Merry Christmas

Not only did Santa bring a trampoline, but he also brought so nice, warm weather so the kids could play on it without freezing.

Christmas Lights

A little Christmas Eve tradition we have around here is to put on our PJs and then drive around and look at Christmas lights, and there's no better place to see Christmas lights than Christmas Street (34th Street) in Baltimore.

Brian and Buddy

Brian and Buddy are just laying around waiting for Weslie and Gabbie to get out of school and start their Christmas holiday.

He Has Crazy Eyes

Weslie's gingerbread man that she made today at school. I love this. Just look at that expression on his face.

Santa Train - 2011

We did the Santa Train again this year. We really like it. Probably going to make this an every year tradition.

Little Chef

With all the cooking I was doing for Thanksgiving, Gabbie decided to give me a helping hand. This is her helping make some cookies.

Monster Truck Crash

Sometimes we get a little bored. Plus everything looks cool in slow-mo.

You're Too Close!

I guess somethings never change. Kids just like sitting really close to the TV. I did it when I was kid and my parents use to fuss at me and say something about it hurting my eyes or it was dangerous because of the radation TVs put out. I wonder if new TVs have a radiation problem too, or if old TVs every had one. Maybe my parents just made all that up.

Happy Halloween!

Weslie was a Ninja, Brian was Batman, and Gabbie was a S.W.A.T. officer. It was a really good Halloween. The weather was nice, and to my surprise the vast majority of houses were lit-up and passing out some really good candy. One house was passing out full size candy bars with a $1 bill wrapped around it.

Who is That Masked Man?

Gabbie's Sixth

Gabbie had her birthday party today. She got to invite all of her classmates. This year we tried a place called "Jump On It". It's basically a large room filled with all kinds of "bouncy castles". It was a lot of fun. Probably one of the best party places we've been to. Everything went great and the staff was great. However, next time I'll make sure to bring more water. An hour and a half of running and bouncing makes kids really really thirsty.

Gooooooaaaaaaaaaal!!!!

Weslie and Gabbie are both doing really well in soccer this year. They both have scored multiple goals. Weslie has taken a liking to playing goalie and she's really good at that too.

He Keeps Growing and Growing

Buddy has really grown in the past two months. He doesn't really look like a puppy anymore, but he sure does act like one. He's such a good little (not so little) puppy.

The Veteran and The Rookie

Well, school has finally started after a late start due to the fallout of hurricane Irene. Weslie is starting third grade and this will be Gabbie's first year of school. Weslie being an old pro at this is really making it easy on Gabbie.

Come On Irene

Hurricane Irene has hit Baltimore! We lost power around 3am and it stayed off for the next four days. It also blew down several trees in our yard. One took out part of our deck. All in all I think we made it out in great condition. Lots of trees down in our area and some landed on cars and houses.

Did You Feel That?

The East Coast was rocked by an 5.8 earthquake. The epicenter was just below D.C. and it was strong enough to send to send everyone out of their offices, shops, and houses. All asking the same question. Except for me. I didn't feel anything. I was mowing the yard at the time.

Putting the Tooth Fairy Through Her Paces

Gabbie is dropping teeth left and right. She lost both of her "two front teeth" in as many days. If this pace keeps up she won't have any left and the Tooth Fairy will be bankrupt.

Super 8

We just back from the beach and what does Weslie want to do for her birthday party? Swim. I swear I can't get this kid out of the water. However, watching her swim just puts the biggest smile on my face. She seems so natural and at ease in the water. It's hard to believe that she's turning eight. I miss my little Weslie, but she turning into a beautiful young lady.

Beach Time

We made our now annual trip to Myrtle Beach. Traffic getting down there was terrible, but the warm water and great beaches more than make up for it. This year Brian was no longer scared of the ocean and Weslie loved it so much we had a hard time getting her out of the water. I thought she was going to turn into a Mermaid. Also, being at the beach and poolside is a lot more relaxing when everyone can swim.

Captain America

We took the kids to see "Captain America". Everyone like it, but some of us more than others.

A Big High Five for Turning Three

We went to Brian's favorite place for his Birthday, Chuck E. Cheese. Every time we go here I can't help but think that it's like a casino for kids, but Brian loves it. His favorite thing is winning tickets. He doesn't care so much about trading them in for prizes. He just like winning tickets. Happy Birthday Brian!

