New York City

This past weekend we took the boys to New York City. We live about 4 1/2 hours away from it. We thought it would be fun for the kids to see the Big Apple.

It turned out to be a fun weekend get away.



We rode a ferry boat out to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty.



We visited the World Trade Center site.



Then we took a walk down Wall St. to the New York Stock Exchange building. Where we were oohed and ahhed at by a Chinese group of people. They went on and on about us having four boys and how blessed we were. In fact they took our picture.

After visiting the Financial District and the Statue of Liberty we decided to jump on the subway and head up to China town. When we got on the subway of course it was packed and standing room only. As the doors were closing four black guys jumped onto the subway. They asked in a rather loud voice, "Does anybody know what time it is?" Everybody on the subway just kind of ignored them. I was holding Thomas on my hip and holding on to the subway railing, while Joshua held on to my leg and Christopher was under my other arm hanging onto the railing. There was no way I was going to move to look at my watch. I guess everybody else in the subway car felt the same way. The men asked about three more times. Finally someone, said the time. Then the men proceed to say, "No that is not the time, it is Doo-Wap time." Then they burst into some Doo-wap song. They actually sounded pretty good. It was a great New York experience.

In China town we dodged the afternoon thunderstorms by ducking into the little shops. I was asked several times by Chinese ladies and men if I was interested in Coach, Prada, Chenille and Louie Vuitton Handbags. I of course, couldn't resist and finally said, Yes to one lady. She then said,"Follow me." I of course did, with three kids following me, along with the stroller and Ryan. I followed the lady for a couple of blocks. When we were stopped at a light, I asked her how much farther. She told me to, "Shshsh." She kept saying it over and over again. Finally we got to a store front. She told Ryan, to stay outside. Then I was led inside to a door which was then opened and a Chinese man was in this little tiny closet. I went in, with Joshua. When the door closed he opened up another door. We then took a steep flight of stairs up to a tiny little room which was full of designer handbags. After some time I picked out a Coach purse. It was a lot of fun. I wish Ryan could of came with me. It is really a different kind of experience.

After China town, we took the subway and went to Time Square. We spent the evening hours, roaming the streets in Time Square and doing a little shopping. I bought my favorite New York treat from a street vendor, Roasted Almonds. The boys enjoyed them.


It was a fun weekend. I love the big city. I can't say I would want to live there, but it is a fun place to visit. On our subway ride, back to the financial district to pick up our vehicle, Matthew was looking out of the subway windows, which is all underground. At one point, he said to me, "Mom, it looks like some teenagers have been down here coloring." I laughed, it was so cute.

Goodbye Forstroms

Here is the last line up of the Marcusen's and Forstrom's boys. These boys have grown up together for the past five years. When the Forstrom's moved here five years ago, Gavin was 5 and in Kindergarten. The last two Forstrom's were not yet born.

Five years later and countless memories, we say Goodbye to our Dear Friends. We will miss each of them! From Friday Nights, to Girls Night Out, lots of girl talk, map ball, wii, endless baseball games, scooter races, swimming and much more.

We wish them the best as they head off to Seattle to embark on a new adventure.

(Below are some pictures from our silly string war last night.)

Boys Being Boys

This is one of the many things my boys do that is called just plain and simple, Boys being Boys! It was hilarious to watch as they "Kung Fu-ed" around the family room.

Potomac Nationals Baseball Game

Saturday Night we went to a Potomac Nationals Baseball game in Woodbridge, Va. It was an end of the season party for Matthew's baseball team. Our boys enjoyed hot dogs and pizza and of course dippin dots. All three boys were mesmerized by the game.

Later as we were leaving, Ryan paid a couple of dollars to see how fast Matthew's pitch was. Turns out Matthew can throw a ball 37mph. Matthew was very proud of this speed. He has since asked how fast I drive on neighborhood streets. When I tell him it is suppose to be 25mph, he quickly reminds me he can throw a baseball faster than that.

At the end of the night we enjoyed a fire work show along with a spectacular lightening show.

Field Trip Friday

For our first field trip Friday of the summer, we went to Strasburg, Pennyslvannia. We saw Thomas the Tank Engine and rode on a old steam engine train. The boys loved the train ride. The train ride was 45 minutes, but it was not long enough for Matthew and Christopher. My Thomas was fascinated with the cows he saw out of his window on the train ride. He couldn't get enough of them. Joshua was the most excited to see Thomas the train. At the end of the day, the boys and I enjoyed eating some of our favorite popcorn, hot kettle corn.

We had a good time together.

2007-2008 School Year comes to a close

Matthew and Christopher, September 2007, First Day of School.
Matthew and Christopher, June 2008, Last Day of School

What a year it has been with changing schools and friends.

