Making time to pick the berries...

We all know how busy things can get and sometimes you forget to stop and take time to do some things that are really fun for everyone. My M-I-L was here this past weekend and she mentioned wanting to go pick berries with the girls but they decided to go to Monticello instead...she planted the seed. My good friend Sarah just happened to mention how great her strawberry picking experience was at Miller's Farm in Mine Run (which also hosted Harper's School pumpkin patch experience.). We got our favorite friend Mandy to come along and we had a great time. The weather was too perfect, a little overcast and a little breezy so we did not roast ourselves while working so hard. We all cannot wait to go back!

Reiss doing such a great job picking. She loved the GREEN ones!

Mandy and Harper navigating the mud, tires and cloth in the aisles.

The girls doing great work!

Those little hands are perfect for getting under those bushes.

Harper searching for the biggest, best berries.

Look how great the berries look!

I want to do it ALL by MYSELF!

Reiss quit after getting her shoes completely coated in mud. I am so glad that I had our carrier with us. 

Happy girls!

The teeny, tiny strawberry...it was Reiss's size (according to Harper).

Our final "buskets".

You can't really tell how dirty we got, it was pretty fun though.

Harper showing her muddy leg. 

Muddy Bottoms!

 We cleaned our berries, pureed them and made 5 jars of Strawberry Jelly which were too perfect for Teacher's Appreciation Day! We even had some left over for snacking and some tasty margaritas-YUM YUM!

Happy Easter!

Peter Rabbit made sure we were ready to go with bags/baskets set to go! Our wonderful Easter booty that was delivered from North Carolina and California...look at our dress up bonnets from Grandmother Kat! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter with your family and friends.

Ready for us to come back?

Since it's been a whole year since we have been gone we are working on coming back....Can you believe how big we have gotten in a year?

PS: now I can blog from my phone so easily,hopefully it will make it a little easier to stay on top of it.

Richmond Easter Parade..."it takes all kinds!"

Its Easter time and what do we do...we go the the Richmond Easter Parade! The parade of people and dogs. First we stop at "Gucci" Arby's for some of good eats before the parade. Nice to meet you Hollywood!

Sweet peanut eating away!

All ready to go!

Our most favorite friends around...man, we miss this family but Richmond misses them too!

Hydrate, hydrate...man, it hot!

Daddy, the water pusher.

I look at her and my heart swells...I love this girl. She brings so much laughter, love, smiles and silliness...we dont appreciate it enough.

Girlie #2...hammin' it up as usual.

Ready to go as usual...squirmy worm.

My love...Look at this face!

Even the dogs get dressed up!

Tea party anyone? When was the last time anyone saw a care bear?!

Art in the streets...

Nice hats! Check out the platforms...on him!

See ya...and our day was done and we were on our way out...

...until we spotted a rabbit! Wow! As we said...it takes all kinds!

Till next year...

Mrs. Personality

These are some of the shots that we have taken of Reiss, in an effort for her not to be the forgotten 2nd child. She is budding everyday and it has been great to see the personality unfold and see the toughie baby start to disappear... On one of our Saturday trips to Richmond (for Watson's grooming) we decided to take in one of our favorite spots...University of Richmond. We walked the lake and fed the geese, and I managed to get some SWEET shots of Reiss and her dad. Man, they are cute!

All of our fellow U of R friends will recognize this spot...just between dhall and the chapel. Look at that face...pure delight!

These were long ago posted on fb but I wanted to share with all my non-fb friends. This outfit was a gift from a good Richmond friend and one spring day I pulled it out to see if it fit and I was glad I did.

I love my baby doll, no really I love her!

Look at my moves! I really think this is one of my favorite shots of her...what a ham!

WHAT!?! This is Harper's babydoll...forget her then!Is this really how you potty train your monster...I think not!

What's so great about these potty books anyway and who reads this much in the bathroom?! The books are gone for now but they will return one day. Reiss your turn is coming...don't you worry!

Has your baby ever slept like this...it can't be comfotable, can it?!

9 month devotion to Reiss

Reiss turns 9 months, we can't believe it (in actuality, Reiss is a 1 year old but I am trying to keep my slow steady pace to catch up). I hope that one day these girls will forgive me for posting pictures of them half naked on this blog but this is the only time it will ever be acceptable, right? You have to appreciate this baby goodness while you can. Reiss and all her goodness! We even got to come all by ourselves, big sister Harper got to have a nice playdate with a friend. It is a sad state of affairs to have a date with Reiss be her 9 month check up!Reiss and her disappearing bottom lip.As always Dad does not miss a check up. Do they look alike or what?! Let us tell you about our Reiss...I like to scream! REAL LOUD...

I like to have a hand in EVERYTHING...

I like to sing....LA, LA, LA!

I like to rub my belly...

I am happy...

I love to smile...

I like to taste test anything I can...

I love my toys...

...especially anything my sister has! Oh, life of a little sister.