Congrats Kuya Mike!

          My big brother Mike just graduated last month (late on posting along with the upcoming posts, but hey at least I'm getting it up right) and the whole family got to be there. It had been a really long time so it was extra special. He is our first graduate from college in the family so it was so exciting to see him cross the stage. Oh man, if only you could feel how proud we are and see how big our smiles were during that day. Plus it got me and Mitch motivated to finish too. Mike is working now at Primary Children's hospital. He's currently helping with some research so my brother is pretty important. ^_^ Mike is planning on going to medical school so he's studying for that now too. He's very diligent and a great example. We love you Mike and CONGRATS!

Here is us trying to take some pictures together and some family adventures.

Off to the Krispy Kreme state

    

I don't know what this is all about, but I want to find it in Winston Salem

    If you don't already know, which most of you already do, I think, we will be moving to Winston-Salem, NC. Weston has been accepted to a Physician Assistant program in Wake Forest University and we couldn't be more thrilled about it. The one time we were there for interviews we didn't think that we would end up there, especially considering Weston felt he did poorly on the interview. Yay for being surprised! In recent weeks we have started packing, looking for homes, and prospecting where we will be in the next five years. It's exciting thinking that in two years we could potentially have our official career job and in the succeeding years we could have two kids in school. YIKES! We try not to think too far ahead. It can get a little overwhelming. Anyhow here are a few interesting facts about where we are moving to.

Facts about Winston-Salem (thanks, Wikipedia!):
1. Krispy Kreme was founded in Winston-Salem
2. They have to die for (possibly literally, if eaten in excess) BBQ
3. In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. by CBS Money Watch.
<sup>4. It has humid subtropical climate. Not bad eh?
5. We will be living there so you should come visit us ^_^


We are really excited for this move and I believe it will be amazing!</sup> 

Superheroes to the ReSCUe!

I am not great at keeping up posts but here's to trying.

        Oliver is now 4 years old and he does it very well. He is a great storyteller and loves to make up his own words which he expects you to know. He absolutely adores Madeline and is a protective brother, even with us. Sometimes when Weston pretends to be a lion or dragon or whatever creature that may be attacking little Ms. Madeline, who can you expect to protect her? Sir Oliver! He will bravely stand in front of her and yell "NOT MY SISTER!" It may not seem too impressive considering that it is just pretend but if you know how seriously he takes his pretend play it is quite brave.
     Oliver is my little boy growing up and I love getting to know him better everyday and loving him more and more. Happy (super belated post) Birthday!

We love you!

Mads rockin' the superhero masks we made

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We had done this together with Oliver a few days before his birthday so we could enjoy it a little bit longer. He picked the colors and he loves streamers.

I think this was the night before his birthday trying to get all the decor up.

2012 Christmas Plague

Despite the title of my Christmas post we had the time of our lives with family coming to visit us. We had Stephen and Deneka and Mama and Papa Beck come in on the 12th, except Mom and Dad had to go to their cruise the next day, but no worries they'll be back in time for Christmas. So in the meantime we had fun staying home watching Xmas movies, making treats, cards, and late night Christmas-making-decorations extravaganza. And once in a while when we were feeling up to it we ventured out to see some of our favorite places in Philly. So why do I name it the Christmas plague? It sounds like we just had a great relaxing holiday and we did. But, not to get into too much detail, we all got our fair share of a GI bug with a few minor differences from person to person and some aches. The only sad part of getting sick is seeing the kids feeling down but they were troopers. Guess what, this  did not stop us from having fun.  NEVER! And these pictures will prove it. And yes we do look this good sick ~_^

We had to see the kangaroos for Stephen.

Sugar cookies! And Mary Poppins!!!

He had lots of fun! Can you tell?

Our delicious creations.

Xmas morning and what do we eat? Grits! It's YUMMY!

CHRISTMAS PJS!

We LOVE you Gamma Beck! Doesn't that smile just warm your heart?

our tree Christmas morning

Recouping before we head to NYC the next day.

Christmas day we got to see Les Miserables and had some homemade gumbo made by some awesome people, the Mahanas.  When we went to see the movie, which was amazing, Big Todd watched the kiddos for us. At first I was feeling a little nervous for him because Mads doesn't do too well without mommy. However, we came home to absolutely cute sight of Big Todd holding Miss Madeline in his arms content as can be. She didn't even reach out to me she was so comfortable. We sure love sharing Christmas' with family and good people.

