Lake Anna!

Friday Kimberly and I took the kids to Lake Anna, about an hour and half south of here.  The weather was perfect, overcast and warm, and the kids had a blast. 

Jack and Josh playing in the sand...

 Tyce eating his sandwhich...

 Josh and Brianna...

 Jake and Tyce...

 Love Jackson's face in this picture, pure joy...

 Jake, Tyce, Jack, and Brianna...

 These three play so cute together...

 Group shot!

 The beach closed at 4pm (apparently all the lifeguards went back to college so they were short staffed, lame) so we headed over to the park to eat and play.  The kids ended up having way more fun than we thought they would.  Here they are sitting on top of the trains...

It was a great way to end our summer.  We've had so much fun with Kimberly, Jake, and Brianna.  Unfortunately for us, Kimberly starts work full time in September so we won't be seeing much of them anymore.  It's a bummer because our kids play so well together and really love each other.  But the good news...school starts in a week!!!

Parker's New Job

Parker started a new job on Monday at Venable LLP.  Over the last year we have been talking about leaving the government and working for a private law firm.  We were hoping to do this out west, closer to family, but things didn't turn out that way.  About two months ago we got a job offer from Venable, which has offices in DC, Maryland, New York, and Los Angeles.  Parker will be working primarily in DC but will travel to Baltimore as well.  It was a very hard decision to make.  Parker really liked working at the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We both liked the hours and benefits and Parker enjoyed the work and the fact that his best friend worked there as well.  However, with law school debt in mind, we knew we needed the pay increase that came with a law firm job.  His hours will be crazy, he will probably be home around 8pm every night then continue to work from home.  Weekends he will usually stay home but will probably work a couple hours.  It will be very different from the past three years.  I just have to change my mindset, I can no longer rely on Parker being home to help me with dinner, baths, and bedtime.  We have talked to the kids about it and explained to them that daddy is doing this so we can save money and buy a house with a yard, that was enough explanation for them.  I know there will be tough and lonely nights ahead for all of us but we feel that this is the right thing for our family right now.  I am so proud of Parker, in this economy to be hired at a law firm is pretty impressive. 

We went into DC today to visit him and see his new office.  I am so proud of myself...I made it there, parked, and walked to the office without getting lost!!!  If you've ever driven in DC you know what an accomplishment that is.  Nevermind that parking was $21 for 1.5 hours!!!  Geez!!!

Here's the boys outside by the sign...

 Future attorney?

 Haha, Parker Morrill, Attorney at Law...

 The boys thought it was so cool looking down from so far up...

 We ate lunch on the roof...

 Family picture...

I have already noticed a significant difference in Parker...he seems more confident and happy.  So far, he loves his job and I am so happy for him!!!  Congrats babe, I love you!!!

Washington Redskins Training Camp

Saturday we headed to Ashburn to watch the Redskins training camp!  The boys were excited but I think Parker was the most interested.  :)  

Here are some pics from the day...

 That yellow #10 jersey is RG3! 

 Daddy and Jackson...

 Throwing footballs...

 

 The boys loved the punching bags...

 Glistening in sweat!  Have I mentioned lately how much I hate summers here?? 

We're getting excited for football season in the Morrill household!  Both on TV and the twins are playing for the first time! 

Tyce's 3 Year Check Up

Today Tyce had his three year check up.  He did great, was very cooperative and friendly to the doctor.  He passed his vision test and was thrilled to find out the letter they would be using was the letter E, one of his favorite letters.  He is 40 inches long (95%) and 35 pounds (75%).  His BMI is 25-50%.  He is doing everything a normal three year old should be doing and mommy is so happy to have a healthy, smart, adorable boy!!!

Waiting for the doctor...

 Waiting to pick out his sticker...



Twins

After kindergarten was over Parker and I decided to split up the twins for first grade.  Not because we regretted having them in the same class in kindergarten, they did great, but because we just felt like that's what you do...split them up and let them "become their own individuals."  I felt fine with it and didn't give it much thought.  However, over the last month or so every time I thought it them being split up I felt sick inside.  I analyzed it, wondering if I was just being selfish.  Was I just thinking logistics?  Sure it would be easier for me to have them in the same class with the same teacher, same field trips, class projects, teacher conferences, etc.  I asked the twins what they wanted and seriously got a different answer each time.  Sometimes one would say together and the other would say separate and then the next day their answers would switch.  Bottom line, they didn't care.  About a week ago I decided I really needed to make a decision because they were probably starting to assign classes.  I called my mom to get her opinion.  She said she would talk to my dad and call me back.  I hung up with her and just got this overwhelming feeling that I needed to call the school and request they be in the same class.  I picked up the phone, called them, and put in my request.  Two minutes later they called back saying the principal ok'd it and they would be put in the same class for first grade.  I hung up feeling so relieved and content.  However, I then realized I had made that decision without talking to Parker first!  I felt a mixture of guilt and relief...guilt because I talk to Parker about everything (poor guy) and this involves our children so he should have a say as well!  However, I felt relief because for me to make this decision on my own made me realize that I must've really know that it was right and I needed to listen to my mother's instinct, which has been right a number of times.  That night I talked to Parker and he gave me such comfort and affirmation that I was right to follow my feelings and he was completely supportive and on board.  I don't know why the twins need to be in the same class, I may find out througout the school year or I may never really know.  What I do know is they are supposed to be together this year...and they will be. 

