Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Year!

We got to celebrate New Years this year with some of our neighbors (although I somehow missed an adult picture!) 

 I have had these champagne flutes forever and decided just to make these for the kids. No one cared for the sparkling cider in it though. And little New Years hats out of Ritz and marshmallows.













2014 was a year of many changes for our family.  I always thought our move to NYC was one of the hardest adjustments of my adult life, but moving back has proved to be almost as difficult. We have been back six months and we are still adjusting.  When we were in the city without any family, you really learn to rely on yourselves and your friendships. Your friends really do become your family (and not that we had a ton of friends, don't let me fool you, but we had a few good friends, and that is all that matters). We left suburbia with a 4 year old and an 18 month old, and returning with a 7, 4.5 and 17 month old posed an entirely new set of learning obstacles for me as a parent and a friend. A new job for Chris and a commute, which we had not dealt with for three years, was another lesson in itself. I know as the school year progresses and friends are made for both the kids and Chris and I that things will settle into our new "normal." It has been great being back with family and I know the boys love seeing their Grammy, Papa and uncles more frequently.  
We hope 2015 keeps you all healthy and happy!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Luray Caverns

Chris and I stopped at Luray Caverns in 2004? I can't even remember, that is how long it has been! Wow...where does the time go!! We figured it would be a nice stop 6.5 hours into the trip and the kids would really enjoy it. Julian was apparently so tired of sitting (and NOT napping...) he walked the entire 1.4 miles and wouldn't even hold our hand!




                                       Luray Cavern Fish Market
 Mirror Lake










 This blur is what happens when it takes you 1-2 minutes to adjust your settings and you don't have it! Still a cute picture I thought!










 We went over to one of their other museums of cars before getting back in the car. Very cool.  The boys all picked out their favorites.


                                           The Shenandoah Mountains as we started home




Monday, December 29, 2014

Few days in SC

The kids tore open Christmas presents as quick as they could!



 SOOO much fun on the trampoline...they could stay out there all day
My Mickey Mouse loving boy-cutest thing in the world when he puts his hand to his ear and says "TOODLES!!"
 Always making pillow forts when we come to town-





How beautiful is Ben? He is only 5 months older than Julian but is so much bigger!

And we finally got to meet this little beauty, Zoe



                                                         All cozying up to Uncle Mike

Evan and Brian catching up on the latest gossip

                                                    One tired, old grandpa jean wearing baby