DOVE FAMILY

There comes a time when both of your kids are in grade school.  The time has come and although I am very excited for Julia it was also a little sad for me.  You see....she is our last one.  She is my little girl.  My baby.  My sweetheart.  My princess.  My girlie-girl.  My sweet-pea.  My drama-tude.  So I knew that this time was going to come and I tried to prepare myself.  I was actually fine until I tucked her into bed last night, said our prayers and she gave me those big brown eyes and asked, "Mommy- what if the forget me on the school bus?" I kissed her and I told her that her brother would be there with her and that no one would forget her....and then I cried my eyes out in my bedroom. 

 Matthew is an old pro now but still very excited about school.  I am blessed to have him as a big brother to Julia because what happened this morning was so touching.  Matthew started school a few days before Julia.  Since she is in Kindergarten she is on a "staggered" entrance which I totally do not agree with (another story for another time...). 

The last few days we have talked to Matthew about being a big brother, helping his sister find her way to class, helping her on the bus, sitting with her on the bus and making sure she gets on the bus in the afternoon.  We have received the normal attitude response, the look and even..."how long do I have to sit next to her on the bus for"?  But when the big day came...he stepped up and was the best big brother anyone could ask for. 

The big morning came and as soon as the bus arrived, they grabbed their bookbags, Matthew grabbed her hand and led her onto the bus. I grabbed them and kissed them allover until they couldn't stand it anymore.  I yelled "I LOVE YOU" until I saw their cheeks blush and then...hehelped her up the steps, put his hand on her back and led her into the bus.  My sweet babies... are now both in grade school and there is nothing I can do to stop them from growing up.

If Dave and I only ever did 2 things right- it would be these two kids...thats for sure

May God watch over my babies while they are in school.  Keep them and all the teachers and children safe and bring my babies back home to me at the end of the day.

Waiting patiently for the school bus

Here we go!  Julia's First day of Kindergarten!  Matthew is holding her hand!

Look very closely- do you see how he has his hand on her back helping and guiding her on the bus?!

LOVE to you both!

We LOVE downtown Annapolis.  Nap-Town is a great place and something we don't take for granted knowing that we live just a few short minutes away.  We come here often to just walk around, take in the sites, window shop, get some ice cream and of course enjoy the local boat ride.  Visiting Annapolis is something we do often yet we never get tired of the sites, the smells, the boats and the people.  During this visit- we enjoyed the 40 minute cruise around Annapolis on a beautiful Sunday morning.  Then we walked around main street for a bit and decided to walk the Naval Academy.  If you have't been to downtown Annapolis - YOU MUST GO.  If you haven't been to the Naval Academy- YOU MUST GO.  It is such a quaint little town with so much history, restaurants are sub-par but there are a few hidden gems.  The streets are a bit tricky as some of the old bricks and stones are showing their age, the old victorian homes and buildings are so cozy and the sailboats, yachts, boats, kayaks, jet skis amid the Naval Academy--- just a breathtaking view.

We are lucky because we are only a quick 10 minute ride from downtown Annapolis & the Naval Academy and we visit often and never get tired of it.  The Naval Academy is just gorgeous and so picturesque. The Chaepl is just a sight to see, the grounds are so clean and neat, the Midshipmen are always out and about- guiding tourists, taking pictures for families and always so courteous. We love checking out the visitors center- free history movie, small museum and of course lots of Navy knick-knacks.  We visited the fountains but didnt' have a chance to visit some of the open dorms and other buildings....there is just so much to see that you need a few days to hang out and walk the Naval Academy.

We love this place and always look forward to our visits, our walks, our boat rides, and ice cream in downtown Annapolis.  Our next stop-- Navy Football!  Go Navy!

Julia's favorite thing to do in downtown Annapolis- take the boat ride!

Go Navy!

Naval Academy Cathedral- its really much more gorgeous than this picture!

You have to take a picture next to the famous Naval Academy Entrance!

Annapolis Girls

I'm not a big fan of Bed and Breakfast places...but this place was so pretty!  Its the Academy Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Annapolis.  I just loved the Navy colors, the old victorian home and the cute porch

One of Julia's favorite things to do-- Boat Ride in Annapolis

Postcard Perfect- downtown Annapolis

Oh yeah- Hail baby!  It's Redskins Nation and football is back and we WILL go to the Super Bowl this year (Don't think about telling Dave that the Redskins are not going to make it)!  Saturday we surprised the kids with tickets to the Redskins preseason game against Buffalo Bills.  Driving up the stadium the kids were in awe of the crowds tailgating, playing cornhole, football toss, smelling the yummy grilled food and watching all the people enjoying the Redskins spirit!

