So Much To Catch Up On......

Has it really been this long? I put in my 'family' memory card and couldn't believe that these pictures came up! I have meant to do this for soooooo long, but I have to say, I've been incredibly busy with everything. BUT, even though I'm exhausted after a week of two very demanding little people (I'm not really complaining too much, because I do love it), I was excited to catch up on my OWN life!

Just a little catch up on my kids.....

Skyler...went through a pretty tough start to the year. I had to make some big mom decisions, which sent me struggling into a million different thoughts and emotions. I decided to move him back to his old school....with my tail tucked between my legs because we did not leave on good terms. But, this wasn't about me...it was about my son. I am not going to go into details, but what I will say is that we HAVE OUR SKYLER BACK!!! He really had a tough time and had to deal with things that are tough for someone of any age. But now, he is thriving, surrounded by kids that appreciate him for being the wonderful friend that he is...and the ladies? LOVE HIM! I'm so happy for him that he can LOOK FORWARD to each day, rather than dread it.

Sadie. She is one-tough-chick. She KNOWS what she wants and will do ANYTHING to get it. This will definitely work for her in the future. But for now? We are all just waiting to see what she'll do next:) Yet, she cracks us up daily and always makes me melt each day. She loves Booty and the Beast, Gaboons (balloons), and her brother. She can break me down with the words, "Mommy, I so love you." Or anything that makes her laugh is, "So much fun!". She's a completely different kid on her own...actually, they both are. Skyler told me he didn't want me to wake her up one day because, "It's easier for me when she isn't there to give me a hard time about everything." Exact words. But it's how they work...In the end? They love each other. Tonight I put her in his bed to sing to them, and they looked at each other until they giggled. It's all worth it...every frustrating minute is WORTH IT!!!!

Ok, catch up! My dearest friend Loree and I have been talking about having them come to DC for teacher's convention for years. It has always fallen through for one reason or another. But this year? WE MADE IT HAPPEN!!!!! I was beyond thrilled to have her here with us...to actually have days to really get to know her amazingly beautiful (inside and out) children. To have our kids (what???) get to really know each other. I loved it. I loved it. I loved it. One of the things I remember her asking is, "Are you sure you'll be able to spend the whole day with us in DC?" Oh sure!, I said. Of course! Um...we couldn't swing whole days with them...but we tried super hard and we had a really good time when we were able to hang in there:) Here are some pics of our time together. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE THEM???!!!!

We were waiting to meet up with them (actually we were kind of late and we forgot to make and actual meeting place and they were waiting for us at a different place) at the metro for our first DC day together and the kids were beyond excited.

I love this picture. Sean is incredibly sweet and I know he was talking 'seriously' with Michael about something.

They were excited to start their DC day!

Boys? Always hungry. Having a snack before we did the museum thing.

Sadie doing her snack on the other side of the display.

Cracks me up:)

One of my dearest...sweetest...closest....nothing really compares to her...friend.

Hanging out on some monument.

Um, enough said. Best people ever.

Michael had to 'supervise' on top of the monument. He caught Sadie:)

Love him!

We totally pooped out the second day. Spent the morning at another museum, and although Skyler could have spent the whole day there, Sadie couldn't. She lasted maybe an hour before she was having meltdowns everywhere. I couldn't deal....had to take her home and meet up with them later. Sorry we were such party poopers!!!

Did he really think he was hiding? That's one of the reasons why I love him!

Happy dog:)

So, the new thing was building a weather station. Skyler decided to put lots of toys in there....I had to end things when he put EVERY toy under there!

Um, enough said just by looking at this picture. Yep, definitely married the coolest guy ever.

Papa hanging with Sadie after Thanksgiving dinner! She was bushed and snuggled right into him.

Our Thanksgiving feast:) Perfect.

Our field trip was to the Reston Petting Zoo. Had such a FUN day there. The kids were giving the baby pigs a bottle of milk.

Gorgeous.

They couldn't wait for their pony rides. He was beyond happy....it must be in the genes.

We saw thousands of dollars fly through our heads when she smiled like this the whole way! Will she follow in my footsteps??!!!

Yep, this sums them up.

Waiting for the 'safari' ride. It was a long wait, but the ride was pretty cool. The kids saw some crazy animals up close.

See the horns on these guys? This picture doesn't do them justice...they were crazy long and my dad saved my head from being whacked by one!

It has become pretty cold here. Which means playground time is in the past...which means creative planning for the afternoon. The kids love play dough...I don't love it so much because it is such a mess...I was creative this time and put a cloth under their table. I pat myself on the back for this good idea! And they spent and hour very very happy:)

Sadie loves playing outside. Yesterday she found some ice and this kept her busy and very happy until it all melted:) It's hard to see, but she's holding a piece.

I promise to be better at keeping up with things this winter!!!!