1st Annual Hike for Dad (4-28-12)

My Mom and I decided that every year around Dad's birthday (May 1) we will go hiking in his memory.  Dad loved hiking- and some of my best memories are hiking with him.  This year our family went up to the Harper's Ferry area and found a trail that Dad and I used to hike when we lived in Maryland.  It was on the Appalachian trail and it leads up to some cliffs with great views.  I was so thankful we found the trailhead because I wasn't exactly sure where it was.  It was a cool spring day and we enjoyed our time together.

Spring at Mt. Vernon!

River Farm Gardens (April 2012)

Our friend Ellen

River Farm Gardens is the headquarters of the National Horticultural Society and sits on one of Washington's original farms overlooking the Potomac.  It is a just a few miles down the road from Mt. Vernon.  We went with my friend Susan and her family and had a lovely time exploring the beautiful gardens.  There is an old farmhouse and a meadow full of buttercups, a children's garden with places to crawl in and under and lots of beautiful plants and flowers to discover.  And all FREE!  We loved it and will definitely go back soon.

Happy 10th Anniversary! (4-20-12)

We celebrated 10 years on April 20 this year. We ate at a lovely Greek restaurant in Old Town on a vine covered patio. It was lovely- talking of the last 10 and wondering about the next. I love you, Jay! Even though you sometimes put the lid on the trash can without a bag inside and I walk by...ok never mind.

Happy Birthday, Harry! (4-22-12)

Harry has been wanting a Monster Truck birthday since Mac's birthday in November.  He waited and waited and we celebrated with some friends as he turned 3 in April.  He got some awesome cowboy boots and hat, and a cool Spiderman bike.   He's already asking for an Eyeball Birthday for next year.  His new favorite word is eyeball.

Harry is such a wonderful little guy.  He makes us laugh every day and brings us such sweet snuggles and hugs and kisses.  He is growing up tall and handsome, and is a fun mix of a baby and a big boy.  Some of his favorite things are: his "Bippy," a silky blue blankie that he sleeps with, dressing up as a fireman or army guy, reading books with Mommy (whom he often calls "Mama," much to her delight), playing outside with his Mac and Sissy, giving kisses to his baby brudder Pete, and watching "tartoons," especially Curious George. 

He says cute things like, "Mama, you smell just right."  And "dandaid" for bandaid, and "touton" for crouton, and Washington Momument, etc etc  He uses great words like "bivouac"(which we all looked up in the dictionary) and puts his own Harry spin on it, talking about bivouacking in the backyard while whacking each other.  Harry has a fun gruff little man voice, which is just so funny, but so much his personality.  A little man. A little Jay, as everyone says.

He is mischievous and too curious sometimes, just like George.  I find some very hysterical messes left in his wake- he is the quintessential kid writing on walls and carpets, smearing lotion in his baby brother's hair, and leaving teeth marks in Ruthie's dolls.  He is usually pretty tender about being corrected, and can sure enough muster up some big ole tears and poke out his bottom lip when he's making up with the offended. 

We recently finished VBS and I was so glad to hear a good report about him- he made a big impression on a few of the workers.  One told me how he was the only child cleaning up after craft time, without even being asked.  And two others mentioned how he was asking very insightful questions after Bible story time, when most of the other kids were not even paying attention.  It is so refreshing to hear good reports of our little one, all glory be to God, always.

We love that Harry!

Space Shuttle Discovery

On April 17th the Space Shuttle Discovery made its last journey, piggybacked on a 747, and landed at Dulles airport after circling the DC area for about an hour.  The kids and I drove down to Old Town Alexandria to get a better view.   It was just super, super cool to see a huge space shuttle strapped on to that huge jet, escorted by a fighter jet, circling pretty low over the Potomac.

The Discovery was taken to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum, where it was on display the weekend after it flew in.  We braved the crowds and got an up-close view of the famous shuttle, dirt and stains and all.

 They rolled out the shiny prototype Enterprise, that never saw time in space, to sit nose-to-nose with the veteran Discovery- the most-flown shuttle in history.

This was one of those outings that turned out to be a fiasco.  (The museum trip, not watching the shuttle fly.)  So many things went amiss, and the kids were so cranky- it was mostly terrible.  Sometimes hauling 4 kids around just isn't worth it!  Now two months later, I can say I'm glad I went.  It was a historical moment, you know....

Mac at Bat

Mac played T-ball for the first time this Spring.  He had been wanting to play for a while, but the leagues up here don't take kids until they are 5 years old.  Even though he wanted to play, Mac was nervous about playing for the first few games, and wanted Jay to be right with him.  We didn't want to force him to be independent and start out hating sports ("there's no crying in baseball!"), but we didn't want to coddle him either.  So we prayed.  And by game 3 Mac was starting to be comfortable and confident and really enjoying the game.  It was so fun to watch him "grow up" over the season and have fun playing; and so good for us to keep learning to trust God with every aspect of Mac's growth- Go Thunder!

Audubon Zoo, New Orleans (March)

I almost forgot about our trip to the Zoo. (pardon all my crazy catching up). I thought it was a really nice zoo, great landscaping and lovely old buildings- not to mention the NO style of it all.

We went with my bro Alan and his wife Cheryl and their crazy crew.

Natural Bridge, VA. (4-9-12)

On our way home from the Southland we stopped in Natural Bridge, VA to see, guess what? The Natural Bridge there. It was pretty amazing. Thomas Jefferson used to own it and has a painting of it at Monticello.

Cousins

We loved seeing the other Hodges clan while we were down South.  Look at all these precious children, all SMILING at the same time!  What?  (grrrrrr at the blurrrr)  Please notice newest little one Jacob, who was born while we were in town- joy in the midst of sorrow!

James Michael and Peter hangin' out.  The boys are like little opposites:  Peter blue eyes, JM brown; Peter tall and chunky, JM small and wiry; Peter curly JM straight.  Peter crawling, JM walking.  They are going to be buddies.

(why does Pete's nose always look so orange in pictures?  I promise he does not eat any orange colored foods!)

Welcome to the family, Jacob Henry Hodges!