4am To 7pm

The stockings were hung, the cookies and milk (and reindeer food) were put out. The kids went to bed without much trouble, although when I checked on Hannah a half hour later she said couldn't get to sleep because she was thinking about Santa Claus.


As the title infers, the day began for three of us at 4am. Ben was too excited - and a little worried - about Santa and presents and Christmas that he woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. So, as kids who can't get back to sleep do, he woke up Mommy and Daddy, too. After an hour of trying to get him back to sleep in our bed, it was clear that either two or three of us were going to be staying up.

So, Ben and I went down and confirmed that the cookies (and reindeer food) were eaten, the milk was drunk, stockings were filled and presents were delivered. Then I played a Wii game hoping Ben would fall asleep on the couch next to me. No such luck.


After two hours of asking, "Is it time to open presents yet?" the answer was finally, "Yes." And it was all worth it.

Apparently, Ben's early year niceness outweighed his late year naughtiness because he got the one thing he has been clamoring for since the toy ads came out: Dr. Bones!


Hannah, who we were much less worried about, got an "American Doll." Actually it's an Our Generation doll; but either way, Hannah thinks she's just perfect.


Jefferson was generally more interested in playing with the toys that were already opened than examining the ones still in the box, but he made out pretty well; and no wonder since he was the best behaved of the three this year.


At the end of the day, the best part is spending time with family and watching their faces light up when they unwrap the perfect gift.


But, the presents are nice, too. Oh, and the food, of course. And staying in your pajamas all day.

Anyway, Merry Christmas. We hope yours was as wonderful as ours!

Update: The excitement finally gave way to exhaustion at 7pm - 10 minutes before the end of The Polar Express. I guess we'll do his bath in the morning.

'Tis the Season...

It's a very merry Christmas season going on up at our house! We've been very busy getting ready for Christmas. Here are some of the things we've been doing.

Building the biggest snowman on the street, what else are we supposed to do with all this snow!

Eating A LOT of candy, chocolate, suckers, cookies, sugar, everything.

Baking, more of the above. I have a new helper this year, he can see when he stands on the stool, and is a very good boy.


There's other things going on too: we are officially done with shopping, the letter to Santa has been mailed, parties are done, Polar Express and Rudolph have been watched several times. The list could go on, but you get the idea. And we still have one more week of all this fun!
We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Snowed In

We know you've all been wondering how bad it is up here, so here's the picture.
It's been snowing non-stop since Saturday evening and won't stop till Thurs afternoon. We have about four feet, and still counting.

Every day but today I've had to venture out in this, with the kids in tow. But today the school district wisened up and schools are closed. The kids are enjoying it,even Jefferson. He's really in the Holiday spirit. He loves "Sita" (Santa), singing snowmen, and all the sparkling lights everywhere.

We're certainly guaranteed a white Christmas, hope the same for you!

Fish People

We have announcement to make: we are now officially "Fish People". Some people like dogs, some like cats, snakes...etc. Well, since there is really no way you can be allergic to fish (that we know of) this is for us.



Now if only they would stay alive.

It's Halloween!

Yea, Halloween finally came! What, you don't count down for it in your house?
We started the day with our new tradition: The Halloween 5k run at Beaver Lake. Both Hannah and Ben, and daddy, ran in the kids run first. Then mommy did the "big kid race". Fame: I shaved ten minutes off my time from last year. Shame: I got passed by a giant whoopee cushion. Oh well, it was pretty fun, and a good way to start a day where you eat candy nonstop.

All the Halloween cuties dressed up and ready for the big night. The Warrior King, the Lion, and the Queen.

Her Royal Magesty with her pumpkin she designed.

The loot, this is pretty much all he cares about. Can you tell from the gigantic grin on his face!

I guess daddy's pumpkin ate too much candy!

We had a great Halloween, hope you did too!

Pumpkin Day!

There comes a day, once every fall that just makes me so happy. It's right up there with Christmas and birthdays. It's the day we go out in the country to pick our pumpkins and have lots of fallish fun. Luckily the day we decided to go was sunny and cool, but not too cool! This year we didn't go alone either. Groompa, Miss Sandy, and Aunt Julie were visiting so they got in on the festivities too.

All of us and our pumpkins for this year.

The kids in the sunflowers.

We had a great weekend and now we are ready for Halloween!

Discovery Zoo

To celebrate the changing of seasons, we took a trip to Fort Rickey Children's Discovery Zoo. They got to paint pumpkins, pet animals, play in the ball pit and run through a hay maze. While the boys took the hay ride through the zoo, Hannah got to go on her first pony ride.


We met back up at the "maternity ward" where we got to pet and play with the baby goats.


Ben was more interested in climbing the tree, but we all had a fun afternoon.


Now, it's time for cool weather, changing leaves, pumpkins and - best of all - Halloween candy!

Stripes are Nice!

Another first day of school, for Ben! And when planning for this day, we talked about what is a good outfit. Thanks to Charlie and Lola from Playhouse Disney, we know that "for school, stripes are nice".

Looking good in his stripes.


Outside the doors at school. This year Ben goes 3 days a week and is already back with his buds from last year, with some new friends mixed in.

We can't wait to see how much he is going to learn and grow this year, it seems the sky really is the limit with him! Happy First Day of School!

First Grader!

School has finally begun and Hannah is a first grader! We're back to the school year schedule and already sliding into the old routine. Ben and Jefferson miss Hannah during the day, but it sure is a lot quieter around...

