Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

On Monday we headed to Prince William County to see the minor league Nationals play. It's so much cheaper than a major league game and SO family friendly. We all had front row seats for next to nothing and paid a $1 for our hotdogs. The icing on the cake was what happened after the game. We took the boys over to the dugout to try to get some autographs. Dee Brown came out (who is a pretty good player that may just make it in the majors...) and signed Luke's hat, Blake's shirt and then handed them his baseball bat. Can you believe that? We later read his bio and found out his father passed away when he was just a little fella. Must have a heart for the little boys in baseball caps who hang out around the field... Sure did make their day (and Justin's too)!

Nothing says summer like watermelon... and cows?!

Nothing says summer like being outside and chomping into a juicy piece of watermelon... except... We took advantage of the long weekend to have some family time at Sky Meadows State Park. We were expecting the park to have a few other hikers but we did not expect them to be holding a festival! We rolled up to the park and found they were having their annual Strawberry Festival! The worst part of the day was paying $20 just to enter the park. The weather cleared up and it turned out to be a beautiful day. We hiked a loop that took us about an hour with some pretty views. Unfortunately, some of the trail cut right through a cow pasture with LOTS of fresh cow piles! You would think Blake would have hit one but it was poor Luke! His reaction made for a funny family story that will never die. Ten years from now - we'll be like, "Hey - do you remember the day...." Poor Luke. He's not in good humor about it right now so give him a few weeks if you're going to bring it up! It sure did give the rest of us a big belly laugh though - the kind that folds you over with stomach cramps!

And check out the pic of the owl! Isn't he cool?!

Bound for Baghdad - Pray for Peace

A pic of my friend's husband, Dan, as he trains with his unit in Mississippi before heading to Iraq. Keep Erin and her family in your prayers! You can follow the unit's training on nbc29.com.

Game Ball!

Beautiful day! Luke was awarded the "game ball" after a great game today. He really worked hard. Thanks, Mike and Yuliya, for being there! Later this afternoon we headed to the football field to cheer Justin's team to victory. Why can't the weather be like this everyday?!

"Wonderful Tonight"

Last Friday we attended a local dance that is pretty much a "who's who" of our community. I know you're asking, "How did you two get invited?!" We were wondering the same thing! Both of us were certainly out of our comfort zone as we attempted to make small talk with professors, doctors, and businessmen. I was actually asked by a local professor to speak in her sociology class - so either she found my work pretty interesting or she'd had too much wine. I'll let you know if I get the call...

Speaking of too much wine - one of the funniest parts of the evening was simply "people watching". Justin and I giggled like little school girls watching as a "gentleman" he recognized from the community "breakdance" during the refreshments break and later head back to the dance floor until he had to be carried off by his wife. We also had a great laugh at a politician (who we won't name!) doing a really great "Forrest Gump" style dance.

I couldn't convince Justin to boogie down for the fast songs but we danced to every slow song played including some of our favorites like "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Claypton.

It was really cute as well to see Luke and Blake's reaction as we were heading out. Blake announced to everyone "Daddy is going dancing with Mommy!" just beaming!

I felt pretty, Justin was handsome and together we had a beautiful night!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I hope the day was wonderful for all the moms, grandmothers and other ladies in our lives! I have to admit that my weekend was not "perfect" but it was definately interesting. Thank God for Erin, my WV sister, who I can vent with and understands me perfectly!

The day ended with Luke chipping one of his two adult teeth while playing ball with Justin and Blake. Poor fella. I have never chipped my tooth but it looks painful! I took him in on Monday for a filling - shot in the gum and all! He didn't even cry and said it didn't really hurt that bad! Wow. What a trooper! I know a lot of adults who are real sissies when it comes to dental work!

Following our dental visit, we headed to buy new bike helmets. I figured with all the weird stuff that had happened this weekend that I needed to do that. The strap had broken on Luke's and Blake wanted a "big boy" helmet. I definately believe in buying a helmet they like and will wear as I had an accident ten plus years ago that could have taken my life if not for the helmet I was wearing! (So don't forget those helmets friends and family!)

So - check out the bike riding pics. Luke is more careful but Blake is a madman thinking that crashing is fun... Oh, it's going to get interesting in the next couple of years...

Team Jeff

The first Sunday in May I participated in the Race for Hope in DC on "Team Jeff - Celebrate Life!". Jeff passed away in March of last year from a brain tumor. He was only in his 50's. His wife, Gaynelle, is one of the sweetest, loving, most beautiful women I have ever known and it was an honor to be a part of his race team. This is my friend, Kathy, in the pic. She, too, is a sweet girl (and never cooks a bad dish - her cooking is straight out of Southern Living...) and is one of Gaynelle's best friends and prayer partner. There were 38 total in our team - some ran, some walked, some did a little of both. But everyone crossed the finish line.

Jeff's daughter, Sarah, was celebrating her birthday and ran wearing feather boas and a tiara (hopefully I'll be able to get some pics added of her later).

There was a "Wall of Hope" with pics of both survivors and those who had passed. People of all ages - young, old and in between - all someone's loved one. I was touched by many stories and photos (one pic was of a mom with her two young sons dressed in Halloween costumes - she had passed...).

The day was fun and just as the race name said filled with "hope". Jeff really encouraged everyone to really live life. Don't wait until you know you're dying. He really loved Tim McGraw's song about living that kind of life... He would be proud of us as we completed the Race for Hope.

And - thanks, Mom and Jen for being my sponsors! Love ya both!

Yay! We're feeling better!

Wow. What a week. I wouldn't wish the stomach flu we had on anyone! We are still being careful with our diet - Luke can't wait to have tacos and Chinese again! Maybe we'll give them a try later in the week or weekend.

Yesterday was the first full day back for everyone - Justin and I at work, Blake at "Happy Kids Daycare" and Luke to school. I have to say it was wonderful. The weather has been beautiful here and we've been enjoying every minute. Here's some pics of the boys enjoying the sunny skies. Blake is way too big for his "baby" swing (his big feet get stuck getting in and out) but a little scared to move onto a big boy swing. I was thinking of taking down the baby swing and telling him it was gone but after seeing these pictures and how much fun he was having I just couldn't do it. They are only little for a little while and I suppose he'll "graduate" to the larger swings when he's ready.

I caught Luke kicked back on the grass watching the clouds. I used to LOVE doing this when I was little. Justin said he never did this. Boy - did he miss out! He said he saw a Yorkshire terrier cloud. It's funny but I think I can see it! What about you? Ever just take a minute to relax and gaze at the sky? It's amazing.