Week with Lidia

My dear friend Lidia came to visit for a week. It was so much fun to have her and do some more
exploring. Maryland welcomed her with a heat wave and then some of it's finest rain.

I had to take her to Monticello, even though I had visited less than a month ago. It was shockingly greener than last time.

No, I am not above walking my daughter.
Audrey loves her Monkey.
Some good buck teeth, thanks Eric!
A good close up.

This was so amazing, a tree grew hugging another tree.The most beautiful tree flower.

Lidia's great new haircut!
We also went to DC to see more Smithsonian's!
A few of my favor painting from the National Gallery of Art.
On the Mall.
We rode on the Carousel in the middle of the Mall. Audrey was more excited after the fact. She kept saying, "I ride horsey" over and over the next few days.
Maryland (and I am sure other parts of the east coast) has these cocoons everywhere in the trees this time of year. Usually I see them in the bare trees on the side of the freeways. I always wondered what was in them. I found some closer ones on a walk to the Nature Preserve by our house. I was both intrigued and disgusted with my (Lidia's too) finding, communal living caterpillars. I just hope they turn into butterflies.

Hampton, VA

This was almost a month ago... but I thought I would share it anyways. We went down to Hampton, VA to see my Uncle Scott and stay at his beautiful house. It was so relaxing and nice to get a taste of some warm weather. My mom was visiting friends on the east coast for a few weeks, so we got to meet her for the weekend.




Audrey loved playing in the sand and really was not afraid of the water (even though it was freeezing!) She had no takers to go swimming with her, so this is as far as she got.

Go Go Go!

Audrey having some pre-bath fun. She loves to run around in her diaper.

Happy Easter!

Audrey loves the flowers we planted last Fall.

Easter Egg Hunt (or the Gathering of Obviously Placed Eggs)

Easter Grass was everywhere... we might have to have Grass-less Easters from now on.

Progression of Spring

I am amazed how fast Spring changes. Here are some pictures of the Smithsonian Castle's Courtyard. The first set was taken the first week of March and second set the first week of April. And yes, I go to DC a lot these days, at least four times month.

Cherry Blossoms

When we decided to make this big move across the country, one of the things I was most excited about was being so close to Washington DC and being able to see the Cherry Blossoms every year. Eric and I came to visit his family three years ago for Easter but I was disappointed to have missed the peak by only a few days. I have been looking forward to seeing them since I moved, but I had to first endure winter. We went last Thursday. It was a gloomy day, but the blossoms were amazing. It was like snow in a weird way, kind of like that fight scene in Kill Bill, but with a striking lack of Samurai swords. There were a lot of people for a week day, I cannot imagine what Saturday must have been like. I am already hoping that next year it will be sunny when I go.

My Dad's Visit

My dad and his wife, Arlene came to visit us last week. We did some touristy things and took a road trip to Virginia and North Carolina to see my Aunt Karen, Grandma Deans and Grandpa Deans. Here are some pictures from our trip.

My Dad & Arlene in front of Mount Vernon.
While at Mount Vernon we witnessed a sheep give birth to two lambs.

I am an animal nerd, so I thought it was the coolest thing.
Eric and I got to go to Monticello sans Audrey. Thanks for Dad & Arlene for babysitting (or should I say babyrunning).
We had lunch with my Aunt Karen and Eugene in Tappahannock, VA.
They spoiled Audrey with gifts.

My Grandpa Deans' Farm house in NC.
It was Audrey first time meeting her Great-grandfather.

Audrey got spoiled with more presents.

She even started singing "Happy Birthday" to herself.

We were given a Victrola that my Great-grandmother owned.

Audrey found my Grandpa's hat and work boots.

She looks so cute when she's guilty.

My Grandpa Deans and Grandma Gail with their new love.

We had a wonderful trip and we so blessed we could go before Eric started his new job.