Hiking at Carderock

A couple weeks ago, we met up with our kids hiking group and our buddies Jen and Sydney to hike at Carderock. The hike was 3 miles, total. The kids did great (until the very end...they were tired). I was impressed - 3 miles is a decent hike for little legs!

We were fortunate to have an absolutely gorgeous day. I can't wait for Spring!

Jen and I in our giant sunglasses

Sydney and Marino, striking a pose

Holding hands with their buddies

Daddy and Marino loving being outdoors

Wonderful day!

Visit From Gramma and Grampa Ray

A few weeks ago, my mom and stepfather came to visit. They came down early so they could visit Marino's school. He was so proud to show them his school and introduce them to his friends. 

Here's a few pictures of their visit. Marino just adores them!

Lunch Date

After storytime a couple weeks ago, we headed to the new Benningan's in Clarksburg for lunch with our buddies Jace and Alex and Ryan. It took forever to get lunch, but the boys were well behaved and posed for some cute photos. 

Jace, Alex & Marino - 3 amigos

Welcome 2013!

On New Years Eve, we headed over to Evan's cousin Rashaan's house to celebrate. We had a lot of fun and the kids had a blast - they all stayed up to watch the ball drop. 

Rahsaan had plastic champagne glasses and sparkling cider for the kids to toast with. 

Cider wasted ;)

What NYE looks like in your 30s...playing board games

 

On New Year's Day, Lauren an I went for a 6 mile hike in Catoctin Mountain Park.

It was my first time there and there was actually a decent amount of snow on the ground, which made it beautiful (but more strenuous to hike...and slippery. I definitely fell on my butt more than once).

At the very top of the mountain (850 foot climb), there was a latrine. I would like to kiss whoever put this up there!

Gorgeous view

Lauren and I - love this picture!

Happy to welcome in 2013!

5 on Friday

As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week:

5.  At dinner the other night, Marino asked to say grace. He said "Thank you for the food.  Thank you for the meal.  And if you don't mind, I'd like to ride on a garbage truck. Amen."

4. The other day Marino asked "Why do we have all these things, like hands?" I sang "' 'Cause Baby, you were born this way." Marino started singing "Mommy and Daddy did a good job getting married. And they had a present, it was a boy. Daddy said let's name it old hair, like in the Lorax, but Mommy said no, I like Marino. And that's why I was born this way." His imagination is epic!

3. The other morning, Marino said "I don't know what I want for breakfast. Can you put some things on the table and I'll do eenie meenie miney mo?"

2. Marino is really refining his debating skills.  The other day, Marino handed me a Batman DVD and said "This is not a fighting show.  This is a rescuing show."  (we've been getting strict on limiting the amount of violence he's exposed to on tv).

1. Marino is doing well with learning letters and starting to write. Here's some pictures from Sunday:

Snowy Playdate

During winter break, Marino's buddy Jace came over for a playdate. We actually got (a tiny bit of) snow! The boys were pretty excited about it.  Of course, they did ask "Where is the snow going?" once we got out there.  It was already melting by the time the snow stopped!

I thought this was so cute - the two boys snuggling and watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates!

Christmas 2012

Our Christmas was wonderful this year, although Marino was sick and ended up with a constant cough on Christmas. Evan had to wake him up on Christmas morning. He came downstairs and said "He came! Santa really came!"

He loved all his Ben10 toys.

Awesome Playmobil pirate ship from PapPap and Gramma Barb

In the afternoon, he headed over to Monique and Dexter's house to visit with the family.  Marino had a lot of fun playing with his cousins - he loves to wrestle so willing participants are quick friends. Here he is with Mikey.

All the family together on Christmas.

Marino put on a little show for us. He's pretty entertaining.

Sleepy Max

Me and my favorite boy on Christmas

5 on Friday

As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week:

5.  Since Marino saw "Rise of the Guardians", we've been talking a lot about good dreams vs. nightmares. The other night I asked him, "What would you dream about if you could choose a good dream?"
His reply was "Your hair stuck in a bubble. That would be so funny!"

4.  Our power went out Wednesday night for several hours (we were cold!). Marino was not happy about this at all. He said "Maybe there's an electricity monster."

3.  On the way home the other day, Marino asked, "Can we put the Christmas tree back up since another Christmas is coming?"

2.  Marino loves turning everything into a new superhero. He put this mask on the other day and declared himself "Owl Man" and walked around saying "It's owl time!" I love this picture because you can see his smile even behind the mask :)

1. I got back from a run the other day and was given a new superhero alias by Marino - "Sweaty Girl".