Before we left for the movies. Oliver was excited to have a friend play legos with him. Mads was taking a nap.

When we got home. We forgot to take some pictures of their lego creations, they were good. Mads just relaxed as can be.

NEW YORK CITY!

Oliver was stoked to see Iron and Spiderman at FAO Shwartz. He's convinced they live there.

BIG PIANO!

No three hour line will dampen our spirits

Not even the kiddos ^_^ Short note: Bathrooms are always full! Solution: Empty bottle for our little man. Where does he do his business? Behind a pillar.

reunion with cousins

Mads having a fun little game of 'Who gets Grampa's hat?' while waiting to be called for our table. FOOD!

Back to Philadelphia for more adventures:

 We didn't take as many pictures as we would have because we were having so much fun.

Reading Terminal Market

PA program

         I noticed that in my previous posts I have forgotten to mention the fact that, well, Weston has applied for 12 Physician Assistant programs . We have heard from 4 so far; 3 want an interview and 1 has told us we didn't meet all requirements by 1 credit, oops.
        It's amazing how life can redirect you in surprising ways. Here we are in Philly thinking we would be here for five years because of grad school and now in just a couple of years we are waiting to see if we will be accepted (but first interviews of course) to a PA program.

I started this post a while ago and since then we have been accepted to a couple of programs! Way to go Weston! He is one hard workin' man. We are so proud of him and absolutely adore him and we are just so blessed. We really got the cream of the crop with our Weston. We love you!

Look at him! He's such a stud!

 Since hearing back we have been seriously considering Wake Forest out in NC. We still have some more searching and praying to do to see if this is really where we need to be and if it is the best fit for Weston. We will do our best to keep you all updated on this upcoming adventure. 

a little late: Thanksgiving

Before I start I need to recap the EPIC adventures that we've had over the holidays. We got to be with family and really what more can you ask for during the holidays. I will have to break this up over several posts because will it was that EPIC. First up: Thanksgiving.

I should preface our road trip to South Bend, IN, that just the week before we already had a road trip down to Winston-Salem, NC. Both trips took us roughly 12 hrs. Our IN trip was broken up into two legs though so that was much nicer. Now with two children, both under the age of 4 this was quite a feat but I learned a few things.

•  I don't have to pack their whole play room and craft supplies to keep them occupied (well, at least my kids don't). 
• All they need is a couple of good books and a DVD player and a working car outlet. 
• Keep an empty water bottle for emergencies. I think you know what I mean ~_^ 

Anyhow, the kids did great on our first leg of our trip to IN. We got to stop by Aunt Hilary and Uncle Dalin's house for a breather and got to stay the night. Oliver and cousin Cal just had a ball playing. I would say together which they did in the morning but at night Oliver was just glad to be out of the car and when he saw some trains spread across the floor no one could really distract him. It was so much fun to see them. Madeline loved seeing baby cousin Maggie. She kept pointing and wanting to see her. I think Mads was trying to decide if she was a doll or if she was real because she was smaller than herself.  I love it when cousins can get together. In the morning we said our goodbyes and headed off to the Indiana Becks, all of us very eager to get out of the car by the time we arrived. When we got there we were greeted with some good ol' fashion Beck bear hugs. Family sure is great. We got to see cousin Colin get baptized! Boy they grow fast. The first time I met him I'm pretty sure he was younger than Oliver is now. I tell ya, don't blink! Before you know it they're moving out going to college and doing grown up things. GAH! Alrighty, back to Thanksgiving. We had many fun turkey festivities, turkey hats and place-mats and definitely LOTS of cooking and baking. Sleeping arrangements were quite fun as well. Gamma and Gampa Beck, Uncle Stephen and Aunt Den Den, and Weston and I and Mads all slept downstairs in the basement. I wish I had taken a picture. It was quite a barracks chamber. And how can I forget the Kinect game awesomeness. It's a lot of fun to watch grown ups play but it's even more fun to watch the little ones play all together. The way they come up with some of their moves to complete the tasks is hilarious. Again another missed photo opportunity but we were just having way too much fun to stop. I am incredibly thankful for have such a wonderful family outside my own.

Oliver, Cal, and Mads "sliding" down the stairs.

Almost all of us

We went on a tour to a chocolate factory out in IN with the fam. mmmm CHOCOLATE!