Phase 1 of our first house project- demo!

After three years in our home, we're finally checking something off of our long list of needed home repairs.  Our driveway and backyard is a wreck- random well in the middle of everything preventing good scooting/biking/soccer, etc, as well as old, cracked, red cement everywhere.  So, after meeting with multiple hard scape specialists over the last nine months, our project has finally begun.  Watching the bobcat bulldozer racing around our yard today was just crazy (the girls are both sick, so we were stuck inside all morning watching madness).  It will be a week before everything is complete- but I'm amazed how fast the work has progressed.  It will be exciting to see the first pavers go down tomorrow afternoon!

Before:

 

Phase 1-demo day

Colbie's Hat

Colbie is oddly obsessed with wearing her big floppy Santa hat, at all times of the day, every day.  It was cute at first, but we are now about two months into this strange infatuation, and I'm really ready for Christmas to be over.  The hat keeps going "missing", yet somehow she still finds it!  I hid it well last night, and so today, what does Colbie do?  She found Jake's preschool graduation hat and insisted on wearing it everywhere and sleeping with it on today.  Boy did my plan backfire- it's hilarious to see her running around the park with it on, but how random!!!!!!

Run Dada Run!

Josh completed a 10 mile race today, just down the road from us in Foster City.  The kids and I went out to cheer him on at the finish line.  By the time he came across the finish line, the kids were really wound up and excited to see him finish!  It was good practice for cheering him on in March for his big Half Marathon!

 

 the silly smiles:

Brrr...It's Cold!

Boy, this chilly weather just doesn't seem to end.   This is how we bundle up for our walk to school in the mornings these days....brrrr.....

Welcome Nephew!

We are incredibly excited that Tia Lindsay and Jonathan's baby, Duke William, was born yesterday, forever sharing his birthday with his awesome Uncle Josh.   Josh went up to meet Duke yesterday at the hospital, holding him at only a few hours old.  The rest of us look forward to meeting you little Duke, and Jake, Colbie and Addy are so excited to play with you someday soon.  They promise to be great cousins and I promise to be the best Auntie I can be!!
The birthday twins:

Happy Birthday Dada!!

Today we wish Josh a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!    

You're the best Dada ever!! We can't wait to celebrate with you.

We had a little birthday breakfast this morning, as all of the kids woke up early to give birthday hugs to Dada.   We're excited to celebrate more this evening!

 

 

Later...dinner was great at Hola.   Dessert was delicious at home afterwards....what could be better than an enormous cookie cake?

Happy, happy birthday Dada.  We love you!

Slides!

The girls and I joined the Mothers of Multiples group on Monday at La Petite Playhouse for some serious indoor slide action.   While nervous initially, soon they were going down some enormous slides all by themselves.   Wow- that place is such fun!

Here was one of the first little slides- total fear in their eyes at first, and then such pride!

First Basketball Team

Jake is officially now on his first basketball team (as of now, they are simply the Green Team).   Josh is the assistant coach, although he was away for the first game today.  Jake really hasn't had any practice or experience with basketball yet, and it seems that most on his team have not either.   The opposing team (Team Purple) was quite experienced today for game #1 however- I lost count once they made 15 baskets, and we had only made 1....so, much practicing to be had this season.  We definitely need to invest in a real basketball hoop for our yard too.  My favorite part of watching Jake play today was when he kept skipping down the court instead of running, bright yellow arms waving around.  He was definitely having fun, which is most important!

 

Homework Time!

It just warms my heart to see the girls want to do homework just like Jakey.  They want to be just like their brother in nearly every way!  Caught these tonight after dinner:

The girls and their babies

Colbie and Addy have become quite attached to baby dolls in the last six months.  Normally they travel around with two little baby dolls each everywhere we go (as they think all babies come in twin pairs, naturally).  For Christmas they were given these big dolls however, with their first big girl/baby doll matching outfits.   Post bath time last night, they requested their matching outfits for the evening:

Safe Travels to Tia and Hassan!

After a wonderful holiday visit home, it is time to say good-bye to Tia and Hassan.   Having them home was definitely our best gift this holiday season.   It was such fun watching the kids play with them both.   We'll be counting down the days until they return this summer!  Safe travels on your long trip home Tia and Hassan!