Memorial Day

For Memorial Day we drove to America's D Day Monument in Bedford, Virginia just an hour and a half from here. The United States decided to put the monument there because they had the highest number of lost soldiers per capita in any US City. Twenty two were lost from that tiny town that day on June 6, 1945. It was special to be there and feel of the love and sacrifice that town has given for the world and for our Country.

We went to 'Biscuitville' for breakfast, and of course we had to get the 'Stan Sandwich' for Stanley. It's a chain that is only in North Carolina and a couple in Virginia I think. Fun food and good times together.

Hiking in Virginia's beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Perfect, sunny and 70 degree weather - yesterday we couldn't pass up this opportunity to be outside and do some hiking for the first time around Virginia's beautiful blue ridge Mountains. Mason was a CHAMP - hiking at least a mile and a half of it. He loved being the leader. At the end of the trail was a lake. We saw fish, dragon flies, caterpillars, and much more. It was so refreshing to be outside in the beautiful nature for several hours together. My favorite parts were holding Nate's hand and talking. The whole hike was a success no sunburns or bites, and both boys took naps in the backpack on the way back. I think we will definitely be doing a repeat.

DC - Picasso and the Temple

For Memorial Day Weekend we took another trip to DC, this time to see a portrait done of Nate's Great-Great Grandmother done by Picasso which is kept at the National Gallery, and to go to the Temple. We got a private viewing of this beautiful piece. It's an amazing story. She had TB for five years, at the end of which she went to the south of France. There she met Picasso and asked him to do her portrait. It's fun to see some of her features in my boys. She must have been quite a woman!

sketch of Nate's Great-Great Grandmother...and kisses from Mason

Mason was so good that he got a popsicle in DC

Yorktown/Virginia Beach

We had such a fun chance to spend a few days together in Yorktown and Virginia Beach. We visited the newly finished Victory Center in Yorktown, had some fun food, and went to the beach. This is how we celebrated our Stanley's 1st Birthday. We love this boy so much!!! Happy Birthday, Stan the ÷÷man!¬≤

A friendly neighbor brought us his grand-daughter's jeep when he saw me on a walk with Mason and Stan. Mason gladly took Stan on  a ride around town.

I just can't get enough of that right there!!! Heart melts at those two!

Gosh I love that kid!!!

Chrysler Museum in Norfolk - amazing to watch them make glass sculptures

Jolibee a fun Filipino fast food restaurant. Since my parent's served their mission there, we couldn't pass it up!

gathering sea shells at Virginia Beach

post-fun in the sun

UVA Baseball

Not only does UVA have a stellar basketball team, but their baseball team is good as well. Nate said I think they've won a few championships in the last few years. So we couldn't miss the chance after school was over to watch them play. Fun times!

Violin Student Recital

I got to watch my students perform in their first recital. They all began in January and have made amazing progress the last few months. I am so proud of them. Special thanks to my friend Lauren for letting us join her piano students at this Church hall. Just love that girl!

New Piano

For my birthday, Nate got me a piano (a goodie from Craig's List). Our friends here moved it for us (ANGELS!), and we have been enjoying it ever since. It's especially fun for me to see how much my boys enjoy it. Listening to Nate play the piano is the best thing ever. I am so happy - to me a piano is like the soul of a home.

Aboriginal Art Museum and Sweet Frogs

Nate is a pro at finding out what's going on and going to see cool things and eat fun food. I'm trying to learn from him. It makes life so interesting, educational, delicious, and exciting. We got to go to the Aboriginal Art Museum this day they had a special class for kids. They dipped their feet in paint and let them paint with their feet. This beautiful home provided the perfect setting. The view of the Monticello mountains behind were also breathtaking. We had to get ice-cream afterwards of course at Sweet Frogs, and there is not limit to how many yummy toppings you can put on top - so Mason was in ice-cream heaven. It was a great day!

My 29th Birthday

On April 30th I turned 29 years old. Am I really that old??? I love my life right now - and just couldn't help but feel SO grateful for all of the amazing people who make my life so good. First of all of course my parents, then my brothers and sisters, their families, my AMAZING husband Nate, my beautiful little boys, and all of my teachers, mentors, friends, everyone who have blessed my life immeasurably. How could I ever repay them? To celebrate - Nate ran with me to the beautiful UVA main grounds, we saw the movie Cinderella (she's always been my favorite Princess). I loved the theme to have courage and be kind. That's a much needed message in the world today. We also enjoyed a dinner at a Spanish Restaurant called 'Mas Tapas'. It was so delicious. My dear friend here Nicole also made delicious cupcakes for me (as shown below), and another dear friend Elizabeth threw a hot tub party for me and my good friend Jeni who's birthday was just three days later. It was a birthday for the books - not to be forgotten. Special thanks for the cards, messages, phone calls, and my dear friends here Tennille and Megan who babysat my boys so Nate and I could enjoy some time together.

Soccer boy

I am officially a soccer Mom. After his first practice I said, "Mason, I'm a soccer Mom! It's a dream come true!" Later that night Mason said to me "Mom, I'm a soccer boy, I'm a dream come true!" He enjoyed it..most of the time. We were able to participate in a great soccer league done with military families through the JAG program. Nate and I could not stop smiling as we watched him kick the ball. He had such a great coach, and it was really just so much fun to watch him. There were days when he was tired and just not feeling much like playing, but much of the time it was great. He is just so cute.

cherry blossom festival in DC

I have always wanted to see the cherry blossoms in DC during peak season. We made it on a beautiful spring day. It was amazing of course. DC really is my favorite American city I think.

Sesquicentennial Celebrations to the ending of the Civil War

Appomattox Courthouse April 9th 2015 marked the 150th Anniversary since the ending of the Civil War which happened initially on Palm Sunday, April 9th in 1865. Since it's only about an hour and a half drive from our house in Charlottesville we couldn't miss it. They did the reenactment, they had speeches, and it was all so well done. The funny story is that the man who owned the home where they signed the papers to end the war, moved there from Manassas Virginia (the first major battle of the Civil war), where he said a cannon ball landed in his kitchen. He moved there to get away from the war (a place in the middle of nowhere), and then the war followed him. I'm so grateful that Lee and Grant ended on such peaceful and generous terms. There was a high level of respect from both, and it was an example of how to end war - the fastest way for our Country to heal. Mason was fascinated by the soldiers and horses. I'm so glad we got to see it.