Christmas and New Years

Our Christmas and New Years through pictures

Christmas Eve

Here we are at Christmas Eve mass with very sleepy kids

I was so excited about Kate's first Christmas dress =D

Christmas morning

Jack went straight for the bikes

Sadly, the twins were both sick for Christmas - as you can see they were not happy for picture time

Tim liked his duck

Chris also liked the ducks

sick but still SO adorable

Jack loved opening presents

Kate on Christmas morning :)

Here we are with the national tree

Our friends Jamie and Rob came to DC to visit Jamie's brother and we got to spend an entire day with them :)

My brother Chris and his fiance Sarah came for the weekend of New Years

New Year's Eve chocolate fondue mmmmm

We spent New Years Day walking around Annapolis and eating crab :)

She's Here!

Kathleen "Kate" Marie Boland decided to come on December 5th.  She was 8 lbs 12 oz and almost 21 inches. The whole experience was amazing. I got to see the same aweseome doctor the whole time. Dave made it to every appointment (which is difficult for an Army PT to do) and took off enough time to only work 5 days this month. My mom came out and took care of the kids so I could spend two days in the hospital recovering and focusing on the baby. I am so lucky.
Everything feels so magical right now. I get to sit and watch my kids play in front of a Christmas tree while I hold my brand new little girl (that for a while, I thought I would never have). Who could for a better Christmas gift?

This is my doctor and a med student who followed me

Baby Kate

First family picture

my mom with baby Kate

soooooooooo close to walking

Jack picked out a stork for her

Heading home

Ready!!

November was a much better month for my pregnancy. I had someone come a few times a week to help take care of the kids so I could take naps and get ready for the baby. I feel sooooooo much better. We have everything ready for the baby, did several projects around the house, and are set for Christmas.The presents are bought, wrapped, under the tree or mailed, and the house is decorated. My mom got here on Saturday to take care of the kids when I go to the hospital. I am officially ready to for this baby to come! My due date is Monday (Dec 5th). 

Some friends threw me a surprise tea party baby shower. It was a sweet surprise that was so girly and fun.

Such a cute set up :)

It wouldn't be a tea party without William and Kate

We did our first Thanksgiving "just us." Everything turned out awesome!

Ready to go and everyone even looked at the camera!

Dave carving the 13 pound turkey

Our friends Tim and Carly came to visit after dinner.

I leave you with a couple of pictures of the boys!

Tim waking Jack up from a nap

Jack has decided putting animals behind the gate means they are in the zoo

October and Halloween

October was a rough month for me. I have been pushing my physical limits and keep ending up sick and in the ER. I have trouble carrying the twins up and down the stairs and even just putting them in a high chair is taking all my energy. I have canceled plans many times when I really wanted to go. The few times I try to go anyway, it just ends in disaster.
Dave ran the Marine Corps Marathon last weekend. He was only able to run about four times in October because he had to spend all his free time taking care of the kids so I could rest. Our friends Andrea and Greg came to visit and run the Marathon. Dave paced Greg for 20 miles and then had to walk the last 6 miles. I feel responsible, but at least he pushed Greg to a personal best over an hour faster than he has done before.

Dave and Greg after the marathon

Halloween was awesome. Jack was talking about costumes and trick or treating for weeks. It was so magical for him. Poor Chris did not get a good nap that day which meant he fell asleep right before we left the house. I insisted we wake him up so he could be part of it. The poor kid screamed and cried for about twenty minutes until he threw up on his costume. Fortunately, my friend Laurel and her kids came to go out with us. Her parents came too and were nice enough to stay at the house with Chris so we could keep going. I felt bad for Chris, but we still had a lot of fun.

Carving pumpkins

Finished

I think they came out pretty well!

The boys in their Halloween shirts. This is the best I could get with no one upset or trying to get up.

This is Jack and his friend TJ giving out candy. I think Jack liked giving out candy as much as he liked getting it.

Jack ready to go in his shark costume

Trick or Treat

The best one I could get of the twins

Tim's first trick or treat

Halloween 2011

California Trip

We had a two week trip to California that included going to two weddings. Both were beautiful weddings and both married perfect people for them. It makes me happy to be at weddings like that. I also got to see great friends that I haven't seen in a long time. Besides the weddings, we celebrated Jack's 3rd birthday, saw lots of friends and family, and went for many walks on the beach. My brother got engaged while we were there, and we got to see the awesome ring!
Unfortunately, I over did it. I had to make two ER visits and stayed in the hospital for almost three days. Blah. Not fun to spend vacation that way, but at least the baby was never in trouble. I'm starting to get really tired so it's good we don't have any more plans for the fall.
Some pictures:

Jack's awesome birthday cake. You can't see it in this picture, but it is a foot tall.

He's 3!!

Jack and my parents

Jack and his future Aunt Sarah

The big T-Rex my dad got for Jack

Sarah brought a balloon which was a big hit with all the boys

The boys and my brother all in their zip up hoodies

Jack loved the chickens Dave's parents have.

Best Part of the Day

This is how I get greeted in the morning :)

Twin 1 Year Pictures

We took these pictures almost 6 weeks ago, and I just now got them on the computer. Better late than never :)

Tim

Chris



cheeeeese



could I be any cuter?