Twenty Things....

In this day in age I have found that it is a cop out for friends to not keep in touch. Of course the daily grind does get in the way, but what I mean is 'THANK GOODNESS FOR EMAIL'...and the Internet. I have just finished reading my 6th email today from my high school girlfriends regarding '20 things' going on in their life right now. My genius friend Kate approached us (via email, since she is all the way in San Diego) last month with this idea of staying in touch by sending monthly emails with twenty things about yourself. You see, we are all good about stalking each other through facebook, reading each others blogs, saying 'hi, how are you?' on gchat, texting, and occasionally calling, but in all honesty we are all out of the loop with what is really going on in our lives. Since high school and college my close group of girls have all drifted, in closeness and distance, ranging from VA living, Texas, California, DC, NC, China even but clearly we all miss the company we once hand and what better way to salvage that than to truly stay in touch. The list of twenty things people have shared include the latest book they've read, their jobs, babies, what was for dinner last night, tonight, their travels, break-ups, hook-ups, and even the TMI of bathroom problems (Leanne :) ) The moral of this all...I encourage anyone in the same position as us to give it a try! I really feel like I now know a little more about my friends and it makes me miss and remember the times we have had. All our personalities shine through in the emails and it makes you feel like they are not so far away! Thank you, Kate for your brilliant idea and bringing MDH back in tact!!!

Some oldies, but goodies!!! MDH over the years (since Digital pics...I have plenty more I could scan in)

Probably one of our many nights at Don Pablos

Momma Scotts House

The First two to get engaged...we were so happy for them we got them CROCK POTS...HAHAHA

A classic pic of Allison and Andrew the first week of the beginning of the rest of their life!! Spring Break in SanDiego, CA...Radford girls meets cute Navy boy, they marry have a baby girl named Kenley! YAY!

Celebrating Christie and Jurgens Wedding 2007

My wedding, I know I have a pic of us all, but I can't find it!

Leanne and Gregs Wedding 2006

MDH Christmas...2006? Ornament exchange...Megan brings a wooden ornament (looks REALLY cheap) but she claims Momma Scott made it. Ok, so, now we all like it, good and sentimental....turns out she bought it at Michaels..classy Megs!

The bachelorette, 2006

Here's to many more MDH memories!!!

'We're having the Peterson's over '

A week ago tonight Mike, Lily and I, as a family, went over to Kristin and Ryan Reese's for dinner. College friends of both of ours, the four of us are the only ones to be married amongst Mike's group of friends from college. Kristin and Ryan married right after we graduated and then Mike and I two years later. We decided to be the guinea pig parents, but Kristin and Ryan are expecting a surprise baby mid October. Turns out we are at the point in our life when referring to each other we use our last names...what I mean is, when asked what Ryan was doing on Friday night by another friend he very casually said "Oh, we're having the Peterson's over for dinner..." Immediately he knew this particular single guy friend would have an easy shot back at him, making fun of his 'grown up' ways. "we're having the peterson's over???" I mean really, that is totally something my parents would say about their friends. Ryan thought..since when do we refer to each other by the last names? Why didn't he just say, "oh, Mike and Lauren are coming over for dinner?" I guess it's our mature side shining through, and guess what, we are now parents...weird. Ryan told us this story as we sat around the table reflecting on our current lifestyle, which we are all very content with...Dinner on a Friday night accompanied by a couple 'beverages', maybe some tv, then bed :)

The best part about it, the next day I was talking with my Mom and asked what her and Dad were doing later, she said... "We're having the Pott's over!" Dah, Dah, Dahhhhh That's all she wrote folks.

