Swimsuit Season!!

(First, a quick note. Lucy has at one point seen Bionce dancing to" All the Single Ladies".

In the video, they are wearing what looks like swimsuits.

So now every time she wears her suite,

she says, "like all the single ladies?" HA!)

Its about time. I could not wait to put this snazzy suite on Luce!

She loves it! We don't have anything close to a swimming pool,

so the next best thing...

This is the biggest tupperware we have. They didn't seem to mind that there is no room for sitting,

and biggest attraction seemed to be putting rocks in the bottom.

Jeff cringes when he hears the word "picnic". Lucy on the other hand, she loves them as much as I do, so she asks for them often. Jeff does take part in finding new parks every time,

which really makes for an adventure.

Rodney Dangerfield! This kid, I swear, if he hasn't tried it, its not out there.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day is HUGE out here,

(because of all the war monuments, and the historic area).

Our town of Falls Church puts on a huge bash every year (as does every small town)

of which we took part doing a race.

The kids were golden, and despite the 100's of people running we managed to

get our free T's at the end!

YUM-O!! Grilled Hawaiian teriyaki chicken burgers, with fresh pineapple,

pepper jack cheese and honey smoked ham!

Salad and home made ice cream to top it all off!

My heard pattered a bit when Lucy got her FIRST invitation to a birthday party!!!

It was a swim party, so she's wearing her suite and cover up!

Jeff and I both agreed we were much more excited for her to go to a party,

then we would have been about an invitation for ourselves.

When they say "chance of rain" its not just a sprinkle, its a down poor!!

Thunder, Lightning, gobs and gobs of rain, but none of this ever takes the

bite out of the air which makes playing in the rain all the better.

This is long after the heaviest rain had stopped, but cautious Lucy didn't

dare step foot out in it with out her full body armor on. Rain coat AND umbrella.

-That reminded me of the funny way Lucy says some words. She'll try and pronounce

things, but just can't get them right.

Waffles- awfuls

ridiculous - deediculous

stroller- stroedoe

microwave- mycrove

umbrella - bumbrella

To the song Ring around the Rosies she'll say the "cows are eating cups of butter"

(instead of eating buttercups. Sounds tastier to me as well Luce!)

There are a billion more, but that will do for now!

2003

2003, what a year.

Little did I know I'd be writing something like this 7 YEARS later!!

3 Kids, living in VIRGINIA (after all, it IS the state for lovers)

To celebrate our anniversary (among other things) we enjoyed persian food, in historic Georgetown.

We were not totally childless, we brought along Henry, but he was a trooper.

Food was tasty, and company... I have grown to LOVE this man, not only as my husband,

but as a father! He is darling with the kids, and so great to us all!!

For the day, we were heading to Jefferson Island, but parking was limited,

so we happened upon a historic park (one of hundreds) and enjoyed the walk

around this little forest.

We ended up having our picnic here, Iwo Jima. Super great weather!

Charlie looks as if he's about to have the first step on the moon!

Our tasty desert. We strolled around Georgetown after dinner, and it really

was perfect. Just to be with one another, and have a few hours to talk. just talk.

This is the "Henry House" I HAD to get a picture here.

We visited a civil war site, this weekend and among other things, like taking the kids

on their first MILE walk, we visited this house!

Jeff is being patient with me as I try and keep strait all the years, events and people.

I am a history buffs worst nightmare! SO SORRY HUN!

The all american family. Kids playing in the Radio Flyer wagon,

while the papa (notice his "I won't smile, I'll just look tough face") grills up supper!

this is lunch time at our house.

Henry is just about to leap out of that thing, and snag a bite of Charlies food.

Just you wait baby.

And one of my favorite things about Henry, he just chews my shoulder

when I hold him like this. It would drive my mom crazy to not have a burp cloth,

but I love the constant although wet reminder that I have this sweet baby.

P.s. my mom asked to have me put the captions UNDER the pictures, as opposed to above..what's the verdict?

7 day wrap up

Yes, we manage to squeeze lounge time into our days.

What a HUNK!

As I like to call them, My babies!!!

Notice the wash off tattoo. I did it for you mom.

This was a week ago, our trip to see some "open to the public" embassies.

Not that impressive compared to the county, but a close second I suppose.

(just after our picnic lunch.)

Fool me once...Chars, not Henry. I suppose Henry looks like himself. (Imagine that)

(This is Char-bars)

Thats better. Here he is! In all his glory.

Super happy baby, and deserves more milk for all the rough housing he puts up with.

Is mastering his smile, and has become quite the charmer.

