The White House: 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: