easter.

Colin is obsessed with small objects like balls, leggos, "little people"... and easter eggs were no exception. What he mostly loved were the eggs with the coins. He wouldn't put them down even for his bottle. Can't wait till this guy is more mobile..my arms about to fall off carrying him everywhere! Hope everyone had a great Easter!

evening walks.

Out on an evening walk with Colin in his new ride! Thanks to a very sweet Aunt and Uncle. Since the weather has been mild in the evenings we have been taking walks. Can you believe this gorgeous backdrop is right behind our house? Justin discovered it riding his bike a few weeks ago. I wish the weather would stay mild forever... Colin doesn't do well with the heat as one might imagine!

what fun he's one!

Colin celebrated his first birthday this weekend. I had lots of fun decorating in Dr. Seuss style but I am very much looking forward to a Gymboree or Chuck-E-Cheese party next year :) Everyone enjoyed their green eggs and ham and Colin had a bit of trouble with the fondant but cupcakes seemed to do the trick. Although he was a tad cranky Colin waited until after everyone left to enjoy all his gifts. This child is so spoiled... am I'm not just saying that bc that's what everyone says. Seriously. Spoiled. We love all of you!

{check out Rita's blog for the amazing things she put together for us.. we love you "Rita!"}

a year ago.

A year ago today I went to bed dreaming of what you would look like, who you would be and how on earth I was going to figure all this out. Some days I feel like we are still figuring it out! You have shown us how to put all the small details aside, practice patience, go without sleep, laugh, delight over simple accomplishments, make meals in under 10 minutes, cry when you aren't feeling well and recognize that we would give our lives for you in an instant. I love looking at you during quiet moments and treasuring what your dad and I brought to this world. We love you pumpkin and are so lucky to have you. Happy Birthday!

weekend.

This weekend we revisited Sunset Vineyards and Hillsborough. I absolutely love the fall & spring in Loudoun county! We do spend a lot of our time at the same wineries but we have been to many to figure out which ones we want to come back to. If you haven't been to some of these I am telling you you will be hooked. Virginia has some great wine, gorgeous views and such a great laid back atmosphere in VA's wine county...

chrysalis (*)- seriously amazing wine. go for the relaxed atmosphere. bring your dog. go early. get their patio white or patio red. worth the trip!
swedenburg- just eh. if you go to chrysalis you might as well swing by but just for a one time thing.
tarara - huge vineyard. great for a family picnic. gets crowded. have a live band on Saturday nights. We dont love this place... they have their nose in the air a tad. but someone else may have a totally different opinion :)
lost creek - near tarara. may want to swing by but just for the one time experience.
hidden brook- small place. so sweet. but bless their hearts it just not great.
hillsborough- a lot of people love this place. It's just ok. Pretty views but nothing like...
bluemont - (*) holy moly gorgeous winery, super friendly - get there EARLY right when they open @ 11. Always have the guitar playing.
sunset hills- (*) huge winery but still manage to keep the friendly atmosphere. this place serves food and they always have the guitar playing as well. next to chrysalis and bluemont this is another favorite. go early :)
chateau o' brien- really pretty rustic feeling. a bit of a hike. but great to visit in the fall if you head out to markham to pick apples :)
veramar- pretty mountain views, allow you to bring in food and have a grassy area for kiddos. Not my favorite winery but it's not bad either.
breaux vineyards- (*)i dont know what it is about this place but it may be a new favorite. Plenty of seating and sometimes have the guitar going. The views of the rolling vineyards is beautiful.



next on our list-  three fox vineyards and North Gate!

whew.

Well we have been a tad busy over here. We were battling a sick child for a week or so and Friday he was met at the doctors with every imaginable test. I wont go in details but a catheter and pinning your son down to get stuck with needles FIVE times is seriously not ok. But all tests are fine and it was a nasty little virus he appeared to be fighting.

So onto the positives! Colin's FIRST birthday is coming up and boy do I have the party sugars ready to go. Colin will beat any baby on frequent flyer miles. He takes a trip to Captiva,FL with the family in June and onto England in July. I know we are nuts.

I am finishing our master BR painting project.. another thing that has been on my to do list for um a few months. If I put it on my blog that will make me finish painting right?

We are so excited for the next few months. Colin becoming a toddler right when the weather is beginning to change couldn't be more perfect. And because posts are boring without pictures.. {thats why you visit right}... here is Colin practicing his new favorite word "uh oh"...