As promised, we left the carousel and headed toward the Capital to see the US Botanic Garden.
...and the family outside the USBG.
The USBG was beautiful! It's a pretty new addition to The Mall, but the architecture blended right in. Here are some quick pictures of the grounds:
This one almost looks like a sugar decoration:
The Botanic Garden had a Children's Garden inside, filled with fun activities for the kids -- including fountains, a little house, and some dirt for digging! Brayden wasted NO time splashing in the fountain. He was soaked in seconds!
Then he ran straight into the little playhouse, hooping and hollering all the way!
Then, as if being soaking wet wasn't enough for him, Brayden was ready to dig in the garden. They had tools (colorful ones at that!) and lots of little plants that the kids could play with.
It was a fantastic day (fabulous weather, too!). Before we left, Mia and Poppy took their new princess out to the Rose Garden for a quick look:
It was great to have Mia, Poppy, Aunt Jen, and Ethan here for the weekend!! I think there are a few more pictures coming from Grandma and Grandpap Roenick's 65th Anniversary party... stay tuned!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Fun with family
First -- sorry for posting so infrequently. This past week has been dramatic with health insurance problems. BUT, all is resolved... and I may share the story later. So check back more often for a goodly amount of fresh pictures!
The past few days have been great fun with Florida Roenicks and Weitzs up here for a visit! Cousin Ethan came over to play on Thursday:
It may be a surprise to those of you who don't know Brayden, but he's a rather loud boy. I think Ethan could only take so much of his crazy and had to find a place of reprieve. Luckily, Brayden's favorite rocking chair was just perfect!
After a good bit of playing (and a night's sleep), we headed into DC to play on the carousel! We took Brayden on a carousel when he was only about 3 weeks old, so we thought it was high time Layna got the same opportunity!
...but Brayden got in on the action, too!
After all that riding, the boys had to break out their Snack Traps... this was too cute not to post (like cousin, like cousin):
The past few days have been great fun with Florida Roenicks and Weitzs up here for a visit! Cousin Ethan came over to play on Thursday:
It may be a surprise to those of you who don't know Brayden, but he's a rather loud boy. I think Ethan could only take so much of his crazy and had to find a place of reprieve. Luckily, Brayden's favorite rocking chair was just perfect!
After a good bit of playing (and a night's sleep), we headed into DC to play on the carousel! We took Brayden on a carousel when he was only about 3 weeks old, so we thought it was high time Layna got the same opportunity!
...but Brayden got in on the action, too!
After all that riding, the boys had to break out their Snack Traps... this was too cute not to post (like cousin, like cousin):
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Funny Dancer
Brayden LOVES the video that the Duncan's put together (click here) when they babysat him the day Layna was born. He wants to watch it over and over and over... AND he dances every single time! It was so funny, that we just had to take a video. The beginning is the end of one showing with Brayden saying, "More please!"
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dad's Birthday
It's a little late for this, but the pictures of Brayden were too cute to leave off the blog.... So, Sunday the 13th was my birthday and we celebrated a few times (or course!). First, we went to one of our favorite Alexandria restaurants, Chadwick's. Brayden, as usual, colored up a storm while we waited for our food.
Then came the big moment. First, a little background -- Nicole and I are HUGE fans of calamari. We can accurately review calamari at almost every national chain restaurant and dozens of local joints all over the country. We LOVE it. So, to celebrate my birthday, it was only appropriate that we ate some calamari. The waitress plopped the plate down on the table (mouth watering) and Brayden screamed, "French fries!" So, being the good father that I am, I handed him a piece. As you can see, he liked it... eating quite a few pieces!
But that's not the funniest part -- Brayden was already eating his first piece before it dawned on either of us that Hal (Nicole's dad) has an extremely bad (like BAD) allergy to shellfish... oops. BUT, we're happy to report that Brayden never stopped breathing or had any other negative reaction. Whew! (Yes, we ARE responsible parents...)
And finally, to celebrate a birthday properly, requires cake... but not just any old cake -- cheesecake!! Obviously, I like it!
Then came the big moment. First, a little background -- Nicole and I are HUGE fans of calamari. We can accurately review calamari at almost every national chain restaurant and dozens of local joints all over the country. We LOVE it. So, to celebrate my birthday, it was only appropriate that we ate some calamari. The waitress plopped the plate down on the table (mouth watering) and Brayden screamed, "French fries!" So, being the good father that I am, I handed him a piece. As you can see, he liked it... eating quite a few pieces!
But that's not the funniest part -- Brayden was already eating his first piece before it dawned on either of us that Hal (Nicole's dad) has an extremely bad (like BAD) allergy to shellfish... oops. BUT, we're happy to report that Brayden never stopped breathing or had any other negative reaction. Whew! (Yes, we ARE responsible parents...)
And finally, to celebrate a birthday properly, requires cake... but not just any old cake -- cheesecake!! Obviously, I like it!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
One Month Birthday!
Layna is already one-month-old! Time flies when you're... not getting much sleep.
So here's to you, Layna!
This video is from a couple weeks ago, but I forgot to put it up. It's of Brayden holding Layna for the first time and it's still really cute!
So here's to you, Layna!
