Weekend in Washington D.C.

This month my dad turned 60, which gave us a really great excuse to plan a much needed weekend of fun.  Dad and I flew to Washington D.C. and met Rachel and Owen, who drove up from Charlotte.  We spent four full days sightseeing, visiting museums and walking miles all over the city.  It was such a beautiful weekend and a lovely way to celebrate dad's birthday.... a man who loves his country and honoring those who fought for our freedom.

First Day of Kindergarten

Okay, I'm back! I guess I took the summer off from blogging.  I was on vacation.  I am so behind on posting photos, but I just couldn't skip this milestone. And frankly, it seems like when Coco started full-day kindergarten I realized we are on a faster ride... there is no turning back, no stopping time.  Our baby girl is in the real world.

First Day: She insisted on riding the bus on the first day of school. She walked ahead of us to the bus stop and never looked back. We followed the bus to school and made sure she made it to her classroom and got settled.   She bought a chocolate milk at lunch with her pin number.  She loved gym.  She met a friend named June and she couldn't stop smiling.  She's doing great and we are all adjusting to this new normal.  And yes, I am also documenting Elliot's bed head.... check it out!

Let's Play Ball!

Easter Weekend

Change is a Coming...

We've had it good... so good. For the past thirty-something years, I've been able to spend face to face time with my sister without much planning or second thought. There were are a few lulls (when I lived in Moorhead and Chicago) when one of us had to take a road trip. It was easier to do back then, no families or big responsibilities to take care of.

The time has come when our paths will be a little farther apart. Rachel and her family are moving to Charlotte. We are very happy for them and wish them all the best on this exciting adventure. We will miss them all dearly - but I will mostly miss our spontaneous play dates, dinners and times together as stay-at-home moms. What a blessing it has been to have spent so much time together over the last few years. We were able to begin raising our families together. We love you all and I will be counting the days until I come to visit!

Here are some photos from their going away party and our cousin weekend at the farm. Nothing like cousins. Well, almost nothing... sisters are pretty special too.

Elliot's Third Birthday

Our sweet boy is three years old! We hosted our traditional ice skating party at Langford Park with record temperatures. Elliot and Coco both enjoyed ice skating on their double blades. Even better, was getting pushed on a chair around the ice rink. Thank you to our family and friends for making Elliot's birthday so special.

Happy New Year!

We concluded 2011 with a week of unwinding at the farm. It was the perfect way to end the year and busy holiday season. We burned lots of firewood, played Chutes and Ladders, watched movies, read books, went on long hikes through the woods, spent time with Omi and Opi, did business with the Amish, ate, drank and were merry! On New Year's Eve, I made hickory-smoked
ribs with our smoker and the kids, of course, loved having chocolate fondue.

Happy New Year to you and yours!