Beautiful Baby Pics

Our Sweet New Little One

One Very Proud Daddy

Nervous Big Brother
Very Excited Siblings

Welcome, Philip!

Obligatory Nine Month Photo

May 2008
January 2007
September 2005

This Past Weekend

I had planned on mowing the grass while Thom was working this Saturday, but instead we took a spur of the moment road trip. We drove up to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and checked into our hotel. It was right in the middle of gorgeous rolling hills with farmland; very peaceful and quite the respite from our usual hustle and bustle of city life.

We changed into pants, as it was quite a bit cooler up there and headed to Strasburg to ride the choo choo train. It was a blast! Wyatt wanted to do it again and again!

Our EngineAll Aboard!

Tickets, Please!
No, he's not leaving us. We're turning around.

Then we decided to grab some dinner. Our menu was the following:

Your Starters
Chow Chow
Pepper Cabbage
Bakery-fresh Raisin Bread
Crusty Rolls
Your Entrees
Made-from-Scratch, Golden Fried Chicken
Roast Eye-Round of Beef
Chicken Pot Pie with homemade noodles
Plain & Fancy's Own Baked Sausage
Served With
Real Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Egg Noodles with Browned Butter
Dried Sweet Corn
Green Beans
Desserts & Complimentary Beverages
Sour Cream Apple Crumb Pie
Wet Bottom Shoo-Fly Pie
Vanilla Ice Cream
Bottomless Lemonade

Although some of the spices were a little funny to me, the food was awesome! I expected a bit more German influence in traditional Amish food, but was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to eat sauerkraut and sausage. Shoo-Fly Pie is incredible! This was all eaten at a table with other families. Dishes were passed around Thanksgiving style. It was a lot of fun!

We went past the horse and carriages, back to the hotel and played on their playground until dark then crashed. The next morning we got up early (the kids woke me at 5 AM!!!), had the complimentary hotel breakfast which included a buffet of eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, scrapple and onions, toast, oranges, cereal, oatmeal and grits. We checked out of the hotel, then headed to Philly! We managed to arrive downtown with minimal map help (like I said, spur of the moment) and parked. We got tickets to Independence Hall and got to walk where Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams.... all discussed and signed the Declaration of Independence.

(Side note: at this point our camera died, so we weren't able to get anymore pictures. Grrr!) We saw the original Declaration, Constitution, and Articles of Confederation. We walked by the Second Bank of the US, the Carpenters' Hall, a policeman who told us the best Philly cheesesteak was at Campos' just down the street, got a sandwich and sat down at the Betsy Ross' house to eat. We enjoyed a short skit and a delicious Philly cheesesteak, then headed past the Quaker house to the Christ Church burial ground where Ben Franklin and family are buried. We then walked by Liberty Bell and headed home. After a short break, we watched the sun set on the Lincoln Memorial, then ate chicken wings. What a day! From Lancaster County to Philadelphia, through Delaware and Maryland to DC, to Alexandria and back home!
I would say we're recuperating today, but Isaac got me up early and with 17 days left, it's official: I'm nesting - the yard needs mowing, bathrooms cleaned, laundry, basement finished, guestroom readied.......

Happy May Day!

It's a few days late and this is as close to your door as I can get, but here's me ringing your doorbell, leaving these, and running away!

The National Zoo

We are blessed to live a short drive from a free zoo. It is so much fun (and quite a work out to walk through.) The kids and I went on Saturday. Here's the (beginning of the) day in review. (I got tired and therefore the pictures stopped. Hey, give me a break; I'm 36 weeks pregnant!)

Pink Flamingos

This vulture was posing for us.

This red panda bear was very friendly. Wyatt thought it was a kitty cat and was meowing at it, so Isaac joined in the meowing. Quite fun!

Beautiful Birds! (Like Diego!)

Several of the animals we saw had various injuries. I wonder if this is why they ended up at the zoo?

The giant panda bear was the highlight of the day, apparently. And it was the first thing we saw.

Spring is in the Air!

Just when I thought our yard was done blooming, this appears in my picture window:

(Gotta love the neighbor's truck! When I get homesick for Texas, I simply peek out that way.)

My view was made even prettier when this guy showed up:

And a couple of our bushes are covered in buds. I figured there was a reason to keep these nasty looking, crazy plants around. Can't wait to post a picture once they explode with color.

Bluebells

So, apparently, bluebells are to Northern Virginia as bluebonnets are to Texas. We drove out to a park that was brimming with them. They are gorgeous. We took a few pictures. I'm sure you've noticed.

My First Knit Project

I found a pattern for a really cute and simple bear, so I thought I'd try it. I always make something for baby when I'm pregnant. With Isaac I crocheted a pink cardigan. Well, I got half way through then found out it was another boy, so it still awaits finishing. But, back to this bear. I'm kinda proud that I was able to finish the project and it turned out... okay. I did have to request help from a pro, though, without which I probably wouldn't have gotten very far. Note that I had to resort to googly eyes because I couldn't figure out how to embroider them. But we love googly eyes!

My Favorite Time of Day

They're warm and snuggly, well rested and happy. It's definitely the post nap bedhead time of day!