Christmas 2009 Pictures

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genetics

I think one of the things that I find most fascinating about having 3 kids or just genetics in general, is how unique each sibling's personality is in comparison to the other. Here we have 3 kids that are seemingly being raised the same way, under the same general time-frame and all have the same gene pool.

Well, let's talk about Will today. This child is the most expressive of the group, I think. When he's happy, you know it (clearly seen here). When he's not happy, YOU KNOW IT. As my mom says, we will never have to wonder what he is thinking, because he will tell us what he wants. Will is extremely vocal about his needs, including when he is hungry, when he is tired, when he is bored of being in the car seat, when he is hot or otherwise not satisfied. But he also has one of the loudest laughs and biggest smiles that help smooth out the balance.

Here is a picture of both Will & Matt in their bouncy seat. My pediatrician/friend Judy, asked 'why in the world do you still have the bouncy seat out?'
Well, because it is so much fun to see them both get in it at the same time :o) but also because that is where they get their night-time breathing treatments.

White Christmas

We had an awesome snowfall Friday & Saturday. I think 15 inches!!! This is early Friday night when we went to check out the 1st flakes.

Saturday, out sledding with our house in the background! It was great to get out and meet our new neighbors! Charlie loves the snow (until his gloves are wet through and through). He enjoyed getting out both Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday, Will & Matt made it out in the snow for the 1st time. We went out for a Christmas party, while they visited with Grandma & Papa Wood.

Christmas Outings

We've had a great week. Made it out Tuesday night to kids night at Champs Stony Point. We met friends and then headed over to see the "snow" fall, as it does every night at 7:00 during Christmas!
Last night, we decided to make the trek to see Santa Claus. Santa Claus visits Bass Pro Shop at 5:00 during the week, so we thought we'd be there a bit before 5:00. Well, the line was wrapped around the building! So, we decided to do a little dinner and after all being fed, we were a little more prepared for the wait. It actually moved fast and we had our 1 minute with Santa. Charlie was thrilled. Matt was curious. Will was extremely skeptical. But all in all, a good time!

Before and After

Our barbershop was open last week for a brief period. Matt's hair has grown very fast and done in his eyes, a haircut was absolutely in order!

Before:
After:

Wood Christmas

Will riding his new pony from Great Uncle Joe. This kid loves, loves, loves riding. He really enjoyed this, he has a jumpy zebra and a caterpillar. He could stay on for hours. Well at least 20 minutes and who are we kidding, that is hours in 1 year old time! Let me know, what does that mean he will be when he grows up? A horse rider? A race car driver? A cowboy?

Matt checking out the new pony as well - um, not quite as emphatic about riding.

Cousin Carly Sue

Cousin Stacy Ann

Loving the 1st round of Christmas Presents!

Santa Charlie distributing gifts

Cousin Bailey and Charlie

Stacy and Will riding away!

We had a really fun weekend. Celebrated Christmas with the Great Aunts & Uncles & Cousins. I love that we all get together each year to celebrate. This year, we celebrated at Mom & Dad's house and had all the cousins together. When you take that picture of the "great grandkids" together, you really wish that Clo & Robert could see it. Well in person. You know they are watching.

Willy

Will hanging out!

Thanksgiving, catching up!

Matt doing romp and roll on Greta's beds

Turkey #2!, yes #2

Bike riding with Grandpa Wayne
Matt: Who needs a plate!

Bright eyed beautiful Stacy Ann

Pre turkey bubble blowing

Welcome all Hokies!

Chef Charlie

Lots of pre eating festivities including Art with Grandma K

We did have a great Thanksgiving! it was so fun to have everyone here and enjoy the new space together!

bye bye boxes

Well, it's been 2+ weeks and we are really making progress. Our recycling man may not be happy with us, but we have put out huge piles of boxes 2 weeks in a row.

A few of our parting pictures from Marilea...

Matt pushing Will out of the box
Will's turn in the box...
Matt packing...
Our last morning together in our wonderful, blue, tiny kitchen...
Our big moving truck! Charlie got to get in the back and the cab. How cool!

thankful

A long time has passed since our last post, but not due to lack of activity! Really, I have had this screen up since Wed. but haven't had finished my thoughts.

