Happy New Year!

Our kiddos made a little video clip..

Happy New Year 2010! from Gen McNulty on Vimeo.

May YOUR 2010 be filled with LOVE and LAUGHTER!

XOXO

Conor, Gen, Russ, Ally, Molly & Libby

Some Perspective & A Holiday Top 5

This time of year I always find myself putting things in perspective, focusing on the things that really matter and sharing my heart. Last year, it was a revelation about my weight, body image and setting a good example for my girls. Looking back I can't help but smile, 2009 was the year I took control. I grabbed on to my resolution and kicked some major butt! But, there is still work to do... we always have work to do. This year it's all about living in the moment. Trying to be 100% present, enjoying the here and now. The last couple weeks were a great reminder.

This year was by FAR the best Christmas with our kids yet! They got into it more than we could have ever imagined and made it magical for EVERYONE around them. The energy and spirit was contagious. I found myself sitting back and taking it all in. My heart has never been so full.

As we sat here tonight talking about the last couple weeks, Conor and I took a crack at Our Holiday Top 5...

(in no particular order)

1. Holiday cards: No better way to get in the spirit of the season than to see family and friends on your wall each day.
2. Caroling in Quadville: We had four designated carolers each day, belting out a steady stream of holiday hits, and correcting you if you sang the wrong words!
3. Christmas Eve: Awesome family gathering, complete with "Reindeer on the Roof." An old family tradition featured a ladder, lots of footsteps, and instant delight and excitement for the kiddos!
4. Deer in headlights: We expected to hear shrieks of delight and screams as the kids came tearing out of the room to find gifts from Santa on Christmas morning. Instead, they were simply awestruck for a good 3 minutes. Russ didn't blink, and sat there with his mouth open in amazement while staring at the new Handy Manny tool bench. Absolutely priceless to witness.
5. Princess on the potty: After finding new Disney princesses and a sweet new (infamous) doll house, the girls spent the rest of the day teaching Snow White, Belle, and Cinderella how to use the potty, take a shower, and sleep "like big girls" in their own beds. It's hilarious listening to the running dialog all day!

The one constant throughout all these memories was family. It was awesome to have members from all sides around to celebrate and enjoy!

We hope you all have wonderful new memories of your own and enjoyed each moment.

Here's to a happy, healthy and fun loving 2010! Carpe diem!

Girls' FIRST Hair Cuts!!

I gave the girls their first hair cuts last night. MOM.. don't KILL ME!!

Molly and Libby both have my hair.. TONS and TONS of fine, wavy, fast growing hair. Ally has hair like her Auntie Erin and Auntie Lou... very fine, super curly and sloooooow growing.

I have been so frustrated with the tangles and messy mops lately. It was time! I hadn't set out to cut their hair shorter, but with all the wiggles it just sorta happened. The good news is that it will grow back and be long again in no time. Also.... they look ADORABLE! I gave Ally some layers and her hair is in ringlets!! I LOVE IT but more importantly.. the girls LOVE it too!

Auntie Erin was here for all the action!

Me and Libby

Libby

Miss Molly waiting her turn

Me and Molly

Ally Boo Boo

Me and Ally

Ally Boo Boo all done!

Miss Mo Mo

Libs and her Earl

I didn't get very good after pictures last night! I'll work on that today. We have tons of family in town and are looking forward to the next couple days.

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Murry Christmas

Our Elf on the shelf arrived last week. Let me tell you... he is a HUGE hit! The kiddos promptly named him "Murry," as in "Murry (Merry) Christmas." I thought that was pretty clever for a bunch of three year olds! ;)

Murry The Elf

Each evening, before bed, they say goodnight to Murry. Then, he flies off to the North Pole to visit with Santa and report the days activities. He returns home before the kids wake up and finds a new spot to sit for the day. They LOVE waking up and looking for him. It's magical. This morning (and pretty much every morning...), they wanted nothing to do with me and rushed out to look for Murry. They found him quickly and I caught a little of the action on tape. Murry will continue to be part our our holiday traditions for many years to come.

Thank you for all the great recommendations!

Murry Christmas from Gen McNulty on Vimeo.