Meet "Buddy"scotch

Weslie and Gabbie have wanted a puppy for two years now and this year we finial realize that they were right and we needed to get a puppy. We all had our own ideas of what kind of puppy to get. Most notably was Gabbie who wanted a Chihuahua and nothing else would do. If you even mentioned another type of dog she would start crying, but every changed when we first saw "Buddy"scotch.

Mississippi Trip

We took our normal summer time trip down to Mississippi to spend time with our extended families and as usually we didn't have enough time to do everything or see everyone we wanted. We did manage to do quite a bit though. There was a new baby to see, Mr. William Wesley Wade (he was beautiful), grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins ... a whole lot of cousins.

End of Another School Year

It's the end of the school year and we all went to Weslie's field day. Her class was very sweet to Gabbie and let her join in on all the activities and games. Gabbie loved it. We'll see how she feels next year when she actually starts going to school. I'm sure she'll be fine. It's Brian that I'm worried about. What's he going to do next year when his best friend and playmate gets on that bus?

It's Summer Time! (well not quite)

For whatever reason Brian has Mini or Putt-Putt golf on his mind all day every day. We took him to a little local placed and he couldn't get enough. He would have stayed there all day if we would have let him. Wait until he sees the ones at the beach. He's going to faint.

Patriots

Weslie finished her school's Patriot Program for this year and got to march into opening ceremony with her Girl Scout troop.

Somebody Wake-Up the Tooth Fairy!

Gabbie lost her first tooth, and by lost I mean we pulled that wiggly joker with the old lasso of dental floss maneuver. She's supper excited. She's been waiting for this ever since Weslie lost her first tooth. She used to write notes to the Tooth Fairy every time Weslie got a visit, but tonight it's finally her turn.

Batman Dance

Brian is a Batman nut, and every time he hears this Batman theme song he always dances the exact same way (costume optional). Gabbie likes to join in sometimes, but she prefers Robin.

Soap is Made From What?

Weslie had a class trip to the Stonestep museum where she learned that people use to have to make their own soap and wash their close by hand and kids weren't allow to sit on the good furniture. That last one really blew her mind.

Look at Gabbie Go!

There's just no "quit" in Gabbie.

Brian's Computer

Danny just had to have one of these new tablet computers, but the joke is on him. The kids use it more than he does. Brian has taken to calling it his computer.

First Roller Coaster Ride

Brian rode his first roller coaster today. It was at one of those little traveling carnivals that setup in the mall's parking lot. He cried the whole ride, but afterwards when he finally stopped crying he said that it was fun. I asked him if he wanted to ride again and he said, "No, not right now."

Fashion Show

Weslie and Mary strut their stuff at the Girl Scouts' fashion show.

We Planted a Seed

The start of Weslie's and Gabbie's garden. Next up, finding someplace to plant them.

The Great Smoky Mountains

Took a quick little mini vacation to Gatlinburg, TN to meet up with some of Mary's family. We stayed at the Wilderness Resort which is basically a very large hotel built around an indoor water park. The kids never wanted to leave, but we did venture outside the hotel every once in a while. Sometimes that turned out to be a mistake. The traffic going into Gatlinburg is crazy.

I'm Batman

Brian has become somewhat obsessed over Batman. He wants to play Batman. He wants to watch Batman. He wants to dress like Batman. He wants to be called Batman. It's Batman all day every day except for a little break now and then for monster trucks.

Hubba Bubba

Look who can blow a bubble.

He's Got a Cannon for an Arm

We're definitely taking advantage of it when we get a break in the weather. Brian's has got quite an arm on him.

Happy Valentine's Day

Not only is it Valentine's Day but it's also super nice out too. It's sunny and warm. We've been cooped-up in the house too long by bad weather. It's time we get out and feel a little sun on our skin.

Out of Africa

This year the Girl Scouts' father/daughter dance had a theme: Safari Adventure. I had a hard time trying to figure out how to incorporate a little elegance with the Safari theme and then it hit me ... "Out of Africa". Weslie looked beautiful, but I don't think I did Robert Redford's character any favors.

Snowballs and Dinosaurs

Brian trying to make a snowball and then finding what he thinks are dinosaur tracks in the snow.

Snoooooowww!!!!!

Finally, after a couple of dustings of light snow, we got a decent amount of accumulation. We got up first thing this morning, put on all our snow gear, and headed out to play. By the time lunch rolled around they were tired, wet, hungry, and extremely grateful that I remembered to turn on the hot tub.

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone happy times in this new year.