Winter Fun

We are now in the first week of March, and as much as I've been enjoying this winter and all the snow days that came with it, I'm hoping that it's about time to pack up the sweaters and snow gear. Mother Nature tends to have a mind of her own though so we'll see. In the meantime, here are a few highlights of this winter... I don't have a  ton of great pics because I refused to be more focused on taking pictures than on my kids and enjoying the moment. So, here's what I've got...

This was the first winter that the kids were old enough to really enjoy going sledding. Abby was a little more hesitant but Nolan had an absolute blast! He would go down the hill, come back up, and immediately go down again - like 30 times in a row. Meanwhile, I made it down and up once and had to take a 10 minute break ;)

(in this pic you can see Nolan and our cousin Colby walking up and Abby riding down with our cousin Hunter)

(Abby making a snow angel)

(Nolan climbing on a big pile of snow)

(Our snowman)

(Nolan getting the royal treatment by Uncle Brendan)

(Family trip down the sledding hill :) 

(Testing out the frozen pond. I told them both to stay away because it was dangerous. Notice that Boomer listened and Ben didn't ;)

(Once we were sure it was safe, Pops and Abby ventured out)

(Nolan and Uncle Ben "ice skating")

We've had a lot of other fun moments that I didn't catch on camera... so needless to say we've had a great time this winter. But now I'm ready for some warmer temperatures! Come on Spring!

Big Girl Milestone

Sometimes it feels like the kids are growing up WAY too fast. But, one area where I am glad for them to grow fast is the area of potty training. Recently we celebrated a big milestone... Abby is
officially potty trained!

This is a picture of [crazy-haired] Abby with her certificate and prize from her awesome babysitter (who did a lot of the work), Ms. Lisa! She got her first ever barbie doll for her reward. She was very excited!

Potty-training is one of my least favorite things about parenting so I am glad to have another one down! We get a little bit of a diaper break now before D3 comes along. This will be our first break from buying diapers in almost 5 years! Hurray for that and Hurray for Abby!

It's a _____!

This week we got to get a look at baby Donohoe #3 - or D3 as we affectionately call him/her. The big 20 week ultrasound is usually used to find out the gender of the baby. But, this time we decided to keep it a secret. So there won't be a big "It's a girl!" or "It's a boy!" announcement until the baby actually makes an appearance! We found out with both N and A so this will be different for us - it's definitely harder not knowing. But it's more exciting too - it will bring even more anticipation as the big day gets closer!

Nolan and Abby got to witness the ultrasound with us this time. I thought it might be something fun for them since they know that there's a baby in my belly, but they don't really understand why it can't come out yet. Abby frequently asks if she can hold my baby. Or she'll find a baby toy and say "this is for the baby" and then drop it down my shirt. Needless to say I think she is going to be excited when the baby comes! (At least until she realizes she is the center of attention anymore). Neither one of them was super excited about seeing the ultrasound - it would be kind of hard for a 2 or 4 year old to see what you are looking at. At first Nolan said "Is that a monster?" And then later on said the baby looked like a dinosaur - I think that was around the time she was checking out his/her spine. In an event, D3 looks healthy and got a good report. I am officially over half way done now so hoping that the 2nd half flies by as quickly as the first!

In other random D3 news, we've started talking about names some (which we are not sharing). But, did want to share that if it's a boy, Nolan thinks we should name him Peter (he got fixated on this name once and not thinks that everything that is a boy should be named Peter), and if it's a girl, Abby says she should be "Hope" (after her favorite baby doll that is named Baby Hope). Not knowing the gender will make it harder to pick a name. But we've still got several months to narrow it down!

House Update

It's been a while since I talked about our house, so here is the latest construction update!

Over the past few months they have been hard at work on the foundation. We had a bit of a set back because we found out the soil on our house site really sucks, so we have to have some extra work done on the foundation to make sure it is secure. Of course you all know what that means - more $$$ and more time to redo plans and such. But, thankfully we are back on track and the foundation is now complete. Here are a few pics from along the way:

Nolan posing with the beginnings of the foundation:

Lots and lots of cement trucks pouring the foundation:

Nolan and Abby playing in the "basement":

The back of the house (walk out basement):

The front view of the house - left side is the garage, right side will be the front porch:

So there you have it... It's been really cold and rainy/snowy the past few weeks. Hoping that the weather cooperates enough to get it under roof. Then bring on the snow days! :) 

D3

There's big news in the Donohoe House... Baby #3 is on the way and due to arrive next July! (Which you already knew if you read the Christmas Letter - but I didn't want D3 to be deprived of his/her own big blog announcement post)

We waited until Christmas Eve to tell the kids. As we were getting ready for bed we told them we had a surprise for them. When we told them what it was, Abby was super excited - she LOVES babies - and immediately tried stuffing a dolly inside my shirt. Nolan was less excited - but not upset. He mostly wanted to know if he could see it. And then cautioned me to be careful because the baby might bite me from the inside. 

I think it is too early for them to really understand what this actually means for them. But for now, they are excited. While Nolan and I were cuddling on the couch recently he started patting my belly and said he was "petting the baby". And Abby talks frequently about the "baby in you belly". 

I know that 3 kids is a scary thought. And there are times that won't be a picnic. But we know this little life is a blessing from God and are excited to meet him/her next summer!

