BABY HEADBANDS

Ever since Lily was a wee little baby, I have been forcing accessories on her head. I feel that it is appropriate for a little girl to know the importance of accessories at a young age, and if not started early, she will reject them...hehe j/k when it is her choice she can decide whether or not she likes them or not, until then, I think baby headbands are SUPER cute and add so much to her look :) Lately I have noticed that I have pretty much exhausted her headbands I currently have and am looking for new ones. I have thought about trying to make them myself, since afterall Anne did make some of them, but I just don't think I am that crafty. Instead I was given a few websites to look into. Boy are they pricey! Worth every penny though! Here are some that I found today and have ordered. Stay tuned for Lily's new look :)

Also, I am becoming a HUGE fan of these cute Tutus!...check them out!

Cotton Candy Shop

What a week!

So I may be a little late in posting, but I couldn't pass up bragging about my wonderful week with my wonderful visitors! Last week, the Peterson household hosted the Rains Family (minus Randy) for an entire week. Initially, what a weird feeling it was to have them at MY house with MY family, instead of me being with them at their house. It has been years that Liz and Randy have hosted Mike and I and it was now my chance. The week was filled with great times together! It was interesting to see the role reversal between Liz and I. Me with the baby now, and her with three grown children. The circle of life......



As always, what better way to depict a week full of activities than with actual pictures!

Day #1 Dinner at the Peterson's : Grilled Chicken!

Day #2 Relax at the Breezy Hill, yummy steak dinner with my parents This exact picture was taken 5 years ago when Mary was a little baby, and the Rains were still living in Ashburn. NOW, I am married, the kids are all grown up and I have a baby of my own....WEIRD!

Day #3 Mount Vernon

Day #5 (Day 4 I had to work, so I slept most of the day) Washington Nationals Game
First metro ride into DC....she was great! Happy to be at the ball park!
Family shot at the game
The whole gang, minus my Dad!

The firework show was amazing! Well worth going to the game, in which the Nats lost!

Our Final Goodbyes
Liz and I rarely have an actual shot together! We are so busy taking pictures of everyone else :) I think it turned out quite nice! Lizzie and the Lil! How wonderful life is with you in our life :)

Side note: In the midst of our busy week, Alicia came to visit with the babes, and I got to spend a short time with my niece and nephew, Savannah and Connor. Here we are, Mommy Peterson's


My sweet niece and loving Goddaughter!

photo shoot..just because she looked so cute!

Milestone!

Well folks, it is the day we have all been waiting for!....

Not ONLY did Kara and Mike get hitched, and it was AMAZING, BUT, Lily rolled over! Yes she did! Belly to back, and she is a champ. Here is the video to prove it....

I swear that she is way more excited than she appears to be on this video. This is after a bath, and she is quite tired, but put some toys near by, or

Back to Kara and Mike...

Wednesday through Saturday was full of events, that as a bridesmaid, I got to partake in. We started Wednesday evening for dinner and drinks at Coastal Flats in Fairfax. It has been a mini tradition for those of us OHS girls to gather for dinner at Coastal the week of the wedding, for a relaxing, maybe drunken night. Because that was the case my wedding week, and some bridesmaids could barely make it through the bridal luncheon and the rehearsal dinner, Kara made the executive decision that she would like to go out Wednesday night for proper recovery time. Luckily, the night was nowhere near as crazy and we all enjoyed each other's company to the fullest! Thursday was a day off, which I used to prepare for a nice summer tan and laid out. THEN, with the gamble I played, I was called into work until 3am Friday morning. I was super excited about the money I would be making, but a little bummed at how tired I would be the next day. Sure enough, I made it through the whole weekend with little sleep, but with the help of adrenaline and excitement it wasn't noticeable. Friday, we got our nails done and had a lovely bridal luncheon where Kara gave us all jewelry and COACH wristlets for the wedding day.

Here are the best captured pictures of the weekend. I thank Mike for following us around.

July 10, 2009-Bridal Luncheon
Bridesmaids: Different family members and friends of all aspects of Kara's life...a great group!

Two sweet flower girls, insisting on going up, then down, up, down the stairs
Yummy, don't want to stop, Chicken Sammies In true 'Father of the Bride' fashion, sporting the right gear!

