Family vacation with the Jewells

We chose one of the hottest days to tour our nation's capital. The kids were great! They loved the museums, the trains rides, and of course hanging out with Aunt Roo and Uncle Shane. Can you believe that we got no pictures of them with the kids!? Shame on me...

Brenden was a trouper in the back with Basil!

Can you believe that this is my little girl? She is so big!

Yes, my youngest is eating McDonalds! It really isn't a road trip with out it! He did a great job riding in the car for 10 hours!

Boys will be boys...

National zoo. A lovely day in the rain. It really was a perfect day for the
zoo.

My kids on the trip back. Simply breathtaking.

1 year later

Wes and his tree one year later. The tree is finally filling out. Wes has had a big year. He has learned to crawl, walk, run, sign, speak, yell, laugh, throw a ball, hit a baseball with a bat (nope, not lying), eat solids, feed himself, and express his very own opinions. Simply amazing...

Can you believe that this is my little girl and her big tree? Annie continues to amaze me. This year she has learned how to write her name as well as the entire family, ride her bike, spell, sign, roll her eyes at her mama, scream at her older brother, give the warmest hugs, eat 2 slices of pizza, and love with the sincerest generosity. She has also learned that she loves hotels, painting her fingernails, pools in hotels, and singing and dancing in front of an audience. What have we created?!

This is my first born and his huge tree. He has had a tremendous year! He has learned to read chapter books as fast as I can give them to him, ride his bike without the training wheels, write the most creative stories, build almost anything his mind can imagine, created amazing friendships, and that he really does want to be an architect. I am continuously blown away by this boy!

Independence Day...a little late

Our Independence Day started with a picnic lunch on the Common (Boston Common) and ended with a little dip in Frog Pond. What a wonderful city to be in for the celebration! We had a great time watching the "actors" for the reenactment, but Annie and Wes flipped out when the guys started shooting! Brenden was in a little piece of heaven! Wes and Annie are definitely flight kinda kids.

I do believe that Wes has got the swimming gene! The water was about 6 inches deep and it was cool and refreshing. The kids had a blast running (which is against the rules) and frolicking about.

Go colonials!!!

BOO Redcoats!

Our apple tree

Last year our apple tree was most hideous! Troy did some research and some much needed trimming and viola! Our tree was beautiful this year!

family...

Here are some family photos...




























We've been really busy this spring! Brenden played baseball with some success. He's decided to play both fall and spring soccer next year and forgo the baseball...not enough action for him!

Wes got his first haircut and cried the ENTIRE time!

Annie has been growing into a lovely, funny, expressive little girl. She's been toted to the Brenden's "stuff" and has been pretty happy about it. She has decided to try her hand at swimming. I'll keep you posted on that front.

Mom's day

Today is my mother's birthday and instead of paying tribute to her, I pay tribute to a truly amazing person that my mom gave just to me. I am truly blessed to have my sister Heather. I know I have written about her in the past, but this sister of mine continues to amaze me. A couple of weekends ago, she flew up to Boston to be with me and the kids as we traveled west to visit with dad and Sandy. Before she even made it to my house and after flying here, she walked into my classroom and helped me with a very special group of kids without prompting. Then she helped me pack enough food (my kids eat copious amounts of food) for our 15 hour trip in the car. She had no idea of what she was getting into. I know my kids and wouldn't dare ask anyone to be stuffed into a car for 15 hours with them and she did this all with excitement in her eyes! Can you imagine?! During the trip she NEVER hesitated to make bathroom runs with Annie, feed strawberries to Wes, and help Brenden sound out words. I know this doesn't sound like much BUT...Annie has yet to figure out how to go 1 & 2 at the same time SO we're stopping A LOT, Wes is only eating strawberries and can eat a ton of them at a time, and Brenden was reading a nonfiction book about dinosaurs. Heather took care of my kids while keeping me laughing until my inner horse came out! I can not say enough about this woman who is MY sister. So on this day when I would normally be sad, I celebrate my sister because of who she is, continues to be, and who she reminds me of.

Spring Break

This past week was Spring Break for us! I planned a fabulous drive out to visit with dad and Sandy. We arrived (the trip warrants a post all to itself) and the fun began! My dad and Sandy made each on eof my kids feel very special each and every day we were there! We went to the Chidren's Museum on a rainy day, spent hours at the Air Force Museum with Roo and Uncle Shane (Brenden had Shane all to himself!), Easter egg hunting, tons of fun laughing with family, hours of trampoline jumping, and plain old fashioned family fun. It is times like these that remind me just how lucky I am!