Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sweet Frog

It is my new favorite. Have you been to one? It is delicious and genius all in one bite. Its a Frozen Yogurt Bar, with toppings galore. We had a blast taking the girls there yesterday afternoon, and we are already planning out next visit back.

You can see the wall of Frozen Yogurt machines on the back wall and then the topping bar on the right

Molly and I had planned a girls afternoon out, we were originally planning on hitting up the Williamsburg Outlets, but we both realized we didn't have all that much to look for, so we changed our plans and had a casual lunch at Panera and then hit up the always ghetto Chesterfield Town Center, I walked away with 4 WallFlowers from Bath and Body Works, in the hopes that I can manufacture the smell of Fall in this place. Then we beelined it for DSW with our fingers crossed they would at least one pair of cute boots in canoe size...and low and behold, ta-da, three pairs of boots later, and I am one happy camper. I am still debating whether I should try and find a cheaper option on Zappos or 6pm.com, but for now I have secured both a brown and black pair of almost zero heel, size 11 boots...don't kid yourselves folks, they are like a diamond in the rough. Until you have tried to shop for size 11 shoes, don't judge me for hoarding them while I make up my mind.


They zip up the back...what do you think? I don't want to marry them, but I would likely be willing to move in together for see where it goes, if you catch my drift. And, yes, I did in fact get the same pair in black, cheesy I know, but its not like I am going to wear them at the same time, duh.

When I got home and showed them to Brad he asked me where I was going to board my horse, clearly he didn't see me galloping around the store while trying them on.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

We love Bina & PawPaw



So this is what it has come to, trying to photograph the girls.  Brad and I tried to snap a photo of the girls after we got home from our respective weddings and we were hoping to get a great shot to send in Bina & PawPaw's Thank You Card, but no such luck, this is what we got...and yes, PawPaw does have a purple sticker on his nose, that's how he rolls.

Big Shoes to Fill




She loved the noise the shoes made clopping around on the hardwoods.

Olivia's Publishing Debut

Here is the surprise I was talking about the other day...Olivia brought this home from school and I was in tears reading it. Not because she is a genius and moved me with her words, but more because she is growing up...





I think this is my favorite page, if you can't read it, it says:
Here are my hand prints for everyone to see
No one else has these prints
they just belong to me

Worth a Thousand Words...

Here are a few photos of my trip to Cape May for Allison & Austin's Wedding...

Here is our ship...taking us from Lewes, DE to Cape May, NJ...

Just kidding...here is our ride.

At the Ferry in Lewes, DE 

View from the Ferry...


Heather, Allison and Merideth at our Bridesmaid Luncheon
We are in a old horse stall

Allison, her Mom and Merideth
There is a tradition about trying on the old Victorian Hats...so we all did it.


Maegan, Allison's Mother-in-Law and Allison

Friday, September 24, 2010

Snuggle Buddies

I picked Olivia up at school yesterday and I knew something was wrong, she was moaning and her coloring wasn't good. Her teacher thought she just needed to use the bathroom, but that wasn't her, the poor little ballerina was burning up, when I got her home, I gave her some Motrin and then took her temp about 30 minutes later and she still had a fever of 103.

So last night Olivia and I snuggled up in my bed and went to bed around 8:30pm. By 10:30pm she was on fire, so another dose of Motrin and she was back asleep. And as I type she is prancing around in her new leotard (which btw is a little too big, but its gonna have to do), "Shaking her Body', outside of being a little impatient, she is a-okay. I am hoping that this afternoon after her nap we can still run out and get her measured for her new dance shoes, I have been looking forward to our shopping trip all week.

I am on a mission to find Olivia cute Dora slippers, her Elmo slippers just don't fit anymore, but seriously, I am starting to think that cute Dora slippers just don't exist. If you happen to stumble across some, just point me in that direction.

