Thanksgiving

We have been so busy with the move I haven't had time to do my Thanksgiving post!  We had such an amazing time in Charlotte.  I have tons and tons of pictures but here are some of the highlights!

Seasoned traveller

 Making Dogs in a Blanket with Grandma

Colin spending time with his soon-to-be godparents. 

  Loves playing with the big kids!

Great group shot!

 Big smiles from W.

Colin's days of playing in the princess tent begin!

Amazing weather for brotherly golfing.

Loved play time with Uncle Brady!

 Whitney got to camp out in Grandpa's office, so Grandma personalized the door. Very cool!

 Lookin' good with Grandpa!

We had so much fun.  It's a trip we look forward to every year!

3 1/2

Whitney is now 3 1/2.  I always say these 6 month milestones are huge!

She has changed so much since her 3rd birthday.  She is talking, talking, talking and it is so darn cute!  Though this age has brought a lot of drama and many meltdowns and really the hardest age yet, I have to say I love this age.  I love the little conversations we have.  I love the hilarious things she says.  I love watching her observing all the little things and asking questions about everything.

The best part of the day is when she comes over and gives me the biggest, longest hug and says, "I love you, Mama".  This girl is so loving and affectionate.  She showers us with kisses but my favorite thing to watch is her love on her little brother.  Seeing the bond they have already is just amazing.  Whitney is and is going to be the best big sister.

Imaginative play is in full force now.  She loves pretending that Mickey and Minnie are coming over to play.  We go to the front door and let them in. They have tea parties or play doctor.  She also loves to get all her stuffed animal friends involved.  We each get a friend and have them talk to each other.  She could do this ALL day long!

She loves to color.  She gets very focused and will sit for a good half hour and just color.  Right now we are big on our Winnie the Pooh coloring book.  She typically just chooses one color for the page and goes to town.  She is getting very good at staying in the lines.  Another favorite activity is play dough.  Many hours are spent with play dough but man does it make a mess.  Now that Colin is on the move we have to make sure he isn't eating it off the floor!  And she loves puzzles.  She is really good too!

My favorite Whitney quote from the last few months really sums this girl up.   "Mama, I want to fly.  I want to fly like a bird.  I want to bounce on the clouds"!

 Excited for her big girl carseat.

 She couldn't wait for a rainy day to use her umbrella from Miss. Jennifer

 

Feeding her baby...and her real baby!

Helping me cook dinner

 Of course shoes make a perfect little bed!

Coloring

Oh, and she continues to be my little helper. Loves to vacuum!

Perfect Fall Day

A few weekends ago we had the most perfect Fall day.  Our weekends have been jammed packed this Fall with the new house and the move that we really haven't gotten to enjoy many leisurely weekends.  I am so glad we got to enjoy this day at one of our favorite parks!

Such a chill little guy

 First swing ride

Such a good big Sis!

First Slide

7 1/2 Months

Colin is a little over 7 1/2 months.  He has grown so much since the last update!  Here are a few highlights.

He got his bottom front teeth and is working on the top ones!

Got to upgrade to his big sis's carseat.

 Trying out his knees

 Getting into some trouble!

 Joined big sis in the bath

Loves to laugh!

Army crawl

Goodbye Sweet Home

In less than two weeks we say goodbye to 6878 McLean Province Circle.  Though we are beyond excited to move into our new house.  I have been having some very sentimental moments about leaving this house.

We closed on this house on Dec. 9, 2007 and we now close on Dec. 6, 2012.  It has been an amazing 5 years.  We've had so many wonderful memories with family and friends here.  Starting with a big New Year's Eve party just a few weeks after we moved in.  We worked hard to get our house put together, painted the dining room, changed every light fixture in the house and cooked for over 30 people.  It is definitely a New Years to remember.  In the last 5 years we've had countless dinner parties, holiday dinners, relaxed nights with friends and many play dates!

The biggest memories of course have been bringing our babies home.  Preparing the nursery.  Day dreaming of what they would be like.  And the sweet memories of their newborn days.  Learning what it meant to get up before 8am.  Babies scooting across the floor, jumping in the doorway jumper, swinging on the back porch swing, countless rounds of hide and seek, dancing in the kitchen, and bedtime snuggles.  Of course, I could go on and on.  These walls have been so warm and cozy.  These walls have also seen some heartbreak.   My heart aches a little bit as we leave the place that kept us safe during the time of loosing Christine.  She will always be in our hearts but her memories are with this house.  This is a big goodbye for me.

I feel so fortunate that we have these amazing photographs that our realtor had professionally taken for the listing.  We worked so hard to get this house ready to show well.  A huge thanks to Tim parents for all their help with power washing, touch up painting and watching the kids while we cleaned the place up.  These pictures definitely show our house off at its best and the hard work paid off when we got the offer we hoped for the first weekend.  I am so glad we have these photos to look back on.

Though I will shed a few tears at we say goodbye to this house, I am so excited to create new exciting memories in our new house in Leesburg!