Sledding 2011

We took the kids sledding this afternoon. After all, the snow has stayed on the ground for days now! We all had a lot of fun - Drew and Dilan both loved it. Drake stayed bundled up and the nice thing was we just walked down our street to find this hill, not having to travel very far at all. I have to say living in Wisconsin definitely prepared us for the winter here - the kids still fit into their winter clothes and we already had our sled and snow shovel!

Drew and Dilan with David climbing back up the hill

Drake all bundled up. I pushed him in the stroller so that is why he's still in his car seat. I just took it out and placed it on the snow while we went sledding!

Drew climbing up the hill with the sled

The oldest boys in our family

Dilan, Drew and David heading down the hill

Oldest boy with youngest boy - Drake was happy to be out of the car seat

Drew was being so silly climbing up the hill and then sliding back down so I snapped this shot while we waited for him and the sled!

Me with Drake

Dilan smiling for the camera - she was having a blast!

Me and the oldest kiddos going for our turn down the hill together

After it was all over, Drew was carrying the sled back home - can't believe how BIG he is getting!

Dulles Air and Space Museum

Monday was another day off from school (for teacher in-service) so we ventured to the Dulles Air and Space Museum with some friends. Drew had an absolute blast considering we had 8 kids altogether and Dilan was the only girl. All of the boys were in heaven. I am glad we got out of the house even though it's hard to do with such young kiddos because with my friends help, we managed just fine. Also, take note this is my small camera that's not as good at capturing pictures but at least I am bringing a camera with me!

Drew, me, Dilan and Drake at the top of the control tower looking over the airport

Drake is totally smiling in this picture, I couldn't believe it!

Drew smiling in front of "the airplane with teeth"

Inside an airplane

Drew in front of a big plane - let's be honest, I have no idea which one this is nor do I care but David would know!

Dilan checked out the flight suits

All the kids (Drake is hanging out with me) who came to explore the museum

Space shuttle - it was HUGE!

Helicopter section

Happy 10th Anniversary!!!

David and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary January 6th. We actually hired a babysitter for the first time since we've lived here and went out on a date to the Melting Pot. To be fair, we took Drake with us so it wasn't total date night but it was the closest we were going to get. The getting ready for the date, the first few hours of the date waiting for our table (we couldn't get reservations until late) went great. But it pretty much went downhill from there. Drake would not stay asleep and he was very tired. We were disappointed because we ended up leaving before dessert, which everyone knows is the best part of the meal, but all in all we had some time together. I give us all the credit in the world for trying to celebrate our special day and there will be many more times we can try again. But for now, being the parents of three small children is the best way to mark 10 wonderful years together!!!

At Melting Pot waiting for our table

At home before we left on our date

Winter Swim Lessons

It's wintertime and what better thing to do than go swimming! Well, at least it will keep us busy for the next 6 weeks. We decided to sign Drew up for his next level in swim lessons (our goal is to have him swimming like a fish by summertime), and we signed Dilan up for the toddler and me class with David at the same time. I take Drake and we watch everyone in the pool. It was a lot of fun to see Drew doing well and to see Dilan loving the water with her Daddy. She was smiling the whole time.

Note: These are not the best pictures because I have my small point and shoot camera instead of the big heavy nice one because with three kids, I don't have the luxury of lugging that thing everywhere anymore!

My three swimmers

Dilan and Daddy start off by pouring water on each other with various beach toys

Drew with his teacher, Ms. Laura, and fellow swimmates

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2011!!!

Drew got these awesome glasses today at school from his teacher. We just had to take say HAPPY NEW YEAR with them!
Also, Dilan gave us a great New Year's gift - she said her first sentence! On New Year's Eve, we actually ventured out to Chili's for dinner which is somewhat crazy with three kids, one who's not 2 yet and a 2 month old but we try! She said to David, "coat, coat," when she wanted to put her coat on before we left the house. David tried to convince her that it wasn't cold enough for her coat, but she demanded it and said, "I need my coat! Need my coat!" It was too funny and very cute. I could have told David he wasn't going to win that battle with her but him challenging her made her say her first sentence. She is definitely putting two words together often now, and I guess we'll expect more three-word+ sentences in the new year!