I am thinking about decorating for Halloween this weekend, I gave up on just finding some cute "Fall Decorations", and heck with it being 97 degrees outside it doesn't feel all that much like Fall to me. So the Halloween Decorations should be up before I head to Idaho on Monday morning bright and early.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

19 Months and Growing

Our littlest isn't so little...but she will be our littlest until we have another or perhaps she will be our littlest forever...but either way you slice it, she isn't so little. We had her 18/19 Month Well Visit this morning, we had to wait an extra month so that her shots were spaced our properly, so it turned into a 19 Month Well Visit. Here are her stats:

Height: 34.5 inches - Above the 97%
Weight: 29lbs - 90-95%
Head: Who knows...but still off the charts, they are still watching it, but at this point suspect she was just blessed with an extra large brain...I am betting she gets that from her GaGa since he too has a rather large dome.

Speaking of GaGa, he was here and then he wasn't. He drove my Parents van down with his BFF Pete, caught an Orioles game, had some dinner with us and then hopped back on the big road and headed back to good ol' Northfield. It was great to see him, even if it was only for a moment or two.

Avery had three shots this morning, so lets hope she isn't a little Oscar tonight since Brad has his "Honey I have to Work Late Race Series".

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Wedding Bells

Brad and I had a wonderful night together in Alexandria, our dinner at The Chart House was wonderful, very relaxing and exactly what we needed before we separated for the weekend. Heather (my Freshman Roommate from JMU) and I set "sail" for Lewes, DE at 5am, we arrived at the Ferry around 7:45am, very early for the 9:15am Ferry, but better earlier...the last time I tried to take the Ferry for my Bachelorette Party Weekend we missed it and had to take a later Ferry. Whoops.

We arrived in Cape May around 11:15am, scrambled to get ready for our Bridesmaid Luncheon at the Physick's Estate Carriage House, we had our very own little tea luncheon, it was delicious and great to see the Bride to Be...she sure is a beauty. After the Bridesmaid Luncheon we had a little bit of time before the Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner, BUT my room wasn't ready yet, so I was stranded, good thing the front porch of the Chalfonte was so divine, rocking chairs, people watching and beautiful weather...not to mention a cold beer, courtesy of Karl (Lindsay's Husband). So around 4pm we quickly got ready and hoofed it over to the Church for the Rehearsal...we had a very nice little surprise, Allison's Dad and Austin's Mom surprised us all by singing a duet for Allison and Austin during their ceremony. It was amazing, and so memorable.

The Rehearsal Dinner was at The Black Duck, it was like a little piece of heaven. Champagne, Lobster Bisque, Crab Cakes and lots of Pinto Grigio. The crew then all hit The Boiler Room at Congress Hall, Congress Hall is a landmark in Cape May, and The Boiler Room was a lot of fun.


Saturday Morning we were on our own until Allison and I went and got our hair done, I was the only Bridesmaid to go with her, outside of her now SIL.  I wasn't thrilled with my hair, but heck, it wasn't my day, so I shouldn't really complain. The good news of the night was that the Bridesmaid Dress fit just fine and I only looked like a Light Sausage, not a full fat one. Silver Lining.

The weather was beautiful, they had a perfect wedding day. Us girls all got ready at a beautiful beach house and arrived at the Church just in time to walk down the aisle, the ceremony was beautiful, you could feel the love, Austin is madly in love with Allison and I couldn't be happier for them. A Bagpiper lead us in a parade from the Church to the Chalfonte, all the guests followed along, it was pretty impressive. (Side Note: Tristan, Brad's Groom, also had a Bagpiper who led them in a parade, so ironic huh?)

The Reception at The Chalfonte was great, the band DejaGroove, who rocked out and even preformed Single Ladies was amazing, the girls and I shook what our Momma's gave us until the reception ended around 10pm and then we took our party to Carney's, where ScreamBand was playing and kept us dancing until I walked home and put myself to bed early to ensure that I would be able to get up and catch the 8:30am Ferry, so very responsible of me right?

I got home around 3:15pm Sunday afternoon and it was so great to see the girls and Brad, I had missed them terribly. It was so nice to be home, and know that we are back on a good routine for at least a week until I head out for a week in Idaho. I do have a lot of work travel coming up, but other than that our weekends are going to be spent locally, thank the Lord.

I will download my photos and post just as soon as I get a free minute.

Mr. and Mrs. Austin Horbaly

Allison & Austin on the Boardwalk

The Wedding Party on the Beach

The Beautiful Bride

The Handsome Groom

The Ladies

Mr. and Mrs. Austin Horbaly at the Chalfonte Hotel

Tutu's and Tap Shoes...

