Connor -- Football Season

Connor in Packer Gear

Connor is a true green and gold fan.  He will shout "Go Pack Go...Go Pack Go" even when other Packer fans have given up hope.  If the team and fans had the enthusiasm Connor has in the Packer team, nothing would stop them from going to the Super Bowl.  Dave recently took a trip to Wisconsin and brought back a University of Wisconsin shirt with Bucky the Badger on it...so now Connor is a Badger fan too.

CONNOR LOVES FOOTBALL!

Packers vs Redskins

Redskins 16   Packers 13

I went to my first NFL game on 10-10-10 at Fedex Field in Washington D.C. with Dave.  We watched the Green Bay Packers play against the Washington Redskins ... and it was brutal.  The game went into over time and the Redskins kicked a field goal putting the score at 16 to 13.  Green Bay lost ... it was sad.

However, the BIG story of the day wasn't the game, but what happened after the game.  Dave and I got  separated and I found my way back to the train station.  You may ask...why didn't you just call each other?  Well my cell phone battery died during the game...oh my.  So Dave ended up going north and I went south...found my way home to charge my battery and called Dave.  This is the conversation...


Me, "Where are you?"
Dave, "I don't know.  I'm lost!"
Me, "Find a train station"
Dave, "I'm trying...I'm so lost."
Me, "Call a cab"
Dave, "I don't know where I am."
Me, "Oh boy..."
Dave, "There's a cab! I'll ask him to take me to the train station.  (Silence.....)  He doesn't take cards and I don't have enough cash.  Don't worry darling I will find my way home...I have to look at my phone GPS. I love you." (thought:  I'm going to die tonight)
Me, "I love you too...ugh"  (thought:  my husband is going to get shot tonight)

5 minutes later...phone rings.
Dave, "I found an angel, his name is Mohammad.  He took me to the nearest train station.  I prayed for an angel and God sent me Mohammad, the taxi driver that just told me that he couldn't take cards but he could give me a ride."
Me, "Thank GOD!  Where are you?"
Dave, "On the train...coming home!"

It was a long night, but I'm glad Dave made it home safely.  :)

Baltimore w/ Angie

So my friend Angie came to Baltimore for the weekend for a wedding.  I decided to visit for a night and take on Baltimore with Angie.  By 2pm we had a bottle of wine in us and ready for a nap.  It really is a reality check when we are ready for some ZZzzzzzs before 3pm. 

 ...after a few drinks...

We napped until about 6ish and woke up ready for dinner...but then ready for some more ZZzzzzs by 830..  However, we did make the most of it and took some pictures -- as Angie does!  Angie is an amazing photographer and will be very successful out in the DC area when they move out this way later this year.  (I'm so excited!!! YAY!!) 

Her website:
http://www.angieophotography.com/
So after a few drinks and a lot of boredom...I let Angie take a few pictures of my amazing red heels.

I love the pictures...and these are only a few spur of the moment ones.  I will have her take more once she gets settled into the area.

Our First Home!

Our First Home!

So I haven't blogged in a long time.  However, this is the biggest news of the year.  We are buying our first house!!!  YAY!!!  It is in Waldorf, MD and will take about an hour to commute into DC, but the serenity of the new home is worth the commute (so we think...right now).  We close on October 29, 2010 right before Halloween.  We will be moving the first week in November and hopefully will be settled before the holidays.  If anyone wants to come out for the holidays -- we have plenty of room!  

The house is about 3600 sq ft. on 3.09 acre lot; it has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3 car garage, deck, and an unfinished basement (Dave's first project).  The house is beautiful and gives us plenty of room to grow as a family.

 Connor loves the house and really excited to move in.  He says, "We're moving from the blue house to the yellow house - Packer house!"  The house is yellow and green, therefore Connor associates it with the Green Bay Packers.

We will post more pictures after we move in.

Happy 30th Birthday Miranda!

30 & Fabulous!

Since I can remember I've always been anxious about getting older.  When I was 14 years old, I was excited to turn 16... then I waited for 18...and because I was in England when I turned 21, it wasn't much of a milestone birthday (because obviously I could drink legally).  However, the thought of being 30 years old seemed daunting.  When I was younger I had all of these thoughts of where I should be and what I should have accomplished by that age...lol...according to my 14 year old self at 30 years old, I should be on my way to retirement!  lol  However, one of the best things about aging is that I gain wisdom!  Thank GOD for that!

