The White House

Monday, September 5, 2016

Summer and catching up...

Being pregnant with two toddlers leaves little time for anything extra so the blog has taken a major break. I will try and do a quick catch up of all the big highlights.

Summer was packed with all our favorite annual trips and then some, starting with a week long trip to Florida. We spent the week at grandpas condo enjoying beach, pool, time with grandpa and grandma, relaxation and even got to spend two days at Disney World. It was so magical to see Disney World through the kids eyes, especially when Madelyn saw the princesses. We can't wait to go back when they are a little older and spend more time there.

Soon after Florida we headed to Iowa to spend 3 weeks at Nana and Papas! I think we end up going longer and longer each summer but it never is long enough! We packed in all our favorite traditions and Madelyn and Gabe were very spoiled with so much family around. Between pool days, parades, zoo trips, museums, shopping, etc.,what kid would want to leave! I love the memories that are made every summer home and so grateful this trip happens every year.

Right after heading back from Iowa we packed up for a long weekend in VA to celebrate Uncle Carter and Aunt Katie's wedding. Madelyn was beyond excited to be a flower girl for the first time and Gabe a ring bearer. It was a beautiful weekend and we all loved being part of their big day.

Next up was our beach trip to the Outer Banks with the White side of the family. One house with 16 people makes for a week with no dull moments and lots of fun memories. Though this year was very hot (maybe this is the pregnancy talking) we loved a week at the beach and pool with family!

Since being back from all the trips we are working hard to get the rooms re-done for the kids. Madelyn is staying in the same room but just getting a updated room, Gabe is moving rooms and getting his first big boy bed and room. Then of course we have to change Gabe's current nursery to girly!

This pregnancy is flying by and sometimes I think reality hasn't even hit Derek and I. Last week I was stalking up on diapers at a great sale and when I brought those little newborn diapers home I said to Derek "I think it really hit me another little baby will be here in less than 3 months when seeing these diapers"! I have been very lucky to have another easy pregnancy but it has been much harder with two toddlers to keep up with. I'm trying to enjoy each moment as I know how fast it will come and go.

Both kids start preschool this week, Gabe 2 days a week and Madelyn 4 days. They both are playing soccer and swimming. Madelyn will start dance soon and is begging for gymnastics. I am not sure how I will ever keep up with their schedules when I have 3 in activities!

We are very excited fall is around the corner and back to routine! I am going to cherish the days I have both kids in preschool as this will be the calm before the storm!

Pepa Pig Live in Philly

Swimming with daddy at our resort in Orlando

Not a bad way for Gabe to spend his 2nd birthday

Disney World

Out to dinner in FL for Gabe's 2nd birthday

Madelyn's first dance recital

Madelyn's 4th Birthday ParTEA(a tea party birthday)

Having Tea with friends to celebrate the birthday girl

Birthday tradition, pink donut for breakfast on her big day!

Loved Splash Landing pool while in Iowa

Zoo day with Grandpa

Only with Nana does this diva get to be a princess getting her nails done!

Happy 4th of July!

4th of July fireworks with cousins, first year in a while we made it out late enough to see them!

We were not ready to leave them, last night dinner!

Family pictures we had done while in Iowa

Poor Gabe, more pink coming your way December 2nd!

Uncle Carter's wedding

Dancing with their Aunties

First day of soccer practice

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Winter Holidays

This year we headed to Iowa for Christmas. The kids and I were there almost 3 weeks and as always loved every minute! We were definitely spoiled rotten between Santa and family, it took 7 suitcases to get everything home! While there we did have to make an ER trip (two kids with RSV) and lots of snow but it never got in the way of having a blast! Madelyn and Gabe absolutely loved spending so much time with their cousins and family. Derek and I were also lucky to get a night out for New Years Eve with Ryan and Natalia while Nana and Papa babysat all the grandkids. We hadn't had a night out like that in years and was one of our favorite parts of the trip home.

The start of 2016 we have been working hard on our kitchen. We painted all our cabinets from an ugly oak to white and are working with a contractor on adding a kitchen island and new countertops. It is exciting to see the changes coming together. Will post pictures once done!!

