24 Hours in Philly

I was itching to get out of town, so I requested an overnight stay somewhere for my birthday.  We drove up to Philadelphia and stayed just one night, which is all we really needed to eat good food, have fun together, and see a few sights in a different city.  Our hotel was across the street from Reading Terminal, which meant we ate there as much as possible!  The kids' highlight was everything having to do with staying in a hotel (TV, pool, continental breakfast!).

Night view of the Liberty Bell

We spent the morning at the Constitution Center 

February

Ryan sent a text one day, asking what we were up to.  I sent him this photo as my reply: all of us squished in the small landing at the top of our stairs with legos and our out-loud reading

Sunset view as we drove with friends to see opening night of an adaptation of Huckleberry Finn (pay-what-you-can!) 

Another opportunity to see a play - Uncle Steve had a major role in the Annapolis Shakespeare Company's performance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.  He was fantastic!

Meanwhile, the kids were having a blast downtown with Aunt Vallerie . . .

Bridgette spent a morning with friends at the Botanical Gardens

Happy Valentine's Day family dinner!

A spontaneous Saturday outing to the Air and Space Museum with friends 

We celebrated God's goodness in the one-year anniversary of Cheverly Baptist Church starting!  Several members shared evidence of God's grace through the ministries of the church, and our pastor asked Gretchen if she would share how CBC has been a blessing to her.  She spoke with confidence and clarity about why she is thankful for our church!

I got to spend part of a Saturday with this handsome dude, doing some shopping and eating and being goofy!

 Sister twins!

Pep talk from Dad after a hard loss during Rooke's basketball season

Isn't she cute?!  Fake glasses are so fun for a nine-year-old =)

Ryan surprised me with this very special treat for my birthday morning.  Did I share the pastry with my kids?  No.  I did not. =)

Ryan and the kids gifted me with a hand-painted journal by a dear friend.  Even the wrapping was beautiful!

And the month ended with a huge string of fun and special days - Jessie came to visit!  She is so good to slide right in to the normal happenings of life here, helping and encouraging and bringing her positive perspective and wisdom from similar life experiences.  Then we snuck away for 24 hours of sweet time just the two of us, which started with my favorite salad spot and included electric scootering around downtown DC!  I seriously don't think we stopped talking for our entire waking hours!

Did we eat that entire bowl of delicious guacamole?!  Why yes, we did.  

I love him!