post-christmas hike

Edwin Warner Park 12-27-08

in the morning

The goods...

The boys...
Ben

Jack

Pete

Christmas with kids is so much FUN! This year was the best yet.

2008, the highlights

Jack & Ben start walking. 1/08

Pete starts Primary. 1/08

Jack and Ben turn 0ne! 2/10/08

Jack gets an orthotic helmet on and then off. 2/08

Pete is learning to read! 2/08

Wade gets another paper published 3/08
(Use of reverse micelles in membrane protein structural biology)

Pete starts soccer 3/08

Went on family trips. 3/08, 4/08

Peter turned 4! 5/08

Cristi turns nine and twenty.

Went on some more family trips. 5/08, 6/08

We moved to our first house (it's a rental, but still great!) 8/08

Jack & Ben at 18 months. 8/08

Dads first outing with all three boys by himself (piece a cake!) 10/08

Wade takes another trip to the Smokies. 11/08

Wade turns two and thirty. 12/13/08


Another year has come and gone! We entered 2008 living in an apartment with two babies under a year old and a 3-year-old toddler. Now, as we leave the year behind, our two babies, Jack and Ben, are entering toddler hood, and our toddler, Pete, is getting ready to start kindergarten next Fall! Peter is such a great helper and is such a fun kid. He absolutely loves to go hiking with Dad (who is always willing to go). He is such a happy, silly kid and he loves to laugh (he has a very infectious Pete laugh). Jack & Ben, now almost two years old, are talking, running, climbing, and showing us their distinct personalities. They love balls, playing outside, climbing on anything they can get their little hands and feet on, and wrastlin' with dad. They are adventurous and happy boys who keep me on my toes constantly.

Wade has been working very hard in the Sanders Lab at Vanderbilt. He has recently completed a project that is likely to be published. He has several other projects in progress. As for life outside of work, it's pretty hard to find these days. Wade has been working very long hours and spending time on weekends in lab to try to finish up his most recent project. He has found some time for photography and hiking with Pete (more so in the summer months, of course). He also started biking to work in the Fall and will pick it up again in the Spring. Wade is the best dad in the world (no kidding). He always finds time to play with the boys, do some serious wrastlin', and take Pete hiking. He often takes Pete to work with him when he goes in on the weekends. Wade and Pete have a very special relationship and are best buddies. All the boys love to see daddy walk in the door each evening.

I have been losing my mind chasing three boys (no offense to the truly clinically insane). I have discovered that it is hard work to feed, dress, clean, entertain, teach, and love these little boys, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Some days I dream about getting a job. It's tempting to think of extra income and a little bit of sanity time away from the routine, but I know where I need to be right now. The boys may not need me, but I am learning (well, failing to learn is probably a better way to put it) some important life lessons in patience, being slow to anger, unconditional love, and so much more from these sweet and innocent little boys. They love me unconditionally, even when I lose my temper or royally screw up. I have also been working on little projects around the house and have recently been called as a primary teacher (which I am SO excited about). I also teach Peter's preschool co-op every other month and take the boys to playgroup and volleyball each week for some kid play time and mommy talk.

Life in Tennessee has been good. We've made some great friends who have become our family away from home. We're enjoying our time here and the joy of raising three boys. We wish everyone all the best for what remains of the holidays and a happy and healthy new year!

christmas traditions: trains, gingerbread

Every year Santa brings the Van Horn family a new HO scale train to add to our collection. Needless to say, the boys LOVE playing trains during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Here are a few photos documenting this year's fun with trains.

Pete operating the trains

Jack blowing kisses to the engine

The boys clapping the trains on

We also made our first home made gingerbread cookies and house this year! It is sooo much better home made and I probably would have eaten the whole house myself if it hadn't come to an untimely end.

Run, run, as fast as you can...

Pete's creation (mom helped a little)

The house, 10 minutes later

today at s*ms club

When we saw this (which, incidentally, comes with alien toys):

and this:

Pete said: "Mom, we need to tell Santa about this store!"

Rest assured, Mr. Claus is well acquainted with S*m's club.

tour of nashville

Here are some highlights of Wade's parents visit to Nashville.

Pete with Grandma Carol

At the Opryland Hotel (yes, Ben IS picking his nose).

Pete on a cannon shooter at Stone's Fork National Battleground (Civil War Historical Site).

Spelunking with Dad & Grampa Howard

thanksgiving in DC

We spent Thanksgiving at Uncle HF and Aunt Ginni's home in the DC area with Wade's parents and his father's cousin Connie.

Pete, Jack, & Ben loved their cat Willis.

At the park near HF & Ginni's house.

Wade kayaking. ;)
Ok, so Wade only took the photo during a hike the boys took one day, but it's a good one!

...and, uh, some alien toys.

Dad:

What do you want for Christmas?

Pete:

A reindeer, I mean I don't want a reindeer, I don't know.

I want a little t-rex and no doors and some walls so it can't get out.

And, I don't need a t-rex cuz that could be scary.

I want some pumpkin bread for Christmas, in my own baggie.

(as he's looking around the room for inspiration)

And my own......basket.

And my own, uh,

uh,

some alien toys.

(Interesting. Needless to say a 4-year-old's Christmas list changes from day to day)

our nation's capitol

Grandma and Grandpa Van Horn came to Nashville and together we visited Wade's brother and sister in law in the DC area. It was great to spend the holiday with family and see some of the sites in the area. We went to the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History and the National Zoo. Next time we'll have to hit the National Mall. Here are a few pics of the fun.


Air & Space Museum


Museum of Natural History


National Zoo

from the talented mr. V

From his most recent trip to The Smokies, 11-01-08.

Have I ever mentioned that our family theme song is "Don't Let Smoky Mountain Smoke Get in Your Eyes," as sung by The Osborne Brothers? Wade has been known to put that single on repeat and listen to it over and over for hours. Look it up, it'll have you hummin' along in no time.