More Spring Break...

Life is CRAZY busy right now! I realized at the end of April that every single weekend in May was already booked with one thing or another. All very fun things like dinner parties, graduation parties, birthday parties, cook-outs, etc. So, needless to say, my blogging has suffered. It's better that my blog life suffer rather than my social life, I guess. =)
Here are some more pics from our trip up to NoVa. I will try to be better about taking pictures and documenting all the fun things going on in my life!

Jackson and Chase waiting for breakfast being served by Gigi. I'm not sure there are many words better than "I'll take them! You go back to bed and get some more sleep." Love it.

The water was cold, but the day was hot, so West Beach was pretty much perfection.

Could my nephew BE any cuter!? Love that Lukey.

The face of contentment. =)

Chase contemplating how much sand to eat.

Brothers.

Annie with Chase and Lukey.

Chase getting ready to watch some putt-putt (please note his black eye- see last post).

Dad teaching Jackson how to golf. Alan and I stayed home and were pretty sure putt-putt was going to be a disaster. Turns out, Jackson got TWO hole in ones! He's a natural apparently.

 At the driving range where my parents said he got in some rather impressive shots which means he is better than his mom at the driving range. I usually make contact with the ball  every third time I try to hit. He's a Tiger Woods in the making. Er...but not a total skeaze like Tiger.

More pictures to come of more recent events once I take more pictures... =)

Walkin on the streets of D.C...

It's been a year or two since I've been to Washington D.C.. I think growing up so close to the capitol (my parents live about 25 minutes south of D.C.) kind of spoiled me back then. 

 Picture taken by my Dad (nice one!).

I just never really saw D.C. as a big deal. I enjoyed going there usually, but we used to go a LOT when company would come into town. Going back now and seeing D.C. again and explaining the White House, the Capitol, the Washington monument, the Lincoln Memorial, etc. to Jackson made it special again. We went on a gorgeous spring day. My mom and Dad had both taken the day off of work (because they love us so) and we had a wonderful day. 

Chase (saying heyyyyy), Jackson, and my mom (Gigi...or Geeg as Jackson calls her because they are tight like that.)

Unfortunately, everyone else in the world also decided to go that day. The Mall was packed! In fact, the President even made an appearance. He and his family were coming home from President Obama throwing the first pitch at the Nationals Game.

Presidential motorcade.

 I was so caught up in it all that I wasn't paying very close attention to the sidewalk in front of me and there was a SUPER uneven part that I hit which caused Chase to slam forward into the front of the stroller resulting in...his first black eye. So sad! Mr. President, when you read my blog (as I'm sure you often do), I'd like to request that you fix the sidewalks in D.C. Kay, thanks? 

Jackson got to do something I have always wanted to do. I mean, if I was a kid. Or if people wouldn't look at me like I was a freak for doing it now... ride the Carousel on the mall!

Jackson and my Dad (Gpa)

   Seriously, this Carousel is right in front of the Smithsonian castle and is pretty cool. It's also surprisingly fast. At least that's what it seemed like the little 7 year old boy behind Jackson thought since he bawled the whole time. 

Chase and Gigi watched the Carousel and Chase thought it was hilarious.

Then it was snack time because Jackson knew I had packed some of my mom's homemade banana blueberry bread for a snack and he couldn't stop himself from bringing it up every 3 minutes or so. 

 "Oh my GOSH! I can't believe how good this bread is!" 

Then we got my Dad to take a family pic of the four of us which is quite the daunting task these days (please refer to my Easter picture post a few back). He made a valiant attempt and we got this...winner.

Awesome.

Old Friends...

There is something special and unique about friends who knew you back when. Friends who know your history and your family and your life. Friends who knew you when you were an angst filled teenager and still loved you. Friends who remained faithful and forgave you more times than you deserved. Friends who you laughed with and cried with and who you experienced so many of the firsts in life with. These kind of friends:

A friend who knew you when you had braces and when you got your first kiss in those braces (and who had set you up with that guy and rode in the same van while the kiss took place after a Haunted House). A friend who you wrote ridiculous notes back and forth to and who you could fight with and make-up with all in a matter of minutes. A friend who you took voice lessons with and who you got sent to "time out" with in the choir director's office for talking too much with.

Tiffany

A friend who you attended youth group with and who you would talk to for hours about all the youth group guys that you were in love with (that week). A friend who you got to go with to the mall unsupervised for the first time. A friend who you took turns with asking each others' parents about sleepovers every other weekend.

 Emily

  A friend who you went to camp with for the first time.A friend who shared her headphones with you as you listened together to Alanis Morissette.A friend who talked to you about your relationship with God and helped you to grow. A friend who helped you through what you thought was your first heartbreak (even though it really wasn't). A friend who remained faithful in writing you letters and calling you even after you had moved away.

