Christmas 2010

Christmas has been awesome so far. We've had a big week, visiting with Betty & Pat and Joe & Liz who were in town and celebrating with the Wood's, the Kolkhorsts and the Nystroms.
Probably Jon and my favorite moment was Christmas morning when Charlie came and got in bed with us. Slowly as he woke up and started thinking about Santa, the conversation started to get more interesting. "Did you hear reindeer on the roof? Did you hear Santa eating cookies? Where do you think Santa is delivering presents now?" Needless to stay we were down the stairs early for us (7:15) and tearing through presents. This year was definitely a blow through anything wrapped in 20 seconds or less, while Will & Matt just enjoyed tearing through the paper whether the presents were theirs or not. Santa brought all the boys pillow pets (Will: Frog, Matt: Monkey, Charlie: Doggie and the younger boys like to call them their "baby." They also got a Cars theme geotrack train and rescue vehicles that have all been a hit. It's been fun and we're thankful for all we have.

Pre opening present distraction: Play duh. Elizabeth & Charlie

Front: Big Charlie, Matt, Elizabeth, Joe, Jane, Charlie, Back: Sally, Will, Jon, Laura, Stacy, Tommy, Betty & Pat

GG Aunt Betty & GG Uncle Pat

A true Hokie is always glad to get a new Hokie shirt: Will

Pre lunch snack, Stacy, Will, Matt, Laura, Sally & Joe

Deep Thoughts: Liz & Joe

Christmas morning: Jon, C, M & W

Matt

Chilling before Christmas

Matt & Will

Matt

C Man

Matt & Will

Matt, Charlie & I'm not so sure I want to be here Will

Snow Day

We had a nice Snow Day yesterday. I had taken the day off, having a little extra PTO this year, and plans to attend the Preschool Christmas Program. However, Mother Nature had different plans. We had a great time making soup, listening to Christmas music, building blocks, going out to play and baking cookies (Peanut Butter with Hershey Kisses, yum!).

Charlie making snow angels (very seriously)

Charlie, Will & Matt getting ready for departure into Snow

Matt making good use of his new snow boots that Santa dropped off early. Thank goodness.

Will & Charlie getting pulled down the street.

Dad pulling Will & Charlie

Matt liked pushing his truck in the snow just as much as in the sand

Will - Where am I?

Christmas Train

This year, I really got it together in July, and bought tickets to the infamous "Christmas Train." I have tried for a couple of years, but they sell out in August! The train ride is put on by the Old Dominion Chapter. The train rides leave from Buckingham Station in Dillwyn, VA where you make a stop to pick up Santa Claus and ride for about 45 minutes. The day started with excitement with our breakfast packed and ready to get out the door at 7:30 to make the 9:30 train. It was freezing cold that day while we waited, but lots of fun to go for a ride.

Will

Matt: Do you think I am excited to ride a choo choo???

Will & Santa Claus (Notice Charlie peeking from behind)

Matt, Charlie & Santa Claus

Matt has his older brother's sweet tooth

as does Will

Charlie, Jon & Will

Buckingham Station, Dillwyn, VA

Tacky Light Tour, year 2

We joined our friends for the tacky light tour last night. This year we graduated to a full Greyhound size bus, with a bazillian kids. Hopefully Matt and Will will be able to go next year, but decided it was best that the skip it this year due to the late hours and sitting still factor.
Charlie had a blast riding the bus, hanging with his buds and seeing the lights. Plus the cookies and popcorn...






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Decorating for Christmas

Sunday we decided to pull out our Christmas decorations. This is what I look like when I am about to pull my hair out.
We tried to set the mood - Christmas music playing, fire on... but the peaceful picture of everyone putting ornaments on the tree didn't really exist. Jon and I thought we were going crazy between all 3 boys trying to get ornaments, help put the tree together and sort out the fragile ornaments out.
You do have to try and phase out the craziness and appreciate the happy, peaceful, non-hitting your brother moments and appreciate them while you can.

Matt checking out the Virginia Tech football helmet ornament, the day after the Hokies beat the Hoos!
Will loved bringing over ornaments from the table to the tree, skipping along the way.
Life is good when you are 'double-fisting,' Will always likes to have a full milk.
Charlie loved decorating the tree.