If you haven't already checked out my review blog, stop by and enter to win a $100 VISA gift card. The deadline is 12/28/09 - It's easy and YUMMY! ;)

'Tis the season...?

11:01 am- Bribe my sweet/spazzo kids to take a group photo using home made cookies. Yep, just fueling the fire!

11: 35 am- Aunt Barb and Lindsay pick up the kids to work on a "secret project."

11:36 am- Walking on air, I have a couple hours to myself.. Christmas shopping here I come!

12:00pm- One store down a few dozen to go.

12:10 pm- Enter Toys R Us. Put Barbie dream house into cart.

12:12 pm- Turn down tool isle in search of a work bench for a our little dude

12:13 pm- Kneeling down, looking over my choices.

12:13 pm (and 29 seconds...) - Hear a rustling to my left.

12:13 pm (and 30 seconds..) - Stand up to find a blond-haired, 30-something mommy, kinda like me, STEALING THE DOLL HOUSE OUT OF MY CART! I'm not kidding.

12:13 pm (and 33 seconds) - Three moments of SHOCK pass, and with the sassiest "tude" I could muster I yelp "ooooohhhhh NO you didn't!" Those of you who know me.. stop laughing...I held it together pretty well!!!

12:13 pm (and 46 seconds) - Mama thief pleads her case. It's not a good one. Not even close.

12:14 pm- This mama is not amused. For a few second, I start to question my faith in people... then I just politely and firmly stand my ground. Blond-mommy backs off, and heads out to potentially shop out of other carts...

12:16pm- Wait in mile-long line.

12:30 pm-Pay, pack up the car and leave. Doll house in trunk.

12:36 pm- Enter next parking lot. Sit in shock.

You know, I can deal with the crowds, the lines, the pushing, the rude comments, the poor attitudes, the rush, the stress, the lack of true holiday meaning and spirit... but STEALING out of MY cart!?! Come on now, that's just taking it a step too far!

Nothing like shopping to get you in the mood for some good holiday cheer! Huh?!

3:05 pm- Arrive home to lots and lots and lots and lots (yep...x4!) of love. Now I remember why I went out in the first place.

3:10 pm- Sharing my story and laughing. 'Tis the Season I guess!

TGIF EVERYONE! Be safe out there!

Multiples and More!

The sweet mamas over at Multiples and More have given us their "Thursday shout out!" It's such a fun idea and I had a great time walking down memory lane. I got to choose a few of my favorite posts and pictures!

I can't believe how far we have come and how much life has changed. MAN those early years were hard and I HAVE CHILLED OUT so much!! While reading some of those old post I couldn't help but laugh at myself!

If you have multiples (or love multiples) and are not already a member, join! You will love this FABULOUS community.

Thank you, Amanda! I have really enjoyed this and am so EXCITED and HONORED!!

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope your having a great week.

You Can Always Take a Bath..

I'm a huge believer in letting the kids live life by experiencing it.

Today the kids and I took advantage of a break in the rain. On our way home from our muddy adventure Libby exclaimed, "Mommy, that was THE MOST fun EVER!!!" God love her, she was right! Leave it to a 3 year old to put life in perspective..

Little Libby

I put together a quick slide show with some help from Kris Allen. TEASE me all you want for being a cheese ball.. but this is a GREAT FREAKING SONG!!!;) It's so easy to forget to live in the moment. It's the little things in life that make it magical.

Muddy Quads from Gen McNulty on Vimeo.

Santa On Speed Dial

Our house is filled with the spirit, sounds, and colors of the season. The kids are at the perfect age for the festivities and have REALLY gotten into it all this year.

For us, as parents, Santa Claus is a new found tool sent straight from heaven! The kiddos think I have him on speed dial. All we have to do is utter the first line of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and our children's temporary horns turn to halos. It's a Christmas miracle!;)

The kids LOVE to sing along. Their little voices melt me and crack me up at the same time. I promise to get the live version on video asap!!!

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping

He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake!
Oooooohhh.....!

You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

Proud Daddy with Russ and Libby

We hope the holiday spirit is taking shape and alive in your homes as well!

Happy Thursday!

