Towels

I made the kids their own hooded bath towels.  I was thinking they would be great for the beach this summer, but they are enjoying using them now for swim and bath time.

Erik is a Dragon & Marcus the Shark

Raquel is a blue bunny & Natalya a yellow horse

Snow!

After weeks of cold weather and lots of cancelled school we finally got some snow we could play in.  It took longer to get Marcus and Erik dressed in their snow outfits then the amount of time they spent outside but I think the girls had lots of fun.  They made snow angels and tried to sled down the hill on the side of our house.  

Smart Like Dad!

The kids are looking smart like dad in his glasses.

New Years in Yorktown

Mike was able to come home for Christmas but soon had to leave to go back to work.  Raquel still had a week of holiday break so we headed over to Yorktown for New Years and to spend more time with Dad.  Mike showed us around, we visited Langley Air force base and saw where Mike worked. We got to see lots of cool airplanes and eat Chinese food where the girls practiced their Chinese on the waitress.  We explored a couple of beaches and collected sea shells.  It was a bit cold to enjoy it too much.  While Mike was a work the kids and I explored Yorktown looking for good neighborhoods, shopped, and played at the Virginia Living Museum.  It was too cold to spend much time outside and with limited entertainment in Mike's apartment we spent lots of quality family time making up things to do.  We played musical chairs, had a dance party and bounced each other off the air mattress that sprung a leak the first night we were their.  We had lots of fun and are looking forward to visiting again.

Langley Airforce Base

Buckroe Beach

Trying to have fun on a cold day at the beach

Collecting sea shells

Virginia Living Museum

1st haircut

Erik got his first haircut on Christmas.  Mike was suppose to just trim Marcus' hair but instead cut both Marcus and Erik's hair.  It was a bit of a shock to see him and I miss the curly hair but he is one handsome boy with his new hair-do.

 The Before

He went upstairs looking like a little boy and came down looking like a grown-up toddler.  He doesn't have his crazy hair anymore but he is still my wild child.

And After

Christmas 2013

The whole family was able to be together for Christmas.  Mike made it home Christmas Eve and everyone was up bright and early to open presents Christmas Day.  We spent the day playing with our new toys and visiting with friends.

The kids in their Christmas outfits

Raquel & Natalya

Marcus & Erik

Opening presents

Erik & Dad

Natalya & Raquel

Erik

Marcus

Raquel

Natalya

Swim Meet

The girls participated in the last stroke school swim meet of the year. It was Natalya's first swim meet and she did great!  She was a little scared to swim in the big CAC pool but quickly got over it and had lots of fun swimming. Both girls of course loved getting their goodie bags after the meet.

Raquel getting ready

Raquel 

Natalya

Raquel Free-Style

She got 5th place in SS2 with a time of 26.95 sec.

 Natalya Free-Style

She got 15th out of 18 girls in SS1 with a time of 52.24 sec. 

She did a great job considering all the other kids are 1 to 4 years older than her.

Raquel Backstroke

SS2 3rd place girls 10 & under 28.94 sec

   Natalya Backstroke

 SS1 14th place girls 9 & under 45.27 sec

School Holiday Party

Raquel also had her class holiday party at school. The kids and I all joined her in the fun.

Raquel dressed up her class mate Jacob as a snowman.

Holiday Program

Raquel along with the 2nd and 3rd grade classes put on a beautiful Holiday program at school. Raquel had a special part ringing bells. She practiced extra hard and did a great job.

Raquel and the 2nd graders

Marcus was a big boy and helped put away all the chairs after the program.