Marianne

 A friend who became a comfort and a joy to you in a new place. A friend who knew you when you fell in love for the first time and that was all that you could talk about or think about. A friend who drove you everywhere because she was a year older than you and was always nice about it (except in the mornings when she wasn't capable of being very nice to anyone). A friend who believed in a friendship years after it had ended and forgave the past.

  Kari

A friend who took driver's education with you and saw you crash your car into a gate when you got your gas pedal and brake pedal confused and a friend who you worked your first job with and who saw you violate the dress code on multiple occasions with your short skirts. A friend who lived through very real heartaches with you and shared her own with you.

Maryam

A friend who taught you the art of being a social butterfly and of shining your light. A friend who taught you how delicious Caramel Macchiatos could be at Starbucks and also taught you how to be vulnerable at Starbucks as you shared your life and struggles. A friend who taught you that Peyton Manning was (and is) awesome. A friend who showed  you that years apart make no difference in a true friendship.

.

Ashley

A friend who had no choice because she was your best friend from the day she was born. A friend who helped you through your first heart break (this time it was for real) and rubbed your back as you cried and at least pretended to listen as you re-read all the old love notes that had been exchanged. A friend who never, ever failed you. Even when you called her mean names outside of her door for not letting you borrow her clothes and she punched you. Even when she was ignored for other friends. A friend who you could always go next door and talk to when all the other friends weren't there.

Anne

"A true friend is the gift of God, and he only who made hearts can unite them.”
Robert South

Happy Hour...

   One of my favorite things about being at my mom and dad's house is happy hour. When 5:00 rolls around, the wine comes out, the vodka lemonades come out, the margaritas come out, the appetizers come out...the FUN comes out! Well, the fun is actually already out most of the time. =)  My Dad has a wine cellar of sorts in his basement. He has some pretty nice red wines that he likes to break open for special occasions.

 

   My visits, however, are not one of those special occasion. That is probably because I dub Dad's best wines as "inoffensive." I can't help it! I know red wine is better for me and I know that it's what those with a mature wine palate tend to prefer, but I love white wine! Thankfully my mom and I both like Pinot Grigio and my Dad is very gracious about buying me Gewurztraminer and other yummy white wines.
   All this to say, I came downstairs after getting ready to go out to dinner with some girlfriends of mine and see Jackson sitting at the counter with my mom dipping a cookie in his milk (before dinner).
   "Jackson! What are you eating?" He smirks at me with a knowing look since anything Gigi says goes so he knows that he is safe.
   "It's Happy Hour!" my mom chimes in.
   "Yeah, it's Happy Hour!" Jackson repeats smiling. Well played, Gigi and Jackson.

Back from Spring Break...

 "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:6

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Easter! Ours was fabulous. My baby sister, Becky came down to visit. And by baby sister, I mean my almost 20 year old sister. We had a girls night out with dinner, shopping and a movie. I'm not saying which one we saw because that would embarrass Becky. She's super cool and I'd hate to ruin that for her by telling the whole world that she saw and enjoyed a movie with Miley Cyrus. Oops. I will say that this guy was in the movie and that she was more than okay with that: 

Here is the only pic I got of Beck and I. It was taken Easter morning by Jackson. Not too bad for a 3 1/2 year old photographer. 

Here is our family pic from that morning before church. Um, preschoolers and infants are NOT awesome at getting their picture taken. Okay, neither am I, actually. Here is Chase pouting and Jackson doing his "cute" face (according to him) which actually looks like he is eating imaginary corn on the cob. Kudos to Alan on producing a normal smile. =)

We headed to church and the service was especially meaningful because...well, He is alive. Then we headed to the in-laws for a wonderful outdoor lunch and an Easter egg hunt.  It was sunny and warm and just one of those perfect days where all is right in the world.

Chase hung out with Megan.

Becky and Jackson and Papa found a lot of Easter eggs. Debbie (my mother in law) isn't pictured because she was taking most of the pictures and making our yummy lunch and dessert (the poached pears with ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and slivered almonds was absolutely not a flat belly diet meal...but so worth it. =)).

Then we headed to the car and made our way to Northern Virginia for SPRING BREAK! Lots more pics and blogs to come!

Easter Egg Hunts...

First off, get ready for a LOT of upcoming blog posts. A lot of pictures have been taken, a lot of things have happened, a lot of places have been seen, a lot of stories need to be told. I will probably be blogging daily for awhile. =)
The preschool that Jackson attends is part of a church that does a lot of wonderful community outreach. One of their events is an Easter egg hunt. We went to the same Easter egg hunt last year and I can be seen on the same bench 8+ months pregnant HERE.

