Merry Christmas

Trimming the Tree

We officially kicked-off the Advent/Christmas season with Matt's first batch (of many, I'm sure) of to-die-for gingersnap cookies. Sorry Nana, we didn't save any for you. Must be present to win. I pulled out the ol' point and shoot for the first time in awhile today, so here is to quality non-phone pix! Cookies, egg nog, nativity, Bing on the stereo....

Now we're just waiting for the winter weather to arrive, 'cause we're all ready for the Christmas movie marathon :-)

Fall's Glory

Matt had to work today at an open house, so I enlisted the company of Aunt Cups, Rosie, and Uncle Mitch. We ended up hiking along the C&O Canal and having a lovely afternoon. The fall colors were simply amazing. I have not seen colors this spectacular for at least a few years.

Mr. Photogenic

Boat going thru the locks

Those two mules were pulling the above boat!

Missed you, Abby. Vin also photo-bombing ^^

 

The only pic Vin managed NOT to photo-bomb.  He has mastered a skill, clearly.

Smiling proof that fun, happiness, and enjoyment was had by ALL

It was kind of a strenuous hike and the kids did GREAT. The boys blew ahead of me the whole time and nobody fell off of any sort of cliff/height to their death, which made the day a big SUCCESS!!  And wow, looking at the pictures makes me realize how big my kids are getting. Not to sound cliché, but how did THAT happen?

Playing

Fun with Vin.

babababababa bad

to the bone.

The nurses may have not gazed in wide wonder, but i sure did.  And i knew he was babababad.

Take a listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlwRNCnsbUg

I think we have found his song.

First day of 1st and 3rd Grades

And now the boys' year has begun!  I'm so excited for them and happy to have them out of the house!

Park Quests

We got our act together back in May when it was time to sign up for park quest through the state of maryland.  And boy am I glad we did.  We have had a blast completing 11 of the 24 the quests.  There are only 1,000 spots available and they filled up in like 2 hours.  Not only has our family been able to spend time outdoors at the state parks for free, but we have also been able to spend time with our friends and their families!  Winning situation here!

I will be the first person to tell you that i am in general not a fan of too much nature.  I just don't like bugs.  They are gross.  But putting up with the bugs for park quests was worth it.  Matt and i were able to accomplish some pretty amazing quests with our crew of 4.  We took everyone canoeing, not once, but TWICE (and no one drowned)!  We explored a fort from the war of 1812.  We completed a 4 mile, rigorous hike.  We finished a 4 mile bike ride, while only having 2 out of 4 kids who can actually ride a bike.

Scenic view at the Fort Frederick Quest in western maryland

What is left of the flour mill along the patapsco river.  It was destroyed by hurricane agnes in the 70's

There really are some amazing parks here in maryland and we definitely are too cheap would not have taken the time to go to them without this amazing program, for which I am grateful.  Grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my family and friends completing adventures that I never thought we could accomplish.  All the while enjoying the backdrop of God's splendid canvas!  Once you get past the bug factor, nature is pretty cool.  Or so I've learned.