Fun on Back Bay

Spent an AMAZING day swimming, boating and jet skiing on Back Bay. Thanks SO much to the Kreutzberg family for hosting us. We had the BEST time!

Mom, April and Cailyn Visit

Feb. 14- Feb. 18

My mom, sister and niece flew into town on Valentine's Day to spend a long weekend with us here in Virginia Beach. After several flight delays and an hour long ride in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic (with a crying child) they arrived at our house. It was a WONDERFUL visit, one I will never forget. Here is a slide show of my favorite pictures (believe it or not, I narrowed it down). I also noted my favorite memories from the visit. Thanks so much for spending time with us Mom, April and Cailyn. We had a BLAST!! Can't wait for our next visit!

-Finally seeing Mom, April and Cailyn at the Norfolk airport after several flight delays.
-Mom and April enjoying warm Spring like weather, rather than mountains of snow
-Cailyn meeting her cousin Emma for the first time
-The girls getting lots of Grammie time
-The girls getting lots of Auntie time
-The girls getting lots of time with Cailyn
-Girls Night out at the Cheesecake Factory, thanks for baby sitting Honey!
-Our afternoon at Chuck E. Cheeses
-Shopping at Kohls A LOT with Mom and April
-Going swimming at the Rec. Center
-Attending Sylvia's birthday party
-Mom rocking Emma in the middle of the night
-Tons of hugs from Cailyn
-Seeing Lily and Cailyn play SO well together
-Just being together
-Baking and decorating April's birthday cupcakes with the girls
-Celebrating April's 29th birthday in person
-Lots of yummy food
-Our morning at the Jumping Monkey. Cailyn and Lily were so excited to be there
-Long talks with Mom
-Bath time and bed time with 3 girls
-Lily and Cailyn playing dress up at the Jumping Monkey
-Watching Mom cuddle and hug Emma
-Giving Lily and Cailyn "under duckies" at the play ground
-Having Cailyn around and hearing her talk about her life in Caribou, Maine
-Jeff, Cailyn and Lily watching Ratatouille
-Jeff being an absolute trooper with a house full of estrogen...Thanks Hon!

Birdie's Play Center

Here are some cute pics from a new place we've been taking the kids. The girls absolutely love it. Jumping castle, toys, jumbo blocks, an indoor playground, tunnels....what's not to love! Enjoy...

OUR LITTLE EXPLORER

ALL WE NEED IS A SLIDE AND SHE'S HAPPY!

JUMPING WITH JACK

IN HEAVEN

CAN I JUMP TOO?

HAVING FUN TOGETHER

HI EVERYONE!



FUN FOR ALL AGES!!!

Warm Winter Days

The weather here last week was beautiful. We were in the 70's for days and even had one day where it hit 81! The temperatures have dropped again, but I still wanted to share these pictures. It's hard to believe these were taken February 4th in the middle of the Winter. Sorry to all our Maine family and friends...we don't mean to rub salt in the wound.

The swing was so relaxing....Emma decided to sneak in a little nap.

"Big Girl Puzzles"

Here are the girls having fun with Daddy doing a 24 piece puzzle. Lily is getting really good at doing it all by herself. Emma just wants to eat the pieces.

Exhausted!

Took Emma to the Doc yesterday, she has an ear infection too. Can my children PLEASE get well. Jeff and I are exhausted!

THE REAL FUN....

IS ALWAYS FOUND IN THE OUT TAKES!!

ENJOY YOUR OUT TAKES!!!

Date Nights...FINALLY!

Jeff and I finally found a baby sitter and can enjoy some date nights again. Our new baby sitter, Michelle is the sweetest! Lily absolutely loves her and Jeff and I are thrilled to have such a trustworthy woman watching our girls. So happy to have you Michelle!!!

Escaping Suburbia

No matter where the Navy moves us, Jeff and I always like to find hiking trails to take the kids and Kastor on walks through the woods. In Germany we were spoiled with miles and miles of unending walking trails, but since we've been here we've had trouble finding a place to let the dog (and Lily) run free. A few weeks ago we stumbled on this walking trail while we were visiting a playground . Although we are living in the busy Virginia Beach suburbs, we can still find a place to escape.

A Reflection

I would be remiss not to mention that tomorrow is my 30th birthday...YIKES right?? At times I have felt a little sad that I will be leaving my twenty something days behind me. However, (much to my surprise), I find myself grateful for my "older and wiser" ways. Turning 30 has really made me reflect on all the things I truly have to be thankful for.

I am from a small little town in northern Maine. I grew up with two young parents (my Mom had me at 15). They taught me all the important life lessons and helped me become a responsible young adult (well, maybe minus a few crazy years in college). I feel like I am grounded because of these small town roots, but it also gave me a thirst for more. Then the best thing happened, I met Jeff and my entire life changed. Most of you know the crazy details of our love story and our wonderfully busy family life thanks to Jeff's annual Christmas letter and this blog. Regardless, I still wanted to note some things I am thankful for at age 30.

An amazing man by my side that is my best friend
Two wonderful daughters that make me a better person
Parents that love me and are proud of me
An extended family of in-laws that have accepted me as their own
A sister with whom I can share anything and everything

Friends that always feel like family
My health
The opportunity to travel the world
A safe place to call home for my family
30 wonderful years of memories

I guess this post is a little sappy, but this is my journal (and my birthday) so I'm allowed. If the next thirty years are as wonderful, I'm in for an amazing adventure!! Thanks for reading!

The Four Seasons

We had a really fun month in December and it wasn't all Christmas related. Here are some candid December pictures that I just didn't get on the blog last month. The weather was so crazy...while you were all getting plowed with snow, we had 80 degree weather, then it was Fall and Spring weather and then back to some colder temperatures. Today it is bright, sunny and 70 degrees. I think we have had all four seasons (as you can see in our different attire) in these last few weeks. Here are the pictures to prove it!

Enjoying the swings together...a bit cool!

Emma's first taste of ice cream.... a little too cold. However, it was almost 80 degrees outside.

Lily's favorite, "pink ice cream" with sprinkles

Fun in the sun....just like a Spring/Summer day only in the middle of December

I need some shades Mom!!

Oh....some Fall weather again

They never slow down!

Another crisp day...time for yard work

I love Lily in this hat!!

Spring or Fall???

Winter actually....but the leaves are finally falling.

Such a hard worker...maybe we should pay her??

Lily having a blast doing leaves with Daddy

Lily loves helping with outside projects

Her favorite tools....the screwdriver and tape measure!