Sunday Traditions...

Once again, after mass this morning we went to downtown Fairfax. We had several library books to return. And because we're packing up all our own books, the girls wanted to borrow more. We also went to Panera for lunch and stopped at the farmer's market. They loved sampling all the delicious peaches, cherries, and blueberries.

Carsyn and Logan at the Rotary Park across from the library...

Maren taking it easy...

Always camera ready...

Carsyn looking at all the beautiful flowers...

Maren w/ cherry juice all over...

Carsyn found one she liked...

After our morning out, we spent the afternoon at home watching Indy Car and the Cubs. For dinner, Logan's friend came over for pizza and playing. They had such a great time!

Angela and Logan...

Lazy days and Mondays...

Some weekends are jam-packed, full of stuff to do. Others, not so much. This weekend we didn't really have any big plans--still recovery from our race weekend trip. Sunday, after mass, we decided to go to downtown/Old Town Fairfax for lunch and a quick library trip. We also stopped by the farmer's market (which definitely pales in comparison to the Hanford Farmer's Market.) Then we made it home just in time for the IRL race in Milwaukee...major disappointment for us : ( Sunday night was filled with even more disappointment as the Cubs had an extremely poor showing, and fell to the Dodgers 8-2.

Carsyn, Logan, and Maren...

It was a gorgeous day...

Today starts the last week of school for Carsyn. It's crazy that the year is almost over--time sure flies. It's definitely bitter-sweet. On the one hand we're getting very excited to move into our new house. But, on the other hand, it's very sad to leave. The girls (and Mommy and Nana)have really bonded with the school and people at the school.

Carsyn's last Monday of Pre-K...

Happy Mother's Day...

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. We had an absolutely beautiful day here in Northern Virginia. We walked to church this morning (Logan got to see her teacher--always a plus!) Then we went to downtown Fairfax. We stopped by the farmer's market to taste some local produce and pick up some fresh corn and tomatoes for dinner. Then we went to Panera for lunch, followed by Italian gelato. To conclude the outing, we hung out at the library for a bit, checking out a several new bedtime stories! It was a great Mother's Day.

The girls before mass...

with Mommy...

Enjoying their ice cream...


A little spill...

Field Trip...

Carsyn's class took a field trip to a local nature center called Hidden Pond Park. Maren, Daddy, and Mommy also got to take part in this fun day. All the children enjoyed learning about, seeing, and even touching lots of different amphibious animals. Carsyn was feeling particularly brave--she held a small garter snake, and she let a much larger corn snake wrap around her neck. Maren stayed in the back with Daddy and just watched. Mommy was happy to be behind the camera and not have to touch anything. After the hands-on demonstration, the kids all got to go out to the pond and net for tadpoles, freshwater shrimp, fish, and other creatures. To Carsyn's excitement, she found a few large tadpoles. It was a lot of fun, and Carsyn had a blast bragging to Nana and Logan all about it!

Carsyn loving nature...

Maren too...

Carsyn and a corn snake--eww...

Maren getting ready to go netting...

Carsyn hoping to find a fish...

Maren and Daddy may have something...

A first for us...

...and hopefully a last! Well, it wasn't actually that bad. A few weeks ago Carsyn's class had a "playdate" at Chuck E. Cheese. She had super-fun time, as did Maren who got to tag along. Ever since Logan heard of this, she has been complaining because she had never been. So, after daily suggestive comments--we finally gave in. Since the girls had off school today, and Daddy didn't have to work, we thought it would be a good time to get it over with...uh, i mean go! We ended up having a pretty good time. The girls actually ate pizza, and had a blast playing all the games. It was fun, but I doubt we'll become regulars.

Logan's first time at Chuck E. Cheese's, Maren and Carsyn's second...

Chocoholics...

This afternoon we went to downtown Fairfax City for their annual Chocolate Lovers' Festival. We all enjoyed tasting delicious truffles, ice cream, candies, and chocolate-covered everything! Maren and Carsyn probably got more on their faces than in their bellies, but it was worth it. We definitely spoiled our dinner. Afterward we walked over to Panera for some non-chocolate food and drinks, and then checked out a few books from the library. It was a super-fun Sunday!

The girls, all sugared-up...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

What a beautiful day...

Happy New Year!

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Happy New Year! Hope everyone has a very happy and healthy 2009! Tonight we went to downtown Fairfax City for some of their New Year's festivities, but it was super-cold and very windy. Also, in the short drive there, both Carsyn and Maren fell asleep. So, Nana stayed in the car with the sleeping girls while Daddy, Mommy, and Logan got some take out. We spent the rest of the night watching Disney Channel--woohoo! Neither the girls, nor Daddy made it 'til midnight (although Carsyn was close--she did see the Jonas Brothers Live from Times Square!)...next year we'll have to do something more exciting.

Happy New Year!

Logan downtown Fairfax...