Virginia

We headed down to Virginia again this year for Thanksgiving. We had a big crew at my parent’s house. Dave cooked the entire dinner for 15 (well… I made a cake and Doug was the one who actually did the turkey frying). It was a great few days, filled with leaf luging, hiking, visits with friends and of course lots and lots of eating.

Our friends Carl, Amanda and their daughter Gianna came up from North Carolina. Sophie was in heaven hanging out with Gianna. Here they are getting ready to luge down the hill in front of the house. Who needs snow when you have leaves!

Doug brought the deep fryer and did the turkey in the driveway. It was cooked to perfection, of course. 

The men and the grill. 

 The whole crew (almost) at the Thanksgiving table. It was a feast! 

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A few weeks ago we took a weekend trip down to Virginia. We were dropping Sophie off to stay with my parents for the week between summer camp and the start of the school year. It was quick but we got in a good visit with some friends.

Sophie and Jack got to spend some good time together…

As did Lauren and Vahid. He was fascinated with her and wouldn’t leave her alone. I guess he was happy to have someone at his level for once. 

 We also did a hike up Hump Back Rock. Sophie did most of it on her own (although Dave might tell it differently), and I carried Lauren in the carrier. It was, as always, a beautiful view from the top.

We also hosted a BBQ at my parents house with all of my Va. friends, and their kids. Here’s a pic of the growing brood! 
And of course Lexi and Sophie got to catch up.

And of course, Sophie got the royal treatment while she was with my mom and dad. What a lucky little princess. 

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We were down in Virginia this year for Thanksgiving and for the first time did a deep fried turkey – which was delicious! Doug was the man of the fryer. It only had to cook for 50 minutes, which is my kind of turkey.

 Sophie got to spend a lot of time with her cousins, Quinn & Carley! All she wanted to do was hang out with the big kids all week – and luckily she got to. 

 Sophie hanging in a tree during our hike. The weather was beautiful all week – it was amazing!
 We also got to spend some time with Lexi & Sarah at the Meriweather Lewis playground. The girls had such a good time together. 
 Here’s a Christmas card preview…
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Two weekends ago we headed down to Virginia for a visit. On Saturday we had a BBQ with some of my high school friends and their kids. Sarah came with Lexi, who is two weeks younger than Sophie. Samantha cam with Darby, who is starting kindergarden next month, and Mary, who is 3. And Aleen came to document it all. The girls had a lot of fun running around and playing with Vahid and Jill (with the parents close behind trying to keep Jill and her nips away from the kids). 
Lexi and Sophie had a chance to catch up with each other. 

 Lexi, Sophie and Mary
 Sophie, Darby & Mary

Grandma made the big move into my parent’s house the weekend we visited. She’s set up in my old room, and it looks great. It’s been a tough move for everyone, but she’ll be settled in soon. And of course, Jill is back at home again…

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Dave and I flip flop families for Christmas, so this year we were down in Va. with my family. My cousins from Long Island, Brittany & Brandon, and my aunt Pam also came down. They used to come down years ago and it was good to spend the holiday with them again. Sophie got a lot more into it this year, but was a little overwhelmed with all of the presents. She was excited for about the first 3-4 and then started to lose it, and so Dave and I ended up opening up the rest of hers.

 Coming down the stairs to see if Santa came

Santa did indeed come! She raced toward the stack of presents under the tree. And loved the wooden rocking chair from her Great Grandma!
Brandon also helped open her presents.
With Brandon & Brittany later in the day
Reading with Brittany
The whole family!
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This weekend Sophie and I took a quick trip down to Va. We flew in on Friday and out on Sunday and in between got to visit with family and friends. Mom and dad set up a little pool in the backyard, and Sophie had a blast splashing around in it (in the nude because I forgot her bathing suit, oops).

What you can’t see in this pictures is that Sophie is watching Kaylee and Parker play in the pool. She just couldn’t quite hang with the big kids, but really, really wanted to. Next year. 

 Mom and Kaylee rolling around in the grass

Sophie & Lexi. Shortly after this picture they officially became “spit sisters” by passing a pacifier back and forth. It was very civil actually – if not a little gross. 

Sophie getting a hug from Parker

Me & Aleen
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This weekend we went down to Virginia for Sophie’s Baptism. We did it at St. John’s Episcopal Church, the same church that we were married in. Sophie was great through the whole thing – she was wide awake and very interested in what was happening during the Baptism, and then fell fast asleep afterward (for the pictures).


We got to spend a lot of time with friends and family. Here’s a shot of me and Sophie with her Great Grandma and her GG (otherwise known as her Great Nana).

She also met up with her friend Lexi again. I think she was more interested in Lexi’s barrette than Lexi… but we’re getting there.

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Sarah & Evan came to visit this weekend with their daughter Alexi, who is 2 weeks to the day younger than Sophie. She’s got an amazing head of hair. Although they may not be aware of it now – Sophie and Lexi are going to be the best of friends.



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