The Garden

Our backyard was pretty ugly when we moved in last summer....and we finally did something about it during the spring.  The holly trees were removed, the layers of white rock and bark were dug up and only the crepe myrtle was spared.  Then the clay breaker and new topsoil filled the beds and the planting began.  


Ethan's always wanted to grow hot peppers, so we started some red and jalapeño pepper seeds (unfortunately, only the red peppers survived).  We also planted some brussel sprouts seedlings, which we just found out take 6 months to produce sprouts.  Good thing we planted these in April, so we just might be able to enjoy them before we move. I also planted some wild flower seeds, dahlia bulbs, bleeding heart and my favorite, sweet peas.   All the flowers have done well, except the sweet peas.  Apparently, they don't appreciate the hot and muggy Virginia summer.  We love the way the garden turned out and it's nice to have something pretty to look at in the backyard. 

Before

After

Ethan's prized peppers

The first pepper harvest - time to make some hot sauce!

A "Handmade" Photo Shoot

I wanted to capture the memory of my first pregnancy, our first baby and my first baby bump with some photographs.  When I looked into rates for professional photographers, I couldn't believe the prices I saw!  So I thought, with my tripod and camera, I could try to take these photos myself.  I don't have the Photoshop and lighting skills of a pro but I am happy with how they turned out.  And now we will forever remember this special moment in our lives.  

The Nursery

With only 9 days until our baby's due date, our house is officially ready for the new resident.  Here is his completed nursery; however, Luna seems to think this is her room too...

Daddy assembling the crib

Job well done

It's a safe bet that Luna won't like this spot once there are dirty diapers nearby...

Our nursery project is complete.

Here's hoping there's lots of sleeping done in this crib.

Harper's Ferry

Ethan's mom stayed with us last weekend and on Saturday we decided to go on a day trip.  We drove to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, which is about a 45 minute drive from our house.  It also happened to be a free admission weekend at all National Parks, our lucky day!  We parked at the visitor's center and took the shuttle bus down to the historic town of Harper's Ferry.  It's located at where the Potomac and Shenandoah River's converge and the view is beautiful.  There were people dressed in Civil War era clothes and Union soldiers walking the town.  The Appalaichan Trail runs through Harper's Ferry and we took a short walk on the trail to Jefferson Rock.  Thomas Jefferson stood at that rock in the late 1700's and admired the view of the rivers.   It was fun to visit someplace new and we wish we hadn't waited this long to do it.  We are hoping to take my parents here, depending on how things go with the baby and when he decides he wants to be born. 

Volunteers dressed in Civil War outfits

Historic Harper's Ferry

Jefferson Rock

Appalaichan Trail via train trestle over the Potomac

Shenandoah River and inner tubers

West Coast, here we come!

Photo Copyright - Paul Townend

Ethan received the phone call we've been waiting for!  He is being transferred back to Seattle and we will be moving by December. We are super excited to come back to Seattle and put down our roots.  It hasn't truly sunk in yet but life is about to get a little crazy: a cross country move with a newborn.  It will be hard to move away from Ethan's family, especially now that everyone is in Virginia again but it's comforting to know we will be surrounded by a great support system in Seattle with my family and friends and lots of baby sitters.  :)  

Charlottesville

Here are some photos from a recent visit to Charlottesville - home of the University of Virginia (Ethan and Matt's alma mater). We met Ethan's parents, Matt, Courtney and the kiddos for a day at the University founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. First stop, sandwiches at Littlejohn's NY Deli, a big part of Ethan's college diet. Next, we walked around the beautiful and historic campus, visiting the Rotunda, the Lawn and the Range.

The Rotunda

The Lawn

Walking to the Range (location of Ethan's grad school housing)

Famous residents of 31 West Range - Woodrow Wilson and Ethan Via

In front of Ethan's room


Another famous resident of the Range - Edgar Allen Poe

Poe's room

A Family Fourth

Once again, all of the Via's are living in Virginia! To celebrate the occasion ( and July 4th), everyone met up at our place for a Via family get-together. Ethan's sister drove over from Virginia Beach, his brother from Richmond and his parents from Roanoke. To make it even more special, Ethan's dad picked up Nana in Maryland and brought her down for the weekend. We had a great time being together - trips to the pool, BBQ-ing, a water balloon fight and fireworks.

Family photo

Pool time

Sun time

Foot phone

Water balloons

Waiting for the fireworks at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg

Uncle time

Charlie's Angels

Still waiting...

Let the fireworks begin

4th of July fun on the 5th - Break out the Pop-It's


The Pop-It dance

Garden helper