The Joy of Christmas morning!

 

 

As soon as we have a couple of inches of snow...

Delighted...

Our extended backyard...

 

Happy day!

 

 

Camping practice

Mark tried out hammock camping with the boys last weekend in the woods behind our home. Wanted to experiment with different cold-weather set ups (temps went down into the 40's), and just see if the boys would enjoy it. They did! Victor and I slept at home. But  I made dinner (Mexican Chicken Soup with our freeze dried ingredients) on our backpacking stoves and the next morning I made a warm breakfast - Scrambled eggs and an upgraded oatmeal. I had great helpers - Adam and Antoine gathered a ton of twigs and kept our fire alive. Amazing how much longer it takes to cook a meal with a fire!!

The food was completely acceptable and everyone finished their plate!

All in all, a fun outing. 

 

 

Harper's Ferry National Park

We took advantage of a gorgeous Fall day to drive to Harper's Ferry WV with our friends, Gety, Heather and the Riggs. The countryside was so beautiful with its many colors!

Mark and I were very happy to discover this beautiful Historical place and the boys had a blast with their friends!

 

 

 

 

Trick or Treat...

This is mostly about Victor since it is his first year trick or treating and he had a blast!! Adam and Antoine of course had a great time too...

 

 

What can I say... =)

 

A real treat...

Concert with The Piano guys was amazing! We got spoiled with complementary tickets and backstage time with the group! 

Mark and Paul were friends in High School and it was so touching to see them reunite after so many years... 

 

 

 

Firestation Open House

Victor has a real obsession with Firetrucks... I know it is a little boy thing but Victor is even more obsessed than Adam and Antoine were...
We have made a traditional to go each Fall to the local fire station when they hold their open house with lots of hands on activities and displays and of course an opportunity for the boys to "drive" the firetruck!

 

Boosterthons...

The FCPS schools (or at least the 2 schools where Adam and Antoine are going) opted to raise money through a Fun Race where people pledge for each lap that a child would run... 

Our boys were so excited for this event...! Adam ended up running in the gym as I rained heavily the night before the event but still had a load of fun running his 35 laps!

Antoine ran with such enthousiasm, it was such a joy to see him so happy!

 

Another trip to COX FARMS!

This year we invited Gety to join us to our traditional trip to Cox Farms and we had such a great time!

Not sure what to think about the spooking part of the maze...

 

 

A monkey's birthday...