Last Few Weeks on The East Coast

At the beginning of 2014 we found out we were moving again and as soon as we were given this information it felt like time flew by.  There is never enough time to get organized and ready to move, because inevitably I put everything off until the last minute.  We met some wonderful people while living in Virginia, were blessed to be close to family, and found many opportunities to soak up some history.  This is a recap of a few things from our last few weeks on the east coast:

Jamestown Settlement Museum

In their Easter best.  We loved sharing Easter with my brother and his family. 

Easter with the cousins in NC, we miss not having you "down the road".

Bowling with Hans' brother and his wife.  It was so great having family so close for a year.

Hans' promotion day. 

Picking strawberries.  How we miss orchards to pick fresh apples and berries. 

Last family picture in Virginia.

Sunset donut date at a favorite NOVA location :)

Our Big News

These soon to be residents of Hawaii are also soon to be a family of 5.  We are thrilled to be welcoming a little on in February.  I had an ultrasound last week and the boys thought it was pretty neat that they got to see a picture of the baby.  Sam has very much enjoyed comparing the baby's size each week to that of different fruits.  It puts it all in perspective for him.  Zeke would just like to know when that baby is coming out.  They are both hoping for a sister.  I think they are feeling bad that their mama is greatly out numbered in our household.  Stay tuned for updates as we move from the continental United States to Aloha land and all the stress and adventure that shall follow.  For now we are content to be together as a family and are feeling very blessed.

Easter Blessings

At this Easter time may you know the love that He has for us all and the greatest gift that was given by His sacrifice.  By His holy cross, the Christ has redeemed the world.

Life Has Taken Over

My updates have been on the bottom of my to-do list and I have not yet reached the bottom.  Do we ever?  Here's a quick update on what we have been up to.  Life has been busy with visitors, homeschooling, and changes in the works.  God is good and is guiding us every step of the way.  Here is a glimpse of the many blessings we have been give the last few months.

Some Wallace family time over the holidays.  Not everyone was here at once, but everyone was here at some point.  The gift of two family pictures to capture us all.

 

Nana stayed on the east coast for some extra time with all her grandsons.  We love having her and can always use some "Nana time".

 

 

 

Then Grandma Duffy came and then the snow came (and kept coming).  With everything cancelled due to the weather we were given the gift of celebrating her 80th birthday with her.  Priceless!

 

 

 

 

We were blessed with more wonderful guests.  Our friends, the Kiernans, all came to share some time with us and see the sites.  They exemplify the gift of friends who become family.

 

 

These past few months have gone by so fast with all the comings and goings.  In the midst of it all these boys of ours have blessed us each and every day.  Sam has walked into the world of legoes and creates and recreates daily.  He is curious about history and enjoys learning about every aspect of it.  Zeke has become another fireman in the house, talk about deja vu!  When he's not putting out fires, or hopping up in his "daddy truck", aka the little tikes car, you will find him cooking up a storm in his kitchen.  They love to play and I love watching their imaginations bloom.

 

 

 

The BIG 5

Our first born turned 5 on Christmas, how is that possible?  I avoided thinking about this for months leading up to his birthday.  He would turn a whole hand worth of years!  I feel the innocence of the preschool years slipping away and he is turning into a young boy.  Yet, he still loves to snuggle up for a good book and is always up for extra hugs.  He's a blend of sweet and sassy and his imagination keeps us entertained.  I have explained to Sam that no matter how old he is, he will always be my baby.  He doesn't grasp this, but it's true.  I remember the exact moment he came into this world and how our lives changed in an instant.  I hope I have taken enough photos to remember every little moment, because when I grow old and my memory fades these photographs are what I will have left to prove that he will always be one of my babies.

To celebrate this BIG 5 Sam chose to have a Gingerbread themed party with his friends.  We have been so blessed to find wonderful people to make us feel welcome here in Virginia and to help us celebrate with us.  We even had another party when all our family was visiting.  I think that fulfilled Sam's dreams of turning 5.

I made sure to capture Sam in a quick photo session.  I love this imaginative stage and hope he never loses that sense of adventure.  

I love those baby teeth and had to capture them.  By this time next year it is very likely they won't all be there :(

Christmas Rewind

We were beyond blessed to have family come to us for Christmas this year.  My parents, ALL of my siblings, and my nieces and nephews all came out to visit us over the holidays.  It was a FULL house, but a house full of love.  Of course we packed in some local touring, because everyone always wants to see something in DC.  On the flip side, we had lots of down time, play time, and time to catch up.

We counted down to the arrival of our guests for weeks and filled our time with lots of Christmas preparation of our own.  This year was the first year we cut down our own Christmas tree with the kids.  There is something magical about a real tree.  We even camped out under our Christmas tree lights one night.  So many memories were made and this time of year is made all the more special with the awe of children.  We all should try seeing through their eyes more, especially at Christmas.  More pictures of family here to follow.

Just Life

A catch up of some ordinary life the last few months.  We have wrapped up half of our school year and are learning so much together.  The boys experienced Chuck E. Cheese for the first time...what kid doesn't love that circus?  We've just been trying to live in the now.