Ok, where to begin? I guess I'll start with two weeks ago when we had visitors!!!

My sister Kathy ("Aunt Doake") and her son Jordan came to visit for a week. Jordan had the week off from school, so Kath took some vacation time and they headed south. Luckily, the major snowstorms were also on vacation, so the drive down was uneventful.

While here, I took MAJOR advantage of them!! I always appreciate, and fully utilize, the extra help when people come to visit. For the most part, it was just ("just"?!?!?) helping wrangle and keep the boys under control. But I also roped them in to helping me paint Tyler's bedroom!!

Kathy helped tape....

and Jordan helped paint....

His 15 year old agility and 6' 3" stature were a major advantage - especially when it came to painting the ceiling. He helped save my 40 year old back from a lot of trauma!

Ok, wait, what is that color?? Let's see a close-up:

Wow!!! That is one bright yellow!!

Yikes. It actually looks pretty good, and it will look better once I tone it down with the wall border and decals, and all the furniture. I haven't yet been able to find the time to put Tyler's bed together. But at least the mattress has been purchased! That is something else that Kath helped with - the full-sized mattress fit very well in the back of her Durango! I hope to have the room all put together by the end of this week. I promise to post pictures when it happens!!

Kath enjoyed lots of bonding time with her new (and only!) neice.

as did cousin Jordan!!

The boys got in on the action too...

and we all enjoyed some good dinners - family style.

It was a great visit and we look forward to having them back any time!!!

At the end of that week, Mitch and I enjoyed a night out. We packed up the kids and brought them to Fammy and Grandad's, then headed to the Kennedy Center to meet our good friends Tiffany and Forrester to see Seinfeld!!

It was the second time we've seen him, and it was a great show - no surprise there. Tiffany was able to click a couple of photos during the encore.

Hopefully Tiffany won't mind that I appropriated her photos from her Facebook! The good news is, she never reads my blog.... :)!!!

To wrap up the post, here are some cute pictures and videos of the kids!

This is the kind of thing that happens before I come downstairs in the morning... Kitchen Island surfing...

More posts to come this week - as we celebrate Tyler's 3rd birthday!!!!

One shot...

Planning a longer post for tomorrow to recap the last couple of weeks, but just a quick post for now....

Future Superstar:

And the Winner is......

The new title of the blog will be:


Karen and Mitch Plus 3!


Shout out to .... Mitch! This was his suggestion, and it was my favorite.


So, as of THIS SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 20, 2010, THE NEW URL for this blog will be:


www.karenandmitchplus3.blogspot.com


Please make note of it as the old url will no longer work after that time. I will also send an email out to those that I know read the blog!!

Winter Fun

On Thursday, it was finally manageable enough to go outside. It was very sunny, and mid-30's, so we all bundled up and went out to play.


Here's Maddy in her snowsuit!

The great outdoors....

We can't see your adorable face!!!!!

That's better!!!!!!

Here's me and Maddy standing in front of the mailbox. It's hard to see, but I have a sling around my shoulders and Madelyn is all cozied up inside.....

Mountain men...

Taking the bike for a spin - getting ready for Spring (if it ever comes!).

Sorry little man, but that car is not 4-wheel drive....

It was so nice to finally get out of the house and get some fresh air. Friday was back to normal - Mitch went back to work, and the boys went to school. There are still thousands of people in the surrounding areas that can't get out of their driveways, and thousands of people who still don't have power. Many neighborhoods have started having shoveling parties to clear their roads because they have yet to see a plow. And guess what? On Monday-Tuesday, we could be getting another 5-6 inches of snow. We've hit a record in the DC area for yearly snowfall, and the Department of Homeland Security decided to consider last week's two storms as one so that the area can qualify for federal money to help with the fallout from this unprecented weather. We'll see what else is to come this winter!!



As part of my birthday, there were cupcakes to enjoy:

And here are some cute videos from this morning:

Happy Saturday!!!

The Big 4-0

Ok, yes, today is my 40th birthday. I'm not upset about it, it just seems weird! Hard to believe. I used to think it would upset me, but then I look at what I have - an amazing husband, three precious children, a lovely home, wonderful family and the best friends - what do I have to be upset about?


Sure, I have a few wrinkles, but I see those as battle scars. Life lived, you know? I'm more upset about the few (ok, ok, more than a few... SEVERAL) extra pounds I have to lose, so I vow to work on those. Hmmm, now that I've posted that here, I guess I'll have to stick to it. So be it!


Well, we are still snowed in here in Northern Virginia. Last night, and much of the day today, brought more snow, and blizzard like conditions. The wind is whipping like nobody's business!! Here is a little video that Mitch took this morning when he bravely went outside to retrieve the newspaper (which was surprisingly delivered):







I haven't left the house since last Friday. I am hoping there may be some getting out tomorrow. And REALLY hoping that things have straightened out by Friday because Mitch and I have theatre tickets that we got from his parents for Xmas and we were going to have dinner beforehand (Fammy and Granddad are set to come over and sit with the kids). I'll be very sad if we have to cancel date night!


Anyway, I've made more progress on Tyler's furniture since I've been confined to the house. Yesterday I put the dresser together.

So many pieces I had to take two pictures!!

And AGAIN with the pile of hardware!!

Here we go....

Nice, eh? The only thing left is the bed, but we're holding off on that until we purchase the mattress - which we'll do as soon as we can leave the house!!!

And now for some pictures of my beautiful children, which is why I know you all tune in here anyway!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Digging out...

The sun was back today, but certainly not the heat!!


Mitch spent about 3 hours shoveling the walkway and driveway. It was hard work (I imagine)!!

Check out this mountain of snow - the fruits of his labor!

The plow came through while he was shoveling too, so our neighborhood streets are now clear. Can't vouch for the main state run roads though...

The federal government is closed tomorrow, and the trains aren't running, so Mitch will be staying home. Maybe we'll get the boys out tomorrow now that there has been some clearing. Can't exactly play out in the yard - the snow is too deep! Wouldn't want to lose the little guys! Although, after being couped up in the house for three days..... :)!!!


Here's a cute pic of Evan with Maddy - Mitch set Maddy down with him and he looked up and said "Take a picture!" So Mitch obliged...