new traditions

What a gorgeous Thanksgiving Day we had in DC!

It took us 12 minutes(!) to get to the National Mall.

Look at that gorgeous blue sky! Not a cloud in sight!

I am thankful for this man and this little girl 

Funny thing, 10 years ago (Spring 2002), Mark and I were on the same trip to Washington, DC with our 8th-grade class. It's funny to think about the possibilities of being in the same places now that we were then...and not even knowing all that was ahead!   :) :)

This is part of the WWII Memorial (opened 2004). Very moving. 

We saw a few families and group of friends playing football in the grassy areas in front of the Washington Monument, what a fun tradition!

Nothing says Thanksgiving like a hot dog from a vendor, right?

No turkey this year, we had shrimp and salad. 

Fancy Weekend

We just got back from a weekend vacation with Mark's family. We stayed in a cute cabin for a few days in Fancy Gap, Virginia. 

Here are some of the highlights of the trip:

Where we sojourned.

Making ice cream with Uncle Mark. Ari kept saying, "I'm making ice cream!"

The three of us at the waterfall near the cabin. Very pretty...but I was freezing!

Mark and his siblings: David, Katie, and Dan.

David, where is your green?!  ;)

Me and my sweet nieces, Ashlyn and Ari.

cousin lovin'

Bill and Barb watched the girls while the adults went outside for a bit.

Maybe Dan should've stayed inside with the children? 

All the babes playing with Uncle Mark/Dadda.

Absolutely beautiful view!

Mark's parents came to visit after our trip. Thank for your help AND company and for putting up with two sick girls!! 

9 months!

Lily is 9 months old today!

You are changing a lot in such a short amount of time. You weigh 18lbs, certainly getting heavy to carry. You have beautiful big hazel eyes that melt my heart every time you look into mine. Your personality is really showing; you're a playful, goofy girl while also quiet, shy, and sweet, a fun mix. Lately, you've been keeping me and your dad on our toes, crawling all over everything; you're an explorer! A particular eater you are, eating mostly bananas but also sweet potatoes, peas, and yogurt. You still love to chew on whatever you can get your little hands on, especially with your front tooth about to show its face.
You're so much fun to be around and I'm anxious to see how you grow and change over the next few months!

You LOVE to clap!

two little teefers

busy, busy!

Home Sweet Home

I realized yesterday that we have lived in our new place for 1 month. It's crazy how it feels so much like home already! We've been busy getting things put away and making an extra effort to get things organized as we put them away (yeah!). In another life I would be a professional organizer..more on that in another post. 

The neighborhood we live in is cute and quiet. Houses and townhouses mingle up and down the streets and there are wonderful walking paths throughout the neighborhood, including a lake with a carousel just around the corner. I hope to take Lily on it in the Spring!

Here is our little (town)house tour:

The front desperately needs a landscaper.

(with time - wink wink)

The hardwood floors are tah-die for!

My sanctuary :) 

Equipped with an 'order-up' window for anyone in the living room

(It doesn't really look like it, but there are three steps down into the living room.)

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

We also have a finished basement but it's still a work in progress. Hey, you can't expect everything to get done in a month! :)

Fall Fun

Last Saturday we visited Great Falls Park in McLean, Virginia. We'd heard about the park and falls from multiple people so we decided to check it out. It is a really neat place. There are tons of picnic tables and open grassy areas; perfect for a fall or spring outing! 

Just Married! (in the distance)

The Falls

my heart melts. 

In the afternoon we hopped in the car and went .5 mile away to get a pumpkin. It was a great setting...right in the middle of a shopping plaza. Ha!

Pig-Boy Willy's Roadside Emporium!

Dadda and his little punkin!