Hands on museum

This past weekend we had my dad and stepmom come visit us. My dad just retired, so now he can come visit us anytime and we love it!!! On Friday afternoon we all went to the Hands On Museum.

The theme right now is "Treasure." Riley and my dad enjoy using metal dectectors to look for burried treasure in the sand.

Riley and Ethan with Big Daddy and Dee Dee

Riley and Big Dad had fun shooting cannon balls at ships in the ocean.

The boys had fun shopping the grocery store.

My little space cadets.

Ethan loved playing on the playground, now that he can walk.

We had a great time with them and we are looking forward to them visiting more often.

Ethan's first time in the snow

We have been cooped up inside the house for weeks now. It has been so cold this month and we've had snow on the ground for 11 days straight. So yesterday I bundled the kids up and we went for a walk. Riley and Ethan loved being outside.

Ethan has decided he's a "big boy" and he wanted to push his car himself.

Then we went to the backyard to play. This was the first time Ethan has played or touched the snow.

Then he decided he wanted to try to climb up the slide.

He did a lot of crawling in the snow.

Riley and I also made snow angels.

The snow has been pretty but its finally starting to melt. I have a feeling we may be in store for a very cold winter.

Charlie Brown ICE

While we were visiting my family, I went to Opryland's Charlie Brown Ice with my mom, sister, her 2 children, and my boys. This year's theme was "A Charlie Brown Christmas." To say it was cold would be an understatement. It was only 16 degrees and we were all freezing.

They give you really cool blue coats when you come in.

Ethan was all bundled up.

Austin decided he need a closer look and he climbed onto the ice sculpture. Riley was ready to follow right behind him. Someone who worked there quickly told him to get down.

At one point, Ethan was done!

The kids enjoyed going down the slide.

The Nativity scene.

It was a lot of fun and a lot of work with 4 kids. I think we decided that we would all enjoy it more if we went without the kids or wait to the kids get a little older. I think the best part of the trip was being together in the car. The kids had a good time telling jokes and laughing!

Our Family Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families this year. Our Christmas celebrations started early with having Christmas with Tim's family over to our house before we left to go visit my family.

Riley's Great Grandfather gave him this flashlight. Riley said you use it when you go in caves.

Little Ethan is trying so hard to walk.

Tim's family

Cousins

On Sunday morning, the kids came downstairs to see what Santa had brought them. Riley got a rocket

and Ethan got a train. They both love playing with them.

Then we went to Hendersonville to visit my family for a week.

Christmas at Mimi and Poppy's

My sister, Julie

Christmas at Big Daddy and Dee Dee's

We had a great time visiting my familiy. Now that we are back home its good to be back in our own beds and back to our routine.

Having fun in the snow!!

On Friday we got some MEGA snow. We got about 6- 8 inches. This morning we played in the snow while Ethan was taking a nap. Here are some pictures from our day in the snow.

Santa Picture 2009

Today I took Riley and Ethan to the mall to get their picture taken with Santa. On the way there, Riley was beginning to get nervous and he told me he didn't want to sit in his lap. I was prepared that it is could possibly be another screaming picture but to my surprise, Riley and Ethan both did great! Ethan will pretty much go to anyone and Riley wanted to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas (a BIG rocket). He was content sitting in his lap.