Henry and I, despite the fun places we go as a family, manage to see mostly

the beautiful interior of our car...arg nursing. (wish we loved it)

Ok ok. 20 MINUTES from our house is THIS!

Really, we live in Falls Church, by Seven Corners, (which is a huge shopping center)

and then just 20 min. the other direction is THIS?

For someone from Utah, this may not be a big deal, but people, we practically

live in the city, and then voila!

Its a National Park, of which some of Falls Church was named after.

PERFECT beginning to a mothers day weekend.

Just look at the face of amazement.

And how could I not have taken more pictures?

We visited Annapolis, for a Mothers Day get away.

Sits right on the Potomac, so super fun to see all the ships that were docked,

but we hope to make another trip down, as it was FREEZING cold, and we were not prepared.

Oh, and this was our last picture with Jeff, as he soon after this was taken

left me with all 3 kids, for 4 DAYS!

We survived, but are thrilled to have him home soon!!!

He had a work conference in Indiana.

So, there you have it.

Until next time.

Better then a....

Weather: Perfect for s'mores

Neighbors: Great fun and entertainment!

Food: ribs, asian salad, guacamole, sheet cake...

A good night was had by all

The weekends activity:

"Maryland Day".

Held at Maryland University, with tons of family/kid activities.

Mark your calenders for next year, its free.

Catch a duck= get a prize!

Wow, my oldest and youngest.

How quickly time has gone.

The boys.

Chars can't get enough of 'Enry

Ah yes, indeed, better then a sand box, our gravel driveway.

A parent must have!

And for desert...doesn't matter. It had chocolate!

(I'm not a fan , but we'll let this speak for charlie.)

Ok Auds close ups.

Henry has been a gem.

Perfect 3'rd musketeer.

Lucy

Dear Lucy

I adore you.

Today, however, you got the brunt of frustration.

You've learned (thanks to the neighbor girl) that when I'm coming for you, to RUN!

This does not help when you've done something horrible, like:

shut Charlies finger in the door

slap charlie

hit charlie on the head with baby Betty

yell "NOOOoooooo" Charlie

charlie, charlie, charlie....

Throw your cup off your tray

Wake up at 6:15 am (really, what were you thinking?)

BUT...all in all, you are a darling daughter, sister and girl.

You've had a bit of moody-ness creep in, lucky for me, you are mostly

complaint still, obedient for the most part, and a super example to your brothers.

Lucy lucy, I love you!

(We have the most BEAUTIFUL tree in bloom in our back yard, and while the boys

caught up on some Zzzz's, Luce and I took some picts.)

Our weekends, I'm not sure if its because we've moved here, or because the

new baby has kept us feeling cooped up, but when the weekend comes, we're ready to party!

This weekend, the Zoo, and a Parade.

This shot was at the Cherry Blossom parade~

I a parade!!

The marching bands here have rhythm, that is not taught or mechanical,

the bagpipers section had more then 10 people, and what better views

could you have at a parade?

Yes, even Elmo made an appearance.

Jeff thinks this is so funny.

Look at Chars face.

This that and the other

Here he is, the midnight creeper.

He's actually been quite the trooper, and more so then my other kids

loves to be held. Seems to be packin' on the lbs.

and gets plenty of kisses from

the kids, and I.

My "MIL" asked how three kids was.

Truly, easier. Honest.

Mind you, there is plenty of cereal on the floor,

dirty clothes piled up, miscellaneous food for dinner, the occasional time out...

but Lucy and Charlie usually play well together, and so many times I think during the day

"is this my life"?

These kids are my best friends, (it helps when you have none. :)),

no really, they bring such joy, and even when I'm about to strangle one of them,

I think of this great blessing.

Ok, ok, enough.

Uncle Zack in town. Grandma and Grandpa also came in town for

his graduation. Look what a classic picture!

Popcorn popping on the....ALL the trees! We've made it our weekend habit

to head down to the mall, and with guests in town, we couldn't help ourselves.

Perfect sunny weather, and its only gotten warmer.

This year, thanks to my darling new neighbor, Kari, we died Easter Eggs!

Lucy LOVED it!

The local easter egg hunt. Lucy didn't really get into the quantity of eggs.

Rather, was just interested in the one she got, and making sure it had candy in it.

When you have 2 kids, and 4 holes in a swing, doesn't this seem natural?

They both loved it, and solved our problem.

Easter Brunch!

Breakfast Paninis, coffee cake, blueberry muffins, fruit with dip...YUM!!

Yes, the easter bunny came by our house and dropped a few eggs.

Our Easter sunday, PERFECT weather. The Cherry Blossom Festival brought lots of

tourists down to the mall, but we couldn't help ourselves!