Virginia is exciting

As summer wound down we experienced an earthquake, my first! At first I thought Nell was shaking my chair. But as it went on and got stronger we figured out what it was. It was an interesting experience and left me feeling a little woozy / queazy for the rest of the day.

Then as we started to get ready for our trip to the beach Hurricane Irene made her way toward us. We learned how to prep for a hurricane Colonial Style with closing of shutters and getting water and gas etc. We ended up faring very well. Our electricity did not go out until the middle of the night sometime. Chris got up on Sunday and went to do services, though the power was out, the storm was past and it was a beautiful day. So we packed up and headed south on 95. After a few exits where everything was closed we got a little nervous about gas and food, but we soon made it far enough south and west to areas not affected by the storm.

Once in Florida we had a great week. The kids loved swimming and walking on the beach. Nell got to go in the ocean with Poppy. They both had a great time. Time with Grammy is always special. and we loved catching glimpses of the bride and groom as they busily prepared for what would be a beautiful ceremony and party. All of Ellen's planning came of wonderfully and even the threat of Tropical Storm Lee could dampen the good time.
With Nell as the "here comes the bride" girl and Zaven as the crucifer, it was really fun.

Since arriving back home, Zaven has started 3rd grade. His teacher is Mrs. Plum. All is going well.
Nell too has started her preschool. Her teacher is Mrs. Wright. Nell and I like to laugh about if her name was Mrs. Wrong.
Esmé did great in the car to and from Florida, but I think that she is trying to tell us that she is not up for any more long road trips any time soon, because she has taken to crying every time we get in the car!

Nell and Zaven have also started soccer at the YMCA.

Here are some photos.
The kids always love swimming in Florida



Esmé over my shoulder

Grammy and Ella

Family Photo at Papa Joes - we have been taking one here since Zaven was little.

Our three great kids

Esmé's fist, she is starting to open her hands more and more- we will be seeing less of these little fists.

Zaven and Nell getting ready for the wedding

Esmé ready for the wedding

Nell a soccer

Nell getting water- one of her favorite parts of soccer


A video of Esmé sitting in her seat talking to me.

Good Times

Last week Zaven had his first sleep over. Saturday morning he went fishing with a friend, Garrison and his dad, when they came back that afternoon the Sloan's invited him to come back later in the day for a sleep over. We thought it was a good sign that they had had fun enough in the morning that they wanted him to come back. So off he went. I kept my cell phone next to me all night, no calls came and we all met up at church the next morning. All reports were that they had a great time.

Later that week we went to Maryland to see Meg and Carrie and their families. We had a great time visiting, all the kids played well together and the adults did too. Nell loved playing with Carrie's 10 month old, Molly. Esmé enjoyed being held and cooed over by new people and had lots of smiles and good naps.

The whole gang!

Carrie and Esmé

Picnic

Nell afloat

big kids and Dad!

Nell and Molly Michael

Meggie with Zav and Esmé


Yesterday we went to the pool with 3 other families and had a great time, then Zaven had his friend Walker over after and Walker stayed for dinner. On the way to take him home, Zaven and Walker were in the back seat with Esmé and Walker said "her eyes are really pretty" Zaven said, they are very blue aren't they" and Walker said " They are like blueberry eyes"
It was so sweet and cute.

Today we had the "Furniture Medic" come to look at the damages from the move. He said he is worried about the couch.
Soon we are off to have lunch with a parishioner, pray for good behavior!

Esmé also had her two month check up Monday. We went to the new dr and really liked him and the office. Esmé is doing great. She is 11 lbs 5 oz. She is in the 83% for height 60% for weight. She is smiling so much now and starting to enjoy some toys

Still Summer!

Last week the big kids had Vacation Bible school at church, they loved it and Esmé and I had a nice time having the mornings to ourselves. We even went and got coffee with a friend. We went to Aroma's in Merchant Square.
At VBS, we met a new family in town. They have three boys, one of whom will be in 3rd grade at Zaven's school. We invited them to the pool on Monday and had a great time. We have plans to do a scavenger hunt in Colonial Williamsburg with them next week.
We also met the Brewers at the pool this week.

Friday nights we have stayed true to our habits and gone to Plaza Azteca and then Sweet Frog (if everyone behaves as dinner). Last week Nell decided to wear her disguise and go by her undercover name Miss Porkchop. It was pretty funny. All the world is a stage!


We have been trying to get out and take walks after dinner. Sometimes it is me, Nell and Esmé with Zaven and Chris staying home to watch Top Shot on Netflix. But sometimes Zaven comes too, at night they light these hanging baskets with big fires, it is neat.


Nell and Zaven on the Palace Green looking for shapes in the clouds.


Nell saw someone we knew down the way and ran toward them, i love this photo


It's always fun to spend some time in the stocks. I can't help but think of the caption I once saw under a kid in the stocks "For want of a quiet tongue."


