First Day of School 2011-12

My big 3rd grader Patrick, and 1st grader Emma!

It was hard to get a non-silly face of William.

And when James is around, William is all about kissing and loving him.

Twinkies!

Thank you, Grandma!

Earthquake!

We were enjoying our last week of summer by having a "picnic" in the basement as we watched a movie. It had just ended when I sent Patrick upstairs to get some socks on. James was sleeping in the basement, and I was in the kitchen with the other kids. I heard this thumping and told the kids to stop. It continued and I yelled a little louder for them to stop, thinking the kids were making a racket. William and Emma appeared in the kitchen and I thought maybe it was Patrick upstairs, and was just about to say something again when the noise got louder, and the whole house started shaking. Patrick came downstairs with eyes like saucers, and William and Emma came to me and held on. I kept thinking a truck wouldn't make a noise like that, or shake the whole house, and I know my neighbors can't do that! It lasted about 20 seconds, but seemed so much longer. We all kept saying "what in the world was that?!?" and ran outside. Our neighbors were all out there asking the same question and one man was so nonchallant about it. "It was an earthquake." Like, seriously, go back to your lives, citizens. I went in the house to call Tommy, and the phone rang as I picked it up. I had a quick conversation with my sister, and then the phones stopped working. Both of them: cell and land line. It was crazy. The kids were really shaken up, and hovered over my shoulder as I went on Facebook and tried to email Tommy (admittedly, I put the wrong subject line on his. I don't think I should have put "help" anywhere in the email I picked the wrong word and he kind of freaked out). Patrick was especially nervous, and would not leave my side. I still couldn't believe it. We had an earthquake in Virginia!

It registered at 5.8 (I think) and was a big deal on this east coast. I watched a bit of news with the kids and I think it made Patrick more nervous about things. He heard buzz words and hung on: aftershocks, nuclear factory, earthquake, and hurricane. I guess it's time to do some weather lessons. :) Actually, another lesson we need is an earthquake lesson. I had no clue what we should do, to be perfectly honest! Never thought we needed to learn about that. When I looked online, it reminded me of those old videos that showed what to do in case of a nuclear attack: get under your desk and hold on!

Patrick is 8!

Patrick enjoyed an afternoon of putt-putt with his cousins and friends. He chose 8 (for his birthday year) with the theme of Super Mario Brothers.

I love this picture of my nephew helping William.

I think everyone had a good time!

I think the boys are doing Mario poses. William is clutching Patrick's "noisy Mater" for dear life. He claimed that present almost immediately! I can't believe my oldest child is 8! I am so blessed with such amazing kids, and my Patrick is so smart and sweet.

Baptism

Triple baptism day.

I think we have a future priest! We have never had a white garment like this and it must be a sign!

Our first baptisms in the new church! My nephews were the altar servers, my godson is on the left.

Fr. Juan was so supportive during this tough pregnancy, and even told us that he feels that he has a connection with James, since he prayed so much for us. We were so happy to have him at the baptism!

Melanie and Kate (3 weeks), me and James (9 weeks), and Elena and Leah (10 weeks).

Godparents Theresa (my sister) and John (Tommy's brother), with Dad Reynolds as proxy, since John is deployed.

"I lost my 2"

All day Saturday we kept telling William that this was the last day he would be 2. Tommy told him that during the night there would be a big "POOF!" and he would be 3, and he told William not to break the bed. William was so cute in the morning when he told us that there WAS a big poof, and "I lost my 2, and found my 3!" (He says it so cute: fthlee) He did that all by himself! Such a cutie. I attempted to put a "noisy Finn" on his cake (from Cars 2) and he was so happy!

Conversation in Line

It was a long wait to get to Confession last night. Patrick was getting very impatient to get back to his PBJ sandwich. I am explaining to Patrick that we need to be patient, we need the graces to get to Heaven, and this isn't as hard as what Jesus did. I said I want to go to Heaven, and want him to get there too. It was one of mommy's lectures that I find myself trying really hard to get him to pay attention, fit a lot of good information in it. I am feeling like he is hearing me, and I am so serious.

Me: ....to get to Heaven.
Patrick: But you'll be there first, Mommy.

I could not hold in my laughter.

Wordless Wednesday

Just Dance

No Reynolds gathering is complete without a little "Just Dance." We know where this boy gets his moves!

James Reynolds

Grandpa Jim, Uncle Jimmy and Sweet Baby James.

Family Fun

After months of being the one left behind on all the fun trips, we finally made plans to go somewhere together! My Tommy planned the day (as usual, since he is way more fun than I am) and was so considerate to plan something NOT involving a bathing suit. :) We took a drive to the Shenandoah area, or Mount Jackson, more specificly.

We first made a trip on the Covered bridge. It smelled so wonderful! Cedar, I think.

I had never driven on anything like that before.

Next stop was the Route 11 potato chip factory. We hoped to watch them cook, but they weren't that day.

Here is William holding his "tail." I never thought I would put any of my kids on a leash, but we don't have a double stroller right now. William was really cute with the monkey on his back, and though he was strong and sometimes pulled me, it was good for the sightseeing we did that day.


All set to go in the Shenandoah Caverns! It's the only caverns that had an elevator to get down the 60 feet to the caverns.


It was 52 degrees down there! Thankfully, Tommy remembered a blanket for the baby.

We had a little bacon while we were down there...

And eggs!

Here is Patrick's castle. It's so amazing to see what God has done. Our guide said that it takes 125 years to make an inch of the stalagtites and mites. So beautiful!

Mommy and her cuties!

Daddy too. On a side note, I want to say that my kids were really good in the caverns. We had a groupl that was super rude and just kept talking and talking while he was trying to lead us. It was a funny tour, because he had to turn the lights on and off for us, as we traveled in each room, so we had to wait and stop, and wait. But, really, we were on a tour and the adults were just too chatty. I was really proud of my kids and how well they listened.

Rainbow lake.

This looks like something here in DC. Not sure what the kids are doing, but can you guess what this is?


There was also an area with the old-fashioned store window displays.

The great part of this trip was that the three main things we did were all in one area! There is a huge place with American Parade items - inaugural parades, mardi gras, rose parades...the place was filled and everything was HUGE. You see that stuff on TV but never realize how enormous it all is, and that some of it moves!

This is the Lone Star float, used in the inaugural parade for George W. Bush.

This train was over 100 feet (I think) and was the largest piece there.

I just want you to see the size of the building. This is only half! Look how little Tommy looks!


Then there was a place to let the kids just have fun. A big yellow barn with all kinds of neat things to see and play in. There was a beehive IN the wall, where you could see everything, a rabbit to pet, scavenger hunt and a train ride in the parking lot. The kids were thoroughly exhausted after this place, and it was a perfect stopping place.







After dinner, Tommy took the scenic Skyline Drive home for the sunset. We caught almost all of it. We would stop at the overlooks, and Emma would say something along the lines of "the sun isn't moving." "Where's the sun again?" It was funny. I am so happy we had such a great family day!