7th Grade Fieldtrip...Newseum!

I was a chaperon this week for Sommer's Middle School trip to Washington DC's Newseum.

I wasn't thrilled at first, especially since Garth was the one that had signed up for this adventure. He ended up having to work, so being the next in command, I became the chaperon.

And come to find out...I actually ended up having a super time!

This is an amazing museum!

We started with a 4-D film experience about three inspiring journalists. We all loved our glasses which made everything seem like it was floating right in front of you!

Very cool.

Here is the actual back end of the sniper's car. If you lived in Northern VA at the time, you will remember the horror these two idiots caused. Recess was cancelled for weeks, getting gas was nerve racking, walking to your car was frightening always wondering if a bullet was going to take you out. The snipers actually killed someone in Manassas about 10 miles from our town of Haymarket!

The 9/11 Gallery was touching. Here is part of the World Trade Center. They showed an amazing film about the reporters who covered that tragic day. The kids were definitely touched by the movie.

On the Terrace, we had a super view of our Nation's Capitol!

I love the fact that we live so close to so many amazing things!

Come visit would ya!?

The Berlin Wall exhibit housed eight sections of the wall and an East German guard tower.

All of the kids loved the interactive newsroom. They could try their hand at reading the news in front of a live camera. Here is Sommer and Lauren taking a shot at it!

Sommer claims, reporting isn't a profession she would like to pursue.

I think during spring break we need to hit some more of these places!

Shamrock Rocked Again

We just ran the Shamrock Half Marathon!

These are some of my buddies who ran it with me.

We make it a tradition to meet in Virginia Beach for a carb load dinner before the race.

We do a lot of laughing.

And I always start getting everyone worried about what we should wear (and other topics such as: why did I sign up for this? what was I thinking? etc)

Last year we had 25 mph winds and 40 degrees at the 7 am start...boo!

This year we had no wind and 30 degree temps...Hooray!
I always love the Expo where I pick up as many free pens, water bottles, etc as I can.

Ronald gave us each a coupon for a free salad...we didn't get a chance to use it.

(He was very scary looking)

By the way...we totally overdressed. But we looked really cute.

A totally flat course, no wind, and cool temps made for a perfect day of racing!

Everyone got a PR (personal records).

I even stuck my toe in the FREEZING ocean.

I prefer ocean/sand in the summer.

I should have asked about this earlier!

THANK YOU SO MUCH JEN AND KATIE!

THIS MADE MY BLOG DAY!

Question

So about a month ago, I came to post a new blog. Things had changed on my page. I no longer have the amount of options on the top of my page as I once did. Next to the bold, italics and spell check, things have gone missing. I no longer have the color option or script. I can't type in the middle of my post either. And the most irritating thing is when I download a picture, it comes up in code form and not picture form until I publish my post. Therefore I can't see the pics and can't edit.

Anyone know how to fix this problem!

Irritating!

A Beautiful Sight

I was headed upstairs and this is what I saw...Sommer playing soccer with Tate. Simple as it sounds, I thought it was a beautiful sight. I love when I see my children playing together.

And today they did.

Teen in the House

Sommer is a teenager! On March 14th, it happened when a bunch of her friends came over to make it official! After what seemed like endless giggling, talking and squealing, the birthday girl blew out her candles and became a 13 year old. So far, so good. But we are talking about Sommer here...so good, so often. Such a joy to the whole family. We love you!

Happening

I have been feeling a bit blog lazy as of late. Maybe it is the lack of pretty picture taking. It could be a decrease in brain power that I have been losing over the years. It most definitely isn't due to lack of "happenings." I feel like each day blazes by.

I have been thinking about years ago when I would be home with little ones. I felt there were many days that seemed to last forever. I had kids up at the crack of dawn after being up all night, cleaning, diaper changing, doctor going, playdates, kid napping, playing in and outside again and again, making meals, and anticipating the dreaded 4-6 pm hours before Garth got home from work (where kids began unravel...or was it me unraveling?!)...it all seemed to go ON and ON. (This all done while being pregnant most of the time)

Today things are different. By the time I get the kids off to school and do a quick clean up of their morning whirlwind damages, go for a run, lunch with the lady friends...BAM! The day is done. I am never bored. I never have time for a good Oprah moment. Time flies...maybe cause I am having fun (like the saying goes).

