I'm back!!/ Elise's 4th birthday

No updates on the blog for a long while, because the app I used suddenly stopped working. Trying a new one now...fingers crossed! I can't possibly go back and catch up on everything, but I'll try to hit some highlights as I have time over the holidays. 

Let's start with a few from Elise's 4th birthday. We had a great time at the park with several of her school friends and their families. 

 
 
 

End of Summer

Squeezing in a few last trips to area playgrounds before the school year starts. 

These two pretending to be asleep. Too cute. 

Finley's pretty convincing!

Finley's open house, checking out his new desk. 

Got a Groupon for some beautiful Indian food!

Finley and Mommy's first day back to school-- 1st grade for Finley and K for Mommy! 

Day trip to Frederick with our neighbor friends. 

Elise's first day in Transition (Pre-K)!

The Beach, part 2

I love these photos. Adorable kids, gorgeous weather. 

Leaping into the tide pool

Looking for sea creatures

Playing "together"

Cute (and hilarious) little guy 

Trying to catch speedy little fish

Examining a dead crab

Telling jokes and cracking themselves up

Awww 

One last night with the grandparents

The Beach, part 1

We've been waiting all summer for our annual Allen Family Beach Extravaganza!

First night there and we had to check out the beach!

The view out our windows everyday 

Lots of Uno, Sorry, and Checkers between trips to the beach and pool

Shagging at Fat Harold's while the grandparents babysat

The fair down the street from our place 

Long wait for dinner, so we had a little dance party 

So glad to see these 3 for the week!

With the kids attempting to share a bed together, we were constantly laughing about the sleeping positions we found them in...at least until they started fussing at 3am and we had to separate them!

10th Anniversary!

Nate and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on Aug. 5th. Well, actually we tried to celebrate it as much as possible the whole week! It is 10 years, after all! The first decade has flown by, and we have experienced so much together. A move across the world and back, doubling the size of our family, several different homes and jobs, and lots of laughs and tears. I am extremely thankful to be doing life with Nate! 

Dinner at Jaleo in Bethesda, followed by swing dancing to the talented Glen Miller Orchestra 

(They brought us complimentary Cava with this note)

Roses!

Custom cupcakes from Georgetown Bakery

Tin art for the traditional 10th anniversary gift

A fun selfie with Elise at dinner one night 

Going out to a nice Southern dinner in NC on our real anniversary 

It still fits!

Talent Show Stars

Finley and Elise were able to go to day camp at WES this summer, and at the end of the week they have a talent show. One week Finley sang "Love Come Down", and the next week Elise sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". They were so brave to get up on the stage on their own. We were two very proud parents!

Check out the video here:  http://youtu.be/XXtpzB0KXpY