Christmas Letter 2013

Once again, I didn't manage to get Christmas cards sent off BEFORE Christmas. Seriously, how do people do that? With all of the other exciting things happening around that time, sending out cards is usually one of the last things on my mind. So, in case you're interested, here's what you WOULD have gotten for our Christmas Letter:

In case you were wondering what’s new with the Donohoe’s:

Nolan

Age: 4

This Year I: practiced learning all my letters and sounds, learned to ride a bike without training wheels  (sort of), and learned to swim all by myself.

My Favorite Things Are: Pretending to fight bad guys with my friends, playing baseball, and any/all cartoons.                               

      

Favorite Memory of 2013: Moving to the farm and helping Meemaw and Pops with the chores. (Katie’s parents have a farm – We moved in with them while we wait for our house to be built)

In 2014 I am Most Looking Forward To: starting Kindergarten in the Fall!

Abby

Age: 2

This Year I: starting potty training, learned my colors and how to count.

My Favorite Things Are: singing, playing outside and playing with my dolly’s – especially Baby Hope.

Favorite Memory of 2013: being the flower girl at Uncle Mike and Aunt Meagan’s wedding.

In 2014 I am Most Looking Forward To: getting a little brother or sister! (Baby Donohoe #3 is due in early July!)

Katie

Age: younger than Jack

This Year I: survived another year of teaching math and SOL’s, tried some new recipes, read some good books, and enjoyed keeping up with 2 busy kids!

Favorite Memory: the surprise trip that Jack planned for us to Abingdon, VA. We stayed at the Martha Washington Inn, watched a show at the historic Barter Theater, and biked down the VA Creeper Trail – in the snow! Jack even called my principal and arranged my sub plans for me. It was a much needed break from the normal routine.

In 2014 I am Most Looking Forward To: having baby #3! And our new house being built. They have started on the foundation and some plumbing work. It should be move-in ready sometime in the spring. I think I am most excited about the closet space and being able to get everything out of storage!

Jack

Age: Old enough

This Year I: Spent countless hours dealing with County officials and arranging for building permits, soil tests, etc. for our new house. I am still working at Morton’s and enjoy the challenges that business and working in sales bring on a daily basis.

Favorite Memory of 2013: Taking lots of day trips with the kids – we went to the zoo, Busch Gardens, played at the lake, and more. I also really enjoyed seeing my little brother get married!

In 2014 I am Most Looking Forward To: our new home and having a yard to take care of. (And baby #3 of course!)

Boomer (our black lab)

Age: 6

This Year I: Slept a lot, got in trouble for getting on the couch all the time, rode on the gator around the farm, and learned not to chase cows because they are much bigger than me.

Favorite Memory of 2013: moving to the farm and getting a new friend, Belle (one of my parent’s dogs). I love it there! I am glad I will never have to live in “town” again!

In 2014 I am Most Looking Forward To: finding new mischief to get into!

Christmas Time

While I haven't been feeling the greatest the last few weeks (more to come on that later), I have been trying to do some fun holiday things to get in the spirit. This year the kids are 2 and 4 - ages that allow them to actually get excited about doing Christmas-y things and enjoy them. Here are a few things we've tackled so far:

Cutting Down the Christmas Tree:
(Nolan and Abby did the picking, Mom did the sawing - she is truly a woman of many talents)

Making a Ginger Bread House:

The kids had a really good time with this one. Of course, Abby didn't really understand why you weren't suppose to eat the candy, and Nolan couldn't comprehend the fact that the house didn't have to look EXACTLY like the one on the box (yes, I used a kit from a box. Don't hate.) "Mom, the gum drops are suppose to go THERE." Anyway, once I got Abby to stop eating everything and Nolan got in the creative spirit we all had a great time. Too bad our finished product lasted less than 24 hours because I'm an idiot and left it within reaching distance of a certain dog who shall remain nameless.


Annual Christmas Parade:

I haven't been to the local Christmas parade since High School - when we would march in the marching band. I was hesitant to go this year because it was freezing cold and Jack was working, so I knew it would mean me tackling the crowds by myself. But, we went. And I'm glad we did! Everyone had a good time. The kids especially enjoyed all the candy they handed out. Nolan like all the "army" people and the fire trucks, and Abby like the dogs and "princesses" (pageant winners).

Breakfast with Santa:

Each year my school puts on a "breakfast with Santa" and craft fair. I've been to the craft fair before, but have never taken the kids to the breakfast. This year we went and had a great time! Nolan walked right up to Santa without hesitating. Abby was still terrified of him. She did stand at a distance and wave - but that's about as friendly as she was willing to get with ol' Santa Clause. After we visited with Santa we had a lovely pancake breakfast and then walked around the craft fair. The kids went home with balloon animals - which only lasted about an hour, but were a big hit!

Ms. Lisa's Annual Christmas Party:

      

(Another pic with Santa - Abby still wasn't thrilled - but not crying at least!)

(Ms. Lisa with all of her "kids")

Ms. Lisa is our amazing babysitter. I think I've talked about her on here before - about how grateful we are for her. She has really touched a lot of lives throughout her years of doing child care. My kids have learned so much being with her. Each year she has a Christmas party for all of her "kids" - past and present. It's always a big hit. The kids have a blast visiting with their friends and opening presents. This year Santa even made an appearance!

That's all for now. I started this post several weeks ago and got busy with life so never published it. But here it is - just a little too late. Even though it is almost January, there will likely be some more posts about Christmas in the days to come!