Baltimore

So I woke up this morning to a bunch of snow again. I was so grateful that we decided to drive to Baltimore yesterday. It was freezing cold, and since the Inner Harbor is basically downtown Baltimore you have to park and walk everywhere. It didn't help that the wind from the harbor about froze you anyways. But we hurried to Port Discovery, a child discovery place. It was three stories high and had tons of things to do. We didn't even get to see everything, basically because of this:

If you can't tell what it is, a three story high play place, with tons of different slides and exits and entrances. Towers and activities along the way. The kids played most of the time in there. It was beyond busy and I tried not to over stress about losing the three kids. You have to show your bracelet to get out with your parent, but still. After the kids became acquainted with things they knew where we were sitting and I didn't get as freaked out.

Lexie up in one of the net tunnels. I went one time with her and realized it was a tight fit in most places for adults.

Can you see her? Up in the highest tower what a brave girl.

The boys up in one of the upper alleys.

Lexie decided to stop and milk a cow along the way.

Mom and Lexie taking a breather to pose for the camera.

They also had this cowboy exhibit. You could try and lasso pretend sheep, or sit around a campfire and tell stories. There was also this bunking bronco and so we all got in on the action. If you notice Logan he is getting (to old) to goof around I guess. Mr. serious all of a sudden.

And of course who could pass up the hole in the wall with pictures to take. The Joker fit us all perfectly except Lexie who decided a queen was more appropriate. I finally got Logan to be a tad bit goofy.

They had a place called WaterWorks. Everything was water oriented. It was a mess and the older kids got basically completely wet. Hailey was content to sit in this infant seat right next to the activity pond and just chill. She was head banging the whole time which translates to a good time.

After we played for about four hours we were famished. Corey has had this fantasy about going to the ESPN zone. There was one right on the harbor and Corey was in heaven. What guy would not be happy with TV's everywhere with nothing but sports playing. We didn't get much conversation from Corey, but the rest of us had a good time. Logan LOVES football and sports. He is more of a junkie than Corey I think. He sat the whole time enthralled by the sports on the T.V. Logan has become a real talker lately and I was surprised at how quiet it was with him into the football game.

I had such a great time yesterday. Driving into a huge city like that can be overwhelming, but thanks to our Garmin I never get to scared. I have no idea what people did before GPS.

Washington D.C.

We made a trip to Washington D.C. since Corey is off this week from work. I was thinking, hey it is a Monday it won't be that busy. But it was HORRIBLE. I have never seen so many people. And most of them were speaking different languages. Corey wanted to go to the Air and Space museum and I wanted to go to the Living History one, but I guess Corey won. It was a good learning experience for the kids, but I am not into the whole space and airplane deal so it was just ok for me. Corey wishes we could go back when we don't have a little baby who decides to cry and be grumpy the whole time. I think she was doing it on purpose. But the kids had fun and it was nice to go out as a family.

Gabe doing some hands on experiment, I wish I could have gotten my hands on his hair before we left.
This is basically what she looked like the whole time.

Up on the second balcony posing, I think Gabe looks almost homeless in this picture.

We had a quick bite at Wendy's for dinner. We found one by GPS located by the temple, and I thought we were in the ghetto part of town. It was a little scary. Lots of homeless people in there along with not so nice looking people. But we were hungry and tired of driving around so we ate there anyways. Then we headed to the Washington D.C. temple to look at the Christmas lights. It was nice to see the temple finally. It was so beautiful all lit up. Corey and I are going to make a big effort to make it there at least once a month. Little tougher with no one to switch kids with or my parents to watch the kids for us. The visitor center was nice as well.

They had a bunch of nativity from all over the world. This was my favorite, it was from China. I really want one.

Sitting in front of a mural of the 2000 stripling warriors.

Kids in front of the camel from the Nativity.

Life size Nativity outside.

Corey with the kids.

So pretty.

Christmas Dresses

Since last Sunday was our Christmas Sunday and church was cancelled we made up for it yesterday. I always buy the girls Christmas dresses. And every year I hear from Corey why exactly they need a new dress. Well it was tradition in my family and I am going to keep it going. I loved both of their dresses and I can't wait for Hailey to get some hair so I can do something with it.


No, this was not my Christmas dress, mommy is exempt from that tradition.

The Hunger Games

I know that some of you may be thinking, another book already? Well to my defense this is a larger print Junior fiction book so it didn't take that long to read. But I am a fast reader and I also love to read so finishing a good book in just a day or two is do-able for me. So what did I think about this book?