There's Something about Mary, Cheese Please, 3 DAY

There's Something About Mary.....or my Mom.....A TOTALLY serious Arlene, and your hair looks like this???? I believe this is a classic shot in place, and we probably couldn't replicate this if we tried! Sunday morning, after a 'too complicated and stupid to tell fight' with Mike over golf and work I decided I needed a little break. Luckily I already had an invitation in place for a boat ride with family friends Linda and Abby Potts and my Mom. With coffee in hand, sun roof down, the sun shining and satellite radio blaring I headed to my parents to pick Mom and Linda up, then to the Potomac River front we drove. The Potts dock a boat close to Occaquan, and it had been decided it was a girls day to cruise the river, dock at Tim's Rivershore and indulge in crabs and bloody mary's! It was the most perfect day for boating with clear blue skies, no humidity and just enough warmth that we were able to catch some of the last summer rays. I had a blast bonding with my Mom and even catching up with long time friend Abby! Thank you to these lovely ladies for making my day just right!!!!!

*Mike was so wonderful to have let me abandon him and Lily for the day...he said it was well deserved!

Momma and Me...I forgot my sunglasses and at the Marina they had extra..hence the crazy bug eyes

Linda and Abby

CRAB DELIGHT!

Seriously the best I had all season!



CHEESE PLEASE

OOOOOooo, yay Mom, I can eat cheese! I know this is not a huge milestone, BUT it was the first day that I fed Cheddar cheese, plain, to her. She loved it, and I am just so fascinated with her dexterity and development! Her aim for when she grabs onto things is not the best, but somehow she always manages to grasp onto the things she desires....in this case, cheese cubes :)

Sippy cup extraordinaire!

3-DAY

Monday evening...first day of training!

On this evening I had the privilege of beginning training with my dear friend Jaime. Training for what you might ask? Well, it is this November that Jaime will embark on the famous 3 Day, 60 mile walk in San Diego in support of Breast Cancer. Along side Jaime, three other Oaktoneers, Linda, Whitney and Cathy will also be walking. Jaime lost her Mom to breast cancer almost 3 years ago. Jaime has never failed to be a defining star of support and dedication, not only throughout the years of her Mom's fight, but also now through fundraising for Breast Cancer. She is my constant reminder that I can always do something better for people! I envy her strength and look forward to our daily/weekly walks up to November, when I will only have more pride for her and her journey!

Our walk was nothing short of a full work out! Almost 6 miles start to finish and we felt good! Lily was such a good baby, and I believe enjoyed her time to take in all the scenery of Reston! Tonight, Wednesday, we also walked for a little over an hour, replenished with some SUBWAY, and treated ourselves to my homemade Mint Chocolate Chip milkshakes (the next best thing to Mint Oreos in the freezer).

GOOD LUCK JAIME!!!!!

Crawl baby Crawl!

It's official! Lily is a crawler, army crawler for the time being! But those arms sure can pull her legs and she scoots, and scoots good!!

CONRATULATIONS LILY!!!!!!!

video to come soon...it is taking time to load

splish splash

Last night, bath time was extra fun! I had to snap some shots. Eating bubbles may not be the best idea, huh Lil?

So naptime is becoming a little more interesting these days. For instance, if we are out and about, which we were this morning, she will fall asleep in the car 2 miles from the house. THEN we get home, I sneakily retrieve her from the car seat, place her in the crib and BOOM she is WIDE awake. I immediately leave the room in hopes that she will fall back asleep, then the crying begins. For the most part she will fall back asleep, although with a few tears involved. Today, we got back from our walk/run on the W&O, she was in a deep sleep, I placed her in the crib, got in the shower and throughout the whole shower this is what I heard.....Unfortunately I didn't get the best of it, but I was sure she was singing!

My man, Pat McGee

Over the years my love for Pat McGee has only grown stronger! This past weekend I was lucky enough to see him in concert yet again! He opened for Vertical Horizon at the Belmont Green Summer Concert series. It was not as good turn out for Pat, but all the more for me to see :) He never disappoints me with his love for fans and lovely music playing. Pat recently chopped his hair off and I liked it! Mike's family got a good laugh at my enthusiasm when he entered the stage.