Santa's video to Charlie

Santa's video to Charlie
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/JrUtTTloAwJbprMLqi9FWQ

Questions to moms of multiples

Being parents to multiples, nonetheless 3 boys, we get a lot of "you've got your hands full" or "wow" or "did you plan you that?"
This video provides some insight into what I think when I get these questions. :o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT-lgB_HGEE

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was an awesome day at our house. We had 20 folks for dinner and enjoyed yet another fried turkey cooked by my dad. Everyone brought a dish or two which took the stress off. I love that Charlie, Matt and Will will have Thanksgiving memories with their cousins for many years to come.

I was the oven master which meant determining how to get everything hot at one time. This is a talent that I have yet to master... And already have ideas for next year. But in reality, my husband put together the mac and cheese and the corn pudding. All I did was heat the oven (and regrettably the microwave at times). As I reflected at the end of the day, I thought of my Grandma Boaz and my Grandma Wood. How many meals did they cook multiple dishes for lots of people and manage to get them ready all at one time? I will say I may prefer my method of having each person bring a thing or two, but I now really understand years later what an accomplishment each holiday meal was that my grandmother and mom prepared.

Race Day

This past Saturday was the Richmond 8K. The whole week leading up was pretty exciting. I loved going to the expo Thursday and seeing all the Race gear and runners. Quickly, I realized, my journey in training was not too unique, and I was one of many 'old joes' that would be participating. I think I was more nervous whether I would wake up on time, find parking or have trouble navigating through the city! Thankfully, the kids spent the night at the Grandparents and I had Jon as my lackey/chauffeur/photographer/personal assistant/storage unit!

The race itself was quite interesting. I realized quickly that I had underestimated my time along with 2 of my other mother runner girls, starting too far in the back. The first 10 minutes or so, we spent most of our time weaving through walkers. We eventually got a rhythm , and carried on as usual. I was really relieve to be running with 2 other runners who kept me entertained with work stories, Thanksgiving plans, etc. It made the time pass quickly. Towards the end, we spotted 2 other Mother Runners up and ahead and caught up to finish together. Coming downhill on Cary Street was a great finish.

This is a picture of the "Mother Runners (including coaches)" before the race at 6:30 a.m. in front of the capital.


That's me coming down Cary Street in a SKIRT!

Lisa, Kenisha and me post race with our medals. Charlie said he was glad I was a winner :0)
Post race

I'm really thankful to have found such a fun group and have signed up for the winter maintenance program. Next up the Monument 10K.

Happy Veterans Day!

I remembered that I had this picture of my papa or Sgt. David Boaz and his unit from 1944. They led General Patton across France.

It really is amazing that those in service willingly put themselves in danger, put their lives on hold and leave their families. I personally can't imagine making that sacrifice and am truly grateful for those people that volunteer or willingly go when drafted.
Thanks to my Dad, Ken, my uncle Joe, my Papa and the many others that have served.

More Halloween

"What are you looking at?"


Batman and partner in crime (Greta has never worn a costume until this year. Can you guess who picked it out?)

1st stop had full size candy bars, score!

Batman, take 1

Batman's smile says it all. Candy and SuperGirl all in 1 day.

Charlie's preschool had a Halloween Parade and Coffee for the parents. It was a really nice morning, the weather was gorgeous. Frankly, it was nice to get out of the house and meet a few other parents as well. Funny enough, both Jon and I ran into people from our high schools who have children attending the school.

Matt and Will thoroughly enjoyed it too. We started off as smart parents but after a little protesting from the stroller, we decided we could manage free rangers. Boy we were naive. Before we knew it, Will had joined the parade and Matt took several pictures with some other kids class. Hence, why I like the Director so much, I looked at her and said "we have no hope (of getting them back in the stroller and under control)" and she came through with fruit roll ups.
So sugar saved the day yet again.

Tell me why again it's not good to bribe your children?

Woody & Buzz

As in the movie, Woody and Buzz, often take in off in opposite directions. This was our Woody and Buzz's 1st attempt of the day to make an escape.