Anniversary Get-Away {Part 2}

After our lovely afternoon, we got dressed for our night out on the town. But before we got to our first stop I made Hubby take a little detour. We acted like many other tourists that night and headed up to the White House.

And being the sweet wife that I am, I forced Hubby to take a selfie with me. I promised not to post this picture to Instagram but I never said anything about the blog!

Our first stop was at the P.O.V. bar. P.O.V. is a roof-top terrace and bar at the top of the W Hotel. We had heard from family and friends that P.O.V. had the best views in DC. And I have to agree with them!

After we enjoy a drink and the beautiful view, we were ready for dinner. Since this was a "wing-it" kind of a get away we had not made and reservations. I must say at first things were not looking good. The first restaurant that we tried had an hour and a half wait. Luckily our second try, BLT Steak, was much better - no wait at all! 

So here is will you will have to forgive me. I have no pictures from dinner. Hubby was so over me taking pics with my phone and in all fairness he was right. I happily put my phone away since I was on a date with Hubby and not with other bloggers. We enjoyed a lovely meal and were reminded that we really like hanging out together. Not too bad if you ask me!

Are You Watching GofT? (Slight spoiler alert if you haven't seen this week's episode)

When Game of Thrones first aired in 2011 I was not too sure about it. Hubby on the other was super excited for it. The show was, as promised, filled with blood and too many naked women but for some odd reason I really love the characters. Even the ones that I love to hate!

Season after season I look forward to watching with Hubby every week. It has become our Sunday night date at home. I know people talked a bunch about last season's "Red Wedding" but this Sunday's episode was one of the best of the full series! Peter Dinklage gave such a wonderful performance and really shined as the outstanding actor he is. Now I am wishing the week away just so I can see what happens next!

Do you watch Game of Thrones? Any other shows that you think I should look into?

Mother's Day 2014

After a ton of rain last week we were finally blessed with a beautiful day filled with sunshine for Mother's Day. And boy did we make the most of the sun!

Hubby and the kiddos came with me to pick out flowers for my new flowerpots. While we were looking for colorful blooms the kids really got excited by all of the potted fruit and veggie plants and some how I was talked into buying a pepper plant, watermelon vine and cilantro herb. All three kiddos promised to water and care for these plants but I am not sure how long they will last.

After all of the flowers were potted and watered, Hubby and I scrubbed all of the deck furniture. (I still can't believe that weather has been so rainy that we have not had a single family meal on the deck this year. Hopefully now that everything is cleaned and ready to go we will be able to dine al fesco next weekend.) After we were done scrubbing Hubby thought it was the perfect time turn the hose on L. Good thing L has a wonderful sense of humor because I don't think I would have been giggling as much as L did if the hose was turned on me! (Hubby's note- For the record he was already soaked from the water balloon fight/running through the sprinkler/water gun fight/spraying each other with the hose/general anarchy the neighborhood boys were all doing.)

After all of our hard work Hubby cooked dinner for all of us. I always think not having to cook dinner is a wonderful treat. And after our yummy dinner B gave me a real sweet treat. She baked me a carrot cake from scratch. I was so proud of her!  I know this will sound cheesy but it really was the icing on such a wonderful day with my family!!!

Welcome Home Meal

As you may already know, B had a field hockey tournament last weekend up in Pennsylvania. B and her teammates played well and more importantly they had a wonderful time. It might be just me that feels this way but win or lose the rides home from tournaments are soo long! The excitement is over and B always falls asleep on me. So I always enjoy driving into town and knowing we are home.

Coming home on Saturday was made even better by the scene B and I walked in on. Hubby and M were fast at work on some homemade biscuits. After a quick hug, L informed me that we were having ham and biscuits for dinner. I might be a Northern girl but I must have a little Southern heart because I was just over the moon!

Hubby and the boys followed Southern Living's recipe "Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuit" from their May 2014 addition. These biscuits were tender and flaky. Plus the butter tang was spot on! While these biscuits would have been perfect by themselves, my boys took it to a whole other level.

Hubby cooked a country ham steak on a casket iron skillet. While the ham was cooking he sliced the biscuits then he spread djion mustard on them. He also sliced some extra sharp cheddar cheese. When the ham was nice and hot he pulled it off the pan and sliced it into bite sized pieces. Finally he added a slice of ham and cheese to each biscuit. Simply put... it was heaven on a biscuit!!!

