STABILIZE

Sam came downstairs the other day singing this. I endeavored to keep my giggle inside, grabbed the camera, and asked for a repeat performance. Enjoy Sam's version of "Stayin' Alive."

New Year Family Fun

At Aunt Joan's suggestion we took our families to the bowling alley on New Years' Day. Jeannine and her boys came too. Thankfully, Nate took a nap for the majority of our outing. Isaac wasn't interested in bowling or even leaving the house, but he came around when he saw the arcade games. He spent his time and money collecting tickets to trade for toys. Sam, Eli, and Lily had a blast! Some had mad skills, others had beginner's luck, all had fun.

Christmas Favorites

Now that I'm over my post Christmas Migraine, I can finally share some of our favorite memories. Lily's real favorite was her Zune, but she also enjoy the flat iron for her hair. Isaac loves his gigaball, a 5ft. inflatable ball that you can climb inside (bottom picture). Sam and Eli treasured their "digging for dinosaurs." I got some fun stuff, but my favorite were the blooms on my Hibiscus. The picture of lights is actually the firetrucks that came blaring through the neighborhood about 8:30p with Santa and Mrs. Claus atop wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Nate's favorite is his dirt devil vacuum that he uses everytime I vacuum for real. It's always worth the work to see kids' pure joy.

Christmas Proof!

Yes, the DeLapp's have Christmas. Here's the proof...we had the tree up for a total of three and a half days. It's quick but intense!

Multiple Blessings

On a nondescript day in August of 2002 I worried that our 18 week ultrasound would play the same cruel joke it had our first two pregnancies...an undetermined gender identification. First things first, we saw baby and its heartbeat (healthy and strong) and measured for age (a little small by about 2 weeks) As the Dr. questioned the accuracy of my memory regarding my cycle dates, he was making me seasick with the back and forth motion across my belly. After a scary moment of silence and an extended "Hmm", the Dr. finally announced that he indeed saw TWO HEADS!  I nearly peed my pants and not just because I had drank 32oz before the test. Lee was standing at the end of the table, squeezed my feet and asked the Dr. if he was sure that there wasn't three. Naturally I tried to kick him and told him to keep his mouth shut while I was in SHOCK. I don't remember much else until I started to call my family to share the "gender" news. My Dad was first and guessed before I even said anything. My sister, Rhonda who had a set of twins 12 years earlier, laughed hysterically for TOO long and then advised me to remember this..."The lows are twice as low, but the highs are twice as high." After a six year roller coaster of lows and highs raised to the power of 2 and MANY sleepless nights, I know I am one LUCKY Momma! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sam and Eli!

Sam's New School

Monday is Sam's first day at Anthony Burns Elementary. We've been working on this since Spring. We knew Sam would need some extra help, but the school system didn't get on board until September. Finally, after a million IEP meetings, we're ready to go. Sam's met his nice new teacher and is super excited to be a dragon (Burnie is the school mascot). Yes, there will be a transition time and I'll have kids at 3 different schools. Well worth it to have an appropriate placement.

Shenandoah National Park

The kids were out of school for Columbus Day, so we accepted an invitation to join Mike and Joan, Randall and Rose, and all the kids, on a day trip to Shenandoah National Park. It's up in the Appalachian Mountains, inside Virginia, west of where we live. Isaac really enjoyed the ride. The weather was beautiful. The food was extra nummy. I'm sure because of the elevation. Can hardly wait to do it again.

 
Here we are at the entrance to the park after the hour and a half drive.

Nathan was the first to dig in.

Lily and Kyle had fun sketching the scenery.

Randall and Muffin took Isaac for a walk.

Lunch time was the only quiet time.

Isaac, of course, wanted "Some of Everything".

Eli couldn't resist climbing a nearby tree.

Nathan was investigating bugs in the grass.

Sam enjoying a quiet moment in the dirt.

October in Virginia.

 
Isaac wants to move our house to the top of the mountain.

Nathan was trying to scoot down the mountain.

Doesn't that say it all!?

WWF "Family Style"

Budding Barber

We've all been there! You know, when life gets so stressful that we do something drastic... like telling the stylist to "take it all off" instead of "a little off the top".

As you can see, Sam was his own stylist. After creating the masterpiece he came to the kitchen crying and requesting help. At that point the only help we could offer was to take it all off! Poor baby!

It's all better... Sort of.

Out of this World Paint

We decided to paint the boys' room. It started out as a weekend project that turned into almost a month. Jeannine and I painted the dark blue and Lee is responsible for the artistic touches. The black is chalkboard. Eli doesn't like us to draw on "his" space room. In fact, after all that work, Sam and Eli both want it back to the original color. Eli cries when we send him to bed. The "space guy" freaks him out. Too bad, so sad.

A Day at the Park

The kids and I were missing our Aunt Rose, so we picked her and her camera up and spent the afternoon at park. Thanks Rose. Enjoy some our favorites.

Day 3 of Summer Break

This morning the boys painstakingly filled water balloons in the basement bathroom. I mean filled...to their capacity. Some were a big as beach balls. Only by a miracle did they all make it outside. 30 seconds later, Sam, Eli, and Isaac were soaked and balloon-free. What fun!!!
Nathan has been busy too. He pulled a carton of eggs off the table and broke our last 6 eggs. Isaac tipped a bowl of milk all over the wood floor trying to keep Nathan out of the trash can. All BEFORE breakfast!
76 days and counting.

Terrific T-Ball

Sam is #11 on the Ironbirds (like the Plane) and the Air Force sponsored us.

Eli #9 is showing the "baseball ready" stance. The boys stand on the field and literally scream their rallying cry.

Eli was caught chatting up a girl on the opposing team!

The best part...of course, snacks!

The very best part of t-ball was hitting "lightsaber" hard and running "race car" fast.

Sometimes Sam needed a little encouragement from the coach to keep out of the ever enticing dirt.

Sometimes they took the game seriously...

Sometimes not.

Preschool Graduation

Congratulations! Sam and Eli graduated from preschool on May 31st. The boys had a great year.

Eli's favorite part was playing outside and PE. Allie was a great buddy for him. She said he was very agreeable and always wanted to participate.

Sam had his own ideas and was a little less agreeable, but Trisha was flexible and they had lots of fun! Sam's favorites were blocks, puzzles, and puppets (especially the chicken).