Elisha and I took a quick trip to the playground in our neighborhood to soak up the sun!
I hope and pray that spring is here and that we can put the snow boats away! Let the sun shine!!
Playground Fun!
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| He loves the slide! |
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Could Spring have Sprung?
It was an amazingly beautiful day!!
Elisha and I took a quick trip to the playground in our neighborhood to soak up the sun!
I hope and pray that spring is here and that we can put the snow boats away! Let the sun shine!!
Elisha and I took a quick trip to the playground in our neighborhood to soak up the sun!
I hope and pray that spring is here and that we can put the snow boats away! Let the sun shine!!
Pumpkin Patch
A tradition that we began last year and I hope it continues for many many years to come. We got to a local farm that is just inside PA. As Elisha gets older there is a huge play area which has all different fall activities and a corn maze but for now we stick to the hayride to the pumpkin patch and apple picking. This year Chad joined us for the day and we had a blast walking around a small section of the huge 8 acre field. After picking 4 pumpkins we rode back to the stand and went to the apple orchard. We then picked another bushel of apples to make more pies, apple sauce, and apple cake!
**Pictures to be added
Apple Picking with Heather and Drew
A standing fall tradition is going apple picking. Andrew’s favorite dessert is apple pie and Elisha’s first food and still one of his all-time favorites is homemade apple sauce. Our first apple picking experience this year was with Aunt Heather and Uncle Drew; it was quite a dreary day but we did it anyways! Elisha enjoyed running around through the orchard and eating the fruit. He is all about the taste testing :-)
**Pictures to be added
Peach Picking – 2 x
Picking fruit is one of our favorite things and it is peach season!! We went twice!
Our first trip was up to PA to a place that we frequently visit. This trip was very interesting though. Although, we had been to this farm many times we were not sure where the peach trees were. We went to the farm stand and asked them where to go and he gave us directions. When we drove through the farm we found the trees but the farmer who was supposed to be there giving directions was no were to be found. We then went back to the stand and he then took us on a 10 minute country drive to a different peach orchard which was in the middle of corn fields. It was quiet an interesting trip but we got 2 bushels of peaches which I used to make: jam, peach cake, and peach cobbler.
**Pictures to be added
Our second peach adventure was to a local farm with some friends. This was the first time our friends had ever peached picked and it was fun to see their 6 and 4 year old pick peaches and eating them on the spot! Elisha also enjoyed eating the peaches, he was soaked in peach juice by the end of our outing.
Our first trip was up to PA to a place that we frequently visit. This trip was very interesting though. Although, we had been to this farm many times we were not sure where the peach trees were. We went to the farm stand and asked them where to go and he gave us directions. When we drove through the farm we found the trees but the farmer who was supposed to be there giving directions was no were to be found. We then went back to the stand and he then took us on a 10 minute country drive to a different peach orchard which was in the middle of corn fields. It was quiet an interesting trip but we got 2 bushels of peaches which I used to make: jam, peach cake, and peach cobbler.
**Pictures to be added
Our second peach adventure was to a local farm with some friends. This was the first time our friends had ever peached picked and it was fun to see their 6 and 4 year old pick peaches and eating them on the spot! Elisha also enjoyed eating the peaches, he was soaked in peach juice by the end of our outing.
**Pictures to be added
Last Beach Weekend
This means summer has officially ended. We got away for the 3 day weekend to Fenwick Island with great family friends. Zach and Nicole, own a condo and our friends Jen and Josh rent a place and we go and stay with them. It is a fun filled weekend with 3 couples and 8 kids! It is a busy and loud weekend but we have a lot of fun! We spent Saturday morning at the beach and Sunday at the pool relaxing. Elisha loves the water which is great except there was no baby pool and he did not want to be held so that made it slightly challenging. I am glad that next year he will be big enough to wear swimmers so he can be slightly more independent!
**Pictures to be added
We also got a quick visit in to my grandparents, who live in Rehoboth Beach! They were thrilled to see him and were shocked at how much he had grown.
**Pictures to be added
We also got a quick visit in to my grandparents, who live in Rehoboth Beach! They were thrilled to see him and were shocked at how much he had grown.
**Pictures to be added
School has begun …
The first day of school . . .
This school year will be a good one, but different from any other. I have looped up to 5th grade with my students and Andrew had 2 classes with a brand new course order; along with volleyball. Should be an interesting year.