This past month I've been following people's posts on Facebook on what they are thankful for each day. Like many, I am very thankful for my family... my kids, my parents, my friends. I think this Thanksgiving though, what struck me the most, is how thankful I am for the opportunities that have been presented to me.

I really have thought about the sacrifices our parents have made for us to go to college, to go the best schools, to be surrounded by friends and social opportunities. The chain didn't start with our parents either, the grandparents and great-grandparents all contributed. I know that I had thought about this before, but this move has really made me think more about what is best for the family verse my own preference. My own preference is now my family's. A concept that has hit home.

And although I completely believe that pulling yourself up from by your bootstraps (as they say) is possible, it is not easy or common. Even more so, how hard it is to break the chain when your cycle is continually negative - your parents lacked education and resources to provide a safe, nurturing environment.

It's just made me really think how fortunate I am to be able to start providing opportunities to my children with our new house, our new neighborhood and new schools. It is amazing how when things come full circle, being a parent or aging (one or the other), you see these things and it just hits you.

Still here, still packing!

This month may make it to the record books for fastest month ever.
Last week, I spent the week in Austin for work while Jon, the boys and Greta hung at home.
It was very busy on both sides. Better weather for some :o)

We pushed our closings to Wed. 11/18. This is due to recent tax benefits being offered. We will officially lived in our house for 5 years. Wow.
Lots of changes these past 5 years... named Charlie, Matt and Will!

So, next steps- movers arrive Wednesday to load us up (I'm still counting boxes! I hope I look good in cardboard because I am surrounded), we close by end of day (everyone cross your fingers) and movers deliver Thursday.

Then if we are still kicking, and our lovely support crew is still kicking, we are off to the VT / NCSU game on Saturday. Hard to go 2 whole seasons without making it to Blacksburg...

Happy Friday!

Matt playing in the toy box...
Will! all smiles and teeth!

while some of us think moving is fun...

there are others of us that think it is EXHAUSTING!!! Jon and I have just finished 2 nights in a row of serious, hard core, packing. We are down to the yuck. The holiday closets, basement odd stuff, baby stuff that is falling out of every corner...
A lot of kitchen stuff is done (minus our pots, pans and set of every day dishes), our storage closets for the most part, all china/corner cabinets are done. I am trying to make myself feel good about what is done, b/c you turn around and think, WHERE DID ALL THIS STUFF COME FROM???

The move is progressing though, and we see an end in sight. Or do we? Who is going to unpack all these boxes???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpn-UOiq24U

Halloween

Matt "The Bat"


Yes, I like to chew on everything!

Will "the Monkey"



A late night for Will, it's tough riding door to door, begging for candy



Batman - I love HALLOWEEN and trick or treating!

1 Day Left

1 Year

Matt & Will are officially turning 1.
One year ago today, Jon and I headed off to a Dave & Tim concert, a campaign event for Obama. We had the best night and then before we knew it... we were at the hospital. My water broke.

And the rest is history. I am excited that Matt & Will are turning one. It is a big day for them.

But this weekend, I kept looking at Jon and saying, "can you believe it? We made it! 1 whole year with 3 kids, 3 and under." 3 kids in diapers half that time... over 3000 bottles, 3700 diapers. We have made it. We have survived. It's been wonderful... a bit crazy, but wonderful. And we made it. I think this year was just the first test of many thousand, but I feel accomplished!

Happy Birthday Matt! Happy Birthday Will!







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Our "camping weekend"

In August, it sounds like a great idea to go camping when it is cooler (not cold), leafs changing and why not in the mountains... well come Mid-October it is RATHER COLD in Alleghany County!
We did have a great time visiting with lots of family. Matt, Will and I stayed with Alice & Earl and Jon and Charlie camped with Linda/Ken at Douthat State Park. We all got out and about. Had a great dinner with the Brown's, Kolkhorsts and Higgins and also saw the Wood's on Sat. Sunday night we had dinner with the Sharrer's who came up to Douthat as well.

You can see, Matt rather made himself at home while Casey wondered who these intruders were...