Taking off for a week with my 3 favorite people - to visit with a few more of my favorites in the sunshine state. Pictures of relaxation to come...

Posts on here usually focus on the boys, but (a day late as usual) I would like to give a little acclaim to Paige, the great gift God gave me.

From May 2009

From April 2009

This woman serves her family about 20 hours a day with far too little support and far too little thanks. She is patient, compassionate, selfless, efficient and beautiful. She is the total package.

Her boys love her completely, and so do I.

Day Out With Thomas 2009

Charlie is a little obsessed with trains, specifically Thomas the Tank Engine.  So, a Day out with Thomas that included Hunley and Porter was one of the highlights of his 2.5 years to date.  Here are a few snapshots from the occasion.  We had a great time.

Admiring his favorite tank engine

Riding the train with the Parishes

Having SO MUCH FUN

Watching James go around the tracks

Last peek at Thomas before we headed out for dinner

Nat with all the boys

Blog Catch Up:
It's been a while since we posted any pictures. We've been busy working, gardening, hanging out, and playing with trains. That about covers it. The boys are growing up and getting cuter by the day.

Charlie loves to drink out of the hose. Probably not a great habit when you live in DC, but there's no stopping him.

Jude eats anything and everything. He recently discovered Cheerios and is pretty happy about it.

Jude sits back and enjoys the Easter mayhem as Charlie chases Mabel around the house...

Easter 2009

Charlie and Jude are wearing outfits that my grandmother made for my brother Scotty when he was young. So sweet.

Developmental Milestone: "The Funny Face"

Brotherly love is complex...

Beep, beep, beep......

Springtime - Finally!!

Charlie and his trains

Charlie likes to play with dinosaurs. Jude likes to eat them.

Jude at 8 months old

It's a challenge to get a picture of both of them sitting still (mainly Charlie) and smiling at the camera. But, they do look so cute in their sweaters!

Here are a few pictures from the snow that we had 2 weeks ago. Charlie loves the snow and had a great time. We tried to make a snowman, but he kept knocking it down. Oh well.

Here he is in his city yard

Cute little snow angel

Charlie tried to include his brother in the snowball fights

He's still smiling!

We've been spending time at the Smithsonian museums lately. We went to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles. It is very impressive. We will be going back soon. Here are a few highlights.  

Charlie looks so tiny next to the space shuttle (The Enterprise)

My dad will like this picture

Charlie with the Enola Gay in the background 

The look on Jude's face says it all...

Charlie has been experiencing withdrawal after having Lily and Finn in town for a few days. We had a great visit with the Sparks. 

Nat organized a group of friends to run in a marathon relay over the weekend. We entertained local and out of town friends on the night before the race. It's hard to get back to normal life after having such a fun and relaxing time.

Jude is 7 months old and sitting up like a pro!

50 degrees feels like summer compared to the weather we had in January.  Grandma Malkus is in town and we enjoyed a Sunday morning at our favorite park.

How did I get a baby with such BLUE eyes?  They are beautiful.

Is this kid cute or what?

Family Photo