Around 5pm everyday

At about 5pm every day, I catch myself passing the kitchen window and smiling. It's that time when the sun begins to peek over our fence and the rays shine through the golden leaves. This time of day has always been my favorite because it's when the work day is almost over, and plans for the night begin to spin in your head.

For me in this stage of life, I find myself passing the kitchen window as I begin to prepare dinner or tidy up the house. But now matter what I have going on around my little home, the sun peeking through the Autumn leaves always makes me stop, smile, and be grateful for the beauty around our home, like my little toddler :)

Pioneer Festival

 Kisses for the cow

 Dressed in our country attire

 

  Looking for candy in the hay pile

 Watching the cow milking contest

Taryn made a crown to represent the United Kingdom

Our church put on a Pioneer Festival along with an International Festival this past weekend. I can't picture a better area to showcase all the different backgrounds of people than where we live. I have heard so many different languages, have learned about different regions of the world, and soaked up all of the stories of families living abroad. It's really incredible to see and hear about all the experiences that have eventually brought people right here. 

There was piergoi, brazilian rice, egg rolls, German potato salad, and pasta from Italy  just to name a very few of the massive amounts of food. Of course there was cotton candy & hot dogs to represent U.S.A. The country band kept Taryn dancing through the night.

It took about 30 minutes to drive out to the church building and I could have gladly added another 30 minutes. The drive as gorgeous. Autumn colors, wooden bridges (I have never seen so many in one place before!) the beautiful waterfront, and the crisp air. The church sat on a lot that overlooked the water and felt as if we were still in the middle of a forest.  

Tyson and I have talked a lot about how much we feel like when we moved to Arlington, we moved into a forest. There are trees everywhere, so many different birds, butterflies, and funny looking bugs (and our share of creepy ones too). Tyson had never seen a chipmunk before moving here. I know that we have about 20 squirrels and 10 chipmunks that live in our backyard and Taryn loves to chase every one.

This place is beautiful.

Double Date

 

  

After some unexpected rain caused us to act fast and change our double date plans, we ended up eating at the Kabob Palace across the street and making Smore's over the stove with Seth & Brittany. 

Being able to put Taryn down on time for bed and still be able to play games after...Perfect.

We'll have to hold off on Georgetown for another double date soon!

Having a sister living a mile away is the best.

Just Beautiful

 We just happened to be playing outside when the wind picked up, making the yellow leaves fall all around us like snow.

I have fallen in love. Autumn is just beautiful here.

Meeting P, M & A

When Ashley told me she was making her way into D.C. on Sunday night I was so excited! Ashley and her husband, Peter,  live in Williamsburg, Virginia while Peter attends law school at William & Mary. 3 hours seems so close but yet so far away! Ashley just had her cute little boy, Miles, a few weeks ago (I know, doesn't she look AMAZING!!!!)  and I have been DYING to meet this cute little guy so I jumped at the chance to meet them at the Air and Space Museum on Monday.

He is perfect in every way and it was so good to see Ashley & Peter again too. Can you believe we haven't seen each other for 2 1/2 years (on their wedding day!) AHH! Way to long. We've constantly missed each other by only a few days as we both vacationed to California over the years and it killed me every time! 

It's a great thing that we've kept in touch even thousands of miles apart. 

For me, that's a sign of true friendship.

We're happy we live so much closer to them than before. How crazy is it that these two high school friends are now married with children!

Pumpkin Patch

Saturday I took Taryn to a Pumpkin Patch at Shlagel Farms with some of our friends and loved it! It was the perfect farm for toddlers and babies with a mini petting zoo, mini straw maze with a slide at the end as a reward, a corn box (think-sand box), and playground set.

Our friends, Lynne & Logan

Taryn became so frustrated every time she chose the wrong way on the maze. 

Lynne & Logan, Mandy (can't wait to meet her little boy next month!) and Taryn & me on the tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch.

This must have been hen she locked eyes on "her" pumpkin.

1. Kissing her pumpkin

2. Guarding her pumpkin

3. Smiling with her pumpkin

She wanted to have the pumpkin right next to her on the ride back to the farm

Thanks to Lynne & Logan and Mandy for joining us this past Saturday. It was a great way to spend the day! I know we'll all be back for the strawberries (just freshly planted) next May! And a thanks to Paige for going the week before so she could give us all the info about ho great it was!

A day in the Gardens of the National Mall

 Smithsonian Castle.

 We enjoyed a great day at the Mall discovering the gardens. There were some that were great- like the Butterfly Gardens inside the National Museum of Natural History (say that 5 times fast!). My friend Lynne told us how on Tuesdays the butterfly gardens are free (usually $6.00). It was amazing. I have never seen such large butterflies before. Taryn starred at them as they fluttered around her and sat on the plants in front of her. They make you check in a mirror before you leave to make sure that no butterflies are still on you.  Definitely the best garden we went to all day.

 After having lunch on a bench with our friends, Taryn spotted the Police Horses and was so excited. But as soon as they got to close, she came running back to me. The horses were very nice and let us pet them. ( Good thing we were on our best behavior!)

I'm a little embarrassed about the Hirshhorn Sculpture Gardens. One, it was super underwhelming. It wasn't what I was expecting at all after hearing "sculpture gardens." We walked around the entire "Gardens" in a few minutes (if that) and saw maybe 5 sculptures. Maybe it's about quality, not quantity but I didn't love it. We thought we would venture inside and see some of the new exhibit from Ai-WeiWei According To What.  

We lasted all of 2 seconds. Really. The babes had expired and I'm sorry, but if you are doing an exhibition and expect children to accompany adults, then you might want to reconsider how to execute your displays. 

Why is everyone promoting this museum to families with young kids!?!?! No ropes...no partitions...you're just asking for it!

And maybe it's my fault that it took Taryn not even 1 second to start climbing all over one of the art displays!!!!! (UGH!!- yes my fault). We left so fast after that.

I think if Tyson and I were to go alone, we might enjoy it a little more. Well, I guess this just means were not ready for a art museum yet. Or at least one of this nature. I'll consider the National Gallery of Art in a few weeks. At least there the art is high on the walls, out of reach for busy toddlers.

The little display mishap was only about 5 minutes of the whole day so not enough to dampen my spirits. We still had fun and I think I'll be going back for more Tuesdays at the Butterfly Gardens