Gray's 1st Football Game

Gray wasn't able to go to the Colts game with mommy and daddy because it was such a late game, so when we got the opportunity to head up to Annapolis to watch the Navy vs Duke game, we thought it was the perfect time to introduce Gray to football.

We headed up to Annapolis with our friend, Sully and his 2 boys.  Sully and Wil are both graduates of the Naval Academy so we decided to head to the campus first for a little sightseeing (and shopping of course).  Turns out that we tend to have a knack for going places during homecoming as this was the Academy's homecoming, so the town was quite busy.  We had a great time walking around the campus and picked up a few Academy mementos...including prepping Gray for the game by getting him a jersey, hat, and gloves to wear to the game. 

Because it was homecoming, we ended up with tickets on the hill, which means that we didn't have actual seats.  We simply sat on a blanket on the ground. Not a problem except that it had rained within the last few days...so I believe we were all a bit wet by the time we left that evening.  And of course it got pretty chilly by the time we left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One would've thought that the day couldn't have gotten better...it was a lovely day...Annapolis is a beautiful town...Sully and his boys were great...in fact, I've probably never met two more polite, well-mannered, sweet, and wonderful children. So, what could've topped this day off? I looked in front of us at one point and thought this lady looked very familiar...it finally hit me.  The lady was Sue, the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Nurse who used to come to the house each week to visit with Gray and I during his first 4 months. I ran down to say hello and brought her back up to see Gray, whom she hadn't seen in person since he was 4 months old (but I, of course, had emailed her pictures periodically since then).  It was such a great surprise!

The "Murphy's Law" part of the day happened when we decided to leave with the score Navy 15 and Duke 31 (or something like that) with something like 8 minutes left in the game.  It was cold and it was obvious that Navy wasn't going to pull this one out...so we left.  We got to the car and while we waited in traffic with all of the others who decided to leave...as we sat in the car we started to hear of this great Navy comeback...all of a sudden it was Navy 30 and Duke 31 (or something like that)...Final score Duke 34 and Navy 31...ahhhh...it would've been exciting to see that comeback, but frankly I was more excited to have feeling come back into my limbs from the cold, so...I was ok that we missed the excitement.

Halloween Parade

The Child Development Center had a Halloween Parade for the kids today. It was a bit cold, but they were able to dress the kids up and they went for a little walk.  The older kids were actually able to do a little trick or treating at special locations on base.  The little ones just went for a stroll down the street and then came back.  It was very cute to see all the kids dressed up! I could be biased, but I think my little monkey was especially cute that day.

11 Month Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A visit from Grandma and Grandpa

There are probably advantages and disadvantages to living far from family...Advantage...they can't just randomly stop by...Disadvantage...you don't have that support system to rely on for help when you need it.  Fortunately, my parents were able to do me the favor of driving 700 miles to Virginia in order to watch Grayson for 1 afternoon/evening so that I could take Wil to the Colts game. 

Of course, they didn't just stay for one day, but stayed for a week and spoiled Gray all week. We are very lucky and thankful that they were able to come out to help us so that we could celebrate Wil's birthday a little early.

Colts Game

What do you get the man that has everything? This is a question that I ponder each year around this time as I begin to think about our anniversary, Wil's birthday, and Christmas. So, this year I decided to give him something that he's always wanted...tickets to a Colts game. 

 

 

The Colts were coming to DC to play the Redskins, so I took out a second mortgage (just kidding) to buy great seats off of Stub Hub. They did cost a small fortune, but the tickets were great.  50 yard line on the Colts side 8 rows up.  The seats couldn't have been better. The game was great and by some miracle the Colts pulled this one out even though we had our doubts for awhile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was an all around great day.  Wil and I went to see the movie Red before we headed up to the city and then enjoyed a wonderful game.  It made for a late day and one in which I had difficulty recovering from the next day. 

The gift was a little early for a birthday present, but I figured there isn't anything better that I could've gotten Wil for his birthday and he agreed. Now, let's hope he remembers this on his actual birthday. :)

Taking A Stand

Grayson stood on his own (without holding onto anything) for the first time last night! I couldn't believe it.  Grandma Alice and Grandpa Paul came in town on Friday night and so on Saturday night we were all just watching a movie. Grandpa was in the chair and Wil and Grandma were on the sofa. Gray and I were on the floor. I was lying on the floor and he stood up beside me (but not touching me) and just stood there (ok, with a bit of rocking trying to keep his balance) for probably a good 15-20 seconds. It was unbelievable!! He's let go of the sofa or the table before, but fell pretty quickly.  This is the first time that he stood for any length of time! It was amazing!

I know I'm very delinquent on the blog and hope to catch up sometime this week with what has happend over the past month and also add some updated photos.

A Weekend Getaway

Since Wil and I are leave-poor, we are relegated to taking short weekend trips until we're able to build up enough leave to take a real vacation.  So in the absence of leave, we decided to take advantage of the Columbus Day long weekend for a little getaway to Lexington, Virginia. 

Lexington is the home of Stonewall Jackson, VMI, and Washington and Lee University. The area also boasts some beautiful natural scenery since it's on the edge of the Shenandhoah Montains. We headed out there on Friday night and took advantage of some historic sightseeing on Saturday, including a horse-drawn carriage ride around town.  It's a very charming little town and ironically we ran into a coworker of mine while we were there who decided to make a similar trip that weekend.

 Stonewall Jackson Home

 Waiting for our Carriage Ride to begin

 Our Carriage

 It was a very relaxing ride

 So sleepy

 Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveller's, burial site

 Stonewall Jackson's Burial Site

Lee Chapel-Burial Site of the Lee Family

 

On Sunday we decided that we'd enjoy some natural scenery and went to the Natural Bridge and the Natural Bridge Caverns.  It was a beautiful day for it and the walk was wonderful! The caverns, the deepest on the east coast, were quite impressive as well.

 The Natural Bridge

 Enjoying a Fig Newton along the way

 Mommy and Gray at the Waterfall

 Daddy and Gray at the Waterfall

 I'm not sure who looks more tired here...

 Natural Bridge Caverns

We headed back home early on Monday and just relaxed at home for the rest of the day.  All in all, a lovely weekend getaway.