Welcome! Thanks for checking in to our annual blog update!
At our house, Santa's got nothing on the UPS guy. Andrew loves to watch the truck and often asks the UPS guy lots of questions. This year, it was his obvious choice for Halloween.
Video of Andrew, the UPS guy on Halloween. It was one of his favorite days. His truck was filled with tiny boxes (packages) of Nerds and Dots. So great.
2015 Milestones
~Andrew finally finished potty training and for the FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS we crossed diapers/pullups off our monthly shopping list. Rejoice with us.
~The twins started 3 day preschool and for the FIRST TIME IN EIGHT YEARS Kristen was alone for 6.9 hours each week.
~This September, our family went for a walk in the woods...and nobody shlepped around a giant backpack filled with just-in-case-clothes/wipes/pullups/snacks. Jim and I realized its one of the first family outings now that we have hit this new stage where life with kids is a little more free with a little less baggage (physical...perhaps not emotional). :)
2015 Favorites
Jack, age 9:SPORTS
The Ravens
The Orioles
Playing football for the North Carroll Titans (first year!)
Baseball all-star AND winner of the Home Run Derby
Football cards. Asking his Dad repeatedly...is this guy good?
Determined, Perpetual Motion, Reckless, Passionate
Neon. Under Armour. And Nike.
Roaming neighborhood and woods with walkie-talkies.
Tom, age 7:
SPORTS with his older brother (especially kicking field goals!)
The Eagles (thanks Uncle Eric!)
The Orioles
Playing basketball for St. John (Knicks)
Math wiz, and reads pretty well too
Baseball team with big brother--an amazing catcher!
Comedian, Crowd Pleaser, Loyal, Perpetual Motion, Kind-hearted
Also Neon. Under Armour. Nike.
Roaming neighborhood and woods with walkie-talkies.
Andrew, age 4.5:
Playing with his firetrucks and backhoes. (He can play toys for longer than any of our other kids ever could...combined!) Andrew plays with toys the way Andy did in Toy Story...he pulls unrelated items, plus a repurposed hot wheels track segment and carefully curated collection of hardware from Jim's workbench and sets up masterfully creative playscapes and interactions between Thomas the train (who lives at the Fire Station and works as a Fire Train) and batman and a lego helicopter.
Being the UPS man for Halloween...and months thereafter.
A Wiseman in Christmas play at pre-school (spot on acting!)
Legos
Favorite Song is holding steady as Tractor, Tractor by Andrew Peterson.
When we ask him his favorite part of school, he smiles and says, "Leaving." He's kidding. But he's gonna work that joke for as long as he can.
Jane, age 4.5:
Jane is a delightful contrast to the boys. She can hold her own with them in terms of energy and fight and recklessness, but she is gentle and nurturing and graceful. She loves pretty things and tea parties and princesses and dancing.
We bought her a pink Nerf bow & arrow as a Christmas gift. And a jewelry box.
Jane has a happy heart and will spontaneously burst out with a joyful, "This is the BEST _____ EVER!!!!"
Legos
Writing and Drawing
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| In March we were able to meet Ravens player Terrell Suggs and Justin Forsett. |
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| Easter |
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| Spring Baseball 2015. Both boys played for the Rockies |
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| Trip to Texas to meet new cousin Kennedy! |
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| Jane and cousin Karoline! |
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| All the grandkids and Kaki and Grandad |
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| This kid LOVES firetrucks |
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| This is also how his Mom felt on the 1st Day of School. |
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| Halloween |
This year Crossroads Community Church launched a new campus in Hampstead, MD (about 6 minutes from our house) and that has been an exciting and demanding project for Jim as he continues to oversee Worship and Ministries at both campuses and invest in an excellent team of staff and volunteers. He continues to preach occasionally as well as leading worship off and on. Kristen continues to chase kids around the house, do mountains of perpetual laundry, clean up messes of all sorts, attempt to make things pretty and run smoothly (or just run) at home, figure out how to parent 3 strong willed high energy children, and leads the Christmas decorations effort at Crossroads. She occasionally teaches at the 20 something group and the premarital seminar with Jim. Contact Kristen on facebook....we'd love to hear from you!
