Baltimore and ME!!!

Name that song?! Did you get it? It's HAIRSPRAY!! We decided to pack our weekends and an occasional week day full with historic sites, parks, and other random fun things before we leave the great state of VA!! And if you haven't figured it out already, our latest adventure took us to BALTIMORE! And embarrassingly enough I have to admit that yes, yes I was singing (in my head, for fear of being made fun of) "Baltimore and Me" the entire time!!! Who knew Baltimore was such a happenin' place! We hit up the historical Fort McHenry first and I am happy to report that no one passed out from the extremely HOT & HUMID day we were having. But putting that aside, we had a great time admiring old cannons and exploring the fort. I feel so blessed to be able to visit such important sites of our nations history but I feel even more blessed to live in such an incredible country! We fled the heat to the comfort of our air conditioned cars only to arrive at yet another outdoor activity...Inner Harbor!!!! Old colonial war ships, colorful tourist boats, and decorated retired submarines lined the harbor and made for an interesting and fun experience! And because I don't want to sound vain I will talk about the awesome shopping last...it was awesome...end of story! At the days end, we treated ourselves to the always popular, Cheesecake Factory! It would have been the perfect end to a perfect day, had Chloe not decided to test our patience and parenting skills the WHOLE TIME!! Thank goodness for the excellent people watching just outside of the restaurant. Otherwise taking a screaming baby out every five minutes would have been HORRIBLE!! Let's just say that teething and exhaustion are NOT a good combo! But she did have a blast at the Fort :)) One of my new favorite places! A big BIG thanks and shout out to Kris, Ryan, and Kevin for going with us to brave the heat and explore Baltimore!

Mountain Men on Memorial Day!

Thank goodness the temperature drops in the mountains!! On a beautiful but HOT (with humidity felt like 98 degrees) day we decided to go up into the Shenandoah Mountains for some good food and good fun! My sister-in-law, her husband and his brother (got that?) came to grill and chill for Memorial weekend! We had a great time relaxing, eating way too many cookies but just enough s'mores and some Hot Dogs on the grill! Chloe even had a taste of a giant marsh-mellow but decided she liked the grass more...so maybe she ate a little bit...we may never know! BUT she had a great time and even stepped foot on the Appalachian Trail. GO CHLO! And a bonus to the trip was a little tan...SCORE! After my doctor so kindly told me I was pale, I see a tan as a bonus to any trip outside :)) Thank you Kris, Ryan, and Kevin for driving so far to spend the day with us!! See you on our next excursion to Baltimore!! Playing with Aunt Kristin...and her buttons!! Chloe loves her Aunt Kristin!! Chloe showing her new found skills of standing alone! Our little angel! At the end of the day, I think this is what we all wanted to do!!

Mother's Day!!

Okay, can I just say that being a mother is the best thing ever! There is nothing more rewarding!! I absolutely LOVE being a mommy to our sweet Chlo Bear & I have to document that at this very moment, she is trying her hardest to eat this computer screen...ohhhhh Chlo!! So Mother's Day came and went all to quickly! Dave made my first Mother's Day celebration a sweet memory :) He woke up with little one at 6:00am and then brought me breakfast in bed! I came down the stairs to beautiful pink lilies and a clean house! Is he great, or what?! After church he made one of my favorite meals (Tacoma Chicken...YUM) and a Texas Sheet Cake (double YUM)! I say it everytime but how can I not, Dave is the BEST hubby EVER!!

And a big thanks to my mommy for teaching me and being the best example of how a mother should be! I love you Mom :))

One Year Older and Wiser Too!!

Call me crazy but I still get very excited when my birthday rolls around...this year was no exception! My sweetheart, David, took the day off work to spend with me on my birthday! I woke up to a surprise present (Mind you I woke up well rested because my hubby woke up with Chloe all night and again at 5:00am)What a guy!! Anyway I woke up to a BEAUTIFUL apron that I have been wanting (although I promised I would cook if I had one...hmmm whose it really for?!) haha just kidding and a gift certificate for a pedicure!! The cooking might not be the best but at least I look cute doing it, right?! ;)

BEST PRESENT EVER! Never having gotten a pedicure I was skeptical about the whole thing...but holy cow it was awesome! Nothing better than a back massage while getting a leg massage and then ending with cute nails! Thanks DAVE!!

Maybe I made birthday hats for the special day (I warned you I still get excited for my birthday!)

I had the best birthday but I'm convinced it's because I have the best husband and baby Chloe! Thanks Dave!!!!

"Big Chloe and Little Chloe Unite"

She made it!!! All the way from Florida, my best friend Chloe, came to visit little Chloe!! A visit with this incredible lady was long over due! So needless to say I was ecstatic when she said she was coming to see us! We picked up right where we left off...laughing and joking and painting our nails, of course! Though it was only a couple days we LOVED having Chloe here in the same state again!

I love these two!!! Come back soon Chloe!!!

Beach Babes...in the hospital!

David had to go to the East Coast for work, so little Chlo and I went too! We stayed in a beautiful hotel on the beach and loved every minute of seeing the ocean all day. Highlight of the trip...Chloe learned to wave!! It's definitely a friendly place so I'm not surprised she picked it up!!! And boy is it cute!!! We visited all the shops and local restaurants and even made it out to the beach to play! Chloe loved it but wasn't too sure about the sand...especially after she did a face plant and dived right into it! AHHHHHHH what a fiasco that was! Yikes!! Let's just say that was our last excursion to the beach! The trip started out great but I'm afraid I can't say it ended that way :( Chloe had a low grade temp. that evolved into a fever of 104 and freaked me out!!! Nothing was bringing it down and because we were away from home I had no choice but to take her to the ER. and sure enough Dave was stuck at work with no way to come and help! So I gave myself a pep-talk and was on my way! But of course as soon as we got in the car we were graced with the presence of a torrential down poor of lovely east coast rain! I think you all know that driving in a severe storm, with a crying sick child in the backseat, while not knowing where you are going is the WORST thing ever!! Needless to say, I was a bit frazzled!! Hahaha but I am glad to report that while I am writing this, I'm chuckling at the stroke of bad luck that has now turned into an interesting memory. So we eventually made it to the ER but only after making 4 U-turns and going 'in' the 'out' a couple times,asking for directions twice, and being completely drenched from head to toe!! But may I repeat, we made it!!! Everyone was so kind and helpful and I was shocked they got us into a room quickly...then took some tests...an Ex-Ray...gave some Tylenol...and 4 hours later Chloe was zonked out on my chest and it was time to head home!!! HALLELUJAH the temperature came down and we were in dry clothes & in the comfort of our hotel room only 4 hours later! I am so thankful for the power of prayer with the help of modern medicine and for supportive parents and siblings who know just how to calm me down in times of distress!! We were beyond ecstatic to have our happy little girl back to her giggly self!!! Long story short...it was a fun trip that turned upside down thanks to sickness! We cut the trip short and eagerly left to be rescued by the comforts of home! 'Chasing' Chloe and Dave

These two have such a special bond! There is something extra special about a daddy and his daughter :)

~A glimpse of Heaven~

Love this little angel!

After a LONG day at the hospital, Chloe was finally feeling better and back to her happy self!

Surprisingly she was totally freaked by the waves...she loves them from afar but up close she was NOT impressed!

I love that smile :)

Sweet baby finally feeling better...could it be because we were going home?