Johnny's Favorites

It's so cute to see what these little kids get excited about. For a while now, Johnny just loves to push around whatever he can find. He sweeps, mops, rakes, shovels, etc. Basically, if it's a big stick- he loves it. He'll cry by the broom closet until you get him his broom or mop.

His other love is to chew on his toothbrush. It's the same drill... he'll stand by the closed bathroom door and cry saying, "brush" until you let him in to have his toothbrush. I don't like him to carry it around and get it dirty, but it's hard to say no to his pleading.

Are kids afraid of Santa Claus?

I just had to share this picture of the kids sitting on Santa's lap. Look at my poor little guy. He looks terrified. Ah, what we do for a picture. He is going to think it is so funny when he's older though. That's why we take pictures right?... to capture our memories no matter how happy or sad (or in Alex's case, indifferent).

Virginia

Our family vacation this year was a trip to DC with Grandma Nan to stay with Aunt Karen. It is such an awesome trip because we get to see family and friends! And there are endless things to do there. Thank you for having us everyone!!

We started our trip off right by introducing the kids to the huge tub in the "Queen's Bathroom." Just as we were getting the kids wrapped up in their towels, the power went out. A tree fell down around the corner taking out our power line. We all had flashlights and the kids loved it! They were jumping around on the couches by the light of our flashlights and felt right at home.

A butterfly we saw on our way to the Museum of Natural History. The kids loved seeing the animals.

I thought this giraffe getting a drink looked awesome

He looks like he's about to eat them

Alex loved the monkey in the video room

An awesome huge whale

FDR Memorial

FDR Memorial

Here we are on the bridge on our walk between the FDR Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. It's a nice walk!

Johnny and Daddy at the Jefferson Memorial (after we had been asked by security to keep our children under control)

Our dear friends Ryan and Camille invited our other dear friends Scott and Jennie and us over for dinner one evening. Here are the kiddies lined up in their jammies

A huge highlight of the trip was Cox's Farm. These people turn their farm into a fall festival each year and it rocks! Apples and apple cider are everywhere you turn and they build these huge slides that you go down while sitting on a burlap sack. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

The hayride

Andrea, Nate and Bowen on the hayride

(best hayride I've ever been on)

Alex on the hayride

This slide rocked!!! We would all line up 6 across from each other with kids on our laps and ride it at the same time.

Before you leave the farm, everyone gets a mini pumpkin to take home. And there was a little area set up for taking pictures

Here is Aunt Karen, Cousin Nate and Johnny just before going in to the aquarium.

We took a little side trip to the aquarium in Baltimore, and we absolutely loved it!!! Except for the fact that you have to check your stroller at the door... you Moms out there with multiple toddlers will understand that "containing" the children in a stroller is really the only way you can go places with them.

Nate, Johnny and Alex before going in

the Dolphin Show

A cool eel

These bubbles entertained the children

The huge building in the back of us across the water is the aquarium

Grandma Nan with the kids on the harbor

Days Off

Jamie took a few days off of work and we wanted to pack in the fun, so... we took one day and headed to the Gateway.  Neither of us had ever been to the Children's Discovery Museum, therefore, that was our first stop.  The kids really enjoyed it.  Although they were spent after that, we stuck to the plan and let them run around in the fountains.

We left Johhny's trunks in the car, so he went with the straight swim diaper.  Adorable!!

At first he was falling all over the place, so we put his shoes on.  He's getting all the ladies in this getup.

Johnny wandered over to this little girl and plopped himself right down into the shade with her.  Thank goodness her mother didn't seem to mind.  She thought it was cute.

And on the other day, we took a ride up the canyon with Nancy and Kevin to walk around the lake by Brighton Ski Resort.  I don't know why I can't keep the name of that lake straight.  It might be Silver Lake or Crystal Lake... ?

Alex, throwing rocks into the bushes.

Johnny was launching himself toward the water.  Jamie tried to satisfy his desire to get in by dunking his feet.  It didn't work.  He was pretty upset when we took him away from the edge.

If little brother gets to have his feet in the water....