Washington D.C. (Sept5)

I got a phone call this morning from Kels, asking if we wanted to meet them in D.C. 

We did.

Tor, the kids, and I met up with Kels, Mike, Ab, Nick, and Chelsea for a few hours.

Kels pushed Ty down the stairs at the Museum of Natural History. (Our meeting point)

He thought that was hysterical.

The stroller didn't last long. He preferred to chase Nick

And play with Ab

Gotta have the family pic with the Washington Monument!

And the couples

Kels and Mike

The newly engaged couple, Nick and Chelsea!

Tyler ran right up to it (Washington Monument) and gave it a hug. Not sure where that came from. 

"Whoa dude!"

Ty decided it was Nick's turn in the stroller

Lia was a happy camper the whole time!

We went to check out Mr. Einstein. 

Kels, Ty, Ab

My handsome lil' boy. ♥

On our way to the car we found a water fountain, where we let Tyler play for a while. 

{See next post for way too many photos of that experience!}

I'm glad we braved the Labor Day crowds to hang out with my siblings and company for the day. It was worth dealing with the traffic. ;)

"Miiiig Creek!" (Sept4)

We had a tough time deciding what to do today. We decided to go to the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

Then we changed our minds and decided to go to Dinosaur Land.
(We'll do the Festival another time)

Then we changed our minds again and decided on a walk to the river at Horsepen Run.
(We'll do Dino Land another time too)

How do you describe the Potomac River to a two year old? It's a "big creek", of course! Or in Tyler's words, "miiiig creek!". ♥

He was pretty thrilled with the idea

About 3 minutes into our 2 mile (round trip)walk, Lia decided she needed to eat.

And Ty was collecting rocks the whole time to throw into the "miiig creek."

Tyler preferred to ride on Mama's back most of the time

Which gave Tor a turn with Lia

Still walking. Still carrying the kiddo.

I didn't mind all the carrying.

We made it to the "miiig creek"!

The boys did lots of rock throwing. And some log throwing. ;)

And then we headed back... this time Tyler decided it'd be fun to hitch a ride on Tory's shoulders.

He would only walk if we let him hold Dex's leash. ♥

And then he held my hand for the last few minutes.

We got back home, where Tyler took a looong nap. So did I, actually. :)

More fun at the playground (Aug29)

Somehow we end up at the park almost every time we're looking for something to do. I wonder why that is...

He spotted the park!

Lia slept

While we played :)

Tyler drove

Lia kept sleeping

The boys had some swingin' fun

Tyler played some more

Lia finally woke up!

And had her first sliding experience!

She pondered that for a while

Then she allowed her brother to help hold her

And then Ty discovered the creek...

He had Tory collect a bunch of sticks to hand to him so he could throw them in

And finally he decided it'd be more fun to throw rocks in from the bridge...

...handfuls at a time make for bigger splashes! :)

Tory's "office" and a trip to the playground (Aug27)

We met Tory at Chick-fil-a for lunch the other day. Tyler thinks that is Tory's office. I guess it makes sense, since I tell him Tory is at work and then we see him at the restaurant. lol 

He really doesn't care where his daddy's office is, as long as he gets some sweet tea.

I think Lia was hoping for some tea too. I'll share some in a few weeks. ;)

After lunch I drove by Tory's real office, so Tyler would no longer be confused. I think he was more impressed when he thought Daddy worked at Chick-fil-a...

Then we headed off to the playground! 

Tyler rode the horse

And slid down some very hot slides. 

Lia just slept

And finally, here's why Tory called Tyler "A walking poster for Toy Story". 

{T-shirt, swimsuit, socks, tennis shoes... ALL Toy Story!}

[Actually, he was wearing his Toy Story cowboy boots when Tor said that. He looked much more stylish, but they were just not practical for the playground. ;)]

{He dressed himself. I am nowhere near as... creative... as my son is when it comes to clothing}

Never say never

I am fairly certain that God has spent the last decade laughing at me.

About ten years ago is when I started to hate snow. And winter. And cold. 

I can't count how many times I have said I will never move up north.

And specifically I have said I will never live somewhere like Minnesota.

{Yes, I've said never Minnesota a few times. }

And now we're moving to Minnesota. Minneapolis to be exact. 

The way I understand it is this: Tory's company got a giant contract recently which Tory is going to be in charge of. The other company is based in Minneapolis, which means Tory's gotta go there. 

We'll be moving (all five of us! Tory, me, a then-2.5 year old, a then-6 month old, and a great dane. YIKES!) in late January/early February 2011. 

We'll have all the details in the next few weeks.

For now... I'm off to find a place to live in Minnesota! 

{And I am never saying never again. ;)}

Ice Cream

How a two year old eats ice cream:

Of course, he has to feed himself

Sometimes he takes normal bites

Other times he just shovels it in

He pauses to pose for a picture... and prevent brain freeze!

Brain freeze averted. Safe to start again.

He goofs around a bit (he's good at that)

If he's feeling generous, he may offer to share.
Or maybe he's trying to distract his dad from taking so many pictures!

Back to being a goofball.

Maybe he was showing Tory that his tummy was full?? lol