7 Years

 Last weekend we celebrated 7 years of marriage.  We were able to sneak away for a night for the first time since Anastasia was born... 5 1/2 years ago.  Its funny how you forget what it is like to be just 2 people instead of  5. Not to mention how strange it is to have an adult conversation without interruption. We had a fantastic little getaway to Magnolia Manor, a wonderful bed & breakfast a few blocks from historic Williamsburg. The house was very colonial-feeling and beautiful. The owner, Scott, was beyond accommodating.  The entire trip was perfectly relaxing. Our bed had a brand new, fancy mattress that can only be described as "sleeping on a cloud."  It really was a little Oasis in the midst of the crazy life we live.

 We had dinner at the Trellis in downtown Williamsburg.  We enjoyed a relaxing, quiet meal until we realized we were dining with the head of homeland security, Janet Napolitano and her posse of secret service guys.  It was a little strange, and slightly unnerving but what is a date night without a little excitement?  Haha. Anyway, the setting was superb but it seemed like they were a little more concerned with presentation than actually making out-of-this-world food.  None-the-less, a dinner without whining, demanding, adorable children is a luxury in and of itself. 

 After dinner we enjoyed walking back to our bed and breakfast through the campus of the College of William and Mary.  We found a neat little trail through the forest and around light poles that wear sweaters:

 Silly light pole. It was 90degrees. A bit hot for a sweater, don't you think? 

 And of course the B&B came with an exquisite breakfast where we met another couple who were staying at the manor.  They were from Fort Wayne, Indiana, a couple of hours from where Nick grew up.  When Nick asked them what brought them to Colonial Williamsburg, can you believe what their answer was??  "My husband is really into woodworking, and I really like crafts."  Seriously? It was providential I am sure. And they play amazing, handmade Renaissance Instruments including the Lute and Viola de Gamba pretty professionally.  So Russell (the gentleman) gave us a little concert on his Lute and large-instrument-I-had-never-heard-of.  Anyway, we talked about crafts and education as Melanie (the wife) is a music teacher, and semi famous.  It was hard to say goodbye to new friends, but we had a fun-filled day at Busch Gardens ahead of us.

 We had a great time riding all the roller coasters we could handle... you know until I started questioning if it was just the darkness inside the ride or my head blacking out.  It was fun and even  kind-of peaceful, as their were not many crowds or lines at the park.  And this is what 7 years of marriage, 3 kids, 6 roller coasters, and 2 rides down waterfalls later looks like:

Sometimes life is a bit of a roller coaster, but I am glad I am riding it beside my soul mate!  Happy 7th Anniversary Nick (plus 1 week)!  :)  Wouldn't want to be free falling with anyone else!

Remember Me?

Remember Me? I used to blog here.  It has been a very odd couple of weeks. Do you ever find yourself living in a life that feels like it is someone else's?  That is kind of how its been over here. We are all happy, healthy and enjoying our most fantastic summer!  Despite the ridiculous record high temperatures (aren't they record high every year?), we have been keeping it cool and fun over here.  Kieran in the above picture is in fact modeling his sister's Sleeping Beauty underwear on his head. He gets very upset if he brings us underwear and we don't put it on his head.  I plan on saving this picture forever. 

 One day last week it was 103 degrees and the girls came to me dressed as you see them above, asking if they can play outside.  I tried to explain it was too hot.  "Thats why we have our coats on, to keep us cool."  haha.  They are too cute for words sometimes.

After our vacation I felt like I was finally bringing order to our lives. I started painting my craft room/pantry, and organizing it, we became members of Costco so we could buy more and spend less, I seemed to get the laundry down to a science... for a few days anyway. And then Kieran broke his collar bone.  He rolled off of our bed, and was terribly fussy for a few days. It took 5 days to realize something was more wrong than a pulled muscle, my poor guy.  Thankfully it is healing up nicely and he is back to his old self.

A few short days after Kieran broke his collar bone, this sweet, sweet, HUGE dog wandered into our lives.  One thing we don't need is a giant dog who is 100% puppy that barks at everything (including cats and chickens).  His owners never claimed him and we made up our mind to take him to the shelter.  But we couldn't do it. We love him so.  His name is Ollie. After St. Oliver Plunkett of Ireland.  We kind of need another big, loving dog afterall.

 And today, I had the best surprise.  I went out to muck the chicken coop and add fresh straw to the nesting boxes and found this!!!!:

 We left 6 eggs in one of the boxes when one of the hens began laying on them.  I totally love her (at least I really, truly hope its a her) and the kids were beside themselves with glee at our new arrival.  I really hope the other 5 eggs bring just as cute bundles to us soon!

 Last week we enjoyed yet another day at Busch Gardens with my childhood friend Tara, and her little boy Elan (who Anastasia has decided to marry someday.)  As always the kids had a fantastic time splashing and riding rides.  And it was good to see my good friend too! 

On our way to the park though, the van made this thunking sound when the tires spun.  I pulled off of the highway, thinking it was a flat tire.  It wasn't, and the noise got worse.  I drove to the next exit, called Nick and we had no clue what it was. We decided to take our chances and get to the park so at least we had something to do while we waitied for Nick to come get us and then we would call AAA to get towed home.  Unfortunately we had very well-intended, bad directions and we ended up in West Point. I prayed we would get to the park safely, and that my wheels wouldn't fall off.  The van sounded worse, and we stopped at a chevy dealer with a service station and they told us to go to the Chrysler dealership. So we did.  And they were so kind to us, looked at the van and figured out that a pin had fallen out of the Caliper of one of the breaks.  Thank goodness.  For less than the price of a tank of gas, we got back on the road in less than an hour.  Kind people are hard to find... but they are out there.  So that is the brief story of our life the past couple weeks. Broken bones, new pets, and lots of love, laughter and summer fun. :)