And if you didn't think I was already too spoiled I should let you know that Hubby DVR'ed the Derby for me. Please don't tell me that I was the only one that loved Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski!?!

Spring Flick 2014

This past weekend B had a tournament up in field hockey country - Pennsylvania. She and I packed up the car after school on Friday and headed up past the Mason-Dixon Line full of excitement. It might sound weird but we were both really looking forward to the weekend.

B was looking forward to playing with her travel team-mates. These girls have been practicing together for a year and it is wonderful to see how they have all grown as players. Personal, I love seeing how much they have learned to trust each other and empower each other.

I was looking forward to watching B play and not be distracted. For the past two rec seasons I have been B's coach. While I love it, it does mean that on game day I can't just focus on B. And I can't even take a single picture. So I was in heaven this weekend cheering on my girl and taking way too many picture!

And I am not going to lie, it was nice to have some alone time with my little girl. She is just growing up too fast and any time we have a chance to be alone is priceless to me.

PS...I didn't play at all but I am wiped out! Why is being a "travel parent" so exhausting!?!

Wiped Out!

I hope that it is ok that I vent a little today. I have blogger-block. It really has been going on for a little while now and I hate it! I love reading blogs and being part of this fun little blogging world. But lately, I feel wiped out with very little to give my blog at the end of the day.

Maybe I should just do what L does when he is wiped out...take a nap!

An Uphill Battle

A little while ago Hubby asked if we had any plans on April 6th. After informing him that we did not, he mentioned that there was a 5K that he would really like to enter because he heard that it was a challenging race. Then he mentioned that it was at one of the prettiest vineyards in NoVa and I said go for it!

The race at Bluemont Vineyard started at the top of the hill and finished at the top.  Not going to lie to you, it was a work-out just walking up to the start of the race. I might not have run the race but it was challenging just getting all of us to the start!

The kiddos and I had the best view for this race. Normal we just get to see Hubby at the start of his races and at the finish. But due to our vantage point we were able to watch him run the whole race, which was a first for us. The kiddos had the best time keeping up with what place their father was in.

From what we saw Hubby was in 6th place for most of the race but then he really turned it on when it came to long hill up to the finish. He finished in 4th place and had the fast time up the hill. Personally I have no idea why anyone would want to run this kind of a race but I am just so proud of Hubby! 

When the race was all over Hubby shared his wine tasting with me, since he doesn't enjoy wine as much as I do. Free wine tasting and a beautiful view  - sounds good to me! 

Just Cause

Came across this post on FaceBook and it made me laugh. And being the good friend that I am, I thought I would share it.

Happy Friday friends!!!

Let The Games Begin

Dressing Up for a Good Cause

Once again Hubby and I had the pleasure of being guests of Hubby's parents at the Catholic Charities Ball. We look forward to this night year after year. Not only is it a night for our family to dress up and dance the night away it is a wonderful way for us to give so much to a charity that does so much for so many.

Can I let you all in on a little secret? I am not a model! And while I know a little bit about photography Hubby does not. So when we try our best for a fashion photo shoot, we get nowhere fast! (Hubby's note- As good as she looks in these pictures my photography skills are not doing her justice but at least I can make her laugh.)

Pictures aside, as always we had a great time at the Ball. Our year isn't complete without the whole family belting out the lyrics to "Don't Stop Believin'" on the dance floor!

Nerves & Excitement

Tonight is one of my favorite events of the year; The Catholic Charities Ball! It is always a wonderful night filled with family, friends and an awesome band who helps us dance the night away. And one of the best parts of the night is that all of the money raised by Catholics Charities helps those in need - no matter what their faith is. 

Normally I am all set for the CC Ball a week ahead of time. But due to all of the snow we had last week, I feel rushed! I have this sick feeling that I have forgotten something. Hopefully all will go well tonight. Wish me luck friends!!!!

Extra Long Weekend

This past weekend was going to be a three day weekend due to yesterday's holiday but it turned into a five day weekend due to the snow. We really did get a ton of snow on Wednesday night and then even more on Thursday night. Over 20 inches! This really has been a crazy winter!!!

