Tulip Tradition

It's tradition to go see the tulips by the Iwo Jima Memorial every Spring.  The girls love meandering through a sea of flowers that overlook the city.  We have actually been able to keep this tradition ever since Abby was born and it's always fun to look back and see how much changes in just one year.
(Oh, and don't worry, the tulips survived Kate this year.  Phew.  This girl doesn't slow down for a second.)

Tulips each Spring:

2009

2010

2011

Kate slept through the whole thing last year.

2012

And this is how it really went...

Cherry 2012

I can't get enough of the Spring in DC.  The blossoms, the bright green colors, sunsets, tulips, daffodils... I love it all.  Don't even ask how many times I drove into DC to see the blossoms last week.  It all started with Brett needing a ride home from work on Monday and of course we had to stop to see them in full bloom. After watching a perfect sunset over the Potomac, I was addicted and had to return for more. Walking through the blossoms is a little taste of paradise for me, especially with the warm weather.  The Cherry Blossoms came early this year but I have to admit it was one of the best years I have seen.  If you haven't seen DC in the Spring, it is time for you to pay us a visit, you won't regret it.  

Abby enjoying the view.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of Kate because every time I let her out of the stroller I was busy chasing her down so she wouldn't jump into the Potomac.

Lucy and Abby

Abby loved the fountains at dusk on Monday Night. 

Sisters

Sunday Walk

Sunday was perfect weather.  A light breeze was blowing, and the sun was shining.  You just can't pass up weather like this so we decided to take a nice walk around Roosevelt Island after church. We originally were going to see the blossoms, but it was crazy downtown so we opted for the ducks and trails of Roosevelt.  It was nice to just let the girls walk and explore while we talked.  Kate discovered her inner love for rocks on this excursion. We ended up having to carry her because once we put her down, she was on the ground digging and we were never going to leave. The ducks were an obvious highlight and we even had a few cheerios in the diaper bag to share with them.

Daddy's girl.

 Here is Kate ripping my hair out and Brett finds it as a 'Kodak Moment.' 

 I honestly might be bald after having children.

Brett caught this picture with the sun and I love how he captured exactly how it looked.  One gorgeous night with the sun setting in the distance. And, of course, we are digging for rocks. 

St.Patrick's Day 2012

Apparently 'Lucky the Leprechaun' passed through our house this weekend. 

 It started with a great day at preschool with all kinds of awesome shamrock hunts, and fun crafts. (Thanks Michelle!)
Saturday continued with a day of GREEN!  Daddy made GREEN pancakes, with GREEN smoothies and I googled scavenger hunts online. (I like to steal others brilliant ideas since I can't come up with them on my own.) Ha! Here's the link from the website:

http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2012/03/st-patricks-day-treasure-hunt-printable.html

We had a great day.  It was also 80 degrees outside.  Pretty sweet weekend if you ask me.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Abby wasn't real into getting a picture taken in green so here is her pajama shot.  Abby loves green pancakes.

Spoiled

We are spoiled.

Our good friends, the Princes were very kind and invited us to join them for a week at the beach.  Brett had to work and was going to have some late nights so we decided, why not just go with the girls? We then loaded up the car, threw the kids in and I headed to North Carolina for a good time at the beach.  I felt bad leaving Brett to slave over a computer at work, but how can you turn down an offer at the beach with awesome friends, and he agreed. We did miss Brett A LOT!  It's not the same without Daddy. But, I must confess we had a really good time and I'm glad we did it.

We were there from Wednesday until Saturday soaking in the ocean breeze and enjoying the great company.  Abby was in sheer heaven to be surrounded by 3 other little girls around her age.  The girls got to share a room, bunk beds and all...a child's dream.  They actually slept well in the same room, which surprised us.  I guess they were tired at the end of each day from all the adventures.  

The house we stayed in was literally on the beach. Every night as I went to sleep, I could the waves crashing on the sand.  I would just lie there and listen. There is something so calming about listening to the ocean waves.  Not to mention, the views from the house were picturesque.  I will never forget the colorful sunsets that just melted into the night.  Ahhh...the beach.  

The best part about the trip was the people.  There were three of us families there, the Princes, Becktroms, and us.  We had a great time conversing over everything from jobs, kids and random facts of life.  Ice cream was also a great way to top off each night.   But, a highlight was definitely watching the kids.   I loved hearing the girls giggle as they would basically karaoke nursery rhymes over the 'fireplace podium' or hear them all 'meow' as they crawled around the house pretending to be cats. (So funny.)  I loved watching little girls beam in delight with marshmallow all over their lips at the bonfire. (Priceless.) I loved catching some good wind and flying kites across the beach, with the kids bounding behind.  It's fun to see Abby experience the simple joys of childhood and remembering times of my own. I must say it's hard to really pick a favorite moment.

We had such a great time at the Outer Banks and made good memories.  A BIG THANKS to a really nice woman in our church that offers this beach house on the 'off-season' in exchange for cleaning.  And, a BIG THANKS to the Princes and Beckstroms for letting us join them and sneakily cleaning it before I even got there.  

Like I said, we're spoiled.  We have such great friends. 

I caught these on my phone as they sat around the fire.  Even Kate got into it. 

The pier where the men went fishing and both caught some seriously weird salt water fish called, Skates.  Brian caught a Puffer Fish as well, which was pretty sweet. Such a fun outing. 

The view from the back porch.

Bodie Lighthouse

Kate LOVED the sand.  I'm so glad she actually didn't eat it this time.

The sharks were a huge hit.  Kate would keep running back to watch.

Sunsets.

Cute little Olive glancing at the camera.  

(I'm sad I wasn't able to get more pictures of the whole Beckstrom family.)

The awesome Prince Family.

Adam with his prize fish. 

  

Last day...so sad.

Kate, Gabbi, Olive, Abby, Caroline and Jaron

Charmin

It had been a long night.  I closed my eyes for just a moment because the girls were playing well.  While resting my eyes I heard them giggling so I thought, 'How nice, they are playing together and having fun.' Right?!  Well, I should be suspicious of any excessive giggling because this was the result.  SNOW!?! (Toliet paper style)  Tiny shredded pieces of Charmin's best around the room like a fresh blanket of snow.  Awesome. They sure had a great time but quickly changed their mind when they had to clean it up. 

  Kate LOVES playing with this soft, pliable, white goodness.  She will take advantage of any chance she can get into the bathroom to give it a roll. It has to be one of her favorite activities. I try to keep the bathroom door closed but with a 3 year old that can be a challenge.

 I do have to admit, every kid needs a good round with toilet paper, it's like they would have a void in their childhood or something if they didn't.  You have to have memories like that or life would just be plain boring right?