Spring Break - Trip to DC

One of my favorite parts about living in Charlottesville is the close proximity we have to DC. We were able to visit monuments, the Air and Space Museum (Mason LOVED the rockets), the Library of Congress, the National Gallery, and of course the Temple. We had a rough encounter with some mud when we pulled off the road after the Temple to look up some directions. Fortunately some temple workers (one of which I had been with) stopped to help us. It was an adventure. Nate of course kept laughing through it all. He's amazing.

Mason at the George Mason Memorial

Captain America's epic run

Air and Space - Mason couldn't even stop looking at the rocket to take a pic

Thomas Jefferson's books at the Library of Congress

Van Gogh - my Dutchie 

covered in mud

Mennonite Country

It's a lot of fun to live so close to the Mennonite community. I have a lot of respect for these people - and how they try to live simply and avoid worldliness. I feel like I have a lot to learn from them. We enjoyed visiting one of their farms/stores/cafes. I bought some wheat to make bread - and Mason and that goat seem to have had a good conversation together. It was refreshing to get into the Country again and be around animals and farms. Mason and Stan did not want to leave.

Guantanamo

Nate got a pretty amazing opportunity to go to Guantanamo, Cuba and observe the trial hearings for the 911 conspirators. When I talked to him on the phone from Cuba, he sounded like he was on cloud nine. So fascinating. He kept saying how much he loves America's justice system - that we give even the greatest enemies of our Country a fair trial. It was like when we watched the movie, 'The Judgment at Nuremberg' about the trials after WWII. You'll have to ask Nate about it sometime if you want to. He loves talking about it - and he learned a lot. Even though we missed him here for a week, and it wasn't easy of him to miss that much school either, we are both so glad he got this unforgettable opportunity. 

ESPN comes to UVA

The preseason to March Madness was a lot of fun here. Because UVA has such a high ranked basketball team they got to host ESPN for a pregame show and OF COURSE we couldn't miss it! It was a fun environment. Fascinating for us to see how ESPN does it. A lot of talented people. Nate can talk sports with the best of them - so this is right up his alley. I think Mason and Stan liked it as well.

Life lately according to my phone

Dear Friends, what you are about to witness is called sensory overload. Hopefully this will give an idea of our lives lately.

"Look Mom, 'J' is for Mommy!" Yes, and I'm quite sure Mason put on his shirt all by himself that morning.

Music Class masquerade

Valentine's Day Crafts - who are the lucky girls?? Mason the Pirate.

Dear DC Temple. Thank you for staying open for us until 9 pm!

Chivalry at its best

and then there were...three

a brisk Saturday morning jog to the main grounds Cathedral

i'm obsessed with the wreaths all over during the holidays

a bowl of blueberries and a lot of thinking

BIG Alaskan Nate boots to fill

That Chef has got Muscle . . I mean talent

veggie soup and afro biscuits

Our new - old jogging stroller . . .  smoothest ride in town.

Mason's twin - Lucy Goosie

Every child has to build a bird's nest at some time in their lives

Stanley's helping out by holding the whisk.

There's always room for two in that seat

spectators at the RELLS softball game

I am Malala...Mason

"Look, Mom...I cleaned the entire wood floor while you were in the bathroom"

Oh...and vacuumed

Like Father, like 5 cent ice-cream on Tax Day after Soccer practice

look at those chugger cheeks!!

"I'm a soccer boy! I'm a dream come true!"

Dorothy and Mason telling her story

Mr. Cool Jr. and his side-kick at bedtime

Mr. Lois Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald . . Bada ba ba (my birthday present for my 29th birthday on April 30th..thanks sweetie!)!

hot tub party for mine and Jeni's birthdays - stories to tell, girls! These women are my extraordinairs.

bath time just became a lot more dynamic

Early morning jogs together every day. We already are missing our friends for the summer!

Also Stan learned to crawl finally a day before 11 months, and today he started using a cup by himself!

Congratulations if you made it to the end. That....was.....well, I'll let you say it!

Highland/Michie Tavern

Today (before entering in the second semester on Monday), Nate took the day off of working (as a student assistant for a Professor), and we drove to Highland, home of James Monroe. Beautiful day. Mason enjoyed the animals, we enjoyed the history, Stan enjoyed being held by Daddy. Later we ate lunch at Michie Tavern - a place where Jefferson, and others might have met to discuss politics. It was a great day!

In some ways Mason reminds me of a lamb.

home of James Monroe - a more simple man perhaps than Jefferson - but still had a lot of land. More serious and pragmatic (maybe like my Dad). They both did so much for our Country. I owe them!

where cloth was spun

Great environment. Loved the Scottish violin and flute playing in the background, the warm fire, the historical setting, and the great service.

so intrigued by the fire

spring house - where a spring ran through and kept the milk cold

Michie Tavern

best of Southern cooking right there