The White House: 2015

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!

Thanksgiving day

One of my black Friday shopping buddies while dad was at the race

Just a horsey ride on their favorite horse!

Christmas Pj's

Not sure what we think of the Christmas parade, loved the candy but not a fan of the loud noises.

Dance class

Preschool Christmas Program

With our best buddies after the program

Madelyn with her teachers

2nd Annual Cookie Party

These moments don't happen often but love when they do, he loves to sit with her!

Mailing our letter to Santa!

Talking to Rudolph on the phone in downtown Easton

Carriage ride downtown

Had to stop for hot chocolate after to warm up, Gabe barely took a breath while sucking his down!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

So long summer...

It seems as quick as beach towels and swimsuits hit the stores they are changed out for school supplies and pumpkins. Though we all know I love fall, I must admit I was a little sad to see summer come and go. The lack of posting is due to a summer packed of visitors, trips, pool days and enjoying time with two crazy toddlers!

We started off in June by celebrating Madelyn's 3rd birthday. This year she celebrated her birthday with about 8 of her friends and a princess themed party. Aunt Katty made a surprise trip from CA to be here for her party followed by Grandma and Grandpa coming to help celebrate her actual birthday. Her birthday seemed to stretch a whole week and was filled with great gifts, lots of treats and excitement. Each year it is harder and harder to believe she is another year older and acting more and more like a little girl vs. a toddler.

July was a busy month, starting with Nana, Papa, Aunt Nat, Uncle Ry, Beckett and Cameron here for week over the 4th of July. Normally we are in Iowa this time every year but were so excited to have them in MD this year. Considering we had 4 kids under 5 it was nothing short of crazy but we all loved every moment of it. It was music to my ears to hear the cousins playing together and wish we had these moments all the time.
Shortly after my family left my best friend Kara and her little girl Lilly came to visit from Chicago. Madelyn loved having baby Lilly here to be her "little sister" for a few days and as always hard to see them leave. Though our trips together have changed over the years now with the little ones, we always have the best time together.
Next, we packed up and headed to the Outer Banks for a week at the beach with the White side of the family. The week was a blast and very relaxing. The kids were at such a good beach age and we are thankful to have a lot of extra hands so Derek and I could get some relaxation at the beach as well. This is always one of our favorite weeks of the year and such great memories are made.

On to August, which was filled with short trips to the beach (we love living so close) a lot of pool days and even a quick visit from the Clukeys (friends from Charlotte). And after months of craziness time to get back on the house project wagon. We are making progress but still have the biggest one yet to tackle... the kitchen.

Madelyn is now back in school and loving every minute of it. She has her 3 bff's in her class this year, Ellie, Lilly and Kate, so she is in heaven. She will start soccer and swimming again this week and dance next month. I am not sure how we will keep up with it all once Gabe starts activities but for now we love seeing her in each one.

As much as we thought Madelyn was all girl, Gabe is all boy. I am holding my breath for the day we have a broken bone, his favorite thing is jumping off anything he can find (couches, tables, etc). He loves to run and tackle/wrestle and of course loves the dirt/outdoors. He seriously the happiest little boy and LOVES to wave at everyone. His begs to sit on the front step and wave at neighbors as they drive by. The big news for Gabe over the summer is he finally got teeth!! He has to bottom teeth and just this month the top two have cut trough. We were starting to think he would never have teeth.

Here are a few pictures from summer 2015!