I can't wait. Olivia is going to start dance class on October 4th. She will be tap, tap, tapping (and ballet'ing) once a week for an hour.  The Dance Company/Program comes to her school, which is heaven sent. I don't know how I would make this work without them coming to her, trying to get things done in the evenings is nearly impossible with my work schedule, I don't know how some Mom's do it. A woman I work with has two little girls and their after school schedules are insane, I can't even imagine. We have to shop for Tap Shoes and Ballet Slippers, but she doesn't need leotards just yet, but they said it wouldn't hurt, its just not necessary.  I can't wait to see what her recital costume looks like, we will get to order those in January. When I took dance that was my favorite part, the costumes!!!

Also, I have a special surprise for you, I will give you a hint...it is handmade....by Olivia and it predicts the future. More to come when I get a chance to download photos.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Wedding & Wedding

Allison and I at my Wedding
May 2005

Brad and I are heading out tomorrow. We will spend the night in Alexandria together, have a nice romantic dinner at The Chart House, our very favorite Northern Virginia restaurant and the scene of our first DC date, and then I will get up at the crack of dawn and hit the road for Cape May, NJ, which will include a 1 hour Ferry ride from Lewes, DE to Cape May, NJ. Allison and Austin will be married Saturday Afternoon, of course there is a weekend full of activities planned, all of which no doubt are going to be a blast.

Brad will head North to Doylestown, PA for his friend Tristan's Wedding. On that note please send some prayers up to Tristan and his Bride-to-be Katie, Katie's Mom is in the fight of her life...the Doctors are doing everything they can to make her comfortable and get her to the Church on time. Cancer is evil.


Tristan, Brad and Ryan
May 2005

The Chalfonte Hotel, Cape May, NJ.

It looks like we are going to have beautiful weather in Cape May, and if you haven't been to Cape May, it is as quaint as can-be. I absolutely love it there. Allison and Austin are going to have a beautiful Wedding Weekend.  I am hoping that I don't forget to take pictures - HA.


Tristan & I right before our ceremony began

And in case you were wondering, no, Riley isn't in charge of the girls, Brad's Parents will be here to shower them with Grandparent love. The girls are looking forward to it, as soon as you mention PawPaw to Avery she goes nuts, she loves her PawPaw.

Ryan, Brad and Tristan
They were Frat Brothers at Radford and have remained good buddies (as they would say, I am not a big user of the word "buddy")

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

On the way home...

from school today, Olivia asked me why I was driving...typical behavior from Olivia, she wants to talk and doesn't know what to say so she asks questions, many of which she knows the answer to...non-stop, the girl just has a gift for gab...I wonder where she got that from?

So today...this is how it went:

O: Mommy, why are you driving?

Me: Why do you think Olivia?

O: So we can get home

Me: Yes, thats right Olivia...can you drive?

O: Nope

Me: Why not?

O: Because my hands are too small, when my hands grow up, then I will be able to drive

Very matter of fact...straight and to the point, the girl has an answer for EVERYTHING. She's one funny little cookie. When I picked her up today Ms. L, her new teacher made me aware of the Open House on Thursday Night...(what happened to giving people some notice, jeesh), of course Brad and I can't go because we are both going to be in DC on our way to our respective weddings. I am so bummed. I have been dying to learn more about her school and their routine. I do however love that her new teacher sends home a monthly newsletter with their themes and activities, I love knowing what she is doing, and what she is learning. Yesterday they had a Ventriloquist come into their class and entertain the kiddos, cute huh? I didn't know about it until tonight when I sat down and read the letter so I haven't had a chance to ask Olivia about it just yet. Ms. L thanked Olivia today for being a good listener, I beamed with pride, dork alert. I can't wait for our first parent teacher conference...

