Two different worlds, we live in two different worlds (think of a bear singing to an octopus!)

For those of you who don't know, Christopher spent 18 months active duty with the military in Iraq. It was a LONG separation. While he was there for the majority of the time I was working at the National Journal in DC. As I mentioned this weekend we stayed with my friend Kerstin. She and Christa were my two roomies while Chris was gone.

Today I pondered on all the wonderfully hilarious memories I have with these two girls and thought "Should I feel bad that I have such good memories while at the same time was so heart sick for my hubby?" That time was an oxymoron of sorts for me. I cried a lot because of missing and worrying about Chris but I also laughed ALOT thanks to these girls and this wonderful city. It is funny I have talked several times to people about how I did not want Chris to apply to a big city, that I am not a city girl. Most people were shocked by this and I always wondered why. Today as I drove into DC the same route I always took to work I figured out why: I AM a city girl! I have just been living in denial. I almost cried as I drove past the monuments I had grown to love so much! I kept pointing to Sam eagerly and naming them, he responded by asking to go home-- lovely. *yes this was taken while driving on memorial bridge!!! Some one ought to take away my license.

Another revelation hit as I was driving back from the zoo. The boys had both zonked before I could start the car and as I drove past my old stomping grounds and past my old townhouse I thought how bizarre it is that here I am three years later cruising in a mini van with two kids passed out in the back!






I thought about how back then I would be cruising in the sweet landrover, headed to the mall to spend some of the expendable income we were generating.( How long has it been since we have seen any of that! Haaa!) I guess what I am saying is although my Husband was at war, I am glad that I had the experiences that I did while he was gone and was able to spend it with the people I did. It prepared me so much for this time of my life, and made it so that I never wondered what it would be like to be "on my own" with a cool job in a big city. I know what it is like and that makes me love being Mama all the more! *this was taken while driving on 17th street! Seriously take away the license!

We're going to the zoo zoo zoo U can come 2 2 2!

The next day Cherylyn met me at the DC zoo! It was a perfect day. The boys were WELL behaved, the temp was 85 with a cool breeze, the zoo was free and I found celestial parking by the front gates!

Sam and Clark had blast running around, climbing in and out of the strollers, switching strollers, making animal sounds and chowing down on Clarks Fritos (I had forgotten how tasty those were!)

Andrew and Liam were wonderful babies and the trip really was blissful--- oh except for the 90 degree hill the zoo is built on. Seriously my calf's are going to be crying for a week after pushing the double up and down that place! Thank you Cherylyn for making this such a fun trip!

Old Friends Making New Memories

Christopher needed to do a few more Drill weekends up in DC before wrapping up his military career. I decided to spend the first night down here cleaning our sorely neglected house and then head up and spend the night with our wonderful friend Kerstin. We were also VERY excited to meet up with our "3L" friends the Neilsons who had moved up from Florida!

They were gracious enough to find a good place for us to eat with four kids-- the Mall! We went to Tyson's Corner! It turned out fabulous because I got my fill of perusing but not purchasing at some of my fav stores: H&M Ruehl (their catalog is appalling!) and Janie and Jack. I had to catch the enthusiasm of the boys as we shopped around.

It really was perfect though, the boys went crazy (they played wonderful together!)while we were able to talk and talk and talk!

It was so nice to spend the evening with the Neilsons again they are such a wonderful family!

My Sad Sad attempt at being healty

My good friend Terish is a dietitian and she has been gracious enough to sit down with me and plan out really healthy meal plans so that Chris and I can get back on track and make the major life change to healthy eating. Armed with my binder full of scrumptious healthy meals I was determined to lead the charge. Dinners and breakfast are easy, Terish loaded me up with meals and side dish's etc. The only probably I have encountered is lunch. I don't want to make a full meal but I feel like all the quick stuff is cheating. Today the boys really cooperated with my plans. At ten o'clock Sam came to me as I was putting Laim down with his blanky and teddy bear and said "sammy go night night." I played along and got him his milk and low and behold they both slept for two hours!!! With so much time on my hands I figured I had no excuse for not making a yummy lunch. I read in a magazine about a women making her kids little bread boards. I followed this slightly and made both boys a colorful tray with a variety of things they could snack on, including this cool whole wheat mac n cheese I found in the health food section.

(Yes Liam eats all the things in the picture and yes I know he is only 10 months) Liam scarfed everything down while Sam mainly ate the sweet items. So it wasn't a smashing success but I guess at least it is a start.

Best Friends:

I really think Liam and Sam are going to be best friends. Since Liam started walking their relationship has gone to an all new level! I didn't think they could be any cuter together but they sure are. Today Liam would chase after Sam with Sam yelling "bro bro come get me!" The two of them made their way up the stairs and then Sam slammed their bedroom door shut on me! I thought this wasn't supposed to happen until they were teenagers. I let them have their peace until I heard Liam laughing hysterically. Sam had crawled in his crib and was bouncing up a storm. So cute! This is a video of Sam crawling away from Liam and Liam chasing him until he saw me and got side tracked!

Yummy in My Tummy

(A picture of Sam going to bed tonight, just to cute not to post!)

Saturday Chris and I once again attended the farmers market. I finally got a picture of the dog I LOVE. He is there every sat. with his little sign hanging around his neck.

We purchased some DELICIOUS blueberries. Which is really saying something because I am generally not a fan. (sam looking drunk on blueberries)

We had a yummy lunch at the cheese shop and then I scarfed down a few "samples" of the Red White and Blueberry salad they were teaching the market attendees how to make.

On the way home I think Liam was a little hoped up from all the fruit because he was FREAKING out laughing in the car. This pic is a little blurry because he was literally going nuts!

I am really excited for it to start cooling off so being out side will be more bearable, I am already getting excited for fall, "bouquets of sharped pencils" and all!

NERD ALERT!!!

My girly friends Leslie, Nora and Stacey attended the midnight release party at Barnes and noble for Breaking Dawn with me, ironically enough Leslie and I had purchased our books at Books A Million (way cheaper) but not enough people pre ordered so their party was cancelled. Apparently there are not enough Nerds in the Williamsburg area. Leslie and I sported our T-shirts (I couldn't find my iron on so I made my own it says "I'm not Switzerland-- team Edward" thank heaven for photoshop and iron on transfers haaa!) We took a picture beneath the balloon arch supposed to be for people dressed like they were going to the prom. There was only one really weird kid who literally wandered around the entire time in a black hooded cloak. He was totally there to pick up on Edward obsessed girls. Hilariously enough when we finally dragged our exhausted selves over to Books a Million the first thing we heard was a teen aged girl squealing on the phone to her friend in Utah about how she got the book first because we are two hours ahead time wise. I nearly died laughing, you gotta love the support us LDS show each other. We didn't recognize her so she was probably on vaca and apparently this was the highlight of her trip! I finished the book with in 36 hours and am now anxiously waiting for Chris to finish it (SUCH a supportive and sensitive hubby! He did start reading them before me though.) Luckily Chris had read the seventh Harry Potter first so it was my turn to know all the secrets of a book we found mutually interesting! Anyway I am a huge nerd but I really don't care, it was nice to get lost in a ridiculous fantasy world for a short time! Although there were times I wanted to kill Bella and her incessant teenage whining I am glad I finished the series! Here's hopping they break down and write a fifth!

Better video of Liam walking

I cannot believe he is walking already! It is so cute to see someone so little toddle all over the place. Every day he gets better and better. Sorry it is sideways but at least it is brighter :)