This school year will be a good one, but different from any other. I have looped up to 5th grade with my students and Andrew had 2 classes with a brand new course order; along with volleyball. Should be an interesting year.
**Picture to be added
Zoo Plumptin Park
In between fair week and the beginning of school I took a grad class and Andrew got some super fun play time with Elisha. One of those days our daycare mom called and said that she was taking her summer kids on a field trip to the Plumptin Park Zoo and she offered for Elisha to join them. Andrew went along and they had a blast! They got to see a few different animals and feed the giraffe. Elisha loves animals so this was a great day for him.
**Pictures to be added
Fair Week!
With Poppy at the fair for a week, Elisha got to go multiple times! I love going to the fair and seeing all of the animals. The first day Elisha and I went and met Aunt Heather while Andrew worked. We had a fun day seeing the animals, watching Poppy show, and walking around the fair grounds.
We then went back with Daddy later in the week. Elisha loved running around the barn to see all the animals.
We then went back with Daddy later in the week. Elisha loved running around the barn to see all the animals.
**Pictures to be added
Week in Myrtle Beach with Grandma and Grandpa!
On our way back north we stopped in Myrtle Beach to spend some extra time but Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Mark, and Aunt Ashley. This was the nice and relaxing part of our trip, we spent time hanging out at home, walking, and going to the pool. Andrew and I even got a date night in with a movie and dinner out!!
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**Pictures to be added
BusyBee’s Bathrooms
Yes, you read that correct this is a blog post about bathrooms. So not only do I have a one year old which means there are lots of potty conversations. Needless to say as we were driving to Panama City we saw these big billboards for the Cleanest Bathroom; which normally I take with a grain of salt but at one point we needed the restroom so we stopped and let me tell you what this was the BEST REST STOP EVER!!! Not only was there a huge convenience store, but a Burger King, Dunkin Donuts (which had crazy awesome donut hole flavors!), and the most amazing bathrooms EVER! We even wrote down the location so we could go on the way home. On the way home I also took pictures because I was in such awe of this amazing bathroom!
**Pictures to be added
Kassouf and Schott Family Vacation
We continued in our journey south with family! This time we were with Andrew’s family (his dad’s side) in Panama City Beach, Florida. Mom and Dad hosted everyone at their time share and Andrew, Tim, and Mark along with each of their families, as well as the families of Andrew’s Aunt Lisa, Uncle Kurt, and Uncle Karl. In total there were 18 of us; across 3 villa’s and we had a blast! Each day the families did different things but each night for dinner we all gathered back together to eat and spend time catching up on our days and lives. We spent a day lounging at the resort, a day at the beach at St. Andrews State Park, a day hiking at the park, and a day visiting Uncle Kurt’s new home.
The beach was beautiful. We were right on the edge of the bay and the gulf. When we first arrived Elisha was not sure what to think. Everyone as so excited for him to see the water; although he had seen the ocean last summer that was for a quick 10 minute visit to just take pictures. This was his first true “day at the beach” we arrived and took him right down to the ocean and at first he was very unsure about what was happening. It was also very loud, I had never really paid attention to how load the waves are crashing on the shore until I was there his with him and he was scared of the noise. We then played in the sand; which he was also unsure about. He did not mind touching it and having it in a bucket but he had no interest in standing or sitting in it (it did not help that it was very hot). After being on the beach for some time he acclimated and he ready for the water. We then got him to get in the water and he had a blast swimming with Uncle Mark, Aunt Ashley, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa.
Our hiking day was very muggy. We were all set for a lovely day of hiking and then we got there and it was muggy, sticky, and flat (no breeze at all – which was surprising because we were at the same park were we went to the beach so I was expecting an ocean breeze). We were also hoping to see a crocodile in Crocodile Lake or on the trial but we had no such luck.
At the resort we enjoyed spending time playing Settlers of Catan, lounging at the pool (lets be serious the only lounging happened during nap time), playing in the pool, on the playground, and in the water fountain. One day we also enjoyed the wine and cheese hour in the clubhouse.
