Irene came and left... and we survived.

2 Natural (could be) disasters in one week!  Wow! Maybe we can get a break this next week and go back to normal weather.  Wouldn't that be nice?!

Irene came in to our area as a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday and left as a Tropical Storm in the wee hours of the night/ early Sunday morning.  Lots and lots of rain and some wind... at times very strong wind!  Alexandria, Virginia (which is just off post for us) had a rainfall accumulation of 4.69 inches and there were wind gusts of 60 mph at Reagan National Airport.

We were most concerned with a tree falling on the house or power lines and then leaving us in the dark.  However, our electricity only flickered a couple of times and otherwise stayed on the entire time.  And luckily and most importantly trees did fall, but not on our house. 

Just before 7 this morning we woke up to the sound of chainsaws... and this was the view from our front door.  Sorry it is kinda dark... it was pretty early.  This tree fell across the road, as was the sight all over Fort Belvoir.  Lots of trees down on roads, cars, fences... but all houses I believe were spared. 

This was our first Hurricane... one for the books.

A little crooked...

So, yesterday we had a 5.8 magnitude earthquake.  Oh, yes we felt it.  Yes, it was scary.  And yes, we are fine.  No damage at our house... nothing fell off a shelf, a cabinet or a bookcase.  Just a few crooked pictures.  The only repairs will have to made with a level.

When it happened I had just finished vacuuming one room and was about to go into the living room to finish up.  Eli was sitting in front of me on the carpet, Gracie was standing near him and Nathan was upstairs playing.  I honestly at first thought Nathan was jumping around up there like a lunatic.  Then I realized that if he was above where I was standing he would be in Eli's room and yet there was bits of old plaster falling in all the walls, even in the dining room and there is no room above the dining room.  Then for a second I thought well maybe there's something going on outside... some type of heavy construction.  But, there was no other sound then the rattling of the walls and things in my house.  I then realized it was an earthquake and snatched up Eli and Gracie, yelled for Nathan to come downstairs and we all stood in the bathroom doorway.

Bryant on the other hand was walking downtown DC towards his building and felt nothing.  Actually, most people that were outside when it happened didn't feel anything.  He heard fire alarms going off in the buildings (this is how they evacuated most buildings when it occurred, by pulling the fire alarms) and saw people running out of the buildings.  He immediately ran inside the building and to his office so he could call me.  Once he realized that I had felt it too and that there wasn't some type of attack on the Capitol, then he got ready to come home.  He said last night that he was actually kinda bummed that he didn't get to feel it.  He was hoping for an aftershock, but according to the news this morning those happened last night while we were sleeping.  I would say better luck next time but, an earthquake isn't something that most people (including us) look forward to.

The Firetruck...

When Nathan was just a little boy... I mean real little, a baby, Grandma and Grandpa bought him a firetruck.  He rode that thing all over the house!  He used it to learn to walk and also stashed his sippy cups in the compartment under the seat... it was the everything, all entertaining toy.  And when baby sister came along she found it just as fun.  But, somewhere between Indianapolis and Virginia the firetruck found a new home.  I honestly can't remember for the life of me, where that firetruck is!  Regardless though, Eli has not had the pleasure nor the right of passage that comes with being the proud owner of a ride on firetruck.  Well, at least he hasn't until this past weekend!  The similarities between these two firetrucks is uncanny!  They both have the same buttons, seat, overall design.  With the exception that Eli's is Winnie the Pooh themed, they are so identical... and I love the little trip down memory lane that it gives me! 

Bush Gardens...

Friday, we headed down to Bush Gardens.  It was the perfect weather too, overcast!

One of the first things that you see when entering the parking lot is a large purple roller coaster... and all Nathan could say was how cool it was!  So, the first thing that Bryant and Nathan did once we were inside the gates was hunt down a roller coaster for them to both ride on.  And the yellow roller coaster with two loops named the LockNess Monster was it!  After they tackled and conquered on the LockNess Monster, Nathan came out gleaming!  After a few minutes he said that he didn't like the hill and that he closed his eyes on the loops.  He was also ready to try out some kiddie rides!

Gracie DID NOT ride with them, but really wanted in the picture!

The infamous yellow track.

... and it's 2 loops.

And now it's off to the kiddie rides.

Starting with hot air balloons.

Then the airplanes.

Bumper cars!

Gracie and Daddy exploring the Land of the Dragons.

This was Gracie's favorite ride... other than the carousel of course!

I think this was mommy's only ride.... except the carousel.

Nathan AND Gracie were excited to ride Prince Elmo's Spire.

However, once up there... Nathan wasn't smiling anymore.

Eli's only ride (with Daddy of course).  (Daddy is a ride hog)

Then, we ended our day at the park with a Pirates 4-D movie.  Complete with water being "spit" on us, birds "pooping" on us, bats "flying" around us and bees "buzzing and trying to sting us".

Nathan finishing mommies super awesome frozen lemonade slushy.

And on the way out Gracie spotted a "river".   And then it was off to Cracker Barrel.  mmmmm is all I have to say about that!  Yes, I did work there for 4 years and No, I can not think of a single reason why one should not eat there.  It just simply rocks!

She won her blue "parrot" at a game beating her brother in whack-a-mole.

He's on what?!

"the table mom, he's on the table!"

So, now you may be asking... "how did he get up there?!"...

"well girl, just take the chairs away!"...  mmm hmm, I did.

great.

Yesterday...

I have no pictures for you today, of today or yesterday.  I just wanted to tell you all of our day yesterday.  The day started great!  But, around 2 o'clock.... there came a cry from Eli, one of pain.  Nathan was trying to pick up his little brother using  one arm, and the result was not Eli standing but rather, Eli with a dislocated elbow.  OUCH!  I even asked the doctor if I had to be in the room when they put it back in place!  I was there, but just the thought of putting it back in place gave me the shudders!  My poor baby!  As soon as the doctor was done Eli was drinking a juice box and holding it with both hands... instant gratification!

This was just one of the little joys of parenting that we had not yet experienced.  Oh, Eli please don't let this be any type of foreshadowing of what is to come as you get older!

Operation Back to School...

Saturday the USO put on a fun family event called Operation Back to School.  The kids got to participate in 8 different school subject activities and at the end they each received a free book and a backpack with various school supplies in it.  Last year Miss Virginia was there reading kids stories for the "Reading" subject.  This year 4 Redskin cheerleaders were present and running "Gym class", having the kids run through an obstacle course.  Gracie was very excited to have her picture taken with a cheerleader... Nathan, however was slightly embarrassed.

Friday Fun...

Friday afternoon while Eli was napping and Daddy was home, the kids and I burned some cabin fever out of us.  I really can't say that we are suffering of cabin fever too much... afterall, I do make it my mission to make it somewhere everyday.  So far this week it was the grocery store, lunch out, the thrift store, the garden center, library, a bike ride, and we even went park exploring and then out for a special snack .  But, Friday we finished the week with the sprayground... that's right a playground made with water!  Awesome!!

Eli's Dedication

"And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 1: 9-11

Eli, on Sunday in front of our entire church family and friends, your father and I pledged to raise you in a Christian home.  We will teach you about your loving father God and his son Jesus.  We will guide and direct you each step of the way so that someday you may choose to follow Him and live with Him forever in eternity. 

Elijah: (Hebrew) The Lord is my God

Up, Up, and Away...

On Saturday Bryant fulfilled his Birthday present. 

Alphabet Soup

Eli has officially discovered the kitchen pans.... and how well his fridge magnets fit in them.