Snow tubing anyone???

My sweet TC has wanted to see snow all winter- so over valentines/presidents day weekend we packed up the kiddos (evon though 3 out of 4 of us had colds) and headed for the Shenendoah Valley. let me just say that is was a BEAUTIFUL drive- i don't know why i didn't take photos of some of the farms...oh well, i gues we will just HAVE to go back--DARN!!!!
SOOOO the snow was limited to the SnowTubing area and the Ski area...but hey!!!! it WAS snow- technically speaking!!! the highlight of the weekend was snow tubing!!!


i THINK that is my husband somewhere...but this is the top of the "ramp"...for lack of a better term!
THIS is the bottom....that might be ME and MAC....(still reovering) anyway, this one shows the entire "ramp" and let me just say...you really get some speed going down that thing and the last HUMP- yeah can we say AIRBORNE?!?!?!AAAAAAAAAUGH!

i KNOW these guys!!! my fearless snow tubers!!!

OH YEAH!!! he was loving it!!!

so we weren't able to all go together- JDoodle was just to small :( so we took turns. TC and MAC went first. then MAC and i were able to go. as we were going up the lift i was telling MAC that i wasn't too sure about this...and asked if it was scary...he said it was ...a little...but that he would hold my hand. HE DIDN"T!!!! the second time i went with him...he told me that "This time, Mommy, you cant make ANY noise." apparently my squeals (screams) of fun (terror) the first run weren't to his liking. i DID do better the second time. i wish i had been able to get some better photos.... the last time TC and MAC went- MAC was in the "super-man" position!!!! THAT is why he loves Daddy...i'm not sure i would have let him do that!!!

despite our sniffles we had a fun weekend. AND we did end up getting to see REAL snow. as we were packing to come home it began to snow....it was beautiful!!! TC was happy and felt he got our $$$ worth! haha!!!

just some recent photos!

ALL of my handsome boys!
J-doodle in his 12 month coat from the great-grandparents!!! can you see how his ears stick out-JUST a little!!! reminds me of my dad!!

MAC at the local park

i love all these guys soooo much...they are my world!!!

is it a bird???

no...its a broad head SKINK!!! and it was in our KITCHEN!!!! AUGH!!!! i don't know if you can get an accurate idea of the size of this thing, from the photo. it was about 8-9 in. long...and as big around as a med size permanent marker....not a sharpie....one of the PERMANENT big kind!!! this was about 2 weeks ago...MAC and i were eating lunch and all of the sudden this THING crawled out form behind the recycling basket!!! augh!!! i know its not a kimodo dragon or anything....but its the largest lizard that i have ever seen---in my KITCHEN!!!! apparently, they are common around here...and are called alligator lizards...they bite!! augh! good thing MAC WASN'T able to catch it- though he tried!! well the stupid thing got away- by crawling between the cabinet and the wall (comforting huh?)...well about 2 hrs later, when TC returned, the stupid thing came BACK!!!!! HE was able to catch it...and we "observed" it for a little while....before releasing it into the neighbors yard!!! aren't we awful?! the funny thing is that TC thought i was exaggerating on the size!!! ( i had called him to ask how i should go about catching it.)...BUT he found out that i wasn't!!! ahah!! anyway....it was an interesting experience...that i thought i would share!!!

PS> let me just clarify- i FREAKED OUT -inside!! in my head i was like "AAAAGUH!!! what the &%&$^ is that?!" it just casually strolled out and stopped!!!! i am used to smal lizards around the house/garden/garage....but this thing was MUCH bigger that what i am accustomed to!!! AND it was TOTALLY not afraid of us. I did not go near it---i was about a broom-length away while my brave MAC attempted to pick it up!!!! AUGH!!!! i was trying REALLy hard not to freak him out!!! he tried to get it by the tail---but then it wriggled to much to catch...which i am thankful for...because they bite. not hard...but still hurts. i know this because it got TC when he picked up the stupid thing...oddly we haven't seen it again.....teach that thing to come into MY kitchen!! hmphf!

i'm still here!!

i promise we are still alive!!
the last two weeks have been challenging.
myself and the boys have all been battling colds.
the weather has kept us in the house...which makes for much craziness.
i have several new phtos to post and some updates....but now since the baby is restless
and i REALLY need to clean....i won't be making those posts...YET!!!!

but i will....i promise.
luv to all of my loyal readers!! (haha!!)

well baby check-up

so MAC and i took "hoss" to his 2 month checkup.

no shots this time (which of course was met with curious looks)

i just mainly wanted him to be measured and weighed.

Sweet baby J weighs in at 16.2 lbs and measures 23 1/4 in. long.

so that puts him in the 70th-80th percentile on his length.

he is OFF THE CHARTS on his weight!! hahaha!!!!

WHAT a look!!!

i just HAD to post this photo!!! HAHA!!! everytime i look at it...i laugh!
Baby J was in his carseat trying to stay awake....this look was the result!
me thinks he still looks a lOT like his daddy! ROFL!!! that may be the understatement of the YEAR!!!

this was jsut to give a better visual of how much he has grown...in his short life!!!