Where's Logan???

This week has been an adjustment for not just Logan, but also for Carsyn and Maren. They're used to having Logan around all day to play with. Now that Logan is in school full-time, Carsyn and Maren have been spending a lot more time together. Carsyn is definitely ready for her school to start though...and so is mommy! It will be interesting to see how Maren reacts to both her sisters being gone every day.

Carsyn and Maren enjoying some time together...

First day of First Grade...

Can you believe we have a first grader??? Logan's first day of first grade was today. Everything went very smoothly this morning, and we were able to walk to school! Logan has been a little anxious about it--being new and not knowing anyone. But, it went really well. She had fun, made a new friend, and liked her teacher. Best of all...she looked super-cute in her uniform! Additionally, Logan and Carsyn are very lucky because their Nana will be at their school everyday because she is teaching in the middle school grades. Carsyn will begin class after Labor day. So, be sure to check back for pictures of her on her first day!

Getting ready for school...

Our first grader...

The girls w/ Nana in her classroom during open house...

Happy 2nd Birthday, Maren!!!

Little Maren turned two today! She was so sweet...all day long whenever anyone would wish her a happy birthday, she'd say happy birthday back. After mass she got to open her presents. She was done after about two, so naturally Logan offered to help--more like take over. Maren was most excited with her new bike helmet and bike seat she received for rides on daddy's bike. Carsyn had a hard time dealing with the fact that it was not her own birthday. But, the cake was huge hit with both Maren and Carsyn. Maren fell in love with cake on her first birthday, and hasn't stopped since! Carsyn really has a sweet tooth, but Logan's not really into cake. Then we took the girls to Build-A-Bear Workshop in Bethesda, MD. (They have the closest Crewcuts to us and it was an additional 40% off sale merchandise.) Maren chose a koala and named her "Newt." She wasn't interested in dressing it, she just wanted to get a stroller to push it around in. It was great second birthday for Maren!

Who's ready to open presents?

Poor Carsyn, you already had your birthday...

Birthday Girl!

Make a wish...

Go Green!!!

We went downtown to the United States Botanic Garden today. They were having their Family Fun Day Festival--focusing on sustaining our planet and conserving energy. The girls love going there anyway, but this time they were able to pot their own plants, make cool buttons, do crafts, and sample yummy organic ice cream. We also received re-usable shopping bags which is something our family has been trying to implement. It was a very informative event. There are so many things we can do to be more self-sufficient and conserve our resources!
Afterward we a picnic lunch. We thought that it would be really cool to eat out on the National Mall, but there was a very large gathering of a fanatical group that we did not want to be around. So, we settle for some shade on the grounds of the Air and Space museum. The weather was perfect, and we all had wonderful day!

Maren, Carsyn, & Logan @ the USBG...

Ice cream...YUM!

Don't worry, Maren had ice cream too...

Family fun day...

Picnic anyone?

Our little treehuggers...

A Quiet and Relaxing Weekend...

Well, it was as quiet and relaxing as it could be with three little girls! The weather has been terrific this weekend--low 80's and no humidity--perfect! We did a little yard work and played outside, went to the library one evening, watched the Olympics, and went to mass. Pretty uneventful, but got a decent photo out of it...

More Summer Fun...

We have been utilizing the Fairfax County Libraries pretty regularly. They are all very nice and pretty well stocked. They also offer many classes and programs for children. Logan and Carsyn have both been to two animal encounters and a Virginia history show. It's great to have fun stuff for them to do that's FREE! We have also been checking out books like crazy. The girls completed their library summer reading list in less than two weeks. Once we turned them in they received a coupon book full of deals and discounts. One of the promotions that we already took advantage of was the Water Mine Family Swimming Hole. It is a family water park with a lazy river, lots of slides, and other water activities all geared toward preschool to elementary aged children. It was so fun--we'll definitely go back!

At the water park...

Sunday=Fun Day...

After noon mass we went downtown to see the Jim Henson's Fantastic World exhibit at the S. Dillon Ripley Center. It was very cool to see original storyboards, puppets, and sketches. It was also neat to share things from Mommy and Daddy's childhood (like Fraggle Rock) with the girls. They put on their own puppet show and created unique monster faces. We really had a great time. After the museum closed we walked about a mile and a half to the C.P.K. on Connecticut Ave! We had not eaten there since we were in Las Vegas. This was their treat for being so good at the dentist a few weeks ago and having no cavities! The girls were so excited.

Getting ready for church...

At the Mall...

Summer Activities...

