We look forward to getting to know their boys better and supporting them as they embark on a new, unpredictable, ever-changing journey - the journey through parenthood.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Welcome Home!!!!!
On Friday afternoon, Nathan and I had the privilege to go to Dulles Airport to welcome home some friends. Mike and Megan have spent the last few years on a very, very long journey through the adoption process. But finally, the adoption journey came to an end for them. After spending about a month in Africa, Mike and Megan arrived home from Uganda with their boys, Joshua and Isaac.
We look forward to getting to know their boys better and supporting them as they embark on a new, unpredictable, ever-changing journey - the journey through parenthood.
We look forward to getting to know their boys better and supporting them as they embark on a new, unpredictable, ever-changing journey - the journey through parenthood.
Thanksgiving Party
Last Friday, Nathan's class invited the parents for a Thanksgiving party.
After the kids performed two adorable songs, we enjoyed a yummy Thanksgiving feast. I'm looking forward to more green bean casserole on Thursday!
After the kids performed two adorable songs, we enjoyed a yummy Thanksgiving feast. I'm looking forward to more green bean casserole on Thursday!The National Zoo
Two weeks ago, I had a busy Saturday. In the early afternoon, I manned the booth for Pink Pineapple Studio at a local craft fair and then was headed to Marrakesh (an awesome Moroccan restaurant in DC) for dinner to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday. So Dan was basically on his own for the day with the boys and decided to take the metro into DC to take the boys to the Zoo. It ended up being a beautiful day and Andrew had a blast seeing all the animals.
Here he is jumping like a frog,
and enjoying his juice.
Nathan, sadly, did not enjoy the day as planned. He was totally fine in the morning, but by lunch time, he was wiped out and did not have an appetite. He spent quite a bit of time at the zoo napping in Andrew's stroller.
But he did perk up for a little bit, so he could write the names of the animals in saw in his notebook, which he wanted to bring to the zoo for this purpose.
It is kind of amazing to see Nathan's interest in words and writing grow. I'm thinking this may be one of the natural steps leading up to his interest in learning how to read. He loves to be read to, but so far is not very interested in learning how to read.
Here he is jumping like a frog,
and enjoying his juice.
Nathan, sadly, did not enjoy the day as planned. He was totally fine in the morning, but by lunch time, he was wiped out and did not have an appetite. He spent quite a bit of time at the zoo napping in Andrew's stroller.But he did perk up for a little bit, so he could write the names of the animals in saw in his notebook, which he wanted to bring to the zoo for this purpose.It is kind of amazing to see Nathan's interest in words and writing grow. I'm thinking this may be one of the natural steps leading up to his interest in learning how to read. He loves to be read to, but so far is not very interested in learning how to read.Port Discovery Children's Museum
Very late Saturday night, after a fun Stampin Up card party, Erin and I agreed we both desperately needed a plan for Sunday to keep the kids busy before the daddies arrived home from their guys weekend. After searching the internet, we decided to check out the Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore. So after church, we loaded up the minivan and headed north on 95. The museum was fabulous. All the kids enjoyed it, but to be honest, I think Andrew had the most fun.
Our plan worked perfectly. The kids were entertained and had lots of fun and we arrived home just in time for dinner, bath and bed.
Our plan worked perfectly. The kids were entertained and had lots of fun and we arrived home just in time for dinner, bath and bed.
Dominion Valley Market Square Fall Festival
While Dan was away with the guys, I had to find things to do to entertain the boys. So on Saturday morning, we went to Haymarket to check out the Fall Festival at their neighborhood shopping center. It was a small event, but the boys enjoyed a hayride with a funny banjo man.
After they had their map stamped by all the participating stores, the boys each received a key to a PO box to retrieve their reward. It was so cute watching Nathan help Andrew find his box. 
After they had their map stamped by all the participating stores, the boys each received a key to a PO box to retrieve their reward. It was so cute watching Nathan help Andrew find his box. Guys Weekend
The first weekend of November, Dan enjoyed a guys weekend at Deep Creek Lake with Eric and Adam. Adam arrived on the red eye from California early Friday morning and they guys headed straight to the lake. While there, they had fun shooting sporting clays,
and zipping along the ropes on the Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour.
They ended the weekend on Sunday night at the Caps game. Sounds like a pretty great weekend..... for a guy.
and zipping along the ropes on the Flying Squirrel Canopy Tour.
