Monday, December 19, 2011

back to the blog.... no, I haven't forgotten you!

It's been a pretty busy season for me, and I think it's about to slow down! Phew. So I thought I'd take a quick minute to fill you all in on what's been going on around here! I'm sorry I've been so negligent, but I want to make it up to you with a few pictures, and then, after the holidays I though be able to get back to regular blogging... in theory!

Eating.
Cruising.
Hanging out in Breckenridge.



Worn out in Breck.
Hungry in Breck.
Georgetown RR on the way back from Breck.

Playing trains with the big boys.
Hanging with Grandma on Jackson's 1st birthday!!
One year olds have all the fun!
Snow day!!

Halloween party apple-bobbing.
Dressing up for her school Halloween party.
"Eating" candy, (Jackson still puts EVERYTHING in his mouth.)
Natalie's preferred pixie stick method.
Finger (and face) painting.
SOOOOO Big!
Thanksgiving break playdate, (since all of Natalie's old playdate friends all have different school schedules we had to arrange this one during the break.) We managed to pass our stomach bug that we thought was gone to every family in this photo!
Tired baby!
First time sledding... she's a pro!
Christmas.
Natalie the fashionista.
Who's that guy again?
Ahhh.... Santa!!
So that's it! Do you feel caught up? I'll get back to you after Christmas.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

back East - Part II: in which Natalie is put in the stocks

Our first day in Colonial Williamsburg did not start out well. As soon as we got off the shuttle and started making our way into town to watch the demonstrations the wind picked up and it started to pour down rain on us. We took shelter (as advised by a passing costumed cast member) on the porch behind the Kings Arms Tavern, and waited out the 15 minute deluge.

Once the weather cleared we walked through town, but most of the activity had wrapped up for the day. Natalie still had a chance to pose in her costume on some colonial steps.

And in the stocks.
We also ran into Thomas Jefferson as he was drafting the Declaration of Independence!
The next day we had another shot, (and beautiful weather!) at Colonial Williamsburg.

Natalie had to see what was inside this colonial barrel, (just a trash can).
Pushing Jackson in the stroller after giving him a branch to play with - lucky kid!
A glimpse of the rare Colonial Squirrel!
Hanging out in front of the governor's palace. Natalie liked the Unicorn on the gate.
She also liked playing with the stick and hoop!

Once we'd packed up it was time to head to Baltimore for the last night of our trip. We even got to see the Washington Monument on our way through D.C.!
We got to Baltimore in time to help close Fort McHenry for the day. But first Natalie tried to pick up a cannon ball to take home as a souvenir.

She was just the right size to head down into the bomb shelters under the gate.
View from the top of the inner harbor.
The flag is so big that they need help putting it away for the day so it doesn't touch the ground. It was a view of the flag flying over Ft. McHenry that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "the Star-Spangled Banner"!

Jackson liked the cannon balls too.
The whole Baltimore Inner Harbor area was fun to walk around and I wish we'd had more time to visit there. This boat is the only one that still survives that was in the attack at Pearl Harbor!
If you look close you can spot Natalie hiding in this picture. She was tired of the camera by this time.
Dinner after a LONG day. These kids were doing surprisingly well, though my mom and I were wearing thin.
The next morning we headed to the National Aquarium. This place was awesome.
We started at the bottom where the pool of sharks and rays was, and gradually made our way up five floors of tanks and exhibits. It was so well done.
I had to check the stroller at the beginning and they lent me this Kelty backpack, similar to what I hike with. Jackson had a good view of everything from in there and even managed to take a nap.
Natalie put on a fish performance in the kids area.
And Jackson enjoyed some freedom there as well.
But the best part was the dolphin show. Jackson looks a bit concerned in this shot.
We had terrific seats. Right up front but we managed not to get splashed! This is where the dolphins said good bye.
And then we just had to head back and get to the airport.
Phew. The kids were great on the airplane and we made it home in one piece. We're back to our routine and just enjoying the beginning of Fall here.