Great Falls Park

We couldn't pass up time outdoors with perfect weather and a chance to hang out with Tim's cousins Jonathan and Jaclyn who were in town (from NH) visiting. They met us in the morning at Great Falls Park. It's a beautiful park on the Potomac River where many big rocks create a roaring, rushing falls. It was packed with people today trying to hike off Thanksgiving dinner.

Kellan and Henry had fun climbing and exploring the rocks. Thank goodness for high guard rails since it's a pretty steep cliff!

A neat tree "house" we found. Henry was brave enough to sit inside. I couldn't convince Kellan to join him.

Jonathan is about 6'5" and gives a fun elevator ride. Kellan and Henry couldn't get enough! Jon and Kellan doing a puzzle inside the visitor center.

One of the kayaks used to go down the falls. Kellan and Henry, don't get any ideas!! We stayed at the park and enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading home. Fun day!

ANO

Adult Night Out! We always look forward to any kind of date night we can get, and we especially love ones with our good friends, Jenny & Sean Blair and Coco & Bryan O'Shaughnessy. We had a yummy dinner at Mon Ami Gabi, a french restaurant in Reston Town Center.

We strolled across the street to Morton's for dessert and coffee. Great to catch up with everyone and enjoy some adult time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are richly blessed and thankful for our two beautiful, healthy sons on this Thanksgiving Day! God is good!! Henry was my little kitchen helper and gladly taste tested the cream cheese filling to the pumpkin roll. Daddy, Kellan and Henry did some Skyping to Gma, Gpa and Patty Burke. I marvel at this technology age and I'm just old enough to know the age without computers, cell phones, instant messaging and instant everything! Our boys will never know that and I can't even begin to imagine what their world will be like in 30+ years! (just a side thought to the Skyping comment)

It was a beautiful sunny morning, so we took the opportunity to get the kids some fresh air and exercise before bellies are filled with good food.

We took a year off from hosting & cooking. Our wonderful friends, the O'Shaughnessy's invited us in for dinner at their home. I think this was our 3rd Thanksgiving together so it's become almost a tradition! Ollie and Kellan were quite the duo this evening. They had a ball playing/wrestling/giggling together. We didn't even attempt to stop them, we just let them go. They managed to sit still just long enough to take a couple bites of food.

Henry and Lilly: cute as buttons!! They gently played together and traded toys back and forth.
So Sweet!!

We had to protect the little ones from the overly excited and crazy older boys!!

Last minute group shots that the kids were the least bit interested in! Oh well, we tried!

A beautiful family photo of the O'Shaughnessy's!

Happy 4th Birthday, Kellan Patrick!!

We started celebrating Kellan's birthday a couple days earlier at his school. I brought in turkey cookies for his class on Friday and some fun glasses for the kids to wear. They all sang to him, then ran around crazily once the sugar set in!

Kellan was awake bright and early this morning. I had his presents on the kitchen table waiting for him. He didn't hesitate to start unwrapping with his sidekick Henry.

We decided to host Kellan's birthday party at Dulles SportsPlex, an indoor sports center. They have several fields to play on and party rooms. The kids played soccer-type games with the assist of a "coach". There was some listening for instruction, but mostly just running around in various directions. It was an hour long session, so the kids were hot and sweaty.

Kellan and his "team" in the yellow jerseys. Of course, he came out the winner!

The party room was set up with balloons, pizza, chips followed by cake. A spiderman cake! This was the theme this year. Anything superhero for Kellan. Kellan had 3 of his classmates (Ciro, Regan, and Anthony) and 3 of his other friends (Ollie, Brady, and Cody) along with some siblings of friends (Ethan, Emily, Luke, Sylvie and Henry) come to the party. A couple other friends invited were sick and unable to attend. A great turnout and a lot of fun!

Love the intense look of Kellan blowing out his candles, followed by the "I did it" expression. Can't believe my "baby" is 4!

Henry enjoying the party too, along with Daddy!

Kellan was excited to receive a couple more presents in the mail, especially a big talking Buzz Lightyear from G'ma and G'pa Burke. This was at the top of his list! He received many neat superhero figures that all seem to be getting along in this picture!

Happy 4th Birthday sweet boy!! We love you so much!!

Miscellaneous Cuteness

The boys helping Daddy pack for his business trip. Henry thought he's just go along!

Sweet boys having a moment watching a movie together. They can share, once in awhile!

Henry trying to master the sit-n-spin. He does pretty well.

Henry loves to drag the kitchen chair around to wherever he needs to get. It's often to the sink to "help" wash dishes. Or to the counter where there may be some food to nibble. In this case, he was waving goodbye to Daddy as he left for work. Funny boy!


Henry is quite the ham! Look at those eyes. And yes, he's so proud of the mess he's made!