Back to the Farm

We had an absolutely beautiful day here in Northern Virginia yesterday. It started to get a little overcast but didn't rain and was in the high 60's (in January!) so we went out to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. Casper just loves going there and so do we.



We petted a horse

 

We visited the pigs

Pretty chickens



Awesome goats



Going out to the farm makes me want to move to the countryside and buy some goats

Baby cows

Climbing every fence in sight

The gorgeous peacock

A turkey (we didn't explain that this is what we eat on Thanksgiving- probably too early for that)

The sheep- they were hilarious. They saw us and ran right up to their tough baa-ing as loud as they could. They really wanted fed.

More fence climbing

Cool picture of old farm equipment

Barn

How Owen spent the trip



Playing at the playground before we headed home





National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Casper and I went out to the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center with my cousin Sharon and her family yesterday, who are visiting from Florida. It was our first time there and it's actually really neat!

1/52: Resolution



f/5.6, 1/800s, focal length=55mm, ISO 3200



My resolution is to make more of an effort to provide healthier and more natural food to my family. I do a good job of that mostly, but over the last several months (while on bed rest and then after Owen was born), I have been quick to fall back on frozen meals and lots of junky snacks like goldfish and granola bars instead of made from scratch meals and veggies and fruits for snacks. I need to get back in the habit of making sure my family is eating well.

Britanie and Justin in Old Town Alexandria

On New Year's Day Chris and I met up with Britanie and her fiance Justin. Britanie was Casper's nanny in Hawaii and one of our favorite people. Justin proposed to her on New Year's Eve at the Lincoln Memorial (so awesome) and Sunday afternoon we went out to Old Town Alexandria for some photos. It was a beautiful morning but started to get cloudy and overcast around mid-day. It didn't rain too much, though, and I think we got some great pictures.

My Favorite Things of 2011

While I am getting ready to ring in 2012 with my house full of boys, I just wanted to share some of my favorite finds of 2011.

Nicole Drying Drops



This little bottle has allowed me to FINALLY do my nails again! I used to find a few minutes to paint my nails and then one of the boys would need me and my polish would get all smeared and gross. These drops go right over your top coat (apply 60 seconds or so after your final coat, be that nail polish or top coat) and they will get your nails dry and the polish hard enough to prevent chips and nicks in a couple of minutes. Awesome. It is applied with a tiny eye dropper, just a drop or two per nail and that's it. No brushing, wiping, or anything else time consuming. Plus it contains almond oil and vitamin e for your cuticles. I don't know if it would leave a shine because I use it over a top coat. but I doubt it.

Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat

I love this, too. It provides great shine and makes my polish last longer without chipping or peeling. I can usually go 7-10 days before I have to do my nails again when I use this.

Tazo Awake Tea

I really enjoy Tazo teas, but I first found this one while I was in the hospital after Owen was born. I had it with every one of my meals. It's a breakfast tea made from a blend of black teas. Very yummy.

Trader Joe's Triple Ginger Snaps

So good. I don't particularly care for ginger snaps, in general, but when my parents were here for Christmas, my dad had to go to Trader Joe's and get this. And they are amazing. Especially with coffee. They have three types of ginger (ground, fresh, and crystallized) and have a semi-chewy texture but are still very crispy. So delicious.

AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8 Lens

Chris gave this lens to me as a birthday gift this year. It takes such great pictures and has really helped me with my composition (it is not a zoom lens so I have to move around to get the shot I want).

Owen Floyd Vaden Bing

I think the picture says it all.



My 2012 Resolution

My resolution this year is to be more aware of what I am doing with our money and to be more frugal. This is especially important as my paid maternity leave ends next week and I will be taking 2 months of unpaid leave. I especially want to be more conscious of what I am spending at the grocery store. Groceries are so expensive but I think I can save a lot of money there if I start sticking to a meal plan and not impulse buying on the snacks and other yummy things that we probably shouldn't have in the house anyway.

What's your resolution?