Monday, September 13, 2010

Cheerleader Love


Ellie (on the right) and her random, adorable little friend, that can kick her leg over her head

Our dear friends the Gordy's (who happen to live down the street), have a darling little diva named Ellie, her little behind loves to shake it on the Football field cheering for those boys who happen to think they are future NFL'ers...did I mention that Ellie is like 7 years old. So tonight I picked up the girls at school, later than usual, and we booked it to Chick-Fil-A to support Ellie's Cheerleading Squad, they were doing a fundraiser and showing off their spirit fingers, so we ate it up and we clapped as Ellie did her thing. Olivia just kept saying "I want to do that" or "Momma, can I do that?" Ellie is going to teach her everything she knows. Precious! I happen to think the best part of the show tonight was all the Mom's cheering it out with their little ones, they were hilarious.


Have ya'll seen the previews for Life As We Know It with my fake husband Josh Duhamel and that hot chick Katherine Heigl? I saw the trailer eons ago and my super duper pal Molly reminded me that its coming out on October 9th. I am hoping the girls and I (and by girls, I don't mean Olivia and Avery, I mean all girls who want to join in, and for sure Insley and Molly) can get out and see it for our next Girls Night...the more the merrier. It looks like a great movie...and heck, I could stare at my main man Josh for 90 minutes even if the movie turned out to be a dud.

Dear Fall TV...I am so thankful you are back in my life, I have been lost without you. Love, your pathetic follower, Leigh

Spoiler Alert: I love that Annie and Liam smooched on 90210, but man oh man am I lost...I clearly missed the last two episodes of this show last season because I have NO IDEA what is going on. Principal Wilson lost his job, Annie told everyone about the Hit & Run and was on house arrest, Naomi was raped...I am so lost.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Just us Girls...

Brad left bright and early this morning for Atlanta and won't be back until late Tuesday Night. The girls and I had a great day together.




A few things to note:
  • Sunday Paper Coupons were FABULOUS this week
  • (Olivia helping me throw away Coupon scraps)
  • We shut off the AC and opened the windows yesterday and so far so good...odds that we will be able to keep it off for the long-haul..slim to none, but I am still going to rejoice in two days of windows.
  • Avery knows how to say "Sorry La-La"...and the reason I know this is because I asked her to say sorry to Olivia after she wacked her with a board book straight across her head...she looked at me, turned around and walked over to Olivia, got nose to nose and yelled "Sorry La-La". Olivia and I were so surprised we just laughed.
  • Richmond, Virginia was the only city on the East Coast that DID NOT get the Pats game today, I was furious. Friends in Baltimore and Brad in Atlanta were able to watch my main man Tom Brady light it up, but not me...Avery and I had the pleasure of watching Peyton Manning instead.
  • I love watching Tyler Perry movies when Brad is out of town and this afternoon during naptime I watched "Why I got married too?"
  • I broke all fashion rules I live by and wore a JMU T-Shirt and JMU Shorts...to torture my VA Tech loving neighbors.
The girls watching Olivia this morning

Cute right?

Well until Olivia decided she wanted to be in-front and that meant we had to shift chairs about 326 times.

The Fall Lineup

That's right folks...and I am not talking about my Offensive or Defensive Line, I am simply talking about the Fall TV Lineup. I can hardly wait. It kicks off tomorrow night, I am more than excited, I live for Fall TV and for the oldies but goodies, but also look forward to what the networks have to offer for new shows.

DISCLAIMER: If you choose to read beyond this point, be prepared to judge me, think I am a total loser and go ahead and question how in God's Name I fit all of these shows in...

So far, here is my lineup...

Monday Nights:
How I Met Your Mother - seriously, Barney is the funniest guy on TV.
Two and a Half Men - Charlie is likely the second funniest guy on TV
90210
Gossip Girl
Castle
House
The Event - new show...
Chase - previews look good, but there better be some romance or I won't be loyal...
Lonestar - new show, not sure how I am going to feel about it, but I am going to give it a shot
(Is it physically possible for me to watch that many shows on a single night?)

Tuesday Nights:
Parenthood
One Tree Hill
Glee
Detroit 1-8-7
NCIS
NCIS - Los Angeles

Wednesday Nights:
Cougar Town - love, love, love it.
Modern Family - never watched before, but I have heard WONDERFUL things.
The Whole Truth - new show
Criminal Minds - but this show is starting to freak me out, the writers give me the creeps
The Defenders

Thursday Nights:
The Office
My Generation
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice

Friday Nights:
Outlaw - new show, love Jimmy Smitts
Body of Proof - new show
CSI NY
Blue Bloods - I am crossing my fingers this one makes it, it looks great.

