Clemson/UVA game, boy's first airplane ride to Legoland and Disney World, Christmas programs and all sorts of other random pictures.

This is what happens when you leave a 3-year old alone with a sheet of Toy Story stickers.  

Hay Ride Time

The boys and I met about 30 of our closest friends (all of our friends) and a ride through the fields.  David was given permission to go to the Clemson/Maryland football game but we did miss him greatly.

Halloween 2013

Headless Horseman, Dragon and Knight

Hughes and I had to come to a compromise on his costume.  He wanted gutsy and scary.  I wanted him not to grow up.  So, we compromised on the above.  I think next year David is going to take over costume decisions and I'm going to close my eyes.

Banks and Cam

Hughes and Avery

Samantha and Hughes

First Clemson Away Game

We took the boys to Charlottesville to watch Clemson vs. UVA.

The boys had a great time, although, I think they liked the cotton candy the most.

Raking the leaves and the boys

First airplane ride for 2/3.  On our way to Orlando.  We flew JetBlue down and the boys loved the tvs in each seat and Bill had contacted the captain for the boys to be able to talk to the Captain and see the cockpit.

First stop, Legoland.  

Huge Hit.

Hughes and Banks' favorite.

The boys love Chima.  First ride, a water ride.  Big boys thrilled.  Little boy sad.  Mom dry and happy taking pictures from the side.

BecBec having fun with Collins.

Round and round we go.

DC, anyone?

May the Force be with you.

Someone/thing Collins' size.

This guy snored.  Quite funny and entertaining.

The next day we went to Wonderworks and did their dinner magic show.  It was great.  The boys loved it, as well as the parents.

Inside the hurricane stimulator.

Collins hung with Bull while the rest of us did the ropes course.

David and I were chosen to go up on stage to participate in the magic show.

The boys with the magician/entertainer.

On our way to the Magic Kingdom.

Let it be known, that I am undefeated in the Buzz Lightyear laser score.  I have mad skills when it comes to shooting aliens from the Planet Zurg.

David had to go with the big boys to spin the cup fast.

Collins and I took it slow and I still got dizzy.

Next day was Animal Kingdom.

King Louie.  David wasn't sure where this gorilla belonged in Disney's lineup.

The Duck

Dinosaur playground - always a family favorite.

Pluto and Goofy with the fam

Rafiki and the boys

We wrapped up our Orlando vacation and headed back to DC.

Where we promptly had two snow days from school.

And, what do you do on the 2nd snow day when Dad goes into work and leaves you with three wild children and the snow is wet snow/rain?

You make cookies like the Betty Crocker I am.

We visited Santa at our neighborhood party.  Santa was 45 minutes late and it was 20 degrees outside so this mama was none too thrilled.  Luckily, we were first in line and a block from our house.

Collins' first school performance.  He led/dragged the boys down.

Clearly, this kid is a star.

Front row, did all of the hand motions (albeit on a 3 second delay) and totally rocked it.

Celebrating afterwards at his class party.

He was the bell ringer.  Cutest bell ringer ever!

Said the pledge.  Cutest pledge reciter ever!

And, now we are updated and can celebrate Christmas!

Lots of cute stories happened and hopefully I can remember and post them.