Friday, August 30, 2013

August

I don't buy matching outfits for the boys...especially since 99.9% of all our things are either hand-me-downs or garage sale purchases.   However, I find that a lot of their clothes still coordinate with each other quite well.  I thought the boys were especially cute today, so after church I had them do a photo shoot.  Clearly, Cache was not happy about this idea, but as a mother of 4 young boys, I've decided that having them in the picture is good enough (smiles and actually looking at the camera are a bonus!).



Seeing this picture makes me realize why I am always the center of attention at Costco.  Maybe a family of 4 or 5 is a lot.  Seeing these 9 kids on this log (the product of only 2 families) does appear to be a small army!




When kids fall, they hop right back up.  When moms fall, it's a tough decision on whether you should just stay down and take a nap, or fight gravity and return to your feet!  


We live right by the Potomac River...too gross to actually get into the water, but still intriguing for the kids.



funny faces...


The Washington DC Zoo.  Last time we went, I remember disliking the zoo.  The national zoo is not easy to get too and it's built on a mammoth hill.  Maybe going into it with low expectations helped this time.  We had a fantastic time and only lost a child twice (once I honestly thought Xander was abducted).


We caught the seal show (maybe sea lion?) and it was awesome.


Our kids absolutely love animals and all things nature.



On the popular exhibits, it was hard to squish all 5 of them for a quick glimpse!


Easton took over as photographer for the rest of the afternoon.  


A few of his pictures turned out really well...




Easton 'butterfly lover'
Not the manliness of titles, but this kid has been catching butterflies as long as he could walk.


Headed home after a great zoo trip.  


Easton started his second season of flag football this August.  I can't say that he excels at the sport, but he does enjoy it.  Fortunately the other kids found a way to stay entertained too!



Easton is number 5.  




My friend, Katie, and I took a random trip to the beach.  She had to have some car work done, so rather than renting a comparable vehicle, she rented a 12 passenger van.  We loaded our 7 kids (ages 6 and under) and braved the 4 hour drive to the Maryland coast.  It was a windy morning, but the beach wasn't very crowded on a weekday, and everything went very well.  Score 1 for team Katie & Cheryl.




Wednesday, July 24, 2013

July


The boys camped in the backyard this weekend.  If you look closely, a piece of the fire blew into Easton's lap and burned a hole through his shorts and his manhood.  (unfortunately he wasn't wearing underwear).  Poor kid.


The twins hiding under Cache's bed.


We went camping at our all-time favorite site in Virginia Beach - First Landing State Park.
Aside from the major rain storms (which required a trip to home depot to cover the tent) and David's kidney stone (and subsequent need to leave a day early)...we still managed to enjoy the trip.



99% of all trips revolve around some type of creatures.  
The beach was loaded with sand crabs and the water with minnows.  










Xander loves to sing songs up close and personal.









The campsites are only 50 yards from the boardwalk to the beach.  


Trying to stay dry during a 5 hour major downpour!








As David stayed in bed on major pain killers when we got home, I unloaded the wet, dirty, massive amounts of camping gear and proceeded to clean everything up.  It took literally all day.  After the rain jackets were clean I threw them downstairs to hang up later.  Later, I spotted David go to the pile, pick up his jacket and hang it up (not giving the other jackets in the pile a second thought).  The question is...is he golden for picking up his own jacket, or completely clueless for leaving all the others?


Declan takes forever to go to the bathroom.  Since he can't read a magazine yet, I usually give him something to help occupy his time.  Today's toy a choice...handcuffs.


Declan likes to pull up his shorts like Steve Urkel.  Maybe it keeps him warmer when he has no shirt on. 


Liquid watercolor.  A classic art activity.


A typical day at the table.  The boys are waiting for breakfast...watching tv.  It is pretty typical that at least one kid is sitting on the table and another is standing.  


Favorite breakfast...homemade chocolate chip pancakes with buttermilk syrup.


Kensley, our 11 year old mothers helper has even learned the art of holding twins.  


I tried to tell him the twins were too young for Jenga.  Oh well...