Crayons and Keyboards

They Got My Heart

2012-02-16T17:58:00.001-05:00

Back Yard Ball

2012-02-16T17:55:00.002-05:00

Who needs a catcher when you hit the ball directly back at the pitcher...Cohen moved just in-time, in case you were curious.

Working Girl

2012-02-16T17:54:00.001-05:00

Pink Snow Angel

2012-02-05T16:20:00.001-05:00

Snow Smiles

2012-02-05T16:19:00.001-05:00

Sand Strutting

2012-02-05T08:31:00.001-05:00

A little sand and dirt can't stop this little lady from strutting her pink boots.

Fire & Ice

2012-02-05T08:26:00.001-05:00

The first weekend of every month, downtown Frederick host "First Saturday." Each month is a different theme with the goal of getting local residents into downtown Frederick to spend money with local stores and avoid the chain stores that lay on the outskirts of town.

This weekend was Fire & Ice. Local artist did ice sculptures and certain areas of downtown had Smore stations. We found one away from the crowds and next to a toy shop - best of both worlds.

Big Dreams

2012-02-05T08:25:00.001-05:00

Having Fun?

2012-01-30T16:04:00.001-05:00

Papi Turns 60!

2012-01-30T16:01:00.001-05:00

In his old age, Papi needed some help blowing out the candles. With all the hot air floating around with the kids, there was a plethora of hot air.

Circle of Smiles

2012-01-30T16:00:00.001-05:00

Road Block

2012-01-22T08:33:00.001-05:00

Full Sled Ahead

2012-01-22T08:30:00.001-05:00

Window Seat

2012-01-07T20:58:00.001-05:00

Hide & Seek

2012-01-07T20:56:00.001-05:00

Annabelle found Jaxson quickly - can you?

Screaming & Dreaming

2012-01-07T20:55:00.001-05:00

Silhouette with Boo

2012-01-05T20:01:00.001-05:00

A Dance with Pops

2012-01-05T19:58:00.001-05:00

Boys and their Fireworks

2012-01-05T19:56:00.001-05:00

Texas Size Smiles

2012-01-05T19:54:00.001-05:00

Meet In The Middle

2012-01-05T19:52:00.001-05:00

She Got Her Hair Did

2012-01-05T19:48:00.001-05:00

We finally broke down and cut the mess we called her hair. Looks like a whole new girl.

Little Rascals

2012-01-05T19:46:00.001-05:00

To Old for a Roller Rink Birthday?

2012-01-05T19:39:00.001-05:00

Part of the fun of headed back to Texas for the holidays was to visit the places I haven't been able to go to since moving to Maryland - I had no idea I was going to go back sooo far.

Growing up, Silver Wheels Skating Center was the closest and coolest roller rink in all the land. Many, many birthday parties and team events were spent on the hardwood here.

With the wife turning 29, again, we couldn't think of a better time and place to introduce the kids to an authentic roller rink - and by authentic I mean that not once freaking thing has changed since my last visit. Not the paint, not the skates, not the wood, not the disco-style plastic roller/dance floor, not even the chairs or video games.

Christmas Night in Texas

2012-01-05T19:35:00.001-05:00

Kitchen Dancing

2012-01-05T19:34:00.001-05:00

The Tradition Continues

2012-01-05T19:29:00.001-05:00

Once again, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas was the star of the late night reading.; but it wouldn't be worth it without the kids.

Keeping 'em Full

2012-01-05T19:25:00.002-05:00

With Santa grabbing up all the cookies and milk, you gotta remember to feed the reindeer - without the engine the car is no good...

Backyard Bubbles

2012-01-05T19:23:00.001-05:00

Festive Fireside

2012-01-05T19:18:00.003-05:00

With no fireplace, the TV came in handy for an early Christmas celebration.

Keep Rockin' In The Free World

2011-12-20T19:59:00.001-05:00

A Moment

2011-12-20T19:57:00.001-05:00

Social Santa

2011-12-20T19:55:00.001-05:00

Lights Galore

2011-12-20T19:37:00.001-05:00

A local summer time theme park puts on one heck of a light show that is synchronized to music as you drive through the park. Once you get over the possible epilepsy attacks, it's pretty freaking cool.

Once you finish the drive-thru, you head inside for a Santa visit and free hot chocolate. For $25 per carload, not a bad deal at all. Keeps me and the kids entertained for a few hours.

Gone Fishin'

2011-12-20T19:35:00.001-05:00

More Elfis Happenings

2011-12-10T07:31:00.001-05:00

This guy is crazy fun! Here is what he has been up to the last few nights...

A Zipline in the living room,
Switched our stocking with our underwear..(OMG! He was in big trouble for that one),
Hiding in the garland,
Decorated the living room and finally he took a shower after being with us for a couple weeks,
Some how he still smells like marshmellows and peppermints...