A few weeks ago we had to do preschool registration for next fall. Madelyn will be in PreK (how can that be?!?!) and Gabe will start in the two's class, two mornings a week. Even though Madelyn did the two's class when we first moved to MD I can't even imagine Gabe already old enough to start. Madelyn had a few big accomplishments this past week; she is now swimming at swim lessons without a floatie across the pool and riding her bike down the sidewalk by herself, time slow down!. Gabriel is talking up a storm and still just such a character, he was called a flirt by 4 women in the airport flying home, lord help us!

Pictures of the past few months:

Off to Iowa!

Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma's

Cousin Christmas pj's!

Christmas Morning

I got this mom!

So many great gifts!

Christmas Day

Horsey ride for 3!

Crafts at Nana's, thanks to Aunt Nat!

These two were so excited to see snow!

New Years Eve, we made it past midnight!

Helping Nana shop for snacks for B's birthday/Iowa Party

First movie at the theater with Grandpa, The Good Dinosaur, and someone loved it!

Nana spoiled Madelyn with her first Mani

After a 4+ hour delay, we were very happy to get home to daddy!

Madelyn's preschool Valentines Day Party!

Happy Valentine's Day!

My two favorite boys on a Sunday lunch date!

Any takers?

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Fall, Holidays and more..

As normal this fall was busy as ever and it seems keeping up with the blog gets harder and harder. The fall months were filled with a very fun visit from Aunt Sue and Aunt Elly, trips to Virginia, Halloween parties, festivals, pumpkin patches and more! Thanksgiving was a little different for us this year, we normally travel for every holiday but due to a Y sponsored race the day after Thanksgiving we stayed in Easton. Derek's brother and finance came from DC and was nice to have a relaxing holiday at home and enjoyed cooking the traditional meal.

We all know Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year and it seems we start the season earlier and earlier each year. This year I convinced Derek to start our decorating as early as Nov. 14th and let me tell you decorating with a 1 and 3 year old is no easy task so glad we are getting our time worth! The best part about Easton is how festive it is around the holidays. Someone told me when we moved here Easton is like a hallmark movie at Christmas and that is so true. The community has so many cute festivals, events and little holiday things going on that we've tried to take full advantage of.

We were able to see Santa twice this year and the first time wasn't a hit. Gabe was terrified and screamed but the second time Ms. Clause was with Santa and she knew just how to calm Gabe. The kids got to spend about 5 minutes with Ms. Clause and Santa and it was such a magical moment. Madelyn has asked Santa for a pink princess bike this year. She has been very worried that Santa won't know we will be at Nana's house on Christmas morning so we made sure to write a letter to let him know.

As for updates on the kids:
Madelyn started ballet class this fall and it is by far her favorite thing she does. She is so happy when Monday rolls around and sees it is dance day on her calendar. She still loves school and at her fall conference they couldn't stop talking about how great she does in class. She is also still in swim lessons and is getting close to be able to swim on her own. She can write all her letters and tell the sounds of each letter so we've been working on sounding words out.

Gabriel, aka our crazy man, is talking up a storm. He is putting 3 words together to tell us things like "more pancake please" and is amazing us on the words he says. As of two weeks ago it seems he knows words for everything and shocks us everyday with a new word we didn't know he knew. He can count to three and name all his body parts. Our once boy who ate non-stop is starting to get picky. He doesn't hold back if he doesn't like something and shouts "yuck" to let all know he doesn't approve. As crazy as he is and always getting into things he shouldn't he is so hard to discipline because he knows how to work the charm in a heartbeat and make you smile. To say this boy has personality is an understatement.

Gabriel was baptized on September 20, 2015,
they were so kind to cooperate and take a good pic this day, lol!

Such a fun weekend with Aunt Sue and Aunt Elly!

The week was filled with shopping, pumpkin patches and great memories!

Madelyn's school field trip to the pumpkin patch

Halloween 2015 (a cowgirl and her trusty horse)

First haircut sitting in the chair by himself! He was so good, sat still but had tears! Didn't last long and was so happy to get his lollipop at the end!