Enjoying Christmas time in downtown DC

We had a wonderful time today visiting the sites in downtown D.C. We got to see the tree in front of the White House that the President lights. We also visiting the National Natural History Museum complete with lots of animals for Lily to see. Then we wrapped it up with a good lunch downtown. Lily had a great time and fell asleep on the way home (after a Christmas cupcake was sampled).

Lily's second visit to see Santa

Lily was excellent visiting Santa this year. It was really her second time seeing this particular Santa. We first met him when the fire alarm went off at the mall. The Santa came right over and talked with Lily and she warmed right up to him. This of course made her extremely excited to go back and see him. She nows loves everything Santa, including the old movie "Santa Claus is coming to town".

Thanksgiving Fun

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend hanging out with Christopher who stayed with us for the entire week. Lily was so happy to have Christopher around. They took naps together every day, they hung out at the beach together, swam together, and generally just had a good time hanging out together. The weather was great (60 degrees and sunny) so we hit the beach a couple days. Lily was sad to see Christopher go.

On the Rehoboth Boardwalk (Lily & Christopher)

Lily and Chris at the beach

A little Christmas cheer on the beach

Zoo lights (back in D.C. at the National Zoo)

Catch up

It has been a very crazy month for us. Sorry about my lack of blogging. We closed on our house in Silver Spring in late October and then went crazy trying to get everything moved and put away. Still a bit of work in progress, but most everything except hanging pictures is done. Then in the middle of all that Lily and Kim got sick. Kim's virus lasted about two weeks, while Lily's was a bit shorter but put her in the hospital for the weekend due to lack of oxygen in her blood. Needless to say it wasn't our best weekend. But she is a-ok and has bounced back wonderfully.

Thought I would share some pictures of our last weekend at the beach house in mid October. The weather was AMAZING and it confirmed how much we love having a vacation house out there.

Lily on Rehoboth Beach

This is one of the great fishing/crabbing docks in our development.

A few more beach pictures

We discovered Dewey Beach this weekend. Every day we got to see the Dolphins from the shore. What a great time.

Lily is 2 years old

I can't believe that Lily is two years old. In celebration of her birthday and the beautiful 80 degree weather we went to the beach for the weekend with Grandma Merry, Grandpa Ronnie & Andy. We all had a fantastic time.

Our adorable two year old on her birthday morning (eating donuts)

Visit from Grandma Merry & Grandpa Ronnie (and Andy too)

Yes, Lily is in heaven. In honor of her second birthday coming up on Oct. 6th, she was honored with Grandma Merry, Grandpa Ronnie and Andy (her new best friend) visiting her for two weeks. Or hopefully two weeks if they are willing to stay that long. This last weekend we got the chance to do a little sightseeing and visit Mt Vernon, Annapolis, and see a few sights in D.C. through the rainy windows. But the coming weekend is supposed to be back up into the 70's (just in time for the beach). We are having a fantastic time!

Lily with Grandma & Andy

Behind on posts

We have been so busy with the new vacation house that I've been terrible with updates. Here are some great pictures of our new vacation destination. Yes, we love it! House is all set up and ready for guests (ok, almost ready)

Lily on the beach at our development

On Rehoboth Beach boardwalk

Sunset from our vacation house

Lily convincing her dad to make her a sand castle

Our New Vacation House

Call us crazy, we bought a vacation home near Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. We haven't even gotten our first home in the DC area complete yet. We must have had spare time on our hands waiting for the first house to get done, so we decided to buy a vacation home. Mostly its because Lily drags us to the beach every weekend anyway. OK, maybe "dragging" isn't exactly correct. We all love going so we decided to buy a new home/villa in a large master planned community. Think 4 pools: 1 indoor Olympic size, 1 outdoor adult, 1 kiddie pool + 1 wave pool. Jack Nicklaus golf course. Workout facilities, recreation room, on site restaurant. On the bay, sandy beach, nature trails, and the list goes on and on. And only 10 minutes to Rehoboth Beach. Yes, we definitely feel extremely lucky to be able to do this.

House is this exact picture (brand new, 2350 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and even a 2 car garage in back)

The kitchen was perfect for me. White cabinets and gray/blue granite. Such a beachy feel.
Picture of recreation area and adult pool at the resort

The wave pool

Fun at Bethany Beach

Last weekend we headed to the beach (the actual Atlantic beach this time) and discovered we love it even more than we thought. So... we ended up looking at vacation homes and found a community we fell in love with. More on that later. Lily had a great time at the beach. She loves people watching (and flirting with boys with no shirts) so it was the perfect place for her. Notice the picture below where she is trying to pick up on a sleeping gentlemen.

Great week with the Dixons

Last week we were fortunate to have Stef, Chad, Danielle & Lauren visit for nearly a whole week. Lily loved having them around and took a fond liking to Lauren especially. Maybe it was because Lauren's graduation pictures are hanging on her bulletin board. Or maybe its because she just really liked Lauren. Either way, she sure missed everyone when they left. Hopefully they will come back soon.

Mid July - Lily & Mom in Baltimore

Unfortunately Chris had to work one Sunday. Darn for him, but Lily and I decided to hit the Aquarium. Actually mom decided she needed some help entertaining Lily so we set off for Baltimore for the day. It was a great time. Lily loved the "sharkies" and the dolphins. And the aquarium was truly wonderful. One of the few things we have had to pay to visit, but it was definitely worth the money.

Lily downtown Baltimore (Inner Harbor) cooling off in a fountain

Lily at the aquarium

Catching up - the Zoo (mid July)

The National Zoo continues to be a favorite place for family visits on the weekends here in the Nations Capital for the Dixon's. Lily loves every minute of it. Until she gets so tired she falls asleep on us.

Our new home!

Yippee. New home progress (as seen below). The house is definitely starting to come together. We have a roof and windows as well. Definitely feeling better about our promised October move in time frame. Looking forward to seeing the walls go up and the finish work start to get done. That will be the exciting part.