D.C.

Last month Brandon and I took an actual vacation! We went to Washington D.C. to visit my brother and sister-in-law. I can't remember when I have had a more enjoyable time. We saw so much and just enjoyed spending time with Stephen and Heather. I wish we could have stayed another week.

Arlington National Cemetery

Changing of the guard

Sharing the "date" umbrella

View of Washington monument from the Lincoln Memorial

Waiting for the metro

Lincoln Memorial. I physically ran into the Reverend Jesse Jackson. If only I had been prepared.

Washington Monument

Preparing to tour Mt. Vernon

We took a boat ride on the Potomac river. It was really windy, but beautiful. This is the view of Mt. Vernon from the boat

That is the boat we were on in the distance.

Mt. Vernon (I could have stayed several days)

Stephen and Heather

National Cathedral

Happy to be eating somewhere other than subway. (B and I have a hard time breaking the mold)

Who can resist a church with a red door?

Oh so tired but excited to be heading home to our boys.

Triathalon

A couple days ago my friend Carissa convinced Brandon to join her in a triathlon she was doing. Since it was a small one and Brandon has always wanted to do one he took the plunge this morning. He set a goal and beat it by one minute. Not bad for an middle aged man with a desk job who hasn't swam in several years. Way to go babe!

Caleb's 4th Birthday

We started off the day by going to Turtle Bay with some friends. Caleb had a blast and has declared that everyday should be his birthday!

future conductors

Higher mommy!

Playing in the water

Making it look easy

Exploring the creek

Waiting patiently for lunch

Grandma and Grandpa came over for a birthday dinner. Caleb requested broccoli cheddar soup, sourdough bread, and chocolate cheesecake for dessert. A kid after my own heart.

The boy has got some hot air. (he gets that from B)

Playing with the spoils

Goofy little men

My pride and joy

Thursday night Caleb tripped and face planted into a curb. He is alright and doing much better, but it was pretty scary. I realize that this is probably the first of many accidents that he will survive, I am just no so sure if I will. Well, Zachary was going to be a football player for Halloween, but we decided Caleb would really look the part. What a memory. We are so thankful our little man is ok.

Day one

Day two

Day three

SWAGGER WAGON

This really cracked me up. And, yes, we do now own our very own swagger wagon and love it! Enjoy.

Zach's Birthday weekend: too fun for words

Birthday hike. The boys walked/ran almost the entire 3 miles, half of which was uphill.
Way to go little men!

Resting at the top and enjoying the waterfall

Having a blast

Brotherly love

helping daddy make his birthday breakfast

Look at what daddy made me?

Personal pizzas for dinner! Yum

Grandma made pumpkin angel food cake.
Zachary was sure there would be an angel on top!
It was so good!

One happy boy!

We love you Zachary Shae!
You are our precious gift of God

Last weekend we went camping with our church. It was a memorable weekend. The weather was freezing. I think it was a little shocking to the system to go from 110 degrees to 38 degrees. The boys had a competition to see who could come home the dirtiest, we made some new friends, but the highlight was Brandon getting baptized! Caleb summed it up nicely. After the baptism was over Caleb looked up at me with a very serious look and said, "Mom, seeing daddy get baptized was insanely good." Yes it was.

Snuggling by the fire

Zachy couldn't get warm enough

Smores!

Caleb bonded with one of the pastors and his wife, playing the harmonica
and eating lots of smores.