Today is our 5th wedding anniversary!

Five years ago today, we married in a private ceremony at Camp Allen. Then six months later, we reaffirmed our vows in front of our friends and family at the Chrysler Museum. I can't believe how fast time has flown! I love you so much, sweets. I'm so glad you're mine.

(I remember I had just started working at GEICO two weeks before, and didn't have any leave accumulated. I had to ask my then boss, Kathy, if I could leave work a few hours early that Friday so I could go get married. I remember the priceless look on her face...she didn't know whether I was kidding or serious. I wore my wedding outfit to the office that day, so I could go straight to the base after work. I had to take unpaid leave. It was worth it.)

more pics

Some of the boys being cute, including Nate sick and cudly, and Ben as Robert Goulet.

Thanksgiving (belated)

Here are some belated pics of Thanksgiving at our place with our Crazy Crumbs, Nutz, and Crackerz.

More cute Nate pics

Grandma Dee has requested more pics of Nate, so here are a few. We can't believe how grown up he is looking!!

The first pic we took yesterday at the Hermitage. It was chilly!! The middle pic is Nate watching football with his Daddy. The third pic is from a week ago, when Nate first came down with the cold we all have right now. He woke up during the night, while his Daddy and I were watching a movie. We cuddled him until the Motrin kicked in and he felt well enough to sleep.

Nate pics

It's time for a little Nate.

Great Sunday

Well, we had a great Sunday. We went to Walmart, which Ben found magical. We began the say with Ben fidgeting with something while I was changing the sheets on his bed. I asked him to stop, and he replied with his new-found default phrase: "Mommy says yes." Typically, I'm not savvy on everything Mommy has said yes to, so I give him the benefit of the doubt, and a warning that it better pan out the way he said. Out of nowhere, Ben offers, "Daddy says NOOO."

I laughed.

"Mommy says yes, Daddy says no." Ben said, to put it all together for me.

We also went to The Hermitage, our local public estate. It's to our neighborhood what The Biltmore is to the entire state of North Carolina. But is has beautiful grounds and is surrounded by wetlands. Enjoy the pictures below.

PS from Mommy: Today we switched out Nate's high chair for a booster seat just like Ben's. When Nate noticed it, he lit up like a Christmas tree! He knew it was for him, and he seemed to know that now he's a big boy like his big brother. He went over to the chair and hugged it! All evening, he kept going over to his booster seat and hugging it. It was the cutest thing!!

Great Saturday

We had a wonderful day today. This morning, Daddy and Ben went to ODU's homecoming parade. Ben loved the marching band, and was a big hit with the cheerleaders. Then we all went to the Riverview Coffee Parlor and enjoyed a wonderful singer. She played guitar and ukulele, and sang a bunch of songs just for Ben. He was a big hit with all the customers, and we were of course very proud. :-) Ben had the whole shop singing "If You're Happy and You Know It" and "BINGO." Then the singer sang Michael Jackson's "Ben" just for Ben, and he was so excited ("That's my name!"). Finally tonight, the church down the street had a free Highland pipes, drum, and dancing concert, so we introduced the boys to bagpipes. And the best part...everything all day was FREE!!!! :-)