Right after this picture was taken he said, "Oh wait, was that weird? I feel like I made a weird face!" Ooops, Mike and I didn't catch it until after we walked away. Sorry Pat, I love you still :)

Thank you to my wonderful husband for being such a supporter of my loving and adoring Pat McGee. He also enjoys his shows and enjoys watching my giddiness as he enter the stage. A special thank you for missing the JMU/MARYLAND game to take me to the show! They lost, but I know that Mike would have liked to join his friends at the game.

GO DUKES!

We were joined by Mike's brothers Andy and Rob. I must say it is quite difficult to get photos of the Peterson boys, but this particular shot I am very proud of. Alicia was very pleased with Andy actually looking at the camera and even smiling. He was sooo happy to be spending time with his wife:) Unfortunately the shot of Lori and Rob was not the best because Rob wasn't even looking at me, AND his eyes were closed. I may not be able to document that the two of them were there, BUT they were!

Seeing pictures of me with glasses is still very new, so here's to me showing them off.

It was a sportful weekend....(yes I know it's not a word but it seemed like an appropriate word at the time) Lily showed off her new gear which I am sure will get much use this season. I am still waiting on the redskin tutu from my Mom, AND we need to make a headband...remember? Lily's staple!

J-M-U DUUUUUKES

Hail to the REDSKINS!

OBX, Happy Birthday, Golf

Apparently when it comes to blogging lately, it just hasn't been my forte! I'm thinking that since Lily is now semi on the move I am a little apprehensive to sit my butt down by the computer and type away. Her ability to roll over has amazed me. Although I believe she has the strength to crawl, for the time being, rolling is her choice of transporting. In addition to her rolling, putting things in her mouth have reached an all time high. No matter how much I vacuum, Lily will somehow find the smallest grain of dirt, or sliver of cat hair pick it up and put it in her mouth. So you can only imagine something of a choking hazard.

Here Lily sits, right at my feet so I can blog. She indeed pulled most everything off the shelf for a snack.

Beach week, but not so much beach......

The week had finally arrived, we were headed to Nags Head for our only vacation of the summer. Our group included our family, and my nurse friends :) In the past this week has been labeled NURSE-A-PALOOZA but this week was a bit more tame with Lily involved. The week started out great with sun and heat, but quickly was shot by the rain and wind. I must say my expectations for a tan and time in the ocean was ruined by the weather! All in all we made the best of it and enjoyed our company. Our days were full of relaxation, games, eating and drinking! Mike, Lily and I were also able to go on good walks and take a lunch trip to our favorite shack on the beach, Sam and Omies!

The rain rolls in and Lily watches :)

I experience golf for the first time on Labor Day! Our good friends Kevin and Sarah completed our foursome. My golf game is completely and totally inconsistent! On one hand I am super good at driving the ball, THEN on the other I can be really good at putting, but somehow I can't do them both on the same hole. A common phrase "Practice makes perfect" comes to mind! The highlights of the afternoon include quality time with Mikey, my luck of par on a par 3 hole, and on the 18th hole driving the ball over a small lake which skipped on the water about 15ft from the green! I was the only one to hit the green on the first try! GO ME!

We went for a mohawk look after bath time. Turns out she is super cute no matter the 'do'






Happy Birthday Jaime!

I realize I totally slacked in this years birthday celebrations. In comparison to Kara's I stink as a friend. There was no cake and no video. Sorry Jaime! I love you the same! Instead we spent some quality crab time at Steamers in Bethesda. Unfortunately the 'all you can eat' crabs were not quite in our budget so we indulged in some scrumptious snow crab legs and Maryland Blue Crab Cakes. YUMO!

The only thing this picture proves is how big my little Lil is getting. Because I am still nursing her, I don't get to witness her bottle skills that Mike speaks of. While we ate dinner Lily sucked down her bottle with no help from her parents. How cute, but how sad!