Robbie See, Robbie Do.

2011-12-09T11:34:00.001-05:00

Thanks to pinterest and all you sharing crafties out there...We have a Christmas book Advent calendar this year, a felt Christmas tree for the kids to decorate and re-decorate..it's great for the little bitties that come over...takes their attention away from the real tree with real ornaments. And lastly for today we have our melty snowman cookies we made for some friends. Love Christmas Time!...and love Pinterest!

Elfis Do-Nuts

2011-12-03T08:42:00.001-05:00

Donuts and a note of apology from Elfis to make up for his shenanigans from the past few nights. Curious where he got the small box and the even smaller donuts - I guess only an elf knows his secrets.

Dominoes Amongst Friends

2011-12-03T08:39:00.001-05:00

Elfis and his crew threw down some dominoes while the house was quiet overnight; never to young or soft to get into the family game night.

Like Father, Like Elf

2011-11-30T17:29:00.001-05:00

Seeing how things in life typically come full circle, I completely understand how and why our little Elfis decided to "wrap" the Christmas tree last night while the kiddos slept.

When I was your age, as the the wise old man begins his life lesson, I too had my occasional late-night, house-sneaking-out, mischievous adventures amongst the neighborhoods of my hometown.

At least Elfis had nice form and managed to get a roll of toilet paper up-and-over the bow on top of the tree. Overall, he had a nice composition of paper vs. green.

Food For The Winter?

2011-11-30T17:25:00.001-05:00

Apparently, Annabelle thinks we are going to be hitting a food crisis in the next few months because she is secretly stashing away some meat and cheese.

Not sure when she decided that rationing her food was the wave of the future. You gotta give it to her though, at least she was smart enough to store the food in the refrigerator in her play kitchen.

I'm scared to think where else she has food stashed that we've yet to discover. The funky smell in her room is beginning to make sense now.

Front Porch Sittin'

2011-11-27T16:25:00.001-05:00

At The Farm

2011-11-27T08:28:00.001-05:00

Searching For The One

2011-11-27T08:23:00.002-05:00

Tree Huggers

2011-11-27T08:21:00.001-05:00

Decorating Team

2011-11-27T08:16:00.001-05:00

The weekend after Thanksgiving can only mean one thing for our household; dragging out all the Christmas decorations and putting the children to work - now if I could only get them to climb the ladder and hang the outside lights up; maybe next year.

Elfis Is In The Building

2011-11-24T15:05:00.002-05:00

Our little Elfis (like Elvis, but as an elf) has let himself be known he is offically on watch. We've read the book to the kids, we briefed them on the do's and don'ts and we are set to roll.

Now, if I can just get over how freaking creepy having this guy around is going to be, the we will all be happy.

Curious, if just watches the kids or me as well; because, I may be in trouble.

Dirty Turkey

2011-11-24T14:52:00.001-05:00

What started out as a friendly game of kickball and morning activity to make up for the fatness that will ensue later on; turned quickly into a muddy-free-for-all.

No one was safe, not even the women folk.

Cooking With Momma

2011-11-24T14:44:00.001-05:00

Potty Presents

2011-11-24T14:36:00.001-05:00

Milestone make us all happy; and when you youngest finally tops the hill and starts going in the "potty," it's a game changer.

So...we buy her gifts.

Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-14T17:22:00.001-05:00

Guest Post By Momma Robyn:

It's simple. You get a shoe box, you pick your age group and you fill the box. It was a good way to replace the "I want" in our house for a bit. It was fun for the kids and its a great opportunity to teach the them to have a giving heart. The US last year gave something like 85 MILLION boxes...that's AwEsOmE!

The Thankful Tree

2011-11-14T07:42:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it is essential to reflect on what you have, not what you don't have or what you want.

The holidays, as we all know, is the time when most of us try and grasp the little things around us and be thankful for them - but we all know how hard it is when life gets in the way and the essentials get pushed to the back burner.

Robyn set us up with a Thankful Tree, where our goal is to write down one thing everyday we are thankful for. It can be sincere, it can be funny, or it can just be.

Don't forget to look around and appreciate where you are and how lucky we all are to be in a culture and country that allows us multiple freedoms that most countries to get.

Dressed to Impress

2011-11-14T06:55:00.001-05:00

Watching The World Pass By

2011-11-05T14:51:00.001-04:00

Topping Off At The Summit

2011-11-05T14:49:00.001-04:00

Sugarloaf Mountain Hiking Adventure

2011-11-05T14:47:00.001-04:00

Halloween, Donuts, & Smiles

2011-11-02T19:36:00.001-04:00

Nothing brings good people together like Halloween, a donut eating contest, an impromptu game of Twister, and Fun Bus parked in the back yard open for the kids.

Best party on a Monday night I've ever had...