We're all ready for the big day. Only Jefferson gets to stay in his jammies.


The new bus stop. We're meeting lots of neighbors and making new friends. Hannah doesn't seem to mind, the more people to talk to the better!


We're very excited about the new school year and all that the kids will be doing. Next week Ben starts 2nd yr preschool so keep posted for that!

Summer Check List

We're in the full swing of summer here, and have been doing all sorts of summery things.

The annual Sky Chiefs family night ball game, with fireworks!

Just hanging out, relaxin, even if only for a minute.

Chowing down on the best summer food, corn on the cob!

Cheering at soccer games, even if there isn't much playing going on. Rule #1 Have fun! Rule #2 Moo!

And what are all the cool kids doing this summer, showing off their silly bandz! Jefferson and Ben may try to start a new trend with this one!

And what will we be doing the rest of the summer? More of the same, with a little back to school shopping and picnicing with friends. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Just to Get to Two

It was a spontaneous decision, really. Stacey was taking Jefferson to get groceries and I was thinking about what to do with the other two. The weather finally cooled off a bit and it was the perfect evening to do something outside, but what?

Then I started thinking about it being half way through summer and Hannah being six years old. It decided was about time to make another attempt to take off the training wheels; so, we headed for preschool parking lot.

I told Hannah to do a big loop around the parking lot one last time with the training wheels and try to balance without using them. Then I took them off and reassured her that she was ready - and was she ever.


We went straight down and back with me barely holding on. I gave her a few quick lessons on leaning, turning, stopping and starting. Finally, as we made another long run, I told her to look at my shadow, which was well out in front of us in the evening sun. I asked her where my hands were and she said, "up in the air," and that was it.

The three of us played on the playground for a while and waited for Mommy to stop by for a demonstration. Then, I took her out for dessert to celebrate. I gave her some options, but she settled on a Wendy's frosty. I talked her into a Twisted Frosty with M&M's.



As Justin Roberts put it, she started off with three wheels, then she went to four - just to get to two. So there it is: another milestone passed, another step toward independence, another kid growing up too fast.

All About Family

When Stacey and I took our own trip to Vegas a few months ago, we reassured the kids that the whole family would be taking a trip together in the summer. Ten days, nine nights, 2244 miles of driving over 44 and half hours, three destinations and 28 repetitions of Kidz Bop later, it was quite the vacation.

Act I: Spartanburg, SC

We decided to drive the whole way there in one day. We broke up the trip with a stop at Luray Caverns in Virginia. Once we reassured the kids that there were no bears in the cave, they warmed up to it. Hannah listened to the audio tour and Ben had to fight the urge to touch things and go off the path. Jefferson found himself unstrapped form the car seat and strapped into the umbrella stroller, but he was at least glad to get out of the minivan for a while.


We arrived at Stacey's Mom's well after midnight and after sleeping in a bit went to a local park with a miniature train to ride.


We did the Spartanburg fair and the Greenville fair; both of which hired the same blow-up stuff company. This waterfall wall provided relief from the oppressive heat and humidity.



Act II: Myrtle Beach, SC

Then, it was on to the beach. While we have been to several lakes, this was the kids' first time at the ocean. We happened to capture the two seconds Jefferson sat down to play in the sand; most of his time was spent going as far out into the water as he could.


Hannah enjoyed the waves and sand, but after a mouthful of salt water, she had no problem rinsing off and heading to the water park.


The next morning, we took a boat tour that stopped on a beach at the mouth of a river. The kids played in the brackish water and, of course, Jefferson ran in as soon as we put him down.


Even though we only spent a day and a half there, we got the whole beach experience; including shells, souvenirs, and sand that will be in the van forever, now.

Act III: Pittsburgh

Once again we had a long car ride. This time we broke it up with a stop in West Virgina at Someplace Special Gem Mine. After having the good luck of not encountering opposing traffic on the long, one-way road back to the farm, we sat at the sluice and sifted out a decent size baggie full of gems and minerals.


And, of course, we got to be a part of Uncle Tim's month-long birthday extravaganza.


What's a family vacation without an amusement park? This year Jefferson was big enough to experience the thrills of Kiddieland at Kennywood. Here's his reaction after his first ride. I'm pretty sure that's his "thrilled" face because he made it a lot on this trip.


As all things come to an end, this was Hannah's last year for Kiddieland. Here's her last ride on the Whippersnapper, which Ben was excited to share with her.


Coincidentally, it was our sixth Anniversary that day. We celebrated with a ride on the Sky Coaster because... well... why not, right? I mean, what's more romantic than being strapped together and dropping 180 feet on a giant swing?


Which brings us back to family. Everyone needs a vacation now and then to put aside the daily routine and just have fun together and make memories - and that we did.


...see, there's that "thrilled" face again.

Am I really 4?

Ben has been four for almost three weeks now, and he's still not quite sure it's real yet. He keeps saying he doesn't feel it inside, even though he sure looks it on the outside! We celebrated several times and Ben enjoyed all the activities.

At Carrabba's a yummy sundae and birthday song.


Hanging out with his best buds in the backyard. They went on a bug hunt, ate dirt cake, and threw water balloons at each other. Super fun!


The birthday highlight: his first Build-A-Bear! Otto is dressed for the beach and looks quite similar to his person, coincidence? I don't know. Ben's happy he can play with Hannah and Linda now.

We hope you enjoy being four Ben, you've grown up so much. Now you're just more funny, adorable, and lovable!