Not that I wasn't having fun before, life just seems more enjoyable. Easier? Maybe. But I think what I have is a better understanding about my life. I don't want what others have(okay, I would take that Hawaiian vacations my bro, sis and parents are on right now...even the rain...but you know what I mean!), I really don't. I love what I have and am cherishing it (exept when the "haves" are sassy). I am not anticipating "moments" to begin or "moments" to end. I am just living as things are happening.

And I am loving it!

Picture This

If only I were better at taking pictures. I just couldn't bring myself to take anymore dark, blurry amateur photos this weekend. I love seeing my many talented friend's blogs who share the most amazing pictures. I do not have that skill. Nope. Nothing. No picture talent. I am a point and shoot kind of gal...whatever the lens captures it captures...and it totally shows.

But...

My husband does. And he mentioned he would like to get a decent camera so he can start taking pictures again! I can't wait...and until then...

My apologies to my darling family. We had the best weekend and I have no pictures for us to enjoy later...

You will just have to "Picture this (our Massanutten Highlights)":

1. Hiking along the top of the mountain in 65 degree temperatures. Watching the kids run ahead playing make believe. Sitting with Ashton and Calvin on a huge boulder looking down onto the valley as we waited for the rest of the family. Cal providing us with a few paint balls where we had a fun blasting them into the rocks exploding yellow paint on a winter brown landscape (by the way, the paint is bio-degradeable).
2. Watching Ethan enthusiastically dig out an old glass Coke bottle he thought was worth millions. Come to find out it was worth 5 cents if you returned it for recycling in Maine.
3. Making our annual snow tubing trip. Garth's goal each year it to get going so fast he blasts into the barrier at the end of the hill. Goal accomplished.
4. Running 14 miles in the hilly mountains. Overjoyed when I actually find a flat surface to run on...this would be a parking lot where I loop around and around until I am dizzy. Then it is back to more hills. I was even more thrilled when I found 12 one dollar bills strewn on the ground.
5. We enjoyed a day at the indoor water park. Grateful Garth doesn't lose his swim trunks this year. But he does almost lose his big toe when it becomes lodged between the tube and siding before blasting down a slide. Extra grateful that all of our children are finally tall enough for all the rides!! And when the fire alarm sounds, we are thankful it is 65 degrees out as they evacuate the entire building in their swimsuits. No fire by the way...
6. Had a wonderful dinner at IHOP where everyone (except Ashton who wants his chicken nuggets) satisfies his/her pancake cravings.
7. Went to the movies. Garth takes little boys to "Mall Cop" and I take older kids to see "Taken." Garth has already seen this movie and LOVED it. We all agree...it was awesome. My favorite moment was when Garth came in halfway through the movie with the little boys. It was late. Ashton snuggled up onto my lap and quickly fell asleep. I haven't had one of my little (now so big) kids fall asleep on me in years. What a wonderful feeling having a child soundly sleeping in your arms.
8. We hit the (ice) slopes on Saturday. We decided this was the year the kids would be given an open invitation to ski (in the past we had too many little ones). Round one: Calvin, Mom, Dad and Tate. Calvin loves to ski and is gone in an instant. Tate on the other hand lasts for about 20 minutes. We take him back to the condo hoping next year will be a better experience for him. Ethan declines the ski offer. Garth talks Sommer into giving it a try. They head out and within minutes she is hooked! We find Calvin a few hours later out of his skis and has swapped them for a snowboard. And just like that...he can snowboard. We spent the entire day on the mountain (Garth, Sommer and I taking turns with the non-skiers). Our great friend Vicente joined us too. It was a perfect day and I have high hopes we will all be up and skiing next year!
9. That evening it snows. Beautiful.
10. Arrive home grateful for our time together.