We tried to make the best of our snow-vacation. Plenty of sledding the neighborhood. The kiddos even made Olympic inspired snowmen. Not really sure what they were going for here but I just smiled and nodded.

I even found some time to put together three Ikea bookcases for our family office. Don't be too impressed, it took me forever to build them and by the time I was done so was my back!

We also made some time for a family game night or two. I have fond memories of playing Sorry! as a child and I feel like my kiddos will too. I really wish we had pics from when L won the first game, just too cute.

To round out our weekend, Hubby and I have been watching an episode or two of "House of Cards" as soon as the kiddos are in bed. If it was not for the kids and all we might have pulled an all-nighter just to watch the whole season. Is anyone else as obsessed as we are?

Tubing!

We finally had a free weekend and we decided to make the most of it. We went tubing at Whitetail! I grew up in a neighborhood that had a deep gulley that we went sledding down every winter. One might have called us crazy for sledding down the hills we did but we loved every minute of it! Sledding with my brothers is one of my favorite childhood memories. 

After paying and signing our lives away we were given tubes and sent up the hill. All of the kids love the snow-escalator! I may or may not have lost my balnce the first time I got on it. My mishap might have caused a bit of laughter from kiddos...and myself. If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at!?!

There were ten tracks to choose from and we tried to make the most of them during our two hours. For whatever reason a ton of people just got in line at the first three tracks so we stayed clear of them. No need to wait if you don't have to! 

After trying tracks 5 to 10, we realized that 8, 9 and 10 were the fastest. So of course those were our favs!

We are already planning our next trip back. Really for a family of three kids, with a child under the age of 8, this was a great intro to skiing. While our older two are so ready to try skiing, L is not. This was the perfect way to be together as a family at a ski resort without skiing.

This was just such a wonderful family day. We had a great time together and I was reminded of all the great times I had sledding with my brothers. Not going to lie, sledding makes you feel young!

Forget The Groundhogs

Many of you got up yesterday and waited to see what the groundhog thought about Spring's arrival. In this house we already knew that Spring is on its way. You might ask how we knew and simply put we had to register the kiddos for Spring field hockey and lacrosse already. Can you tell that this is a home that breaks it seasons down by sports!?!

In fact today M started his Spring lacrosse evaluation. While I was not able to be there, Hubby did inform me that M did a great job and has really come along in his game. And I have to say that the smile on M's face when he came home was just precious!

Is it just me or do boys, all suited up, look older than they really are? And am I crazy for thinking that Spring is just around the corner?

Tournament Weekend

Did y'all enjoy the long weekend?  Around these parts a long weekend means it's a tournament weekend and this past weekend was no different. Hubby got to take B to her last tournament so it was my turn to take her. Honestly I am not sure who was looking forward to this tournament more, B or me?

I hope you will forgive me but there was no way I could not post a ton of pics of B. She played so well and clearly had fun for the whole tournament!

I just love watching B play field hockey. Win or lose, B left the court with a huge smile after every game which makes it all worthwhile!

Fabulously Boring Saturday

This past weekend it did nothing but rain on Saturday. I mean is was pouring! All day!!! But I should not complain about it too much since it forced me to get a bunch of things done inside our home. Boxes of books that we have no longer have any need for were boxed up for a scheduled donation truck. Christmas decorations were not only put away but they were also reorganized to make decorating for Christmas 2014 even easier. Epic amounts of clothing were washed and folded. And all of this happened before 5pm.

Crazy boring, I know! But it was all stuff that needed to get done. I can't tell you how happy I was to have crossed so many things off my to-do list in one day. With all of the boring stuff done, I was able to get down on the floor with my kiddos and complete a puzzle. Such a sweet and simple activity that I adored!!!

Bounce Around!

I am sure that almost everyone in American has taken their child to a birthday party or two at Pump It Up or someplace like that. Indoor inflatable bounce house-like parties are nothing new. But man are they fun!

This past weekend our whole family was invited to celebrate the 6th birthday of one of my besties's youngest child. So we all got in the car after double checking that everyone had their socks. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone!

We might have been the only adults bouncing around. But what can I say, Hubby and I have no shame! It was just too much fun. It felt so good to giggle and bounce around with our kiddos!

I hope and pray that our kiddos keep reminding us that it is good for everyone to really play ever once in awhile!!!