Saturday Nights:

Sunday Nights:
CSI Miami
Brothers & Sisters
Desperate Housewives - but I don't really watch this one...

It's official...I have no life. When you put it on paper, which I do, by the way, I write the Pilot's and Premieres in my planner, it makes me look PATHETIC.

Madison, James Madison...

We are the Dukes of JMU

Drew Dudzick, JMU Quarterback...taking it to VA Tech for a 21-16 Victory...

I can't wait to stroll into work tomorrow wearing my Gold and Purple with pride...we have a ton of Hokies in my department, so its going to feel good to gloat while I can.

As soon as the victory was secured, I ran out onto our deck, shared the news with our neighbors (Huge UVA fans) and did a touchdown dance, can't you just see it now?

Saturday, September 11, 2010

How it felt that day...

I can't believe we are approaching the ten year Anniversary of that frightful day, September 11th. I keep wondering if the details or the emotions will start to fade as the years go by, but I can recall each and every detail like it was yesterday.

I also stop and think about how my life has changed in the last 9 years...I am clearly no longer living in Herndon with my BFF, Megs...our lives have transformed from independent career women, to wives and mothers.

Leigh onto Soapbox....I was listening to the radio on the way to work on Friday, something I almost NEVER do, because I have XM in my Yukon, but since the Yukon is in the shop (long story) I am borrowing my parents Subaru, so anyways, they were talking about how folks are trying to raise $18M for a United Flight 93 Memorial. Please don't get me wrong, I am MORE than supportive of those heroes who gave their lives to save others, but honestly people a $18M Memorial? Don't you think that money would be more valuable to the families, or their children? $18M is a LOT of money for a Memorial, I am 146% in support of us honoring those heroes with a Memorial, but $18M? How about a $3M Memorial and $15M for their families? Leigh off Soapbox.

Pike Take Two

I believe I mentioned that we signed Olivia up for swimming lessons again, and we are going to have her repeat the Pike class. This time we changed YMCA's and are now going to the Midlothian Y instead of the Manchester Y...comparing the two...you can't even compare, I don't know why we haven't been going to the Midlo Y the entire time. The facilities are amazing and the pool is fabulous, not to mention the class schedules are so much more Turner Family Friendly...swimming lessons during the week just wasn't working for us, so Saturday Morning at 8:30am we all piled into the Honeywagon and set sail for the Midlo Y, Avery and Brad are enrolled in the Parent/Child Class, joining them are neighbors Brian and Campbell (Molly had to work on Saturday) and Olivia joined her Pike class.

Olivia was a bit timid at first, but warmed right up to her teacher and her class, I think we are going to make progress this session, the week at the Beach really helped calm her fears and it gave her some confidence, its so encouraging to see her making strides to ditch some of those fears...and by the end of the class, she was having an absolute blast.


Avery had a blast with Brad, Brian and Campbell...



But towards the end she wanted her Momma...

Sweet Avery...

We hit up Costco on the way home, thinking we would be so smart, we clipped all the new Costco Coupons that came in the mail this week and we were going to get all the bargains...it wasn't until we already had 4-5 things in our cart that I realized the Coupons don't start until the 16th, so back the things went and back to Costco I will go next week. Jeesh.

When we got home it was time to make lunch, so Brad and Olivia made some yummy Pizza, using Naan for the crust, delicious (Thanks Samantha for the tip).

I love that Brad loves doing things like this with the girls, he is so great at it.

Happy 1 Week Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Harrington

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Picnic

The girls had a few picnic's with YaYa while we were in Northfield

A Pumpkin for YaYa

The girls wanted to pick out a pumpkin for YaYa's front steps...

Olivia was down with the smaller-medium sized pumpkins...

"This one Momma?"

Momma - No Honey, that one is too big...

"Wanna bet?"

Avery stomping away mad when I crushed her big pumpkin dreams...

Then it was off to Uncle Beth's House (as Olivia calls her) for one last visit...

I don't know how families of 4 get their photograph taken, this was nearly impossible..

Uncle Bethy & Avery