Memorial Day at Lake Anna

On Saturday, we finished packing up the minivan (which by the way is almost 1 year old and already has over 20,000 miles on it) and headed to Lake Anna. My uncle and cousins from New Jersey were visiting and we were looking forward to catching up with them. It was a beautiful weekend, so we were able to enjoy spending most of the time outside.

Nekije and her boyfriend, Billy, enjoyed lounging on Big Mabel.

Sue enjoyed soaking up the rays and reading with Sophie on her lap. Lucy enjoyed resting in the sun.

Nathan discovered a new thrill at the Lake... the super soaker water guns.Luckily, he still needs some help to make them squirt. Look out paparazzi!!!!
Andrew was not a fan of the baby pool, but he loved hanging out in the swing on the dock.

We also discovered that Andrew is a big fan of graham crackers. He was double fisting and ate almost a whole sleeve of them!

Luckily Grammy had a whole 2nd box so we could make S'mores. Everyone enjoyed the addition of peanut butter to this yummy treat. Next time, we might switch out the Hershey bar for Reese's peanut butter cups or York pepperming patties. YUMMY!

Who wants to ride with me?

Despite all the other fun Nathan was having, he was most happy when he was out riding the jet ski. "Anyone want to ride with me?"

Pop-Pop's turn.

Mommy's turn.

Daddy's turn.

Uncle Matt's turn.

"Okay, who wants to ride with me next?"

A Visit from Old Friends

On Friday night, we enjoyed a special visit with some old friends who were in town from Arizona - Brandi, Tim and Devon. Brandi and I have known each other for over 20 years (yikes.. that's a long time and makes us really old). Devon and Nathan enjoyed pushing each other around on the deck while the adults chatted and enjoyed the beautiful evening outdoors.

The boys had such a fun time playing together, that is was hard to say goodbye. But once the clock struck 11 pm, it was time to say good night. Given that this was the latest Nathan had ever stayed up, Dan and I braced ourselves for a massive meltdown before bed. Luckily, he surprised us and we all settled quickly into our beds to catch some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Trains, Trains, Trains

On Sunday afternoon, we made a quick stop at the Strasburg Railroad. It was nice to walk around and see it on a non-Thomas event weekend.

Then on Monday morning, we took the boys to the Choo-Choo Barn to check out the model train display. It was pretty amazing. In addition to many trains, there were lots of other animated parts of the display. Some of the favorites were of Dutch Wonderland, a mountain with skiers, parades and a fire truck racing to a house that was on fire.

We then ended our trip to PA with lunch on a dining car at the Red Caboose Motel. It was nothing fancy, but still a fun ending to a fun weekend in Lancaster.

Chocolate World

The weather on Sunday was a little dreary, so we decided to drive up to Hershey to visit Chocolate World.
We realized we were here with Hills over 3 1/2 years ago when they agreed to accompany us on a weekend getaway to Scranton to babysit for Nathan while we attended a wedding.

We all enjoyed yummy Hershey bars after the tour and some of us also splurged on a delicious ice cream sundae! How can you pass up a Reese's sundae with peanut butter sauce?!?!? Especially when the Reese's car is sitting right there?

Dutch Wonderland

This past weekend, we headed up to Lancaster, PA with the Hills for a weekend getaway. We rented a house, which was awesome! It had 5 bedrooms and a little playground which the kids loved. The location was very convenient, yet in a more rural area and we got to enjoy the clip-clop of many of the horse drawn buggies driving by. I forgot to take a picture of the house, but if you plan to travel to this area, I highly recommend this house and can get you the information.

We spent most of the day on Saturday enjoying the rides at Dutch Wonderland.
Clara and Nathan were very adventurous and enjoyed ride after ride.

We learned, however, that Andrew is not the thrill-seeker that Nathan is. I tried to put him on a horse for a carousel ride. Andrew was not a fan at all and clung to me for dear life until the ride stopped. But that's okay, he still had fun.

The Airshow

While I spent some time with my mom, Dan ventured over to Andrews Air Force Base with the boys, the Korsvalls and the Hills.

Although we were more prepared this year (thanks to Eric for picking up ear protection for the kids), Nathan remembered just how loud the planes were last year and was pretty anxious. So after only about an hour or so, Dan and the boys boarded the bus and headed back to the parking lot.
When I got home later that afternoon, Nathan was playing airshow in the basement. He had lined up his matchbox cars in a parking lot and was flying his planes all around. Pretty ironic....

Girls Night

As a mother's day gift, our wonderful husbands treated Wendy, Erin and I to a Girls Night Out at the National Harbor. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Grace's Mandarin restaurant followed by scrumptious cupcakes from Cake Love.
After lots of girl talk, we closed our eyes and settled into our comfy beds at the Gaylord and slept in until 9 am. What a treat! Thanks guys!

A Beautiful Morning for some Exercise

It was a beautiful morning, so we decided to go outside and enjoy the weather. Dan and I strapped on our rollerblades (probably the 1st time in at least 4 years!) and we headed up to Starbucks for a treat.

I am happy to report that we all returned home safely with no incidents or injuries. I'll let you know how my thighs and hips are feeling tomorrow!

One Last Fiesta

On Friday, we celebrated Andrew's birthday one last time with his friends at his daycare. Here is Lanka with both of the birthday boys.... Andrew and Calvin.

Lanka, Karen and Maria helped the kids get into the fiesta spirit by making some adorable sombreros out of paper plates and bowls. All of the kids enjoyed the maraca cupcakes....

And the bigger kids each got a couple of swats at the pinata.

Happy Mother's Day

My boys spoiled me this Mother's day. Before church, my husband treated me to a delicious breakfast of waffles with fresh berries and whipped cream. Yummy!! Nathan also picked out a very special gift for me that he thought would make me feel very special. It was a toothbrush in my favorite color, green. How thoughtful and adorable!


After church, we met both of our mothers for lunch at Mon Ami Gabi in Reston. Nathan was our photographer..... here's Uncle Matt enjoying his soup,

Gramma and Grandad posing for the camera,

and Grammy and Pop Pop too!

The three of us....

and Andrew enjoying some cappuccino with Uncle Matt.

The food was delicious, but the private room was even better! The boys were quite well behaved considering how far past nap time it was. They both crashed in the van on the way home. Thanks everyone for a fun and special day!

Feliz Cumpleanos Andrew!

On Saturday, we celebrated Andrew's first birthday fiesta style.



The sun was shining and the wind was blowing very hard, but everyone was still able to enjoy lots of fun times outside.... jumping on the moonbounce,
dancing to the music,pinning the tail on the "burro",and opening the pinata and filling their water bottles with treats.We then crowded back into the house for a festive maracas cake and ice cream. Andrew definitely enjoyed his piece! Happy 1st birthday Andrew! We love you!