Iowa

We got to go to Iowa for two weeks in November while Griff traveled for work and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. I rarely had my camera with me but I did catch a few fun pics. These first two were taken at my Grandma Henry's. Riley discovered he could fit into the dryer. They actually both fit in the dryer though Ellie didn't like that too much. We got to see some extended family in Iowa and Riley and Ellie just loved their cousins Morgan, Paige and Zach, so much so that Riley cried for 10 minutes and kept saying, "I want Zach."

The First Snow

At the end of October we got a very heavy wet snow. It delayed our trip to Iowa by a day but it gave us the chance to make a snowman, eat some snow and mow. Yes, I said mow. You can see in one of the pictures the little mower is setting on top of the snow in the driveway. Ellie tried to mow but didn't get very far in the heavy wet white stuff.

Sleepy Riley

I've always seen those pictures of kids that fall asleep in random places and wondered how that happened. I mean how can a kid be so tired they literally fall asleep at dinner. Today, I got my answer. A child falls asleep at dinner when they played outside in the leaves all morning. Then, after playing in the leaves and swinging on swings they decide to play during their nap instead of sleep. Funny story about that too...
I heard Riley screaming/crying in his room around 3pm. I rushed in to see what was going on and I couldn't find him anywhere. The three dresser drawers were open but there was no Riley in sight. The crying persisted and then, I saw it. Ten little piggy toes sticking out from the end of the middle dresser drawer! Apparently Riley had crawled into the middle drawer and was laying face down when the top drawer slid open, trapping him in the middle drawer. I couldn't help but laugh as I consoled my little non-sleeping two year old.

Peanut Butter

Riley loves peanut butter, whether it is just on a spoon, a piece of bread or a toasted bagel. But, of course with peanut butter comes a little mess. Ellie, however is allergic to peanut butter and may never get to taste the yummy amazing goodness. I'm praying it is something she out grows and someday down the road we can enjoy a bag of peanut butter m&m's together.

Don't Try This at Home :-)

Saturday night we were getting a little bored so what does one do when they get bored but figure out how to make your little tikes slide a little more exciting and slightly more dangerous. Riley just loved it and by the end he was going down head first.

Mary Poppins

Today is a cold rainy day, the perfect day to introduce my little man to one of my favorite movies, Mary Poppins. I was a little nervous the silly many laughing and floating in the air would scare or confuse him, or that the bird lady may freak him out but none of that happened. Instead the only things that even somewhat bothered him were the Admiral shooting the cannon at 8am each moring and the old crabby bank men. I love this movie because there is no way you can watch it and be sad. How can you possibly say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and not be happy, which is the very point of the word, to make people happy. Riley loves the dancing and the music, especially "Steppin' Time". He was dancing all over the floor kicking up his heels and Ellie would occasionally join in. She loves the little doggy the most. So, if you are stuck inside due to rain or just need a good smile I would highly recommend Mary Poppins.
This video was taken this morning while Riley was still wearing his unseasonal but warm Christmas jammies.

DC Vacation Continued

I love this picture of Riley. He was completely out while we were navigating through everything at Arlington National Cemetery.
Watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was ______. I don't know what to say. It was sad to walk through this cemetery where so many have given their life for me, my family, our nation. It was inspiring at the same time, by their selfless acts of giving their life. It was humbling too. I wander what some of these fallen soldiers would say about the state of our government today. Rows and rows of headstones, all white, some more weathered than others but all a small stone of remembrance of one that gave his/her life for the betterment of many. I'm truly thankful for them.
Ellie's turn to take a nap while on our way to The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The World War II Memorial. It was so much bigger than I remembered it.