what blizzard?

While Northern Virginia was being buried in 30 inches of snow from Jonas, we were enjoying a little dusting (or two) that the sun and rain pretty much self-cleaned. 

He was barely out of the car when he started asking me if he could eat the snow off the driveway.

Planking for some more snow to eat. 

And of course Keegan had to try some.

Dec was telling me that his hands were cold, so he went to the fire to warm them up. 

So very proud of his big piece of ice he shoveled with his 'shovel' (the handle bar of his lawnmower).

catching snowflakes

Whenever we're at CC and Pops house, this one has to have his hands on the dog leash.  And if he isn't holding it, he's asking where it is.  

You can always tell when we're at my mom's ... bless her sweet heart.  She lets me sleep in a little in the morning, and so instead of coming into the bedroom to get D some new clothes (in this case, a shirt), she'll just throw on one of James.  She's the best. 

You have to look hard, but they were catching some snowflakes.

Dec loves to take pictures.  I think he has a little bit of an artsy side to him. 

It's nice to catch a moment where they're not yelling, hitting, or chasing each other.

Morning festivities.

Just when you think he ate everything on his plate ... ta da!

babies and birthdays

Our babes are going to be about two months apart.  I cannot wait for the next generation of childhood friends to meet!  Love me some Meag.  (And no, we didn't spend the afternoon just hanging at a winery .... it was her gorgeous baby shower put on by her super talented sister).

And after the shower was even more celebrations!  The girls day continued into the night with a birthday dinner for Kathryn's 30th. 

jekyll and hyde

My little elf has quite the imagination when it comes to taking down the Christmas tree. (His aunt thinks he's going to be a chef the way he's always using kitchen tools. For everything.)

In Heaven at the jungle gym. 

You pretty much can never turn your back on this kid.  He is one mischievous child. 

Apparently they had enough of each other today.  And our floating bath mat (that clearly doesn't serve a purpose) was the line they didn't cross. 

Declyn had just gotten done talking about the backdrop on my phone (where they're hugging each other oh so sweetly) and told me to take a picture.  When I whipped out my camera, this is what I caught.  Keegan is not thrilled with this post-bath photo remake.  But Declyn sure as heck is.

whacky wild card weekend

Little chicken legs is always good for a cuddle -- he'll literally find any nook he can -- and won't even take his thumb out of his mouth to give a half smile. 

Apparently there was nowhere else for Fen to sit out of our two couches and one loveseat.

Take a moment and see if you can spy a little man doing his thang.

I run to the store, and this is what goes on while I'm gone.  Apparently the kid is big into exercise.  My Stroller Strides class must be rubbing off on him.

and the newest member of our family is ...

A GIRL!

Mike and I went to our 19 week appointment and decided not to have the technician tell us the gender, but instead write it down on a card so that we could have a private 'gender reveal' for ourselves. I, of course, was reading into everything and thought I heard her say HE during the appointment. After we left, I was way too giddy not to find out.  With the envelope in hand, we got into the car and went to open it.  I was looking out the window, practically screaming that I couldn't look, so Mike opened it and announced ... "We are having a ...... GIRL!!" I started screaming and we both teared up.  After two little boys, I can not believe that we are adding a little lady to our family.  I am so excited to see the father/daughter bond that Mike forms with her, and the way our boys will treat a little sister. (Declyn, by the way, called her a girl from day one and everywhere we go he talks about buying something for his baby sister.  He even told a stranger at the store that there was a baby in my tummy, and it was a girl.)  And I, obviously, can't wait to have a little girl to do all sorts of girlie things with! 

A little 4D action. 

She's covering her ears here. We were also told she's going to be in the 8 pound range (another reason I thought it was a boy -- I'm measuring further along then I actually am, meaning that she's big). And we got to see her put her fingers in her mouth and open and close her mouth. 

christmas town round two

We headed to Bush Gardens Christmas Town and it was a hit for all.  The 'older' kids loved the rides, and Keegan loved the lights (and some rides). 

'Family photo' ... can you spot Keegan?

Keegan's first ride ever and super sweet Dec put his arm around him the whole time. 

Another ride.  Right before I took this he was smiling and laughing, but as soon as I whipped out that phone ... gone. 

This was the perfect summary of how the swings went.

1. The ride controller literally had her finger on the button about to start the ride, and I had to yell for her to stop -- Keegan was turned around and was trying to get out (the only thing keeping him in was a buckle between his legs that he clearly knew how to get out of).

2. Dec could care less, all he wanted to do was hook and unhook the buckle.

3. Parker was not having it.  At all. 

stack 'em high

Mike and Declyn kept building towers, and each time Declyn would say, "And this tower is for _______ " and fill in someone's name.

(Clearly Keegs was not amused that one of the towers was for him).

He was so proud that the tower was almost as tall as him. 

One of Keegan's nicknames is Godzilla.  I mean the things the kid does.

Case in point : I was loading the dishwasher after dinner, heard a noise, looked down and saw this.  He had pulled the rack out of the dishwasher and threw it to the floor.  Miraculously the dishes inside of it didn't break. 

And the look on his face.  He could care less. 

2⃣0⃣1⃣6⃣

Getting ready for the kids countdown (thank you, Netflix).

Raving. 

Saying goodbye to 2015.

Pulling poppers with Dad. 

Our last year as a family of four. 

This kid was legit housing a shrimp egg roll. 

We did appetizers and the kids NYE countdown at Joe and Jamies, then headed to our house for the adult party once the kids were in bed.  Cali was thrilled to welcome the new year with us.

dinos & stingrays

Headed to the Aquarium. There was a dinosaur display where the dinosaurs moved and made noise.  I thought it was neat, so I can only imagine what was going through the kids' heads. 

Keegan, Declyn and Parker looking at the fishes. 

Dec didn't want to be a part of our picture. 

Making himself right at home. 

We even got to pet stingrays! 

My little niece and I. 

our stay-cation

Mike was off for Christmas, so we had a week of getting to hang together as a family nonstop. And it was magical. 

Anything ball-shaped and this kid is digging it. 

Mr. Mom takes Target. 

Does he not look like Simba from The Lion King, perched on Pride Rock?

Drove along the boardwalk to look at some Christmas lights before they disappeared until next year. 

Declyn told me he was going down to get a drink and he came back with this.  He told me, "I got Daddy a beer.  He's thirsty."  It was 9:45 in the morning but hey, it's never too early to start. 

Using Paw Patrol to work on our reading skills. 

He was stuck in a nice hole between Mike and the pillows. We couldn't stop laughing. And taking pictures.