Given that I am not a Science Fiction type of gal, I actually really enjoyed it. Although the idea is slightly morbid, it was action packed and I liked the interactions between the main characters. I can't say I was enthralled enough to read book two or book three, but all in all I was happy with this one. I would recommend this, and especially if you are into fantasy or science fiction like I know my brother is. So check it out for a good read.

Christmas Rundown

Merry Christmas!! This year I have little pictures to show, due to a lot of mix ups. But I do have some, and I will always have my personal memories. For Christmas Eve we attempted making ornaments and also a gingerbread house, which neither turned out. After trying both and failing I was frustrated and left it to Corey. The house was not staying up and also the ornaments were not staying glued. But you can't go wrong with opening the pajamas that Grandma Rollins gets them every year. The kids looked so cute in theirs. Thanks so much mom.

That night Corey and I had a hard time putting Lexie's bike together. For something so small they sure make it complicated. But after many hours of cursing and frustration we got it. I also had a lot of wrapping to do as well. But it was well worth it. The kids were so excited in the morning. Logan and Gabe got their prized Xbox 360 and have been playing a lot. Lexie got her candy jewelery maker and loves eating them. Hailey seems indifferent to all her presents, and is just content on following mom around EVERYWHERE. That night we had friends come over and eat Christmas dinner with us. I was nervous because he is a chef and I didn't want to have crappy food. But my Parker house rolls turned out perfecto along with my cake. I was so proud of myself. One of my goals this next year is to be better at picture taking. I just get so caught up and forget to take it along on my adventures. But hopefully on Monday when we go to Washington D.C. for the day I will get some great shots.

But overall this is how I felt about Christmas. And yes Sally that is your present I am opening and I LOVED IT. They are amazing and I have already worn them.

Loving Frank

So I am putting another book review on my blog. I don't even know if people are reading them. But it helps me to go over what I have read and makes it worth it I think. I was disappointed. It wasn't even that good until the end. That was the best part. This was one of those books where I can't wait to get to the end because then I will be done. I am not one of those people who can just quit a book after a couple of chapters because I dislike it. I have to finish it. Even if it is the most boring book in the world. I would have to put this in the same pile as The Shack. Just not that impressed with it.

Of course it doesn't help that I totally disagreed with everything that this book stood for. I wanted to just yell at this lady that she had lost her marbles. I wouldn't waste my time on this one, unless you are just desperate for something to read. I am just glad to get on to another novel.

Snowed in Saturday

Let it Snow!!!! Or maybe not in our case. I think it is time for the snow to end. We finally got sunshine today, and along with it the reality that we had to dig our way out. We live on a little dead end road and since there is not much traffic our road was impassable for awhile. We finally had a nice man on his tractor plow it for all of us. It took Corey all morning to get our cars out and that was with the help of one of the guys on our street with a huge snow blower. So the finally total for Hagerstown was 17 inches. Unbelievable. The pictures just don't do justice to this storm. I am thinking we will have a white Christmas for sure. There is no way all this snow is going to melt before then. Some of the drifts are even higher that the 17 inches. Church was cancelled so we also spent some time shoveling a neighbor's driveway. She is a little old lady who lives by herself and Corey and I did it in no time at all. I am hoping this will be a one time thing. I am sure glad it is over.

We were stuck inside all day Saturday so we just snuggled under blankets and we did do some small baking with Rice Krispies. Lots of napping as well. I will be well rested to start next week.

Kids showing off their creations.
I got this little walkway myself done with a garden shovel.

Totally white out, this pictures does not do it justice.

There is a car under there somewhere

Corey braving the snow yesterday, he wasn't out there long.

Old Photos

I was searching through old posts and I found these pictures. It makes me slightly sad that my kids are growing up so quickly. They don't even look the same. Sometimes I wish I could just hold on to them and not let them get any older. Logan just looks so young, I guess because lately he has really grown into a big boy now. I am so grateful for this site and for the blogs I took time to do. I love looking back at old photos and reliving those treasured moments. I copied some of my favorites to re post and re share.

Getting ready for Logan Kindergarten and Gabe pre-K first day of school.
Lexie and I at Wooloroc

Kids outside our house in OK playing hopscotch.

Brothers at Logan's eating dinner.

Our Anniversary (right before Cancun which is why I am so dark)