Well the winter was long and cold, and seemed like it would never end (seriously, frost warnings in May in Virginia are just WRONG), but summertime is finally here, if not yet officially by the calendar then certainly by the weather. We’ve had plenty of rainy days, but the nice days have been beautiful for enjoying the outdoors with the babies.

We completed our project of moving our dining room set into the formal living room, and have gated off the dining room as a new play area for the kids, who had totally outgrown the “baby jail” play yard. On Memorial Day we kept to our tradition of going to the City of Falls Church Memorial Day festival, where Candy was performing with the Falls Church Concert Band. The concert was great and the babies definitely enjoyed the music. Veronica in particular has become very into music, swaying her head and dancing along whenever she hears a melody. You can see for yourselves in the video link below.

The twins also took their first carousel ride at Dulles Town Center, a reward for being well behaved during our trip to buy them their first real shoes. Now that Riley is cruising and Veronica has begun pulling herself up, walking can only be right around the corner! We also went to our friends’ daughter Sarah’s 2nd birthday party, and met up with Tony & Jen and Allan and their kids (finally!) for a long delayed lunch out at Generous George’s.

This weekend we went to the Potomac Celtic Festival. Riley loved the bagpipes and Irish dancing girls, and Veronica couldn’t wait to get on the stage and show off some step-dancing of her own.

May 18-June 6 | Early Summer Fun

June 14 | Potomac Celtic Festival

…since I posted.  We’ve had a busy couple of months, made more so by some changes in my job that have necessitated more travel.  So you’ll find photos here from April and the first half of May.

Miscellaneous April

Cherry Blossom Parade

We ventured into DC for the Cherry Blossom Parade (believe it or not, my first time in 17 years of living in DC).  After an aborted attempt to get the double stroller onto a packed Metro train, we decided to drive to Georgetown and park on campus, and then walk down to the Mall.   It was an unseasonably cool day and very windy, and by the end of the 6 mile round-trip walk we were wiped out!

April 4 | Cherry Blossom Parade

Babies’ First Easter

For the babies’ first Easter we took them for formal photos at Sears Portrait Studio.  It was a long day (we waited over two hours past our appointment time before we were seated) but the photographer was wonderful and took some great shots of the kids.  We colored Easter eggs and on Easter morning gave the children their Easter baskets.  After a number of busy weekends, it was nice to spend the holiday at home.

April 10 | Happy Easter

Adoption Finalization

The long wait is finally over, and we finalized the adoption of Riley and Veronica on April 17th in Baltimore County Family Court, with (of course) Judge Judy Ensor presiding.  We of course forgot our camera, but fortunately our wonderful attorney, Jaime Cheret from Webb & Blitz remembered hers and took some great photos for us.  Mom and Dad came down from NY to meet us for the special day, and afterward we came back to our house.  The Harringtons happened to be visiting the East coast and joined us for a cookout that night.

April 17 | Adoption Finalization Day

Thomas’ Christening and Taylor’s First Communion.

My nephew Thomas was baptized on April 18th at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Newark, DE, and I was blessed to be his Godfather.  The weather was perfect and we had a great time.  We were back up two weeks later for Taylor’s First Communion.  This time the whole family was together for the first time since the kids’ baptism in February.  It was great fun to see all the cousins playing together, and Veronica crawled for the first time.

April 19 | Thomas’ Christening

May 3 | Taylor’s First Communion

Candy’s First Mother’s Day

After selling a bunch of baby clothes at the Brambleton Community Yard Sale, Candy celebrated her first Mother’s Day weekend with a Saturday matinee to herself.  The children and I gave her a book of coupons and gift cards to treat herself nicely.  Sunday we spent the day playing outside in the grass with the kids for the first time. 

May 9-10 | Mothers’ Day Weekend

Grandma and Grandpa’s Visit

My birthday present to Candy back in March was tickets for her parents to come up and visit for the weekend.  The weather was great and we had a nice visit, including a delicious dinner at Blue Ridge Grill using the gift card that Candy got for winning the Brambleton trivia contest.

May 15-17 | Grandma and Grandpa Visit