This video is from a couple weeks ago, but I forgot to put it up. It's of Brayden holding Layna for the first time and it's still really cute!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Brayden's Friends
Friends can come in many different shapes and sizes. Some friends can be new:
Some friends can be "old" (I mean friends for years and years... not old-old, V!):
Viranga is a great friend from our days in Atlanta. Her brother's now in DC and so she had a GREAT reason to come and visit. Perhaps some of you remember Brayden's Emory hat... that was courtesy of Viranga! It was great to see her and finally introduce the kids to an old (again with that word!) friend!
Friends can be your Dad:
...and friends can float away!
Some friends can be "old" (I mean friends for years and years... not old-old, V!):
Viranga is a great friend from our days in Atlanta. Her brother's now in DC and so she had a GREAT reason to come and visit. Perhaps some of you remember Brayden's Emory hat... that was courtesy of Viranga! It was great to see her and finally introduce the kids to an old (again with that word!) friend!
Friends can be your Dad:
...and friends can float away!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Girlie Smiles!
I promise some great posts coming very soon... Until then, Layna gave me a fabulous birthday gift this past weekend -- her first (real) smiles!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Some Friends
Brayden and Layna have been hosting a lot of friends over the last few weeks. One of the first groups to visit were the McIlroys -- Colleen, Grant, and Alex. Alex is a big fan of the blog and I'm thrilled to get him on it!
That same night, our friends the Fischers brought dinner to us (thank you!!). Their son, Charles IV, tagged along to visit Brayden.
That same night, our friends the Fischers brought dinner to us (thank you!!). Their son, Charles IV, tagged along to visit Brayden.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
To the playground
The weather has been pretty crummy the past few days -- cold and rainy! Yesterday, the sun finally came out and warmed us up. Brayden was going stir-crazy in the house without any space to run, so we knew we had to get to the playground, and get there fast!
Before we could go, B obviously needed his socks and shoes. Nic tried to get his socks on...
...but Brayden had other ideas!
We went to one of our favorite playgrounds -- full of great stuff. Brayden loves to slide and ran straight to one of them...
...but realized that he needed something better than that! Perhaps a slide with a twist:
In other news, Layna is now 3 weeks old! Congratulations, Layna -- what a milestone!
Before we could go, B obviously needed his socks and shoes. Nic tried to get his socks on...
...but Brayden had other ideas!
We went to one of our favorite playgrounds -- full of great stuff. Brayden loves to slide and ran straight to one of them...
...but realized that he needed something better than that! Perhaps a slide with a twist:
In other news, Layna is now 3 weeks old! Congratulations, Layna -- what a milestone!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Some randomness
I think I have some ideas for a post tomorrow, but tonight -- this is all I have. Here are some cute pictures of Layna from last night:
And of course, can't leave Brayden out! Here he is, riding his pony...
...and eating his favorite snack -- cheese!
And of course, can't leave Brayden out! Here he is, riding his pony...
...and eating his favorite snack -- cheese!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Dance Par-tay!
Sometimes our evenings are pretty slow... but Brayden and I have begun to hold regular dance parties when we need a little pick-us-up. I turn on his favorite music (his absolute favorite song is Accidentally In Love by Counting Crows). Here we are, dancing the night away:
You may notice that I don't have a video... not by accident! I'll save that for when Brayden's wearing pants.
You may notice that I don't have a video... not by accident! I'll save that for when Brayden's wearing pants.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
The National Cherry Blossom Festival
As promised, here is our trip to the NCBF -- We swooped into DC yesterday afternoon, found a quick place to park (hallelujah!) and strolled over to the Tidal Basin. The cherry blossoms were, in a word, awesome. I was blown away by the sheer canopy of trees. No wonder people flock here during the festival (and there were plenty of people!).
Here's a quick intro pic:
We walked the kids in their strollers up to the Tidal Basin... with visions of Brayden jumping in dancing in my head. We were a little hesitant to let him out when we first got there (and he wasn't thrilled with that arrangement, as you can see).
We scoped out a large open area nearer the Jefferson Memorial and so we took off so B would get out a run around (Nicole's right in the middle of the picture, with my mom - Gigi - to her right with the little backpack). Speaking of the awesome canopy of blossoms... amazing...
Once we got to the grassy knoll, Brayden began to locate every tree. He's apparently "discovered" trees and wants to run and hug all of them. Nic finally caught up to him and joined in the fun.
Then I realized that being at the base of the tree wasn't nearly good enough...
After the romp in the trees, we went down to the water. Brayden saw ducks and boats, airplanes and helicopters... and screamed their respective names at each in turn.
Finally, for good measure, I wanted a picture of Brayden with the Washington Monument (and I suppose it was good record of the "trees" he stole from DC).
Here's a quick intro pic:
We walked the kids in their strollers up to the Tidal Basin... with visions of Brayden jumping in dancing in my head. We were a little hesitant to let him out when we first got there (and he wasn't thrilled with that arrangement, as you can see).
We scoped out a large open area nearer the Jefferson Memorial and so we took off so B would get out a run around (Nicole's right in the middle of the picture, with my mom - Gigi - to her right with the little backpack). Speaking of the awesome canopy of blossoms... amazing...
Once we got to the grassy knoll, Brayden began to locate every tree. He's apparently "discovered" trees and wants to run and hug all of them. Nic finally caught up to him and joined in the fun.
Then I realized that being at the base of the tree wasn't nearly good enough...
After the romp in the trees, we went down to the water. Brayden saw ducks and boats, airplanes and helicopters... and screamed their respective names at each in turn.
Finally, for good measure, I wanted a picture of Brayden with the Washington Monument (and I suppose it was good record of the "trees" he stole from DC).
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