niece and nephew.

McCabe Kathryn and Thomas Peter couldn't be cuter. Love them so much and love being their auntie.

getaway to the District.

Reunited with the best of the best, Gwynnie! We are standing on her lovely street in Adams-Morgan. 

Alexandria waterfront.

Our littles on Easter Sunday.  They loved their time with their amazing grandma and grandpa Dunham.  

JD, myself, Supreme Court Justice Scalia, our dear friend and clerk to the SC, Ryan Walsh.  What an honor.  We had the privilege of listening to the SC oral arguments and it was one of the coolest things either of us has ever done.  The intelligence in that room was so overwhelming.

Ryan set up a private tour of the Supreme Court building for us.  I had to take a photo of this gorgeous marble staircase.  We even got to see the gym where the justices work out!  

JD with the beautiful Everly Elizabeth.  What a hunk.  Baby fever???? 

Ryan (Lawrence on shoulders) JD and Lawrence's car.  These two lawyers are still two peas in a pod.  We love the Walshies!  

Anyone that lives in or goes to DC must indulge in this buttery perfect lobster roll at Luke's lobster.  Multiple locations.  

Just the yummiest Cosmo that the one and only Ryan Walsh J.D. made me.  Em and Ry threw us a Friday (technically Saturday) night function.  The only difference from my senior year of college was that there were babies hanging with us (but not mine so who cares!?).  The drinks were amazing and the people were Hillsdale...perfect.

So proud to be an American!

Our last night (we like Capitol pics) Missed our babies terribly but it was the sweetest break.  We ate long meals broken down into many courses.  We drank good wine.  We slept in and sat in silence.  We took naps.  Thank you, Lord, and thank you fabulous in laws!  

My husband is the BEST.  He planned the details of our trip so well especially in the food department.  He knows the way to my heart.  He read tons of restaurant reviews and amazed me at each selection.  Thank you, Joseph!  

Just a little crab cake eggs Benedict.  Best brunch I've had in a while.

quick & healthy toddler lunches.

Leftover broccoli • leftover meatballs • mango • banana

Slices of white cheddar • clementines • pickle • heart shaped pbj on sprouted bread • corn chips 

Plain yogurt and raw honey • blackberries • clementine • quinoa & brown rice leftovers 

Cheddar cheese • pickles & olives • corn chips & hummus • wild blueberries 

what does your toddler eat for lunch?  I love getting new ideas!!!

my girls.

Yesterday Ellie woke up before Reagan and was walking around the kitchen and dining room.  I went in to get Reagan out of bed.  As a sat on Reagan's bed and greeted her, Ellie waddled in to the dark room, gurgeled some jibberish and clapped with joy as she saw Reagan's face.  Rea jumped out of bed and threw her arms around Elle.  And for one the the first times, Elle didn't fall backwards!  Love my girls and the sweet friendship God is growing in them.

pizza night.

Early in our marraige JD named Fridays our "no cook" night.  No matter what the day held, I knew when 6 came around I was not responsible for having dinner on the table.  I love cooking and meal planning for my family and I am blessed with a husband that is pretty awesome in the kitchen himself but having one night off that doesn't include leftovers is a sweet tradition.  Most nights this means pizza, but we sometimes go against our norm and grab burgers or Chinese.  We often pick up frozen, take-n-bake or order delivery.  Lately we have been going out since the littles love it and it means NO mess under the high chairs.  Last night we went to a local chain, "Punch", known for delicious Neapolitan pizza. I first tried it the day we returned from our honeymoon and have loved it ever since.  Reagan was exhausted from 2 trips to the park, ate silently(so rare) and people watched.  Ellie smiled at every passerby.  James was ravenous per usual usual and ate an entire kids 8 piece pizza.  What will I do when he's a teenager??

13 months // a couple sentences

Knows what he needs and is completely content until those needs aren't met...namely in the food department.  Spends 3 hours a day sitting in his high chair.  Eats SO much.  Above is his face as Jose reloads his spoon.  

(Yes that is my man and he still has a six pack 30 years deep with 3 babies)

Ellie continues to be a silly, smiling, happy WALKING little blessing.  She generally does not get her way between James and Reagan getting up in her biz...and she's fine with it.  

elle & james // first birthday

Things I have heard too many times...."The first year is a fog."  "You won't remember anything."  "You'll never go anywhere."  "You won't sleep at all."  

I beg to differ.  I slept, I went places, and I can tell you one thing for sure, I will never forget this year.  The sweet, the hard, the crazy.  I'll remember.

We celebrated with deep fried French fries, homemade malts and people that love our twins!  Still amazed at and thankful for this year, my three kids, my hot husband and God's grace.  To HIM be the glory!