Tyce Turns 3!

Tyce turned three on July 31st!  We had a mini celebration for him that night but because the twins were gone we waited until they got back to do the rest.

Mommy and daddy got him a Jake and the Never Land Pirates telescope... 

 And a Mickey Mouse Rocketship...

 A couple days later we had a little party for him...

 Haha, I went all out on the cake...

 But he loved it!

 Opening his Ice Age Manny from Gramma Morrill...

 He loved his Oregon jersey from Gramma Barraclough...

 Counting his dollars from Gramma Bybee...

 Gramma Morrill bought him this awesome Imaginex castle...

 Thank heavens it's big because the twins LOVE it...

Three is the first birthday where they actually understand the anticipation and reason behind the celebration and it was so fun.  He loves saying, "my birfthday is July firty first."  Haha.  Some things about Tyce I want to remember:

*His favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake and the Neverland Pirates (which he says Jake and Lelelo Pirates).

*His favorite movies are Incredibles, Strawberry Shortcake (which is he Strawstrawbee Shortcake), and and The Little Engine That Could.

*His favorite books are Brown Bear Brown Bear, Duck and Goose, and Thomas the Tank Engine. 

*He is an inconsistent eater.  He will always have oatmeal and bananas for breakfast but lunch and dinner is anybody's guess.  Some nights he'll eat more than the twins, some nights he won't eat at all.  Needless to say, it drives me crazy.  Some of his favorite foods are pizza, spaghetti, mac n cheese, and turkey sandwhiches. 

*He loves to be funny and is definitely the family clown. 

*He is learning he can say no and subtly disobeys mommy and daddy frequently. 

*He loves his brothers and is always talking about how he is bigger now and can do more things like them.

*Speaking of which...he is big!  I'll find out his stats at his appt next week but he is super tall!  I think he's pretty skinny though.  The poor kid has no hips or butt and his pants are constantly falling down!

*He loves to cuddle on the couch with mommy and read stories. 

*He says his name Tyce Parker Mollell.

*He can write a perfect T and a decent Y.  Still working on the rest of his name.

*His best friends are Jakey and Leah.

*He loves nursery and looks forward to going every week.

*He has an extremely good memory.

I love my Tyce so much and look forward to all that this year has in store for him and us.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYCEE!!

Lindsay and Luke Come Visit!

Wednesday night at about midnight Lindsay, Luke, Jackson, and Josh flew in!  I was so excited to see them, I had plans on taking pictures of them walking out but then got too excited and didn't want to bother with my camera.  Suffice it to say, they were precious.  Jackson literally sprinted to me from all the way across the airport then gave me the biggest tightest hug ever.  Josh was much slower because he insisted on carrying/dragging baby Luke!  SO cute!  We were all so happy to be reunited and also to have Linds and Luke here!  Here are some pics from their short trip here...   

Josh was so cute with Luke.  He was so tender, caring, loving, patient, and involved.  He wanted to feed him, dress him, bathe him, entertain him, hold him, etc.  It was really nice to see that side of Josh because he is by far my least affectionate child. 

 Jackson also loved Luke and here he is feeding him...

 Joshy's turn...

 My beautiful sis and her precious baby...

 Friday night wonderful Parker watched all four boys while Linds and I went to dinner!  Thanks babe!

 Saturday we went shopping, haha Tyce looks so big next to tiny Luke...

 Riding the train...

 How handsome are these boys??

It was wonderful having them here, I already miss Lindsay like crazy.  She and I could do nothing all day and still have a blast.  In fact...that's what we did a lot of!  The twins were so excited to be home with all their toys that they didn't want to go anywhere.  They also are still on Oregon time so they sleep till like noon!  Needless to say, we were all pretty lazy on Thursday and Friday.  I love little Luke and am so sad he's growing up without his auntie Jenn.  Stupid east coast.  ANYWAYS...next post...Tyce turns 3!!!