We got a new camera. The kids are not amused.

Butlers Orchard

I have found that I just can't be a regular blogger. I try, but then the weeks get away from me. I do however, like to use this blog as a sort of diary or chronicle of our adventures. And this one I definitely don't want to forget because it was one of those days where Ian, Emma, and I just happened to all be in a good mood, despite the rain. This does not happen that frequently. So we headed to Butler's Orchard one rainy day back in October...or November. I can't remember now! We had the entire place to ourselves. We picked apples, raspberries, flowers, and pumpkins. We also ran through the fields and just enjoyed being outside.

Life in DC

Life these days with two is slowly but surely becoming manageable. We have found somewhat of a rhythm to life. Ian and Tim spend Saturday's together...running errands, going to the driving range, doing house work, and hitting up H Street while Emma and I clean, walk Pippin, and play!

Bay Creek

Once back from the wedding in September we took to getting back into a routine. Well, not really. We went to Bay Creek! I think this was our last vacation of the Fall....nope I am wrong. We met our friends Ted and Amy and their son Jackson along with our friends Jeff and Jill and their triplets (yes, I said triplets!!!) at Bay Creek, Virginia. It is this excellent resort on the most southern tip of Virginia, on the bay. It was a great vacation. We rented golf carts and ditched our cars for the entire weekend. Ian got quite used to being able to pull over the golf cart and use the bathroom. On Saturday we took a train ride through town, a very SLOW train ride, while eating crab cakes. We even hired a babysitter for an entire day and night so us adults could relax and go out to eat. This was also a major trip because it was Ian's first round of golf! Well, first three holes of golf on a real golf course. Overall I think he did pretty well and most importantly was quiet and followed golf etiquette. We found out many things on this trip. First, Emma loves dolls and second, we love being outside of DC! I am pretty sure I found myself saying over and over again while at Bay Creek, "Yep, I could live here."

CHATTANOOGA

Two weeks ago I loaded Ian and Emma into the car AGAIN and drove 11 hours to Lookout Mountain, Georgia (just south of Chattanooga, TN). There were three reasons that this happened. First, we were attending the wedding of James Phillips (Tim's cousin). Second, Ian and Emma were meeting their great-grandparents (Nain and Grandpa Stewart) for the first time (Emma's middle name is Stewart)... AND , I was going to spend time with my sister Emily who just recently moved to Georgia. The 11 hours in the car flew by and we were soon settling into our amazing villa on Lookout Mountain. We had a wonderful time with Emily, went on several nature hikes, peered out into the vast Chattanooga valley, took deep breaths of clean mountain air, and even went to the aquarium. I wish I took more pictures of the aquarium (actually, I am pretty sure I didn't take any). It was so amazing and I am still in awe of the sea horses and eels. The butterfly garden was amazing! Ian got to touch a sting ray and a sturgeon. We can't wait to go back!

Ian and Emma's first meeting with Nain and Grandpa Stewart was just so precious. Ian took to Grandpa Stewart instantly and would not leave his side. It may have been because Grandpa Stewart was watching tv and put a cartoon on, but hey, we'll take it! Emma cuddled into Nain's arms and let her walk her into the gardens. We had a wonderful walk around their property on Lookout Mountain marveling at the views and basking in the quietness. Nain cooked us wonderful meals and they both put up with Ian and Emma when they were on the verge of breakdown. I am so glad that Ian and Emma finally got to meet Nain and Grandpa Stewart. They have meant so much to Tim over the years and to me as well since joining the extended family.

The wedding weekend was a great chance to catch up with family and to get a little break from DC. We are looking forward to making a trip back there in the spring.

Ian has just been too much lately...he has started to not only use crying and whining to express himself but also some very heart felt statements. The other day I asked if he could help pick up all of the puzzle pieces that he so lovingly threw all over our floor and he said, "I am not in the mood." Oh really? Well in that case I will pick them up for you Ian, and I will do your laundry, and I will make all of your meals for you. Deal? Deal. No, but really? A three year old telling me he is not in the mood?

The same day I asked Ian if he would mind picking up his shoes and putting them in the bin near the door. His response: "That really hurt my feelings." Wow, he is really pulling out all the stops! His excuses for doing any sort of labor are getting better and better.

Emma on the other hand could not be happier to do everything herself and to even do things for Ian. I can tell that this is going to be a one sided relationship. Emma will go and get Ian's shoes before our walk, set them down neatly by the stairs and sit next to Ian as he puts them on. Ian will get out of the bathtub and insist on being wrapped in a towel and carried to the bedroom. Emma will get out after him, dry herself off, and come bounding into the bedroom to be with Ian. Emma insists on feeding herself, walking up and down stairs, and even reading to herself. We have a completely dependent 3 year old and a completely independent 1 year old. Life is good.

BROTHER AND SISTER

WANTING TO BE LIKE HER BROTHER

HOLD ON EMMA

THIS GIRL IS JUST TOO MUCH

“Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
― A.A. Milne



Emma with Grandpa (summer 2011) Love this picture!

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Emma never quite keeps Ian out of her sights....

This is the story of our lives these days. Emma always wants to be doing whatever Ian is doing. Ian tries to help Emma out, but is always a little too rough.