Pool Time in January...

I have been looking for a kid friendly indoor swimming pool since we moved here. We joined the YMCA for a few months, but it was farther away and expensive. I drive by this hotel a few times a week and noticed the big water slide in the window, so I thought I should see if they let "locals" swim. To our amazement, they do!! It is very affordable, too, I might add :)

Big pool with water slide...Sean really wanted to go on it, that is until he climbed to the top and saw how fast the water was shooting down...He attempted 3 different times, but each time made his way back down the steps. It was pretty cute. I think if Daddy would've been with us, they would've done it together. We will try again!
The best part for me was that they had a "cat" pool!! And, yes, the babes stayed in it!! That was my one big fear was that they would try to get into the big pool the whole time. They had a ball going down the slide and playing in the pool :)

Here is my Sean!! Can you believe that he will be 5 in a few weeks?!

And Isaac! He took a tumble backwards down the steps of the slide :( He is such a tough little guy. After I snuggled him for a few minutes, he went right back and conquered the slide!

And Andrew! He was too busy collecting things and couldn't give me a smile. Such a little worker...He loved the slide as well :)

So glad that I called and asked! The Duluth hotels were much different and didn't let anyone except guests swim. I can understand, and I am so glad that we had the YMCA up there to cure our swimming needs! We truly are a water-loving family :)

Wintertime fun!!

Who would've thought that they first time the twins were able to play in the snow would be January 22nd!! They sure had a blast outside these last two days!!

Sean loved teaching them how to shovel and eat snow ;)

They love watching Sean "work" at building a snow pile to jump in.

Andrew loves eating the snow...

and so does Mr. Isaac :)

So much fun!

Now if only they would all keep their mittens on...

and stay outside for longer than 30 minutes...

it takes me longer to get them all dressed up!

Job Time...

'Tis that time in a child's life when responsibility has to be taught...

Doing "big kid" jobs has its benefits...

Gets dad and mom pretty pumped up, too!

Sean is enjoying his new "big kid" jobs, including; setting the table, loading the dishwasher, and feeding the dogs. "Jobs are fun!" I hope he keeps that attitude :)

Sharing a Room...

Love sleeping babes!

Andrew

(can't help but notice how much the twins look alike in these pictures!)

Isaac

Sean (pretending...see the smile)

It was an idea that I thought of before we moved in...

But we wanted to give Sean his own room, and he did great in his basement bedroom.

Lately, he has been wanting to sleep upstairs, and we have let him "camp out" in the twins' room. We decided to give him the option of moving upstairs and sharing a room.

He was pumped! So, we (or should I say, Graham and Sean) spent the morning moving his bunk bed and dresser upstairs. The babes are still in their cribs, so everything looks a little crowded. But it is a sweet room, with three very precious little boys, and I am so excited to have them all close to me, too :)

Isaac's bed before...

Andrew's bed before...

Isaac's bed after...

Sean and Andrew's bed after...

Full but sweet :)

My Little Builder...

I have heard about the Kids Builder Workshops for a little while now,

and today was our first time! They use real nails, wood, and hammers!

Sean was totally pumped! This is right up his alley :)

Before beginning the project of building a castle...

Starting to pound it out...

Finished project!!

He is currently playing with it in the kitchen! He loves it and wants to go back tomorrow ;)

They are building Dinosaurs in 2 weeks...sign up online...I highly recommend it!

Happy New Year! (a little late)

We have been busy, busy, busy this month!

Nana and Papa bought all the boys hockey skates for Christmas this year.

We have been able to go 3 times so far. The first time was stressful as I was on skates for the first time in 15 years and Sean was like a floppy fish in my arms! We survived and by the 2nd time out, he was skating on his own! To be a kid again! Totally impressed!

Sean learning how to play hockey on his 3rd time out :)

Our adventures with the twins has been a little nuts...
Last Thursday, Andrew decided it was time to climb out of his crib! Scared the me silly when he walked out of his room at nap time!! So we had to improvise and have the boys share a crib that night as we tried to figure out what we were going to do! We ended up making a late night trip to mom and dad's to get our other crib that can be lowered. Now they are both safe in cribs that are lowered all way to the ground...next up is toddler beds...I am trying to get my head around that one!!

Sean started weekly swim lessons again!!
He is such a fish and just loves the water! The babes want to jump in so badly, too!

Me and my bud skating for the very first time :)

New Year's Eve with the cousins!

It doesn't get much better than that :) Amy and her family came up for the night, and we had a blast! Kids played and watched movies all night, as we toasted in the New Year watching the countdown. It even snowed!

Graham is back working at the hospital working crazy hours. He is working on his schedule for the remaining part of his schooling...it is so crazy to "see" the end in sight, but so stressful knowing what he has to do between now and then! So proud of him!!

I have been busy with my kids and watching a few others each day. We love the company and friends to play and learn with! Keeps me home and from spending money, which is always a good thing (at least Graham thinks so ;)