Hello Mr. 4-eyes!

Or should I say hello Mr. and Mrs. 8-eyes!

Yes, Dave and I went to the eye doctor last week and it ends up we both need glasses.

I was kind of nervous that this appointment would end up like the last eye appointment I ever had which was when I in 5th grade. The doctor put all of the lenses in front of my face and then told me I was faking it. 

This time the doctor didn't tell me I was faking it, but I also don't think my prescription is very strong. So it's possible he was just trying to get my money. Either way, I've enjoyed not having to squint at the computer and I sure haven't missed the headaches I usually have by the end of a day!

4th of July Weekend

This may be my only 4th of July IN the Nation's Capitol, so I decided we had to make it count!

On Saturday we had Dave's family over for a BBQ and some fireworks.

We started the day by going mountain biking on the easiest trail possible in the whole world. That's the only way Dave could get me to go. Ends up it was pretty fun, and I asked Dave if we could wake up early tomorrow morning and go again before he heads off to work!

In the afternoon we painted a shelf that I have been wanting to paint for a year... it looks so much better.

And around dinner time we headed in to DC for some Shake Shack! Remember my post a while back asking why that hadn't come to DC yet? Well, it had! I just didn't know it until a few days later when Dave came home from work telling me a coworker had just been there in DC. Oh WOW! It was yum!

(Can kind of see it in the background right next to the guitar place).

We were going to go to fireworks at the Mall, but I don't like crowds and it looked like there was going to be A LOT of crowds there, so we opted to ride the Metro home and go to fireworks right by our house. I'm glad we did because it ended up being a great show that we watched from the comfort of our own car right in front of Fuddruckers. The whole time I was looking through the window thinking how unfortunate those people were eating their Fuddrucker's hamburgers when there are burgers like shake shack in this world. Sad.

Happy Independence Day Weekend!

Newport Beach, CA

A few weeks ago Dave and I flew to California for my family's first ever Family Reunion.

Since I can remember my Mom's family has had a beach reunion every other year in Southern California. So, we decided to carry on the tradition now that my immediate family is turning into an extended family.

It was so fun to be around family and to be able to relax and enjoy the cool, breezy weather in Newport (it has been hot and humid over here in Virginia lately). My mom planned the reunion and we had a special theme: Secret Agents. Every day there were activities, lessons, etc. related to that theme. The little boys loved learning how to be secret agents!

This is secret agent physical training. Notice the 'water backpacks.'




Also notice Tyler's arms when he runs. Could you get any cuter??? When I decide to have a little boy I think I'm going to order myself a Tyler.

All the boys and Karen (because she's cool and I'm not) took surfing lessons. Like Dave's orange wetsuit? He did!

Notice, how Scott is trying to keep Crew away from the water. Oh that little chunker! He kept running straight for the water. And when it knocked him over he came up laughing. I want to give that kid a big squeeze right now!

For Tara's activity night we took family pictures. Our impromptu family pic outfits didn't turn out too bad now did they?!










Good thing Drew doesn't grow chest hair yet...





If you have an aversion to kissing pictures, then disregard this next one... but seriously... look at that sun! How could I NOT post it! Plus, it was our first anniversary!



I can't wait for the next reunion!

We Made it a Year!

In a lot of ways it seems like we've been married forever, and in some ways I can't believe it was already a year ago. What a good day that was! I am so happy to be married to Dave. If somebody had written me an owner's manual for Dave before we got married, I still wouldn't have known how perfect he is for me. 

{Remember the double wedding??? I love this pic because all 4 of us have real smiles on our faces}

Dave surprised me by taking me to dinner at the place where we had our DC reception. It was fun to reminisce how great our first year of marriage has been. We were a little disappointed with our food ... I even asked the waiter to take back Dave's pasta cuz that stuff was nasty. Our second pasta was much better. Then the waiter brought us two glasses of champagne on the house ... we had to ask him to bring that back too since we don't drink. He brought us some replacement sparkling cider, which was very thoughtful.

Happy First Anniversary Dave. I love you.

Memorial Day Weekend - NYC

Two days after we got back from Aruba my Dad flew into town for my older brother's graduation from Darden School of Business. Dave and I drove down with my Dad to Charlottesville for all the graduation festivities. On Sunday night my older sister and her husband and baby came to Charlottesville too... just in time to help my older brother pack up and move across the country for the 4th time in about 4 years! 

After all the packing was over we drove back to DC, dropped my Dad off at the airport, and explored DC for a  day. The next day we woke up super early and took a train into NYC. My sister lived in NYC for 3 years, so she was a great tour guide!

Dave and I drove into NYC for a day last summer and it was horrible, but I really loved taking the train. Why don't we travel by train anymore? In some cases it is faster than a car, plus you don't have to drive. And it is for sure better than an airport. You don't have to get there 2 hours early or go through security. The seats have a lot more space, and as an added bonus there is a power outlet by every seat so you don't have to worry about your computer battery. Oh, and you also have cell phone coverage most of the time. Hello! The train is awesome.

Anyway, now that you all know how much I love the train, here are some pictures from our NYC Memorial Day Weekend. 

Shake Shack.

Why don't they get one in D.C.?

We ate here 3 times over the weekend!

Little Crew Bear. 

This sweet little boy was such a trooper... at this point he'd been traveling for about 10 days sleeping in different beds and places almost every night.

He was so good in his stroller - he loved taking in all the new scenery.

NYC Subway.

Magnolia Bakery

Forget their dry, nasty cupcakes and get the banana pudding! We loved it!

And so did Crew :)

(Dave's making that face, because I didn't want to take a cheesy picture of us feeding it to each other :)

Central Park

I just love Crew's mouth, bright blue eyes, and cankles. I could just eat him up!

We took him to the Met while Tara and Scott went to Catch Me If You Can.

Dave and I saw it the day before and it was really fun! The leads were amazing actors and singers, and the script was so great. I was curious/skeptical to see how they would turn that movie/story into a play and I was very pleasantly surprised. It was upbeat, fast-moving, funny, and all in all great!

Then we took Crew out to lunch. Who doesn't like cookies for lunch?

Carnegie Deli

Taking the subway to church.

Hudson River and the Cloisters 

Brooklyn Bridge after eating Grimaldi's pizza.

I had been to Grimaldi's before, but didn't quite remember how eating that pizza is basically putting a slice of heaven in your mouth.

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

Sadly, this picture is pretty typical of Dave and I on this trip. We're addicted to Words with Friends.

Let me know if you want to start a game!

Wall Street

And Ramen Noodles for dinner.

Oh. My. Goodness. These. Were. So. Good.

I like the 33 cent Cup of Noodles, so just imagine what a $15 dollar bowl of Ramen would taste like... it's that much better.

I'm so glad that Dave and I got to spend the weekend with Tara, Scott, and Crew in NYC. It was fun to explore the city with them!