One Step Closer to Moving to Chicago

Notice the Words "Under Contract"

Singing in the Tub

Ladew Gardens

This past weekend was action packed. We tried to take full advantage of the beautiful weather and at Lucy's insistence took 3 wagon rides (i.e. pulled Lucy in her radio flyer wagon in the park) as she said "go wagon." On Saturday we went to Ladew Topiary Gardens which was a very picturesque atmosphere where we could tour the grounds and see the spring blooms starting to come up. Lucy loved walking/running around and she kept wanting to dip her hands in the little ponds. She was a huge fan of the water (Lucy pronounces "wallet") fountain in the center of the gardens. We packed a picnic lunch and were actually able to sit and enjoy it thanks to a plastic food container that Lucy was fixated on "opening" and "closing" over and over again for like 20 minutes. We were thankful for a relaxing afternoon and the beautiful spring weather.

In this picture Lucy is about to hold out her hands and say "hands" which translated means "please hold my hands as we walk."

Jesus Lives

Easter Time

Lucy had such fun opening her three Easter baskets (one from Grammy and Puppy, one from Titi Kristin, and one from us). It was neat to see her excitement as she tore into the baskets and would ask us to "open this" and holding out whatever item she pulled out. We gave her the baskets throughout the day to spread out the fun.

Lucy loved seeing what little surprises were in the plastic eggs!

It should be outlawed for one little girl to get this many Easter baskets/gifts. She has a lot of people that love her!

Here Lucy is opening a little summer outfit that Titi and Uncle Eric sent her.

A family photo after church

Lucy and her friend Maria took some Easter pictures together. This was the best shot that I could come up with. Can you believe Maria's adorable outfit? I just love the hat! It is official that I have to get an Easter bonnet for Lucy next year.

We had our friends Lisa and Ryan over for Easter dinner. Lisa is an avid knitter and made Lucy two new hats (one of them pictured below). She also made a sweater and booties for baby #2. And she brought a hat that our friend Monica had knit for baby #2-thanks Monica! It is so nice to have such artistic and crafty friends.

Cherry Blossoms

So last Sunday when we were in DC we walked around the Tidal Basin and took in the splendid view of all the cherry blossom trees. I LOVE going to the Cherry Blossom Festival because it feels like spring is finally here. I am going to really miss this annual event when we move to Chicago. There is nothing better than putting your kid in a tree surrounded by these glorious, pink blooms.


Leslie and David were nice enough to put up with the tons of pictures I kept stopping to take.

A blast from the past--here is Lucy at 8 months old last year at the Cherry Blossom Festival. What a difference a year makes!

Day trip to DC

On Saturday Don's sister, Leslie, and her son, David, came in town to stay with us for a few days. This is their first trip to Baltimore, so we were really excited to show them our neck of the woods. We don't get to see them that much so it is great to have an extended period of time to really connect and hang out. We spent a long day in DC on Sunday. It was a beautiful, sunny 70 degree spring day! Lucy decided to exert her independence and barely wanted to be held and want to "run" and "walk" by "myself" (which made me a little nervous with all the people around). In the picture below Lucy is ready to take the world by storm.
We went to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum which had incredible airplane and rocket displays. The first airplane ever built by the Wright brothers was there. Unfortunately Don and I didn't get to see very many of the exhibits because we were too busy chasing our little runner around the museum.
We walked around the National Mall and showed Leslie and David a number of the memorials. One of my favorite is the WWII memorial (pictured below). This place has special significance for me since my grandpa is a decorated WWII veteran. He even has three purple hearts from his time in the service.
Don, Leslie, David, and Lucy posing by the Washington Monument. The last time we were so close to the Washington Monument it was the inauguration and we were freezing our butts off in 30 degree weather. It was fun to be back there and to remember the historical event that we witnessed only a couple months ago.
Leslie and David with the Capitol Building in the background. David was a trooper and never complained with all the walking. He was able to keep up with the adults and definitely held his own!
Here I am at 20 weeks preggers. We are halfway there already!!!