ACC in DC

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Pros and cons to the ACC being in DC this year.  Friday was a great day of family site-seeing and the National Geographic Museum. 

Andrew spotted a Colorado Springs native and wanted a picture for Daddy (in the hotel on a conference call).

Learning to speak Croc in 5 minutes...

World War II Memorial with Emily

He wanted to show Mrs. Kent:-)

Moving Korean War Memorial

In spite of all staying in the same hotel, it was still impossible to capture all 9 cousins that made it to the city!  Sarah (13), Abby (11), Charlie (2) not pictured; 

Ben (1 month) and Grier (1 month) home with Moms.

They wanted to go get the President's autograph...many reasons THAT was not going to happen.

Lincoln...and Margaret's revelation that snack was not going to be what she had hoped.

Even the zoo couldn't trump naptime...too many late nights in a row.

At least we got night-time diaper on before he passed out.

Air and Space Museum; St. Patty's Day Parade!

Thursday night in Vienna celebrating birthdays....Alex - 9, Andrew - 8
(53.5" = 90%; 66lb = 82%)

Was there any basketball this weekend???  Duke didn't seem to think so:(

Since spring has sprung...

Since spring appears to have sprung, I'm overdue ushering out winter...

Margaret's Upward Basketball team (consisting of only 2 girls) was fantastically hysterical. 

In Charlottesville, seems like we either get the threat of snow, or 2 feet.  Finally, we got the perfect 6" snow.  Big kids just wanted to watch tv:(, but my little man helped me shovel and rode every device he could find down the street.  

 Always fun when friends bless us with basketball tickets.  Two days after Duke beat UVA at the buzzer, we thought it best it best to leave the devil gear at home...can't imagine why?!?

Truly an impressive national anthem.

 We didn't catch what they call this, but it was cirque du soleil for the halftime show.

 

 The girls and I snuck away for 1 Friday night to take advantage of an amazing deal at Trump's Albemarle Estate.  We were too busy enjoying ourselves to get a picture, but we snapped a few shots of the former Kluge Estate...and giggled about the website disclaimer that the property is in no way affiliated with Trump, Inc. despite the Donald's books filling the library/billiard room. 

 Straight from a vineyard B&B to ESPN's College Game Day to cousin time and hosting a Sip n See.  Phew!  A variety of fun this Saturday! 

As soon as we neutralized the boys, the girl cousins were off doing cross words and hair.

Sweet friends

40th Birthdays and March Madness

What great fun this 40th birthday was...just can't believe we didn't get a shot of the whole, fabulous crew! 

Pastor Tom and Mary Goodrich, Steve & Rebekah Saunders

Pastor Mike spotted!

We loved meeting Jason and having him and Emily with us for a few days.  Cute couple:-)

Ready for March Madness!

 

Unbelievable stats...no doubting the strength of this rivalry. 

 

Quick run in the Meadow before heading to DC for the ACC....

"I love it, Mom, but don't forget I'm 10!"

2nd-3rd Grade Concert

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Andrew applied for a speaking role in this year's 2nd-3rd grade concert.  Student applications were letters to their music teacher about why they should receive a role.  He wrote to her, "It was such a great experience being Herb, the Gardener in last year's musical, "How Does Your Garden Grow?" that I would like to do it again.  The 'H' is silent, you know?!". 

The afternoon showing for the school...

Dody came all the way for the evening concert!

Blues! "Epically Awesome."

Why we can't stay up 'til 10:30pm watching the Broncos WIN the super bowl (the whole neighborhood heard them scream) AND go skiing Monday night AND stay up for every ACC game Tues and Wed night...

The Dentist continues to be a huge hit with everyone, but Matthew was ecstatic that he finally got a chance, too!!!

Morning, noon, and night attire lately has consisted of his snow boats and his fireman raincoat.  Yes, he sweats through the night with the hat on, but that seems to matter not! 

A superhero birthday party leads to....

...a super hero obsession.

 Mom passed down the doll beds that Emily and I used to have in our room.   Margaret was having trouble with them as the joints were too lose for them to stay together.  So we enlisted good friend and woodmaker Bill Stackhouse for the job and voila!  She is suddenly SOOO proud of the beds for her sweet girls.  

During nap, Matthew individually wrapped about 100 cars in wipes, placed them in a wagon, and carefully hid it behind his glider.  He is wonderfully creative and funny, but I do pray we're not dealing with some psychological disorder someday.  

Another Monday night at Massanutten....my first run with them. 

And this is why we needed to venture beyond the greens!

Her first blue....and then wait for their reactions to their first blues....