4 Years Ago

Four years ago this weekend we got engaged! I think I tend to remember the anniversary of the weekend we got engaged better than the weekend we got married. We were supposed to go look at rungs, then go to the Book Festival. I really thought we were just looking. Andrew knew we were buying.

And so ring shopping took longer than I thought. And we never made it to Book Festival. 

But I think it was worth the trade off. 

And so this weekend, as we head to the Book Festival, I always reflect on that weekend we didn't make it.  And how fun that weekend was. 

Birdland!

A few weeks ago Andrew surprised me and took me to a Ravens Preseason game. It was ugly, but we won! And we went with fun new friends from our ward!

The next night was Mormon Night at the Orioles! We didn't win that game, but still had a really good time! Did you know that at any MLB game, you can move seats after the second inning. We always buy really cheap tickets, and then move down to REALLY good seats. It makes it way more fun. :)

These are our post-second inning seats. 

Andrew is good at everything he does.

I play on a co-ed indoor soccer team. We are decent. We don't win much, and every week as I leave to play Andrew loving says, "Have fun! Don't lose!"

A few weeks ago, our goalie pulled a muscle and was out. I volunteered Andrew to come play for us. 

He's kind of amazing. 

I knew that. But my team didn't know! And they loved playing with him! We won 4-3. And at the end of game, they said things like, "We played better because of him. He's just so positive!" And I agree, I totally play better when I'm playing with him. 

The other thing about Andrew is that he does things about 110%, no matter what they are. Which means he played really hard, and I'm pretty sure he cracked a rib on one dive/being kicked. So I think that was his only game for a while. 

Maybe someday we'll play on a team together. 

Warming up. All by his lonesome. 

MVP Picture. 

So happy to play together! We even had babysitters come over!

Proof that we won! And I even scored!

Sunday Parks and Walk

We have loved going to parks on Sundays that we don't generally go to during the week. The weather has continued to be awesome. A little rain is perfect in my book. Cuts the humidity and the heat. 

Watching a cruise leave at Fort McHenry. Lydia wanted to talk the entire loop at Fort McHenry. It's a mile long!

Watching her run through the read tunnel at Pierce's Park. No fear. 

The homophone walk. So many more homophones than I could ever think of. 

Love her cute little grin. :)

Walk in the rain.

We've reached the time of year where it's either 90+ and humid, or 70 and rainy. We HAVE to get out, but given that we are raising the palest child in Baltimore, it's generally best if we go out when it's raining. It's just the lesser of two evils. And she doesn't seem to mind. :)

Our First Inauguration

Hanging out at Debbie and Kent's: Pre-Departure (Kent was sick. :( So he stayed home. )

Riding the metro. Checking out DC.

Ready to Roll! Bundled up, and Snuggled in.

Catching a little shut-eye.

"Only free carrots available on the Mall! These prices not available in sotres anywhere!"

Group Self Portrait! In front of the White House.

Yum, This GMO-Free carrot is yummy!

Waiting for it to start! We found our spot on the Mall!

Hanging with my cute dad!

It's starting! This is when things got interesting. Our Jumbo-Tron stopped working the minute Senator Schumer stood up. BUT at that exact moment the girl behind us also went into shock. So Nurse-Aunt Debbie sprung into action to take care of her, and Andrew helped carry the girl to the medic tent. So we missed the ACTUAL Inauguration.

Then we wanted to walk to the Capitol, to see it up close. But we had to take a serious detour. This lead us to the staging area for the Parade. It also lead us to a hotel where we could change Lydia's diaper. And Aunt Debbie thought it best if we stayed for the Buffet Lunch. If Debbie ever wants you to spend the day with her, don't hesitate, just go.

The Capitol! (Good thing Debbie was with us, she provided the prop. :)

This is the ingenuity of American's at work. There is a til of charcoals in the "baby seat" that kept the pretzels warm. Awesome. 

Snug as a bug. All day. She was such a good baby!

Big Flag. Little Flag. Union Station headed back to Debbie's, where we pulled up the Inauguration and watched President Obama's Speech. Don't worry, when we got home, I pulled up Kelly Clarkston and Beyonce and found pictures of the Obama's at the Ball. 

SUCH A lot of walking. But with our Smart Wool Layers, we were just the right temperature and had such a great day! Loved our first Inauguration. Although, next time, we hope to actually see it when it's happening. 

Somebody loves a self portrait..

Just like her mother.