REHEARSAL DINNER-GRANDALE FARM RESTAURANT

The Bride and GroomMy photographic skills at work.... Ashley and BradJaime and PatOur night out together, alone :)
The three of us...Ashley, Kara, and Lauren

FAMOUS FOR:

1. parties at 11-0-fun
   


2. box o' wine nights



3. sorority sisters



4. laugh until to cry
   


5. roommates
   


6. forever friends
   
   JULY 11, 2009-Wedding Day
   Celebrated the right way
   CHAMPAGNE

No, not naked, just poor picture taking done by Ashley :)

It's official, Mr. and Mrs. McDermott

Our eyes may appear to be closed, and that is because they are. Due to the shiny hot sun, the photographer swears that by instructing us to keep closed eyes until he says so, we will all be looking at the camera together without blinking or squinting. Now I have heard of this tactic, although, seeing that we all can't even close our eyes together, what makes him think we will open them together? The professional pics will be the proof!Counting to three, for a group 'jump shot', totally cliche, but totally cute!

Such a great shot! This is just a glimpse of the smile and happiness that Kara showed throughout the day. My love!

A continuous celebration of our marriage and commitment to one another!
Mike and Kara, the fantastic Garth Brooks duo, our all time favorite, the most famous and memorable dance..."I've got Friends in low Places" It truly wouldn't be a party without the two of them dancing together to this very song!

All together the weekend was fantastic. I enjoyed the time with my friends, my husband and most of all Kara. Her company will be truly missed when her and Mike embark on their move across the county to San Diego. Kara and I have meshed so well together over the years, and I was looking forward to being a big part of their new life together. I couldn't be happier or proud for the two of them. I hope they know they have the utmost support from Mike and I. I look forward to traveling and visiting San Diego, and I look forward to the many more years Kara and I have to share!

So, the summer is in full force and I am sure feeling the stress of it all! We have, so far, enjoyed ourselves immensely partaking in activities EVERY weekend, although I feel the time is ticking by all too fast! A quick catch up...

Lately, I have been working almost every Friday. It has seemed to work out well due to the fact Saturday Mike is usually home to help me out while I sleep, AND most importantly I get a bit of the weekend pay in my pay check...$chuching $....ok, so it's not that great, but any extra cash is a plus! Throughout the week I am also working a day or two, it just depends when I am needed, or quite frankly, when I can get the hours. I do love being PRN because of the flexibility, although I am beginning to feel the reap of little or no sleep after work....here is why...

Lily is talking up a storm and Mike and I are loving it! She has shown true form of her loud Momma, but I will not detour her from it. Some days I know she just wants to sing along with me. Her latest thing is, mouth wide open, big grin, but suddenly no sound to come out. This is her laughing, and I am quite confused because I know the true pitch of her voice. We think she looks a bit like an old women with no teeth, but SUPER CUTE!

Her motor skills have also taken a leap in development. Although I admit she still refuses to roll over, she can completely sit up on her own, and she even strains her neck up as I lay her down for a diaper change, etc. Within the past few days I have noticed a huge improvement in her standing while in your lap. She can stand longer and those thunder thighs have grown stronger. Today in the pool she even stood in between my legs while I help her arms. What a big girl!! It wasn't until now that I realized how big she is getting. Before, she cuddles, you are holding her, and you don't get the full effect of the length of her body until now when it is stretched out and she is actually standing.

For Mike, work is work, he slays away during the hours of 7am and 7pm everyday. Summer is now an even busier time for Enterprise as people take their vacations, and with Mike being in the city he sees all the tourists. We are grateful for his job, but to say it ever so lightly, I wouldn't mind a change for him. We are trying so hard to take advantage of our family time alone, but lately it is so little. I am striving to be supportive and patient and look forward to upcoming activities we have together. It is so important to me, Mike and to Lily that we keep our spark alive!

To quickly overview some of our most recent weekend adventures, but to surely not down play the fun we had while there, here are some pics...

June 21 Robbie's Pool Party/Mike's First Father's Day

The Dowlings hosted their annual pool party in Purcelville. The day couldn't have been better. There was perfect weather, and great food to go with it. The Sierra Nevada keg flowed so smoothly, there was great games of volleyball played, and as always the night ended with unforgettable memories!

June 28 France in Baltimore/Jurgens Birthday
Christie and Jurgens hosted and prepared the most amazing dinner! It was all perfectly planned by Christie from the Champagne starters, the crown of lamb, the delectable blue cheese ice cream, and the summer table setting, and Jurgens enlightened us into the world of wine pairing and tasting. A few bottles deep and before you knew it Christie and I passed out with Lily in their bed and the boys carried into the night with some poker....typical!


June 29 Lily and Lauren Visit Lynchburg

With a few days off, Lily and I ventured to Lynchburg for a great visit with the Reel Family. Mr. Walker is getting oh so big and walking around everywhere. Lily was fascinated with his mobility and I believe at times she was jealous. Liz and I took advantage of time alone and received some spa treatment. I opted for the 60 min. massage which I only payed $50 for. UNBELIEVABLE, I know! Got to love Lynchburg!