Skiing!!

We have had so much fun skiing this winter.  The new "magic carpet" at the Snow Bowl is amazing.  It's been so great to not have to haul kids up the little hill to practice.  Thanks to all the practice "runs", we had an AMAZING first trip up the big lift with the kids.  The first run down with Isabel we had her on a special pole device that let us turn her and slow her down.  We thought she'd be done after one run, but she wanted to go again!  The second time down the trail, we decided to try her without the poles.  It was unbelievable how quickly she caught on.  We figured she would be done after the 2nd run, but nope, she wanted to go again!  In fact, she was crying at the end when we had to go home (as the sun was starting to set)!  She wanted to keep skiing.  She told me later that night when I was laying with her in bed that next time we should get up, eat breakfast, and then go skiing right away!  I think she's hooked!  

Cooper had his last day of his set of 5 ski lessons.  Unfortunately he only made 3 of the 5 (sick one, travelling another), but it was still worth it.  He made good improvement and he also was so much more  independent on the trail.  It's SO fun to see them have fun!  Not to mention, much more fun without dragging kids up a hill, or trying to bribe them into trying to turn for fear of knocking out the other little kids in their paths!!!  We can't wait to go again!!!!  

Cooper and Gogo.  Thanks Gogo for skiing with us!  It was so great to have you there with us! 

Isabel and Daddy

Cooper getting a little help from Gogo

The next day we got Emma on her skis!  It was the first time for her too!  I was surprised that she lasted as long as she did in them.   These kids are full of surprises! 

"GET THIS HAT OFF ME!"

There she goes!

Isabel's Birthday

A little Isabel update.  She had a great fall participating in both ballet and gymnastics classes.  She loved both!  Those classes are both over with for now, but have no fear, she is doing swim lessons thru the winter and into the spring.  I have an ongoing fear of over scheduling the kids, but so far, she seems to love going to all.  I guess I'll just let them tell me when enough's enough!  

Her good friends Sarah and Oprea

Isabel's 4th birthday party.  Being so close to christmas, I never want to throw her a party, but am hypersensitive to not give her the short end of the stick, so she had her party.  She wanted a pajama party, so she and 12 of her closest friends (yes, that's right, 12), had pancakes, play and cupcakes!  Gotta love pajama parties.  Any excuse to not get 3 kids dressed in the morning I'll take.  The party was pretty smooth and I think she really enjoyed getting some attention!  Needless to say, Cooper was working hard the whole party to get the kids to play what he wanted.  

And lastly, Isabels' new hair cut.  After going about a week without brushing her hair during school vacation, I figured it was time for a change!  She loves her new hair.  Me, not so sure.  It's so adorable, but she looks so much older!  And she's acting older too!  Not sure how that happened, but it's true! These kids are growing too fast! 

Thanksgiving in Virginia!

Okay, so I'm REALLLLLLLY  behind in my posts, I don't even know where to start!  Let's go back to Thanksgiving.  We had a wonderful trip to Virginia.  We travelled down in our new minivan with the 3 kids, Sadie and a Thule on the roof!  The trip was actually very smooth thanks to the built-in DVD player and the fact that Emma is facing forward in her car seat!   We had the best time visiting with the Quinns.  The cousins seem to play better and better each time we're together which is a big help in the adult "relaxation" efforts!  There are lots of random pics below...

Emma LOVES popcorn! 

Checking out the new fancy popcorn machine-- thank you Stranges!  

This about says it all...silly grandkids...silly Gramps! 

It was awesome to spend time with Aunt Casey and get to know Dwayne better!

Grammy and cousin Gabe

Sisters!

Do you like my headband?  (this lasted on her head all of 5 seconds)

Is this is cute kid or what?

Here we are at the Reston Holiday parade. 

Lots of big floats! 

Thanksgiving dinner!  

Emma has a new shoe fettish, it's pretty cute.  

Dinner at Aunt Cary and Uncle Ethan's house

Josh cooked up his venison for everybody to try.  I think it was a hit.  (Not sure what Cary's doing here...??)

A highlight of the week was a trip to the National Zoo.  It was the kids first trip to a real zoo (not just a Vermont farm), and it was a blast. 

Emma LOVED this exhibit, I think because it was at her eye level and the things were moving constantly.  She would run up and down the glass case with them.  

We had a snack at the picnic tables while the chimpanzees climbed above us

We brought the stroller for Emma to sit in, but she pretty much pushed it the whole way instead.  

Cousins! 

This was our extremely funny and extremely disastrous attempt at making homemade pizza.  The crust burned right to the cookie sheets.  Have no fear, the Quinns were resilient (or just very very hungry), and took forks to the top of it, taking down all of the meat and cheese.