They ended the weekend on Sunday night at the Caps game. Sounds like a pretty great weekend..... for a guy.Cox Farms with Grammy & PopPop
These pictures are a few weeks old, but I finally got the copies from my Dad. Back in October, Grammy and PopPop picked up Nathan from daycare and took him to Cox Farms. Nathan, who has been there quite a few times over the last few years, was a great tour guide.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Trick or Treat!!
Well, after all those Halloween festivities, Halloween night finally arrived and we were all just about Halloweened out. My parents and Aunt joined us for dinner.
And then while Dan and I took the boys out trick or treating, Grammy and Aunt Carol stayed behind and handed out the treats. Batman, of course, was a pro at trick or treating and took the lead and rang each door bell. Robin was happy to tag along and honestly, we were kind of surprised at how much he enjoyed trick or treating.
Luckily for us, the boys got tired pretty quick and we were able to put them to bed at a reasonable time. Good thing, because Dan and I were exhausted from such a fun-filled Halloween weekend!
And then while Dan and I took the boys out trick or treating, Grammy and Aunt Carol stayed behind and handed out the treats. Batman, of course, was a pro at trick or treating and took the lead and rang each door bell. Robin was happy to tag along and honestly, we were kind of surprised at how much he enjoyed trick or treating. 
Luckily for us, the boys got tired pretty quick and we were able to put them to bed at a reasonable time. Good thing, because Dan and I were exhausted from such a fun-filled Halloween weekend! Halloween Parade
On Sunday afternoon, we participated in the South Riding Halloween Parade and enjoyed the Magic show at the end of the route.
Our family was nominated for the group costume award, but 1st and 2nd prizes went to some other amazingly dressed families. I wish I had more photos to share with you of this event, but unfortunately our primary camera died that afternoon. RIP. I guess we'll be buying ourselves an early Christmas present soon. Until then, we'll have to rely on our small back-up camera.
Our family was nominated for the group costume award, but 1st and 2nd prizes went to some other amazingly dressed families. I wish I had more photos to share with you of this event, but unfortunately our primary camera died that afternoon. RIP. I guess we'll be buying ourselves an early Christmas present soon. Until then, we'll have to rely on our small back-up camera.Halloween Party at the Hall of Justice
Last Saturday, we decided to host a Halloween party at our house.
With 9 kids, it was nearly impossible to get a picture all of them at them same time, but we tried. Even though almost no one is looking at the camera and Nathan is missing from the photo, this was one of the best shots I had.
We enjoyed some festive foods, including this fun pumpkin appetizer (thanks, Kristy), followed by "Ghoulash" and Bonesticks.
We then enjoyed some sweet Halloween treats --- spider web brownies, candy corn cookies and yummy pumpkin muffins.
We entertained the kids with a Halloween hunt, a game of Halloween Bingo, and Halloween crafts.
With 9 kids, it was nearly impossible to get a picture all of them at them same time, but we tried. Even though almost no one is looking at the camera and Nathan is missing from the photo, this was one of the best shots I had.We enjoyed some festive foods, including this fun pumpkin appetizer (thanks, Kristy), followed by "Ghoulash" and Bonesticks.We then enjoyed some sweet Halloween treats --- spider web brownies, candy corn cookies and yummy pumpkin muffins.
We entertained the kids with a Halloween hunt, a game of Halloween Bingo, and Halloween crafts.Halloween Party at Lanka's
After the festivities at Discovery Station, Nathan and I met up with Dan and Andrew for some more Halloween fun at Andrew's school.
Halloween Party at the Discovery Station
Last Friday, we kicked off Halloween weekend with a party at Nathan's school.
Here's Batman with more of his superhero friends.
After the party, the whole school enjoyed trunk or treating. I was surprised how many parents participated. I wish I was able to get more pictures of all the awesomely decorated cars. But I as busy passing out superhero pencils, tattoos, crayons and silly bands.
Here's Batman with more of his superhero friends.
After the party, the whole school enjoyed trunk or treating. I was surprised how many parents participated. I wish I was able to get more pictures of all the awesomely decorated cars. But I as busy passing out superhero pencils, tattoos, crayons and silly bands.
More Fun in Charlottesville
On Sunday morning, the Vaughan cousins enjoyed some playtime outside. Ryan and Mindy have a great driveway for riding toys.
The kids also had lots of fun on their Halloween hunt....
and then they turned into very serious painters as they decorated pumpkins.
The kids also had lots of fun on their Halloween hunt....
and then they turned into very serious painters as they decorated pumpkins.
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