Dinner with Mid-Atlantic Gills

My Uncle Doug is a character and I'm not sure Sean understands it yet, but he shakes his hand and answers all his questions (always pertaining to music!) 

Pea and Nana always have time together.

Much McClainage.

I had to WORK for that smile from James. And Jason. :)

Sean and Leif discussing very important things.

Waiting for our table.

Poor Laura had to climb multiple sets of stairs at 10 1/2 months pregnant!

Dad handed out large Mardi Gras beads to everyone, just to be festive. And to lighten the load in his suitcase!

Kieran, James and Leif

Grampy let hungry Kieran eat most of his handroll.

We were lucky to have Adam's dad join us that night!

Frozen in January

2°! In southern maryland! 

Boy, what a winter! I'm happy to report that I am actually enjoying the cold. After eight years in Maryland, winter doesn't seem so awful anymore. The kids and I have been going out and playing a lot, sometimes at our house, sometimes at a local library that has a nice sledding hill.

The day we went to the sledding hill the temperature maxed out at 16°. We stayed for over an hour and only left because my toes were frozen! I'm the only one who doesn't own snow boots…this is only the second winter here that I've wanted a pair!

Kieran learned to slide down on his bottom or "bobbim". This was the second day and the snow looked like it was melting but it was just getting compacted and VERY slick. Dangerously so. We will be wearing our multisport helmets from now on. Trees hurt. 

Sweet Pea didn't want to go by herself so she and Kieran took turns going down with me. Unfortunately, Adam hasn't had a chance to go with us. 

Adam's 37th birthday was yesterday! I took him out to an upscale Mexican restaurant at the National Harbor. 

Tableside guac=happy Adam & Carolyn

Visiting my friend Betsy who is battling stage IV breast cancer. Her almost two year old Sequoia is a doll. 

Kieran and Sequoia

We woke up to a good 5" of snow! 

After consulting with my sisters, I've discovered that finding persimmons under your couch is not normal.