Winter Fun

Is there anyone who really enjoys winter? I mean, honest to goodness, loves it? Maybe if I were into winter sports, I would be into winter, but I'm not. Plus I  hate being cold (Andrew insists that I throw around the word "hate" to lightly at times, but in this case I find it appropriate.) Luckily we live in an awesome area with lots of things to do indoors. It's what keeps me sane on those long, cold weekends.

Air and Space Museum

Baltimore Aquarium

And of course lots of fun with the mounds of snow we have been getting-

Sam's 10th Birthday

We have officially been parents for 10 years. 10 years!! I remember right before Sam was born thinking that we were pretty well prepared for what was to come. I mean, I read all of the recommended parenting books, and I did just graduate college after all. How hard could parenthood be? Ha! The moment they put Sam into my arms I knew I had no clue what I was doing. I remember thinking, "What in the heck did I get myself into?"

10 years later and I couldn't have been given a more wonderful first child to show me the ropes of motherhood. As a mom, I have made, and continue to make, lots of mistakes. Lot and lots of them. Fortunately Sam is an extremely forgiving child who lets us move on from my mistakes. It is one of the traits I love best about him.

It has been such a privilege being this child's mom. He is kind, fun, and enthusiastic about life. He is a great leader and example to our other kids. Most of all he finds a lot of joy in doing what is right.

Of course, that doesn't mean the kid is perfect. Fortunately for him, he has very forgiving parents who love him dearly. :)

Sam's bday party with some friends. 

Later celebrating with Grandma, Grandpa and Pete.

NYC with the boys

During Christmas break we discovered a whole new world of traveling with just our older kids. This discovery was made possible by depositing our girls at my parents house and then shooting on up to NYC for a long day trip. We took the ferry over from Jersey, walked across the Brooklyn bridge, ate some pizza, subwayed a lot, toured around Times Square and ended the day in Central Park at the MET. It was an awesome day, made all the more fun with two excited little boys in tow!