 I enjoyed having Chase in my lap rather than in my belly this year! Love babies...don't love getting the big ole belly.

Just like last year, Jackson was much more interested in quality rather than quantity. I walked up to find him opening the eggs, contemplating the candy, and then putting the rejected eggs back on the ground. Hmm. 

Our friend Stephanie came by to visit and we got to briefly catch up. Steph and I have been friends for 7+ years and we don't get to see her nearly enough. Chase was smitten with her. 

 My three favorite boys on the bench. 

And a photo by Jackson. 

P.S. please note that last year, Alan was clean shaven and this year he is rockin some facial hair. In comparing the two pics, I'm feeling the facial hair- what do you think?

A Day at the Park...

Last Saturday my sister Liz, who is a senior at a nearby college, came to stay with us. We decided to take advantage of the glorious weather and had a picnic (my 3rd one that week...I'm sort of addicted to picnics). All pictures, except the one she is in of course, are taken by Liz! Here are some of the highlights:

 This is Ace. He was a 9 week old Bulldog puppy we met. I wanted to steal him.

 This is Ace meeting Chase. Liz and I thought they looked a lot alike. I'm not sure why now. 

Jackson was terrified of Ace. He's barely in the shot of the first photo because he was running so fast screaming at the top of his lungs "DON'T LET HIM GET ME!!" Seriously, have you ever seen anything as terrifying as that puppy? Please note Jackson's expression in the second photo as he hides by the tree. And no, Jackson has never had a bad experience with a dog so I am absolutely allowed to make fun of him. 

During the picnic, Chase decided that he preferred to eat dirt rather than avocados. I was unaware of this fact until later viewing the pics. Thanks for stopping him, Liz. Or not.

 Liz got some gorgeous spring shots of this Star Magnolia (I only know the name because she is a Horticulture major and knows the name of every plant, tree and flower on the planet). 

Pretty Auntie Liz and baby Chase. 

Alan pushing a very happy Jackson...

Aaand Jackson pushing a very happy Daddy. 

The End. 

 P.S. I'll post about the Flat Belly Diet next post. It's going great! =) 

Getting to Know ME!

1. What year did you graduate high school?

I graduated from high school in 1999...and college in 2006. And no, I'm not a doctor. =)

2. What part of your body do you neglect the most?

My poor abs. I can't even remember the last time I did a crunch. We'll just blame it on those babies I keep having.

This is me exactly two years ago after Jackson but before Chase and during a running phase. That was probably the last of my ab baring days. RIP bikini.

3. Beach house or Lake house?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the beach and my husband and I always said we wanted a beach house. Then one summer we were vacationing at Emerald Isle and boogie boarding when a BIG shark fin popped up RIGHT in front of us. I'm talking, could reach out and touch it close!! We both went running out of the water (Alan left me behind but he was gracious enough to yell at me "SHARK!") and then we decided on the way home we wanted a lake house instead. Since it's been four or five years since that happened, we have now revised our wish list to be a beach house with a pool. Final answer.

I can't prove it, but I'm pretty sure this is what the rest of the shark looked like.

4. Mac or PC?
I heart my Mac. I also heart my husband's PC. I'm writing this on a PC because my Mac's cord broke. Again. For the third time.

5. Did you wear braces?

Heck, yes I did. Those were a GLORIOUS three years.

And yes, I did use colored rubber bands like seen above. I tended to go with red and blue because those were my school colors. GO IRONS JUNIOR HIGH COUGARS! Yeah, I was awesome.

6. If you could be one person for a day..living or deceased..who would you be?
I'm assuming I shouldn't say I'd be me because that would sound lame but I really wouldn't want to be anyone other than me. If I HAD to be someone else, I'd want to be my husband for a day so I could figure out what the heck is going on in his head. Um, I wrote a really nice blog about him a few entries ago so I'm allowed to say this. =)

7. How many times have you moved in your life?

TOO MANY! Grass Valley, California to Arlington, Texas to Lubbock, Texas to Northern Virginia to Southern Virginia to North Carolina to Southern Virgina. Phew. And that isn't including all the moves our first years of marriage to different places in Southern Virgina...so, 10+

8. Would you rather cook or clean?

No. Oh, I have to do one or the other? Sigh. Cook, I guess. I wish I liked cooking but I just don't. Sometimes when I'm having a dance party in my kitchen and the boys are napping and I'm making something kind of easy, I don't hate it. The rest of the time, I pretty much hate it. Especially since the result is usually my three year old wrinkling up his nose and saying "I don't like it." He is immediately chastised and then the rest of us dig in and silently think "I don't like it."