Dinner Infused With Children

2011-10-30T19:53:00.002-04:00

The Murdock's, a family that we met here in Frederick and quickly became good friends with, have five children under the age of seven - including twin girls. Needless to say, any time with them is never dull.

Our two plus their five keep us on our toes.

The Brady Bunch has nothing on this crew.

Living Room Flash Mob

2011-10-30T19:51:00.000-04:00

After dinner and conversation with our friends, that have five children under the age of 7, their living room turned into an impromptu dance scence that closely resembled a flash mob - a pleasant surprise for us.

Snow? In October? What the What?

2011-10-29T09:01:00.000-04:00

PB & J Sneak Attack

2011-10-22T09:56:00.001-04:00

Close Encounters

2011-10-22T09:54:00.001-04:00

To The Trails

2011-10-15T22:10:00.001-04:00

A nice twenty minute drive over the mountains, a small hike up a tiny portion of the Appalachian Trail, and one switch-back on a trail and we made it to a local monument I had been wanting to check-out for some time. The George Washington State Park and monument was worth the effort.

A fantastic view of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland made the hike up the steep steps well worth it.

Sliding In To Home

2011-10-15T22:09:00.001-04:00

Mazed & Confused

2011-10-15T22:07:00.001-04:00

Fall on the Farms

2011-10-15T22:01:00.001-04:00

One of the more surprising aspects of the area that we live in, is the amount of agricultural land that is still actively used. Within a 10-mile radius of us, there are easily 10-12 farms you can visit anytime of the year; however, the best time is now. All the farms open their gates and allow the public to enjoy what they work all year for.

Ready To Eat.

2011-10-15T21:58:00.001-04:00

Boo-Day Cupcakes

2011-10-15T21:53:00.001-04:00

Fresh off the plane on their visit, we headed over the river to Georgetown to surprise Boo with a trip to Georgetown Cupcakes, made famous from DC Cupcakes on tv. Typically, I'm not a huge fan of "celebrity" style eateries - but the goodies here are hands down some of the best cupcakes this kid ever shoved in his mouth.

My recommendation: Key Lime and wash it down with a Coconut to follow.

Romolicious

2011-09-27T07:08:00.001-04:00

Waiting On The Herd

2011-09-22T07:02:00.001-04:00

Riding the Rail

2011-09-22T06:59:00.001-04:00

Racing at the Great Frederick Fair

2011-09-22T06:54:00.001-04:00

A visit to the Great Frederick Fair, the annual county fair for Frederick County, turned the boys into speed junkie. The eyes and white of their teeth say it all...

Sharing The Goods

2011-09-12T18:53:00.001-04:00

In For The Kill

2011-09-12T18:52:00.001-04:00

Pinata Pounding

2011-09-12T18:49:00.001-04:00

Around here, everybody gets to swing for the fences...even momma.

Jaxson: Version 5.0

2011-09-12T18:35:00.001-04:00

The newest version of Jax: 5.0 hit the streets on Sunday.

Version 5.0 has officially come into the market place and made it's mark. It is louder, quicker, the Opionator App has definitely been installed, the memory has been increased and the ability to repeat all things (good and bad) has been revamped and upgraded as well.

With a few add-ons, called "New Friends" and "New Gadgets & Toys", it is a version that is sure to wear out the users (mom and dad).

As far as price - let's just not go there. If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

No doubt about it though, we like this version and I'll think I'll keep it - until Jax:6.0 is released around this same time next year.

Happy birthday Buddy; peace out ;-)

Tasty Face

2011-09-11T07:31:00.001-04:00

Ready For Fun? We Are.

2011-09-09T06:54:00.001-04:00

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.

- Bernice Johnson Reagon

To say that the last three months has been a challange would be an understatement. One life change is big; however, two life changes are monsterous. Three months ago we set out to change our lifes and do something different. We wanted to challange ourselves and see what is possible. If you sit on the sidelines your whole life, you never know what failure is and how great it and be to overcome failure and play in the game.

Our dream was big. We wanted our own business. After research, trials and tribulations, and some good old fashion work and tears - we decided on a franchise out of New Jersey, The FunBus.

Our new business wraps our life loves into one and allows us to be our own bosses. Kids, fitness, and an ever changing office view is what we wanted. The FunBus had it; now we just have to execute.

The FunBus finally arrived in our driveway this past week, and we could not be more ready to get going.

You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.

- Barbara De Angelis

Colton Is Now The Terrific Two

2011-09-09T06:47:00.001-04:00

The Thinker

2011-09-09T06:42:00.001-04:00

They Call It...

2011-08-31T20:34:00.000-04:00

Finger-boarding. Skateboarding with your fingers; tricks included.

New to me, but the kids loved it.

The Hawk Has Landed

2011-08-31T20:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the generation gap is blurred, sometimes it is clear cut. Sometimes you're not sure if you old, young, or somewhere in the middle.