The boys have enjoyed being in school together. They got a kick out of seeing each other at school. Many of times they were able to play with each other at recess. They have grown so much this year. Matthew especially has grown in height. He now measures right below my chin. I can't believe it! Both boys have grown in knowledge. As a mother, I love watching their knowledge increase. It is fun to see Christopher reading and writing.

The boys and I are very excited for summer! We are looking forward to the lazy summer days at the pool, parks and just being together.

Christopher's End of the year Party

Christopher's end of the year Luau Party.

Happy Father's Day - Tribute to Ryan

Friday Night comes to a close

For the past 4 1/2 years every Friday night we have done a babysitting switch with some good friends. We started off with several families in the rotation. But as the years have come and gone and the families have grown, only two families of all boys remained. The Marcusen's and The Forstrom's. Nine boys in all. Well, the Forstrom's are moving, so Friday night comes to a close for now.

We spent our last Friday night at Matthew's baseball game. It was a very hot and humid night, but the boys didn't seem to mind. The boys ate pizza and played on the playground. I also caught Joshua and Keaton just being boys! See picture below. I had a good chuckle along with the other baseball player's moms.

Flip Flops

(picture of Shauna taken by Joshua)

I love SHOES! I love to leave my shoes on all the time. I hate to take them off. I LOVE to wear them in the house. I think I like to wear them because I feel just a little bit taller, especially when I am wearing platform shoes. Well, this morning I got dressed and had on a pair of platform black sandals. As I was getting ready to leave and take Christopher to school I noticed Matthew's flip flops by the door. Hmm... They are camo with little bugs hidden throughout them. Well, as I picked them up to take them to the closet, the thought crossed my mind. Hmm... I wonder if they would fit me? Well, as you can see from the photo they do. They are exactly what my outfit needed.

Mom, remember when we used to sneak in and wear your clothes to school? Remember the lock you had to put on your closet to keep us girls out? Well, I guess Matthew is going to need a lock for his shoes unless he doesn't mind me borrowing them.

Who said, you couldn't have fun with boys!

Komen 5k

I did it! I ran my first race ever!

The race was held in Washington D.C. Which was an experience of a lifetime to run around all of the United States National Monuments. We started at the Natural History Smithsonian building. We ran past the White House, up towards the VP Offices, past the Washington Monument. Then along the National Mall past the Air and Space Smithsonian building finally finishing down a little bit from the US Capital building. The race was held to earn money to cure breast cancer. It was truly an amazing experience. There were 50,000 participants. It was humbling to see how many people have been affect by breast cancer. We were fortunate enough to be close to the beginning of the starting line.

Condoleezza Rice spoke a little before the race. Her personal trainer warmed us all up, which was hilarious since we were packed in so tight. During the race, there was a part of the course that ran parallel to the other racers who were just beginning the race. It was very motivational, since the racers who were at the beginning of the race would cheer for the racers who were running the last half of race.

It felt so good to run! I think I have become addicted to running and the thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with it. I am so proud of all my good friends who also ran the race with me! It was a first for all of them, too! Way to go Penny, Sierra and Sara! We did it!





Anyone up for a 10k? It's only double what we did on Saturday.

Greeks & Romans Day

Today was "Greeks & Roman Day" for the third graders at Selden's Landing Elementary. All of the children were asked to wear Togas to school. The togas were a homework assignment that the children have been helping their parents make during the past week. It was so fun seeing seven, third grade classes all dressed in different togas, along with the teachers.

They started off the morning holding their very own Olympics outside. They played different games and rotated among many different stations.



After the Olympics, the kids went inside and rotated through three stations. Mosaics made with beans and popcorn. Nut chopping and making the topping for the Greek dish. And finally the station I was in charge of was making Baklava, a Greek food dish. The kids had so much fun making their mosaics and helping to make the very buttery Baklava. Matthew enjoyed trying Fillo dough for the first time.


After the stations, it was lunch time. After the lunch the children were going to watch the movie Hercules. After the movie all of the seven third grade classes were going to have a taste testing of the different foods make by each third grade class.

Earlier in the year the kids learned all about Ancient Roman and Greece. It was fun to have these hands on activities for the kids to implement what they had learned. It was a great reward for all of the hard work the kids and teachers did in preparing and taking the SOLs.

Feeling Better

The boys were feeling somewhat better by Monday night. We were going a little stir crazy after being inside for a day. I went outside to water my flower gardens. The boys came outside and sat on the steps. It didn't take long for the boys to start running through the water. I decided to join in the fun. So instead of finishing my watering of the flowers. I watered my children. They giggled and squealed in delight. Even Thomas joined in on the fun. He didn't even cry when his brothers squeezed the sponge water on top of his head.