St. Patrick's Day - Ireland

Ryker and I went to Ireland for the national holiday. We went to a farm and a big street fair in Dublin. We marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Omagh with Keelin. We also went to the beautiful Lough Erne resort wear Andrew and I had an engagement ceremony. We read poetry, exchanged promises and rings. It was romantic and beautiful and we had both kids by our side. With the exception of Keelin coming down with chicken pox (because they don't believe in vaccinating against this in Ireland), it was a great trip!

100th Anniversary of Engine 21 - Adams Morgan

Our local firestation celebrated its 100th anniversary and threw a massive block party. We brought cupcakes to share. They closed the block, had firetrucks for everyone to climb on (!!!!), had a big barbecue/potluck and opened the firehouse for everyone to wander through. Ryker was in heaven. He climbed all over the trucks. Twice the firemen needed to leave for a call and kicked everyone off their trucks and turned on the lights and sirens. Oh my, he was so happy. He even got a tattoo of a firetruck on his arm. He woke up this morning, surprised it was still there and said "uh oh" (which means he likes/wants something), followed by "nee naw, nee naw." To top it all off, one of my best friends was there with her husband and two kids. They just moved back from Bogota and it was my first time seeing them. It was a great day.

Shenandoah with River Poppa

River Poppa (my father) wasn't feeling too well, but he still read Ryker a story and walked with us down to the river. Ryker loved the "agua" and threw sticks into the water. Shenandoah is such a part of my childhood and I feel so lucky to be able to share that with my son. I hope that he grows up learning to hike, camp, canoe and enjoy nature as my father taught me.

Snow Day!

We woke up to a beautiful, snowy day with about 6 inches of fluffy, white snow covering the city. Ryker was so excited to go out "No! No!" (he can't quite say snow yet). We tried to go sledding in the Zoo, but it was locked so we went to the park instead.

Isabel's Birthday

Ryker's best friend and amore, Isabel, just turned two. Miss Amy, the music teacher, came to the party. Isabel got a tricycle so she can now go cycling with Ryker. Chiara and her mom, Marcella, whipped up a feast of Italian treats, including a very yummy cake with chocolate brought from Italy.

After their naps, we took them for a walk in the Zoo. Ryker wanted to sit on the panda's lap. Isabel decided that looked like fun too.

Ryker's Other MaMa

Ryker calls Tia Marilu MaMa because he loves her and she cares for him so well. She likes to take him to the Building Museum to play when it is cold. When the weather is warmer, they go to the park and he rides in the firetruck. "Nee Aww Nee Aww" "Baaap Baaaap" (his sounds for the sirens and horn honking)

Weekend with DaDa

About two weeks ago, the phone was ringing early Saturday morning. I didn't hear it because I was doing the dishes, but Ryker did. He went to my bedroom, got the phone, turned it on, put it on speaker and brought it to me saying "DaDa! DaDa!" Unfortunately it wasn't DaDa...

So, Ryker was very excited when we picked Andrew up from the airport. Of course it helped that DaDa had two new little cars for him. We had a great weekend: omelets for breakfast, a new firetruck (!!!), cycling in Rock Creek, playing in the Stokke crib.