So here I am 30 years old!  No...it is not the end of the world for me, but a new chapter in my life.  There are many difference from 20 years old and 30 years old.  1). The difference of 40 lbs  2). A wonderful husband  3).  An awesome son  4).  A SALARY!  5).  A higher alcohol tolerance  6).  An interest in education and HISTORY  ... ok, I'm not going to list them all...but there are MANY differences!  I can appreciate the aging process, though I don't agree with it!  lol

I'm actually very fortunate to be where I am today.  Only those who know my past can truly understand the depth of my personal success.  I have to thank my mother for the foundation of good morals and values she instilled in me.  "Thanks MOM! :)  I love you."  LOL  -- As if I am giving an award speech!  Then I have to thank the military for giving me direction and discipline...and an education!  OBVIOUSLY -- I am nothing without my loving husband who has supported me through many transitions and made me laugh ...even when I wanted to cry, sometimes. 

So again... I'm 30 years old!  I celebrated in New York City at the Trump Soho with David.  Trump Soho upgraded our hotel room for my 30th birthday...super nice of them!

I think my favorite part of the room was the automatic EVERYTHING!  It was really nice! lol   The whole point of going to NYC for my birthday was to give myself a little luxurious vacation, like a pat on the back! :)

Of course we done the tourist thing and took the bus tour... went to the Empire State Building... tried the ridiculous subway... and decided to walk the MILLION blocks back to our hotel...  but it was a nice walk, we didn't get mugged! :) 

At the TOP of the Empire State Building

Well... it has been an adventure and I am excited to pursue the rest of my life journey!

Memorial Day Weekend Adventures

Happy Memorial Day!!

Granted our weekend wasn't full of chaos and drama, however it was restful.  Our initial weekend plans were to go camping at Solomon's Island, on the southern banks of Maryland.  We made reservations back in early March, to make sure we got one of the better camp sites.  However, once Dave fractured his leg we had to make the decision to either cancel the trip OR Miranda could do all the work.  LOL  As much as I LOVE camping, I am NOT doing it alone.

So what did we do?  Hmmm.  Saturday we stayed in bed a little longer to enjoy our NEW tempurpedic... definitely worth the money if you are debating about buying a new bed!  Dave and I woke up completely rested -- it was a nice change.  We took a trip to Lanham, MD to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings.  We played a couple games of trivia -- Dave won, of course.

**Sorry the pictures are kind of blurry they were taken by a camera phone. **

Because we didn't go grocery shopping this weekend, we ate out A LOT.  Saturday night we spent the evening at the Slip Inn Marina watching the boats on the river, having dinner, and a few drinks.

Dave was on the phone with his grandparents while striking a pose with Connor. :)  Connor really enjoys having his picture taken.  He informed me yesterday that he likes attention...lol.  "Yes, I can tell you like attention Connor."

Here is a picture of Connor and I -- of course I am taking the picture, because I am the "picture taker".  It was a really nice evening and I tried a new beer - ESB (extra special brew)... not bad, but I missed the Shock Top that was tapped out!


Sunday was eventful.  We had brunch at IHOP -- yes I know we ate out alot -- but then we went over to Home Depot and picked up some paint.  Dave and I (and I use "I" sparingly) painted the entryway and hall a crisp linen white hoping it would brighten up the area.  It did!  I forgot to get pictures, however we will be painting our living room next weekend, so I will post pictures soon.

Memorial Day Monday - we watched VP Biden place the wreath at Arlington Cemetery via television.  No we weren't going to fight the crowd.  However, we were a little upset that the president himself was vacationing (AGAIN) on this important day, but we won't get into THAT.  We ate some breakfast -- AT HOME-- then we had some family time and enjoyed some sun.  However, lunch was a special event as we took Connor to Hana Tokyo to watch a Hibachi grill.  Yum!! 

Connor was very impressed with the grill master and the FIRE!  The meal was delicious and looked incredible.  What do you think?  Besides the fact that we eat out too much!! lol

And YES we did spend some time outside.  We went to a Memorial Day party and Connor got a little wet!

Like I said it was a restful weekend and I am sure I gained 2 lbs because we ate out so much.  However... it is what it is!

**A special thanks to those who have served before us, with us, and after us.  God Bless America! **

Connor's 4th Birthday Party Invite

Connor's 4th Birthday Party

Today I sent out invites for Connor's 4th birthday party.  I can't believe he is turning 4!!  Time is going by so fast.

Quick story:  The other day after several tantrums, Connor and I had a talk about being "independent".  I told him that he is old enough to get his own water, wash his own hands, find and put on his own shoes, and go to the bathroom all by himself.  I told him that he is growing up and by doing things on his own will make him more independent.  I explained that eventually he will be so independent that he won't need daddy or me.  Ok, Connor and I had this conversation while Dave was gone; so later that night we were out sitting by the fire and Connor says, "Daddy, I don't need you and mommy anymore- I'm independent!" -- Yep, very matter of fact about it too!