4th of July at the Beach

 Before our big move to MA we had a week at the beach for a little R&R.  We enjoyed  Ocean Pines, Ocean City, Assateague Island  and the Ocean Downes Race track all on Maryland's beautiful eastern shore.  

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH)

   

Every year we make a trip to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC to check out Nature's Best Photography - Windland Smith Rice International Awards exhibition.  The photographs are amazing - you will not be disappointed!  If you can't make it to NMNH you can view the photographs at the following website - www.naturesbestphotography.com.  My kids favorite exhibition is The O. Orkin Insect Zoo - not my favorite by any means but it makes the trip exciting for them.  The National Gallery Art Sculpture Garden and Ice Rink (fountain in warmer months) is right next door and is also worth seeing.

Welcoming "R"

Our dear friends finally had their dream come true this past February.  The child that they've wished for and waited for - for over four years finally came home.   They traveled to China to bring their son home and it was  love at first sight.  "R" was special needs in that he had a cleft lip and pallet that needed to be repaired.  I saw him prior to his surgeries (yes this little boy  has had two since March) and he is doing fantastic! In June my  family was  invited to a picnic celebration to welcome  him into his new life.  It was a great afternoon for all --- good friends, food, games  and lots of smiles.  LOL  - the bugs were terrible and the best bug repellent was Bounce.  By the end of the afternoon we all had Bounce attached to our heads to keep the bugs away from our faces (it really does work but looks a little silly)! 

The Move

Our house is still on the market ... are you looking for a beautiful home in Derwood, MD? 

We decided to go with a POD for our move!  Loved it - what a great company and everything went smoothly and everyone at POD was very helpful and friendly!

Guess what I found in our basement when packing -  that's right a snakes skin!  I didn't sleep knowing that at some point we had a snake in basement and because I had recently cleaned the basement I know that it wasn't that long ago. 

I was trying to load the girls  into the car to leave MD  and Olivia had me taking pictures with  her little camera  -  I thought that I could do a little better and got my camera out as well for a few photos.  We love these two little ladies from across the street  and I love this photograph!

We made it to CT (with no power thanks to IRENE) - we met the moving truck from Cape Cod that needed to be unloaded at my in-laws house.   

Nope this isn't everything from the Cape Cod house but it's a start!

My first day in Cape Cod ...we hadn't made it to the grocery story yet but I did find tea bags and this pitcher .... so ice tea it was to quench our thirst.

Our POD arrived Friday - September 2, 2011.  It's amazing how much we managed to pack into this unit -  all I can say is that my husband is amazing!

Our New Home

My new view as I enjoy my morning cup of coffee!

Our lives change like the weather ... and our lives are changing right now.  Our family just moved from Maryland to Massachettes ... this definitely counts as a big move!  We are blessed to be living in my husband's family Cape Cod home.  I first visited this home back in 1995-1996 and thought it was amazing then.  It's a magical place and I hope that my children will enjoy it as much as I do.   

Mr. "I" hits 6 months

My sweet little friend Mr. "I" hit 6 months old back in June (and yes I'm really that far behind in my postings).  I love this little guy ... he's got the biggest dimples you've ever seen and is such a love bug!  I got a ton of great shots of him  in his birthday suit but those are reserved for mom and dad only (sorry it's kills me not to share them)!  

Miss "L" at 3 Months

It's hard to believe but little Miss "L" is already 3 months old.  She's got the most beautiful blue eyes and I can't help but wonder if she's going to keep her beautiful  ginger hair.