Happy Thanksgiving!

Growing Like Weeds...

I have really been falling behind on the blog lately. I know you all understand, but I hate it when I get behind! Here are some recent pictures and highlights.

It is so hard to believe that Will will be 9 soon. He is growing and really working at asserting his independence and his own viewpoints. 

He has recently become interested in lacrosse and has started lessons. This is like a foreign language to Matt and me, but we're happy he's developing his own interests and working hard.

He just finished fall ball. It was a fun team and Will pitched almost every game. This was his first season to pitch!

Andrew is loving Kindergarten, especially the social aspects of it. Every day when I pick him up, he's calling out or having his name called by friends. Saying goodbye, arranging playdates, asking him to join in a game of tag. He's making lots of friends and he even asked me if it's OK to be "in love with someone". YIKES!!

 He's always cracking us up. His latest:

"Why is it called "fun-size" if it's so small?"

 James and Catherine are finally becoming the playmates that we've been dreaming about. They are playing with each other for longer stretches of time and it warms my heart everytime I hear James say, "'C'mon, Cat-tin. Yets go!"

James can be quite mischievous...(see exhibit A)

...but he knows when to flash his big smile.

 He has discovered some of his older brothers' trains and they are keeping him quiet...for at least 2 minutes at a time.

Catherine is truly our princess. She has discovered purses, jewelry, and kitchen sets.

When pointing out her body parts, she says "eyes, nose, ears, NECKLACE!"

 

 There is NEVER a dull moment around here!

Super Dad

This weekend: he ran a half marathon, fixed odd and ends around the house, did yard work, took 2 loads to the dump, folded laundry, went to worship services, took the family into the city to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and dinner in the North End. And of course, cheered on the Red Sox. It's amazing what he can do when he's "off work". 

Let's hear it for Super Dad!

2 Year Check Up

James & Catherine had a great 2 year check up. They weighed 26 lbs and 24.6 lbs respectively. This puts them in the 40th percentile on the growth charts which is pretty exciting since they started out at <5%. They've come a long way, baby!

Matt was able to meet me which made things go very smoothly!

My babies aren't babies anymore!

A Southern August

Our Southern vacation fell during the month of August. Typically, not the time you want to head down South. But the weather turned out to be really mild and we had a great trip!

We spent time in both MS and AL. Here are some of my favorite pics!

First Day of School

We have a 3rd grader and a Kindergartener!

After a fun and busy summer, school is back in session.

Will was not super excited about heading back to school, but I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that we arrived back home the night before school after almost a month of traveling!

Once he saw his buddy Casey, he was all smiles!

 Andrew is excited to finally be at the same school as Will!

 

Ohio Visit

After being gone a year, we were lucky enough to make a trip back to Ohio to visit all of our friends. We had a tight time frame to fit the trip in, so Matt wasn't able to make the whole trip with us. Which meant that I drove all 4 children to Ohio by myself and he flew in later to meet us!!!

The trip there went great. I was pretty regimented about our stops. We stopped at one park and once for gas.

We had a great time while we were there. The boys jumped right back in to playing with the old neighborhood gang. It is truly a "Sandlot experience". 

We were able to see one of our dear friends get married and start a new life with her family. 

And it was fun seeing all these handsome boys get dressed up!

We also got to spend some time with our "friends who are like family", the Johnsons. They've always taken such good good care of us, and despite their unfortunate college football team allegiance, they are really good people. :)

Can't wait until our next visit!