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Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day 2012

 It was a hot and steamy Memorial Day, so we took a morning hike at our favorite shaded Red Rocks hiking trail that ends at the Potomac River. It had rained the night before so we knew it was going to be a bit muddy. The boys both donned their spidey rain boots. It coordinated well with their outfits!  Let's see if we can get a photo. Henry is always willing to cooperate with a cheery cheese, Kellan not so. We're going for the tough guy look today.

Looking tough
Okay, I'll put my arm around him, but I'm not going to smile!
You call those big Kellan?!
 
Check out MY muscles Kellan!


Oh yea, found a big mud puddle, let's test out our boots!


It's always fun to throw sticks and rocks in the water, especially when you're a guy!
My buddy!

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Home Sweet Homes

314 Patterson Ct NW, Leesburg:  We lived here from August 2003 to May 2012, almost 9 years. So many wonderful memories here. It was our very first home we bought, right as the housing market soared to craziness.  One year after we bought this house, our neighbors just 2 doors down bought their house for $200K more!!  Just an idea of what the market was like at that time. Now 9 years later, we sold our little house after 4 days on the market and for just a bit more than what we paid for it.   Not sure how much our boys will remember of this house when they get older but we will always remember bringing them both home from the hospital to his home, two of our fondest memories!


1704 Revere Ct NE, Leesburg: Our new home. Moved on May 25, 2012. 3 miles from our old house, still in Leesburg, just in the NE corner. We are in the Potomac Crossing community. Still on a culdesac which is nice and quiet. Fenced in yard, so Harmony is loving life.  And the original owners left us their very nice backyard playset that has a swing, tire swing, fort, climbing wall, monkey bars and slide. Very fun!  And we've doubled our sq footage, so more than enough room to grow into.
Just a look as to what we had to live like for a month or so. Really tired of looking at and packing boxes!
It may be easier to just pack them up!
Okay boys, help Mommy and put your toys in that box!

Hmmm, looks suspicious in this cupboard
 


Oh, it's 2 silly boys! They had a riot hiding in the kitchen cupboards one day after I had packed them up.  Harmony almost got in too, but she opted out of that game. It was fun watching though!
Our tremendous helpers arrived the day before our move. G'ma and G'pa Lanz, Auntie Darlene, cousins Devan and Jayde. They all curled up on the couch before bedtime to watch a video.

Our neighbor Missy peaking out her window at us with tears in her eyes. We'll miss you too!
Anxiously waiting for the movers and big truck to show up.
The truck has arrived and the time has come.

Carrying out our very heavy, solid oak armoire (made by my Dad). Please don't drop it!!
2 of our 4 movers. They all were so spirited and nice. They worked so hard. It took about 4 hours to load up the truck. We fed them lunch before driving over to the new house.

I guess I'll carry a box or two.


We filled the truck to absolute capacity!  It goes much faster unloading.  I just stood back and directed traffic. I tried to carefully label each box to make it easier on everyone.

One last picture. Bye house, you'll be missed!
Auntie Darlene was our super nanny for the day. She took the boys and her 2 kids all over town. They went on a hike to Red Rocks, to the animal farm for a picnic, and to Target 2 times for toys. They were exhausted when they got back right as the moving truck was getting ready to leave.  We couldn't have done the move without her help!  My parents helped get things organized. My mom helped finish cleaning the old house, unpack the kitchen boxes. My dad helped organize too and got all the boys blinds hung in their rooms and beds put together. Whew!  We had dinner my mom had brought with them and called it a day.  The boys surprisingly went right to bed in their new rooms without even a fuss.  I think they were just too tired to put up a fight!



Playing Wii






The next day was spend unpacking while the kids played. We took them to the pool at the hotel my parents were staying in and ate dinner at Red, Hot and Blue.
We'll miss you Devan and Jayde!


We can't thank you enough for all your help Lanz family!! We couldn't have moved without you!!
Daddy and Henry wiped out after one very busy weekend!!

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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Our Super Neighbors


 Our wonderful neighbors for almost 9 years had us over for one last cookout while we still lived 10 feet from them. Missy and Doug Packard (and their daughter Holly) have truly been the nicest neighbors and friends to us. Always willing to give a lending hand, babysit or just hang out in the driveway (that we shared without ever a problem!)  We watched their daughter Holly go from elementary school and off to college. They watched us go from new home ownership to parents of toddlers. The boys always felt so comfortable around them so much that Kellan now decided to call Mr. Doug, "Uncle" Doug. So sweet!
Missy, Doug and Muffin

The boys love their Mr. Doug!

Of course we couldn't leave without a semi-wrestling session.

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

  I got to sleep in this morning, then  had breakfast made for me by my hubby and 2 sweet little boys. They gave me awesome homemade cards done by both boys, and a beautiful flowering plant. We got ready for church and they both sat so sweetly with me during the whole Mass. That's the best present I could ever ask for!! :)
  


Pigs really do love mud!
Nice piggy!  But very stinky!
It was a beautiful day out, so we headed to our favorite little farm for a picnic. We first strolled around checking out all the animals. There was a little bit of everything, but we spent the most time checking out the stinking, muddy pigs.


How cute is this guy?!
 
Loving my picnic partners!! 
 Thanks for a wonderful day filled with nothing but love towards me. I feel like the luckiest lady in the world to have such 3 amazing guys in my life! Love you 3 with all my heart and soul! You complete me!
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Friday, May 11, 2012

My Sweet Berry Pickers

My 2 super sweet strawberry pickers are armed and ready with their buckets.
Henry scrutinizing his bucket in preparation to pick.



 
I took the boys to Wegmeyer's Farm today on a perfectly sunny May day.  I wanted to go before the weekend b/c I knew our chances of actually getting some strawberries would be better. There was hardly anyone there, so we had the place to ourselves for the most part.  This farm has the most beautiful crops!  Neat rows, no bugs, plenty of berries. And oh so yummy! The boys loved it and so did I.  They were ever so helpful in holding the buckets for me, taste testing and even picking a few of their own. Kellan was more my taste tester, Henry goes in phases with his fondness for strawberries. Today, not too interested in tasting, but a very happy picker as you can see below!


Nice job Kellan!

Henry showing me his "beebee stwa-beewy"
Perfect start to a Mother's Day weekend!


 
Kellan ate and ate all day long, he couldn't get enough!  Henry is just happy! :)  I made some strawberry jam with half of them and Kellan plans to help me make some shortcake tomorrow. Can't wait!!
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