Shrek the Halls...

We always joke that Josh can be a bit of an ogre come holiday season.  He even has a Shrek ornament on our Christmas tree!  The holidays: Too many people.  Too much fuss.  Too busy.   (Of course, it's all a bluff.  He's the biggest softy when it comes to the kid's excitement.)   But keeping with his cold facade, we just had to go to see SHREK on ICE.  

The Gaylord at National Harbor hosts an amazing ice sculpture show each year.  Last year it was the Grinch, and Shaun and Debbie said it was incredible.  This year, Shrek and Fiona took center stage - and we were there to see it.

It was 13 degrees inside where the sculptures were, so part of the admittance fee covered the use of thick, warm coats for everybody. Not only was it a chilling 13 degrees, but the pumped the air in so it felt like air conditioning blowing on you at 13 degrees!!   The thermal coats were a great idea, except as Josh pointed out, it was very hard to tell which kids were ours--they all looked the same as they all ran about the place.

 

 

Nathan could barely walk in his big thermal coat.  He stayed pretty warm thanks to Mommy's layering of clothing, hats, mittens, winter coat, and thermal coat.  His cheeks, however, were bright red when we finally left the frigid air!   

 Kate with her boys:  Brenden (left) and Collin (right)

I have to give props to Debbie, who has proudly taken on the role of Gallagher family activity co-coordinator.   Without her, I would never get around to buying tickets to anything.  It was a fun morning.  Thanks, Deb!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those friends and family members that are far way in distance but close in our thoughts and heart!

We had a wonderful, low-key day (until Kate started to feel sick). We started the day with a big, special breakfast with Mommy and Daddy! Then we all cuddled on the coach (Shayla too) to watch the Macy's Day Parade and see Santa. After a nap (for all of us), we headed off to Papa and Gigi's house for the "feast". Kate has been eagerly anticipating the feast for weeks, declaring that she will eat cornbread and cranberries. She lived up to her word and ate cornbread and that's about it.

Shaun, Deb, Brenden and Collin were there. Sadly Brian and Jecholia were visiting other family in Virginia. Grammy, Nana Linda, a dear friend, Sally, were also present. And traveling all the way from Massachusetts were the special guests: Aunt Jackie, Uncle Tim and cousins Melissa and Matt. It was a great group to spend time with and reflect on the blessings of family.

Sadly we were the first to leave as Kate seemed a bit off. Little did we know that the next day she would entire a four day battle with a cough, runny nose and fever. Poor baby. Here are a few shots of the three musketeers before Kate took ill.

Trunk or Treat '09

Last Weekend our church hosted it's annual Trunk or Treat event. The kids get dressed in their costumes and roam from decorated car trunk to decorated car trunk collecting candies and goodies. This year Kate was a pirate. She and her cousin, Brenden, have been playing pirates most of the summer-so it was an easy theme to continue. Unfortunately Kate wasn't feeling 100% that day (hence the lack of smiles), but it was still a fun day.

Kate and her daddy!

The three cousins in all their glory!

Kate's excitement upon seeing Brenden at the church!

Choo Choo!!

Debbie and I met at the Rio yesterday. The kids were so excited to ride this little train that goes around the promenade area. We actually rode it twice because the kids enjoyed it so much.