Our visit to Uncle Kurt’s house consisted of an hour and a half drive west. We went to visit their home because they had had a house fire from a lightning strike and they had just finished re-building. They had not yet moved in but they were very very close. The house was beautiful, my personal favorite was in the kitchen there was a special cabinet that held a Kitchen Aid mixer. There was a “lift” in the cabinet so your mixer could be put away but when you wanted to use it you can use the lift and it brings the mixer up to counter top level! Not only is your mixer now ready to use but your counter has now grown. The cabinet also had a plug built into it so it was literally plug and play ready to use. I was very very jealous- as many of you know baking is one of my favorite things and my Kitchen Aid mixer is probably the most used small appliance in my kitchen (besides my Keurig J). Andrew liked the walk in pantry which was also a huge plus! (Currently, our food storage is in Elisha’s playroom). After seeing their home we went to lunch at a local place which was right on boat docks. Then scenic route back to the resort stopping in the town of Seaside. This is a famous movie town and it was absolutely adorable directly on the gulf. Andrew and I had a fun afternoon taking pictures at all of the beach access points because at every blocks there was a different “gazebo” which was artistically designed. It was a full day but we had a lot of fun!
The beach was beautiful. We were right on the edge of the bay and the gulf. When we first arrived Elisha was not sure what to think. Everyone as so excited for him to see the water; although he had seen the ocean last summer that was for a quick 10 minute visit to just take pictures. This was his first true “day at the beach” we arrived and took him right down to the ocean and at first he was very unsure about what was happening. It was also very loud, I had never really paid attention to how load the waves are crashing on the shore until I was there his with him and he was scared of the noise. We then played in the sand; which he was also unsure about. He did not mind touching it and having it in a bucket but he had no interest in standing or sitting in it (it did not help that it was very hot). After being on the beach for some time he acclimated and he ready for the water. We then got him to get in the water and he had a blast swimming with Uncle Mark, Aunt Ashley, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa.
Our hiking day was very muggy. We were all set for a lovely day of hiking and then we got there and it was muggy, sticky, and flat (no breeze at all – which was surprising because we were at the same park were we went to the beach so I was expecting an ocean breeze). We were also hoping to see a crocodile in Crocodile Lake or on the trial but we had no such luck.
At the resort we enjoyed spending time playing Settlers of Catan, lounging at the pool (lets be serious the only lounging happened during nap time), playing in the pool, on the playground, and in the water fountain. One day we also enjoyed the wine and cheese hour in the clubhouse.
Our visit to Uncle Kurt’s house consisted of an hour and a half drive west. We went to visit their home because they had had a house fire from a lightning strike and they had just finished re-building. They had not yet moved in but they were very very close. The house was beautiful, my personal favorite was in the kitchen there was a special cabinet that held a Kitchen Aid mixer. There was a “lift” in the cabinet so your mixer could be put away but when you wanted to use it you can use the lift and it brings the mixer up to counter top level! Not only is your mixer now ready to use but your counter has now grown. The cabinet also had a plug built into it so it was literally plug and play ready to use. I was very very jealous- as many of you know baking is one of my favorite things and my Kitchen Aid mixer is probably the most used small appliance in my kitchen (besides my Keurig J). Andrew liked the walk in pantry which was also a huge plus! (Currently, our food storage is in Elisha’s playroom). After seeing their home we went to lunch at a local place which was right on boat docks. Then scenic route back to the resort stopping in the town of Seaside. This is a famous movie town and it was absolutely adorable directly on the gulf. Andrew and I had a fun afternoon taking pictures at all of the beach access points because at every blocks there was a different “gazebo” which was artistically designed. It was a full day but we had a lot of fun!
**Pictures to be added.
Fun week with Nana! – Barrett Family Reunion
Each summer my grandfather’s family (my Mom’s father) spends a week together! We have been doing this since my mom was a little girl, each summer and winter they would spend one week back at the home (my grandfather) grew up in. Once my great grandparents died the 6 siblings began just meeting in the summer and they rotated around to different siblings houses. This year everyone came to Maryland so we spent the week at my mom’s aka Nana’s house. Elisha loved all the extra people and he was go go go the entire time. During this week we went to the boardwalk for walks, we went out on an oyster boat through the Calvert Marine Museum and walked through the Museum. Then we had soft shell crabs (which was a first for both Andrew and I, even though we both grew up in Calvert County on the bay) and played any games of Rook and Settlers. We also went to Sight and Sound to see Joseph; Julie kept Elisha that day and he got to play at the playground! All in all it was a great week and total there were 38 family members who came at different points in the week. This is a tradition that I love and I am so glad that my family loves each other enough to spend a week together each year even though we are spread out over 6 states.
Pictures to be added ***
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