Logan and Carsyn started swim lessons last week. They are having a great time with it, although it's probably more fun than instructional. Carsyn must have been a real treat to teacher today because when class was over she was singing lyrics from RENT over and over again. (Yes, our kids know almost every word because on our eight day drive out here...whenever they weren't watching a dvd...we listened to the RENT soundtrack!) Maren isn't in classes, but during her sisters' class she gets to swim around with Daddy. We also went to our neighborhood pool to check it out. It's definitely not the same as the Khaki pool on base, but we had fun!

Maren loves the water...

Swimming with Daddy...

LOOOONG Weekend...

What a busy weekend we had, and most of it was spent in the car. We got into Indy very early Friday morning and slept at Nana's friend, Nancy's house. We were so excited to go to her house because it had been such a long time. Nancy was so awesome to put us up and feed us all our favorite breakfast foods! We also had tons to play with there--thanks!

Thanks, Nancy!

Then we hit the road again to visit our best friends from California who were home in Illinois for the summer. The girls had been looking forward to this reunion almost since the day we left Lemoore. It was so great for the girls to spend time with their friends again. They played and played, ate dinner, watched a movie--what more could you ask for? We had a really nice visit. We'll see you guys again soon!

Best Friends together again...

Leo, Logan, Grace, Carsyn, Sophie, and Maren...

Saturday we went to one of daddy's friend's/fraternity brother's wedding in Evansville, IN. All three girls were pretty good during the ceremony, and it was a full Catholic mass. The girls just love seeing brides and bridesmaids. They are already planning their weddings. But, the real fun was had at the reception! The girls had a blast dancing and truly enjoyed the cake! Congrats, Jon!

Sisters and future brides and bridesmaids...

Who's leading?

National Zoo...

When we went to the zoo last time, Daddy did not go with us. So, today we went again and brought him along. We tried to see all the exhibits that we missed on our first visit. We spent a lot of time in the Great Ape House watching the Orangutans and Gorillas. The primates were almost as fascinated with the girls as the girls were with them. We also went to the children's zoo area where the girls thought about touching the goats and cows, but decided against it. Here are a few photos of our zoo trip...

The Lion Queens...

Barack the Vote!!!

What an exciting afternoon we just had. Yesterday morning mommy and daddy went to stand in line to get tickets to see Senator Barack Obama speak at a town hall meeting here in Fairfax. So, all six of us went over to the local high school where he would be speaking. It was a long day for the girls, but it was so worth it. His speech was fantastic! Maren lasted through most of it before falling asleep. Carsyn kept herself entertained by talking, singing, and dancing. And, while Logan did complain a bit, she was really good. After the conclusion of the speech, Logan and Mommy were lucky enough to shake hand with (hopefully) the next President of the United States of America!!!

Waiting for Barack...

Logan has a crush on Obama!

Senator Barack Obama...

Mommy and Logan shaking hands with the future President...

Logan with Grampa Joe, Uncle Danny, and Aunt Sofia after the speech...

Old friends and a trip to the Zoo...

Some of our friends from California moved to Pax River, MD about a month before we moved. Today Ms. Traci and Abbey came over and we all went to the National Zoo together. Carsyn has been dying to go to the zoo since we moved here. So she was excited times ten. It was warm and sticky, but the girls had a blast. We didn't get through the whole zoo because everyone was getting tired, but we saw the giant pandas--which was all Carsyn could talk about. It was great to see good friends. And, we're very excited that they only live an hour away! Thanks for coming up guys.

Logan, Abbey, & Carsyn...

Maren had a good time too...

Happy 6th Birthday, Logan!

How did Logan grow up so fast?--six years old, although she thinks of herself more like 16. Logan is very smart. She loves to read and do school work. She also loves the playing with her friends (her sisters at the moment) and watching Disney Channel. Logan is very excited about starting first grade in the Fall. For Logan's birthday today she and Carsyn opened the rest of their presents and had birthday cake!

All dressed up, and nowhere to go...but, downstairs to open presents!

Happy Birthday, girls!

Sisters...

Birthday Girl...

Happy 4th Birthday, Carsyn!

It's hard to believe that Carsyn is four years old already. She is such a sweet little girl. She loves her sisters, loves to play, dance, and sing! Carsyn is adjusting well to our new life, new home, and new city. She had a blast with her "Uncle" John when he was here with us. For Carsyn's birthday today, we took the girls to Build-A-Bear Workshop. Carsyn picked a panda bear and put her in a wedding gown. Logan chose a pink bear which she dressed in stylish purple and black outfit. Maren got a pink poodle! Afterward they opened presents from their Nana.

Carsyn is four...

Happy Birthday!!!