Frederick has a fairly new skate park not too far from us. It's in a fairly normal neighborhood on the west side of town. Today, the park was transformed into a skating exhibition for the one-and-only Tony Hawk.

A few months ago, I remember reading online he was headed to Frederick, one stop on a multi city tour, promoting skateboarding and his company, Birdhouse. An ad on the radio caught my ear this afternoon saying he was in town and at Hillcrest Skate Park.

With Jax, and his new found love for skateboarding (except for the actual physical skateboarding part) we headed to check it out. I was completely surprised at the turn-out and community involvement. Never did get to meet the Bird Man himself; but we did get some free posters.

King Size Connect Four

2011-08-13T08:06:00.001-04:00

How 'Bout Them Cowgirls

2011-08-01T20:42:00.001-04:00

He met himself a little lady.

A few steps into the winery last weekend, Jax spotted himself a little friend and wouldn't stop talking about her nor would he stop looking at her. Finally he (along with Robbie) worked up the courage to approach him and his family...come to find out, momma is from Dallas and the little girl is a Cowboy fan - even though her momma is a Skins fan.

My boy knows how to pick 'em.

My Lady

2011-08-01T20:39:00.001-04:00

Hill side in Virginia at our favorite winery with the kids running a muck; all while enjoying some good local wine. Summer evenings are hard to beat sometimes, especially with this little lady at my side.

Old School Is Still The Best

2011-08-01T20:33:00.001-04:00

Capturing the Moment

2011-08-01T20:31:00.001-04:00

Knee Deep Bugaloo

2011-07-26T17:44:00.001-04:00

Shores of the Potomac

2011-07-26T17:37:00.001-04:00

An early morning airport run to D.C. to drop off Papi gave us the chance to grab the bikes and ride along the shores of the Potomac River.

Of all the places to ride a bike, this was not a bad choice. Now, as far as traffic actually in D.C., not so much fun. Someone had the bright idea to drive amongst the monuments and maybe grab a photo-op while passing the White House...not so much. We did see the monuments with somewhat ease; however, the big house was not so easy due to security and blocked streets / lost tourist (me) / confused driver of our car (me). The next time I am in a car in D.C. early on a workday morning, I better be chauffeured in a big black limo with a guy named Obama sitting next to me.

Rolling Dirty

2011-07-22T18:33:00.002-04:00

A morning bike ride around downtown Frederick sent me past a garage sale that had a few old skateboards sitting out for sale. After a quick trip home to clean-up, purchasing the boards, and a trip to the local skate shop - we are off and rolling.

Lots of work to go on the actual skating part, but we'll get there; however, we won't talk about the dent in the garage door that someone (dad) marked it with.

Shakir-ian Trance

2011-07-22T18:30:00.002-04:00

Hear The Train Coming...

2011-07-21T13:30:00.001-04:00

The Road & Rail Museum in downtown Frederick was hands down one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. A train store in front and a working miniature train town in back, it has it all. Bambino and Belle where besides themselves and didn't know which way to turn - couldn't get from one spot to the next quick enough.

Sun Drenched

2011-07-21T09:08:00.001-04:00

First Mountain Conquered

2011-07-20T10:57:00.001-04:00

One successful hike down, many more to come...hopefully.

A Mountain Day Getaway

2011-07-20T10:48:00.001-04:00

A huge part of why we made the move to the northeast was the abundance of outdoor activities and the closeness of a variety of those activities. The true four-seasons and the outdoor lifestyle that comes with those seasons was something we wanted. With mountains and multiple state parks within those mountains within and half-hour of our house, we make the short trip north to Catoctin Mountain Park.

Natural lakes for swimming and hanging out, hiking trails to challenge ourselves, and camp grounds for future stay-overs,and an overall Parent Trap like feel the place put a small grin on all our faces.

With a picnic in one hand and a sense of exploration in the other, the day turned out pretty cool.

Nice Finale

2011-07-15T11:15:00.001-04:00

Last day of summer camp, headed to the local city pool, called for a unique attire. Picked out by mostly him, he brings his own style to the party.

Green Dressed Green Thumb

2011-07-12T07:24:00.001-04:00

Water's Edge

2011-07-12T07:22:00.001-04:00

Save In The Hands Of A Flyboy

2011-07-12T07:11:00.001-04:00

With an invite from Decoy (call sign for Robyn's uncle in the Navy), we headed to Tall Timbers, MD to spend the weekend. Sitting on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay and the Patuxent River, the endless opportunities to keep two kids occupied is a nice problem to have. Between the fishing, kayaks, shell searching, and crab curiosities, we managed to squeeze in a few trips on the jet ski.

Not only did the Bambino venture out and find out his love of speed, even Belle took a spin - though she fell asleep while out at the high seas...

Front Porch Hipster

2011-07-09T07:25:00.001-04:00