Weekend Projects

For years now, we've rented out a townhouse in Ashburn.  We've had really good luck with renters, and for the last three plus years, we've had the same set.  Just recently, however, we received noticed that they'd be moving out.  The townhouse needed some TLC, so Tom and I decided a DIY project was in order.  For the last couple weekends, we've worked to pull out the flooring on the middle floor of the townhouse, correct some subflooring problems, and lay new floor.  Anyway, it was an adventure!  Here are some pics of the project in progress:  

Ugh - what a mess!

Getting there...

Purrrty!

Woo hoo!  Just needs some trim!

Required material for such a project.

Stay tuned for pictures of the finished product.  It looks gorgeous!

Snow Day!

We haven't gotten a lot of snow here this winter -- just enough to get out and have a little bit of fun.  This week was no exception.  Thursday morning, we made the most of an inch and a half of snow!

 

Evie Visits Crazy Town

Lorraine needed a sitter this week, so we offered our professional services.  Even Papa came over to help.  Poor Evie was probably a little overwhelmed.  She was read to, presented with many toys, told what to do, snuggled (perhaps violently), fed, covered in blankets to "keep warm," and entertained in other assorted ways.  Anyway, she was returned with no visible injuries, and she seemed to enjoy herself!  The kids and I can't wait to have her back!

A Trip to the Zoo

Along with my parents, Lorraine, and Evie, I took the kids to the National Zoo for the first time ever last week!  It was supposed to be 65 degrees and partly sunny, but it ended up being probably 40 degrees (at best) with drizzle.  Notwithstanding the weather, we still had a good time, and I saw more animals than I've ever seen at the National Zoo (Tom swears there actually aren't any animals at the zoo, but I'm here to tell you there are).  The kids had fun, although next time, we'll skip the three-mile bike ride we took Syd on the day before (it doesn't lend itself well to having her walk the grounds of the zoo without a stroller).  Some of the animals we saw included the sea lions, elephants, wolves, gorillas, fish, snakes, lizards, lemurs, zebras, and cheetahs.  We even took a ride on the zoo's new train!

Kicking Off a Healthy 2013

What a great way to start off the new year!  Only 11 hours into the new year, and we've got a 5K under our belts.  Here's to a happy, healthy 2013!  

Top 10 Moments of 2012

10.  Taking the kids to see their first movies in the movie theater.

9.  Making the most of another spectacular year of snowmobiling in New England.

8.  Having friends' and family support while continuing to learn to play roller derby and then winning season championships with the Vineyard Vixens roller derby team.

7.  Getting together with friends and family to watch the Redskins win football games and go to the playoffs!

6.  Enjoying a rainy beach vacation with the Chabots, including nontraditional beach activities like peach picking.  

5.  Watching Cole transform from a toddler to a preschooler, full of independence, an ever-growing vocabulary, and his own plans!

4.  Watching Sydney continue to swim independently and having a completely worry-free summer in the pool.

3.  Running a couple of 5Ks as husband and wife!

2.  Family fun adventures of all sorts: Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum, Frying Pan Park, ICE!, Natural History Museum, apple picking, Temple Hill Farm, Great Country Farm... the list goes on!

1.  Continuing to learn more about Cole's allergies so he could safely attend preschool and we can leave the house on family adventures.  

Number one cannot be understated.  Late last year, it became clear that Cole has a touch allergy to milk.  For example, Syd spilled her milk, Cole touched the puddle, and we ended up in the emergency room.  Other times, he develops hives after just inhaling milk or dairy "fumes."  Just this Christmas, he developed hives after simply picking up the dog's milk bones (yes, milk bones have milk in them - who knew?).  Anyway, it's been a learning experience.  We have to take some pretty serious precautions, but now that we're a little more ahead of the game, we're able to get out of the house more, take day trips, and enjoy life!  We're looking forward to more of this freedom and flexibility in 2013!   

Catching Up... Again

I do so well... and then, I don't.  Ugh.  So - here I am - again having to catch up.  At least, I can say - with certainty that it's because we've been busy having fun!  

The beginning of November marked the end of the presidential election and the roller derby season!  After a grueling 8-month season, it was incredibly satisfying to finish it off as undefeated season champions - Go Vineyard Vixens!   

Fall ended with a packed Thanksgiving celebration at the house.  We hosted the entire Bergeman crew: Grandma, Papa, Jodi, Bret, Sarah, Haley, Dylan, Tom, Syd, Cole, and me.  But - before there was turkey to eat, there was a 5K to finish!  Bret, Tom, and I ran like maniacs in Ashburn and kicked the day off with a bang!  Tom finished in 27 minutes, and Bret and I finished in 29 minutes.  Not bad!  I think this will start a yearly 5K tradition.

December was full of cookie exchanges, Christmas pageants, birthday celebrations, snow, and Christmas itself.  We took advantage of vacation time to take a few day trips to see ICE! at National Harbor and to visit the museums downtown.  Most of all, it's been fun to relax and spend time with family and friends!