Esmé is doing great. She is getting very big,


and smiley


and randomly flashes peace signs- here she is sucking her thumb.


but she is still a good sleeper too! I love when they sleep with their arms up and out like this!


Nell still loves to spend time with Esmé and is getting better about not doing unauthorized maneuvers with the baby.


Zaven loves to hold and lay with Esmé too, but I do not have a recent photo.

Yesterday Nell went to a playdate with a parishioner. A nice lady we met at the pool and goes to the church, she and Nell often play and talk at the pool and she asked if she could invite Nell over. Nell was excited and had a great time. When I got there to pick her up they were having an "orange snack" consisting of cheddar cheese, oranges, and cantaloupe- it was cute. This lady has offered to have Zaven and Nell come over while I go grocery shopping - could be nice. She has grandchildren the same age as Zaven and Nell who live out of town.

Today we are going to go and sign Zaven and Nell up for Fall Soccer. This will be Nell's first time, I hope she will enjoy it.

I am trying hard not to jump ahead to Fall and school and just enjoy the rest of summer- but it is not easy.

Moving onto August

I simply can not believe that it is August. I think I totally missed July.
Although I see in the photos that we had some good times.

Well I packed up the Prius and the three kids and we headed to Tennessee for a visit.

The trip down took 14 hours, that counted us leaving, getting to Richmond and turning around to come home to bring Chris his keys that I had in my bag. We dropped by the church, fed Esmé and then hit the road again. That made for a long day, but Zaven and Nell were great. They took turns taking care of Esmé, who slept mostly.
It was worth the long trip to get to TN and see family.

Tips was there. She is 97 now and the kids loved seeing her. They would pop over to her house and spend some time and then climb up in the balcony and then come back to moms.



One day Esmé and I headed to Atlanta to check up on the loft. It was time well spent, as it turned out that somethings were not as they were supposed to be. I also got to have lunch with Scott and Kelly, we spent about 3 hours together, it was really fun seeing them, Esmé slept the whole time. Then I ran to Lenox and got some lip gloss, then went to Star Provisions and got Hot Curry. I was deeply tempted by Taqueria Del Sol, but headed back to the Mountain instead.

While I was doing all of that Zaven and Nell were treated to a visit with Ella and Grammy. Ella took them to the Discovery Museum and then they all went to the 3d showing of Cars 2.After spending the night in Cleveland they got to swim with Grammy. Then Esme and I came and visited and had dinner and then headed back to Lookout.

Saturday Poppy took Zaven and Nell to Rock City and then Milla and I decided to take Bea and Esmé, while Esmé failed to appreciate it, Bea was very cute walking through saying "that's pretty, that's pretty"


Then Poppy and Zaven and Nell came back and went to the bird show. Sunday we were glad for Brice and Christie back for a visit and swim.


We also went to the Farmer's Market and I ended up having Zaven and Nell's portraits done by a guy there. The jury is out on how they turned out. Here are some in progress photos


Monday we went to the Aquarium and 3d movie with Milla,


Later Zaven and I went to Point Park

Then Tuesday it was time to hit the road.
We got on the road about 7:30, right after a stop at Neidlovs for ginger scones and cinnamon rolls to help us down the road. The trip home seemed quick at just 10.5 hours. We only stopped 3 times and had relatively good humor.
We were glad to get home and see Chris and we were also thrilled to learn that Zaven's last swim meet was rescheduled to Wednesday so he was able to participate.


Isabel came to watch Zaven swim, which was a great treat.

Thursday Zaven had three brothers over for a playdate, their mom stayed and we chatted.
Then a new friend brought us a delicious dinner.
The meal included Birdseye brand SteamFresh Peas, they were great. You should try them.

Friday was super hot and we went to the pool with Chris, the kids love showing Chris all their new tricks when he is there.
Friday night we have taken to going to Plaza Azteca and then on to Sweet Frog. It is becoming a habit for sure.

This week Zaven and Nell have Vacation Bible School, and seem to be loving it. Esmé and I are having a good time together.

In the mornings Zaven and Nell love to come into our bed and spend time with Esmé, here are some pics of the proud siblings.

more about us - well mostly Esmé

We had a great visit with Uncle Brice.

Colonial style sass. Nell has taken to her Colonial dress. She and Zaven got dressed up and then ran around saying "act Colonial"

Daddy and his girls

bird's eye view of Esmé sleeping

Yesterday Isabel came by with Lilly and Splash and the kids went on a walk with them. We had a great visit.

Esmé sleeping again.

Esmé awake, wondering "what are you doing, mom"

Last night Zaven had a great swim meet. It was super hot! But Zaven swam really well, he ended up getting 1st place in freestlye and butterfly and 3rd place in backstroke. We are so proud of his hard work and improvement.

Esmé was totally sacked out and Chris held her while I timed in lane 5.