Washington DC Trip

So my wonderful old roommate and dear friend Natalie who lives in DC just renewed her lease for a year and as a gift for doing so she got a couple of free nights in their guest suite that she graciously donated to Jason and I.  We of course had to take advantage of her offer, and since we only live 6 hours from DC we decided to head up there a couple of weekends ago for a fun family road trip before Jason has to deploy.  Natalie and I first met my freshman year of college but didn't realize how cool we were until we spent the summer as interns in DC together.   I have been dying to go back ever since that summer of 2005, but haven't had the chance until now.  A lot has definitely changed since then, I am married with  a two year old and pregnant with my second.  Natalie is now a hot shot lawyer with an awesome apartment in the city all to herself.   Traveling the city with a child and a stroller is a little less glamorous then how we used to roll back in the day, but it was still a blast.  I did realize I am not as young as I used to be.  My pregnant feet were not very happy with me over the weekend, but it was well worth it. Thank you Natalie for inviting us up and arranging a free place for us to stay!!  It was a fun weekend and I can't wait to attempt it again, next time with a double stroller just for you :)!

                                                  Panda bear at the zoo

                    Its pretty sad that I look bigger than the gorilla in this picture

                                       No snakes for me please

                        Where it all began at the Barlow center, so many great memories there

Marine Corps Birthday Ball

So Jason and I had to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, and while the thought of getting dressed up fancy for a night out would normally appeal to a girl like me, doing it when I am 7 months pregnant was not exactly ideal.  I remember how difficult it was finding a dress in high school for dances that were modest was a difficult task, but now adding that to finding a dress that would fit my pregnant belly to the mix was an even crazier task.  Not to mention that our budget for a dress I would wear once was virtually nothing.  So who would have known that the dress my mom picked out for me to wear to my junior year homecoming dance ten years ago would actually fit my now large pregnant self.  My sister even had a matching jacket that worked perfect with it.  The evening was still pretty horrifying.  It felt like prom all over again, except I was huge a pregnant with a 2 year old at home.  I definitely felt like a spectacle with all the other tiny girls that still looked like they were in high school wearing gowns that covered the bear minimum were all around.  Not that I can be the only one to complain, Jason's dress blues looked far from comfortable, he could barely move his neck poor guy.  The dinner at the ball was pretty awful so afterwards we went with another couple to the Golden Corral for some fancy buffet dining.  If I didn't feel like a spectacle at the ball I definitely did at the restaurant with everyone staring at the crazy people who were wearing formal gowns and dress blues to the Golden Corral.  We are praying that next year we don't have to do that again!! 

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Well our annual pumpkin carving contest came and went.  We had it later this year since Jason was in California for his pre-deployment training over Halloween.  We took votes and Jason's mater won.  His was a little more difficult I admit, but I am still proud of my Elmo.  Ethan liked both, but of course Mater was a shoe in for him.  Oh well, what matters is that we had fun, and that i am going to beat Jason next year :).  

Trick or Treat!

Halloween 2011

Ethan had a little too much fun Trick or Treating this year.  I am pretty sure that I ran a couple of miles chasing after him, since he would not walk or hold my hand.  He ran from door to door, yelled out "trick or treat" and most the time didn't even wait for the candy before running to the next house.  I went with my sister and her family and luckily Ethan's uncle took over for a while so I could catch my breath.  Being 7 months pregnant and chasing a mini pirate around the neighborhood got quite a few giggles from other parents.  Oh well, Ethan had a blast so that's all that matters.  Can I just say that Halloween is so much more fun with kids!!  Stay tuned for next weeks delayed annual Pumpkin carving contest.  Jason comes home from training and we delayed our pumpkin carving until he gets home.  I know everyone will be anxiously awaiting!  In the meantime, enjoy the pics...