I have never been to an NFL game before but wow-- I know I am from Baltimore and I know that Baltimore fans are serious about their Ravens...but these Redskins fans are dedicated.  I saw people there who must have been in their 80s just hoping for another super bowl...some have been season ticket holders since they were kids and now taking their own kids and grandkids.  There is legacy here with the Redskins. There is history, pride and truly dedicated fans.  Win or lose...Redskins fans are true to their Maroon & Gold. 

I really hope for my hubby that they make it this year. 

Woohoo!  Redskins baby!

Wave those flags high and proud!

FedEx Field

Redskins Marching Band

How about we get some greasy fries, popcorn, nachos and dogs?!

My Redskins family....

Redskins gril

The girls...

Are you ready for some football???

Yeah baby!

We're Number 1!  We're Number 1!

Hail to the Redskins!

Our friends reserved an old 1760 Stone Farm house to celebrate their son's 7th birthday this year.  The farm house is called Wanner's Pride and Joy in Narvon, PA near Lancaster.  The farmhouse was very old but it was adorable- it had the old barn doors, old historic wooden floors, original steps and rails...it was very very old but they renovated the inside so a modern family could have the comforts of a kitchen and bathrooms.  The house had a cute playground on it and miles and miles of rolling hills and farm land.  They even had a fire pit near the pond.  We didn't bring our fishing gear but the caretaker did say that the pond had fish in it.

Although they did have wifi for the kids at night- it was a throwback and we did have to come up with activities for the kids which was nice.  We took a walk around the farm, explored the cornfields, played with the playground ball, soccer, talked to the cows, played cards and more!

The kids enjoyed running around the hosue and checking out all the rooms and they even had a room just for kids with lots of beds!

After our night at the farm we ventured out to Chocolate World- although super busy we did get to experience the free ride and ofcourse buy lots of chocolate.  We also ate at Plain & Fancy Amish restaurant.  It was a buffet but they bring the food to you-- how convenient and the food was so good.  They had everything for every age and their food was YUMMO!

Great time with great friends!  Can't wait until next year!

This is the view from our farm!

Cows and more cows were on the property.  I couldnt get used to the smell at all...it was just so...stink!

Old Stone Farm House...built in the 1760s.  This place had 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and easily slept our crew of 13 people!

Gorgeous land

Phoenix (Birthday Boy's) Nanny (Grandmom)

The girls playing ball

The Kids hanging out by the barn!

Our gang

This was the first time we had my nephews Dylan and Daniel spend the night at the new house.  You know- they are so busy so its hard to fit their Auntie in their schedules.  I felt very special once they told me they could spend the night and they had "time" for me!  So after some basketball fall, the kids jumped on the trampoline all night...had a fire pit with S'mores, movie and ofcourse continued to jump on the trampoline until after midnight.  Then they happily woke up at 6am and began jumping on the trampoline yet again.....kids!

Loved having them at the house and so looking forward to the next sleepover!

We LOVE crabs!  We are serious about our crabs, shrimp, fish and seafood! I am not the kind of girl that likes to go to a restaurant and eat crabs.  I am a down-home girl that loves to eat crabs at home.  Steamed crabs are meant to be eaten at home!  Take my time, put my feet up if I want, chill, relax, drink beer and not feel that people are sitting, watching and waiting for me to finish! I like having music in the background or a good O's game on.  I don't mind the clean up at home, I don't mind the mess and I seriously don't mind serving myself crabs. 

Julia just discovered crabs this summer and boy does she love them.  Since crabs take so long to pick we have to come up with the game plan now that the kids really enjoy them:

1.  Feed them something while we are picking their crabs (Burgers, corn, hot dogs, mac and cheese or cheese quesedillas are great and go well with the crabs for kids). 
2.  While they are eating their burgers, dogs etc Dave and I start picking...we found out they can eat 6+ crabs each so we pick, pick and pick until we have a huge pile of crabs on each of their plates.
3.  Once the kids bellies are full and they are happy Dave and I can kick back, relax, have a beer, start pickin and eatin!

Really- she does love crabs.  She was just upset becuase the first one she picked up was still a little hot!

Much much better and a happy face too!

This summer was Julia' first year at summer camp and although I was a little nervous she was so excited and didn't even look back on her first day.  She was of course aprehensive at first when she met the counselors but after a minute or two she started playing with the other children her age.  Annapolis Area Christian School is such a fun summer camp and we are hoping to enroll them again next year.  From science, tennis, art, wrestling room fun, theme weeks, slip and slide and so much outdoor fun- who wouldnt love going to summer camp?  Here are a few snapshots from this year's camp fun....

We were so excited that Grammy could come to the Camp Carnival and Show!

Sorry - it's blurry.  This is Julia playing mini golf at the Camp Carnival

Matthew trying to get the football in the hula-hoop

Auntie Debbie & Julia going through the moonbounce obstacle course!

Getting Ready for 70s day at Camp

Ready for 70s day at camp

Face painting at camp