Under the Sea

 When we returned from our adventures in VA, we needed some quality Daddy time, so we all went to the aquarium at (or under, I guess) the Mall of America.  The kids were really fascinated by it all because most of it was walking through the tunnel aquarium sort of things where all the fish and sharks and sea turtles (!) can swim all around and overhead.  A pretty neat place.

 The nemo fish are always the biggest hit with elijah.

 It was hard to get pictures in a poorly lit place, especially when the kids are running around and I am trying to get just one shot that looks like there are actually living things in the aquarium and not just water.

 Sea turtle was cooperating.

VA part 3 - Frying Pan Farm

 Smelly, sweaty, wet and muddy and that was just the pigs!  I think that Evie is probably the biggest animal fan around here.  Her favorite is puppies, but piggies will do.

 Colossal Donuts.  If ever you are near a Shoppers.

 Can't go without a family Ikea trip!

 Elijah had valet to the ticket agent.

VA part 2

 One of the parts I was most excited for in visiting my family was meeting the new babies that had arrived at the end of 2011.  Baby Henry and Jake.  The best part about these two little guys is that they are total opposites of each other!!  Henry is the solid big boned little man that holds a stern expression.  Jake is the petite little guy (he came a little early) with a look of amusement with a big open mouth smile.  They are both the CUTEST!
We drove up to DC to visit Jules, Mark and Henry for an evening.

 They called each other beforehand to see what the other was wearing so they could match.

 Henry and I!

 Elijah hulk-boxing Papa

 "Baby" - did I mention aside from Henry and Jake, I have two other sisters that are expecting as well?  Two more little boys due this summer.

 We were out right before Evie's birthday, so she got to enjoy a mini party

 Robby and Baby Jake!

 He is adorable.  Period.

When we went to VA

I realize I never posted about when we spent a week in VA with my family in march!  Elijah and Evie LOVE going "on the airplane to Papa Mickey's house" as Elijah always describes it.  We get to play and eat goodies and go fun places.  We got to go see the Air and Space museum in dulles.  Now, Elijah loves airplanes as much as the next little boy, but he actually got pretty scared to see so many planes suspended from the ceiling.  I think he might have thought they were either going to fall on him or shoot at him.  Either way, I had to carry him across the second level because he was too frightened to walk next to the planes.

 At one part in the museum, they have a lookout tower.  Since it is located right next to the Washington Dulles airport, you can watch the planes take off and land right in front of you from this tower.  I think Evie was actually the most excited about that part.

 On another day, Papa took the kids to Chuck E Cheese.  The motherland for Elijah.  He couldnt get there fast enough.  What is great about this ChuckECheese is that since we went at 11am on a random weekday, we basically had the place to ourselves.  Between Evie's squeeky shoes and Elijah's constant yells of excitement ("OH YEAH!" "WOOOOO" "RRRRRREAH!!")  I always knew where they were without hardly having to leave my seat.

More tomorrow.

So here is to make up for the videos i have posted that haven't worked...

Trying on mom's heels

I know I have been slacking in the blog department, but be prepared for my attempt at redemption!  I have finally uploaded pics and videos to the computer so I will be doing some updating on what we have done over the past few months!  Today, I will kick things off by uploading those videos that didnt work in the past couple of posts, because I know you have been dying to see the one of Evie on the playground.  And her "Yuck."

let me know if this works

testing

see saw

New games children learn when they have a runny nose