Happy New Year!

This year we celebrated by having our dear friends, the Taylors, over for a night of fun. We got the boys in their pjs, ordered pizza, watched a movie and had a great low key night. Here are some pictures of our fun new years.

Christmas Season 2011

We had a busy Christmas holiday. We did a bunch of holiday fun things, including a trip to the B&O Railroad museum, ICE at the Gaylord, the Festival of Lights at Bull Run, breakfast with Santa in Old Town Alexandria and several trips to visit Santa at the mall. The boys are the perfect age for all things Christmas and it was such fun seeing their eyes light up at the mere mention of Santa and watching Christmas shows on cold nights. This was also the first year we spent Christmas "alone" without any extended family, which was actually nicer than we thought. It was very relaxing and we got to spend lots of down time just enjoying the kids. Here are some pictures of our holiday fun!

Holidays 2011

Wow, time has gone by so fast these past few months. We started off our holiday season by having a wonderful few days in Pittsburgh visiting Matt and Emily as they hosted their first Thanksgiving. We had fun visiting with family, including my parents and the Cupps and then exploring around Pittsburgh and eating my all time favorite popcorn-Pittsburgh Popcorn! Ruby had a wonderful first holiday and the boys loved their turkey. Here is a photo of Ruby and Pap Pap on her first Thanksgiving and Brock and Ruby playing together!

9 Year Anniversary

Ben and I were fortunate enough to have my parents come up to watch the boys while we snuck off with Ruby to Delaware for a night away to celebrate our 9th anniversary. Last year when I was matron of honor at Abby's wedding, she graciously gave me a gift certificate to a wonderful little hotel outside of Wilmington, The Inn at Montchanin Village. We had a lovely time staying there and had a fabulous dinner and breakfast at the hotel. We also visited a local winery and the beautiful Longwood Gardens to see the Mum exhibit. Here are some pictures of weekend away. Oh, did I mention, I love my husband and feel so lucky I share this life with him? He is the best. period.

Two Month Appointment

Ruby Alice had her two month appointment and she is growing just beautifully. She is very healthy and we are so lucky. She weighed in at 11 lbs, 14 oz (75%) and her length put her in the 60%. Here is a picture of our beauty.

Halloween 2011

Halloween was the best this year. The boys had such a fun time during the actual holiday and the days and weeks leading up to the big day. We decorated the house with all sorts of scary stuff, carved pumpkins, went to costume stores, and pumpkin patches to get in the spirit. We also had a large Halloween party with 25 kids and their parents at our house. I had envisioned an outdoor party, but it actually snowed that day! Crazy. So we set up all the festivities inside-- we had a pumpkin painting station, a ghost lollipop making station, and played pin the brains on the zombie. It was great and the boys had so much fun! They also enjoyed their school parties and school parade. The actual night of Halloween we took the boys to about 20 or so houses and Ruby tagged along in the infant carrier. The boys were so proud of their candy and had a wonderful holiday. Kids are the best.

Homecoming 2011

Ben and I headed to Williamsburg for William & Mary homecoming in October. It was such a fun weekend, we got to show the boys the pool where mommy swam, went to a fun tailgate and Ben and I got a date night since my parents offered to watch all three kids on Saturday night! It was fun to explain to the boys that W&M is where mommy and daddy met and fell in love. We got to spend some time with my best friend from college, Kristen, and her family too! A fun weekend all around!