PS: Thank you so much for all the great comments and emails!! I JUST ordered Elf on the Shelf!! It will be here by next week and we can't wait.

A Salute To Our Captain!

This weekend our family gathered in celebration of it's patriarch. Our Grampy Russell turned 80!

To say this man is ONE OF A KIND, doesn't even begin to do him justice. He is the most faithful, brilliant, loyal, strong, brave, loving, generous, funny, wise and humble man I have ever known. Not to mention... DASHINGLY HANDSOME ;). He's NEVER met a stranger and never walked away from a conversation without making an impact. He is loved by so many and adored by all. I am SO PROUD to be his granddaughter!!!

My aunts and uncles put on a beautiful party in celebration of our proud Marine. The Captain arrived by limo, martini glass in hand! We knew it was going to be a great night.

A few of the boys

Cousins Jeremy, Jake, Luke and Conor

Cousins Grace and Carlie

Nani Donsie and Little Russell

Aunt De and Me

Auntie Lou Lou, Nani Donsie, Me and Little Russell Man

Doggie Nicky and Cousin Bridget

Apple (what the kids call him) John and Msgr. Kidder

"Look mom, I can tickle the ivory like Nani Lou Ann did!"

- Russ with Aunt Rosemary

It didn't take long for Ally to find her furry friend!

Gramp and his sons

(L to R)

Pete, John, Gramp and Rich

Conor and Me

Our handsome Captain!

Molly and her Daddy

Libs and her sweet tooth

"Who wants to bet I can't eat 6 more of these bad boys!!??? AAAHHH!!"

-Russell man sampling the dessert offerings

Paula and Carrie

For all the pictures I took, I didn't get EVERYONE! Aunt Carrie.... send some more my way! I guess we were having WAY TOO MUCH FUN!

It was such a great night and the kids played their hearts out with all of their cousins, aunts, uncles and of course Gramp. It was such a beautiful party in every way.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Win $100 VISA Gift Card!

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Over on my review blog the kids and I got to cook with HERSHEY KISSES!

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Baby #5....

Did I make your heart skip a beat?! Ha ha ha... no, I'm not pregnant... that chapter was closed 3.5 years ago! However, we are ready to expand our family soon. More on that in just a second...

I haven't talked about our sweet Ally Boo boo's sensory integration issues in quite a while. The truth is, she had been doing GREAT... until recently. Click here for the background info.

If you have a child with sensory issues, I loved the book The Out-Of-Sync Child. It's a great read and helped me understand our darling little girl so much better.

With all the challenges we've had recently and the chaos of our road trip, she has been struggling over the last couple of months. We worry about her so much and feel helpless sometimes. She has not qualified for OT (occupational therapy) for just about a year - and we understand that. In fact, we're extremely blessed and fortunate that her condition is so mild - when so many other children and families need those services much more. We were very lucky to have had services and therapy at such an early age - its made a HUGE difference for all four of our kiddos.

We've continued to practice all the great techniques, tools, and coping mechanisms we learned in our time with Robin. However, it just has not been enough. While in Portland, we noticed such a difference when Ally was playing with Muzzie's new puppy, Bella.

Such a loving girl and such a sweet puppy!

This sparked an old conversation about therapy dogs. Since Ally was a baby she has been a dog lover. This post has one of my favorite video clips of her. She is an angelic soul and animals bring out the best in her. There is nothing like watching how sweet and gentle she is with little creatures, and the calming effect they have on her. They mellow her out, provide physical pressure and simply put ... ground her. If she's having a bad day, some time with a dog is all she needs to break the funk. It's amazing and heart warming. AND... it's time for us to get one of our own.

We have begun to work with a very special woman who will help us find just the right addition for our family. She rescues Labrador Retrievers (our favorite breed) and doesn't seem to think that my laundry list of "requirements," is too crazy. ;)

We've thought very long and hard about this decision . We will be taking our time as we search for our new family member. If we are going to do this, we are going to do it right and have no plans to rush. This doggie will not only help Ally, she will be great for the entire family!

I hope your all having a great week! I'll keep you posted on our doggie hunt as we take this adoption journey! We are so excited!