July 3rd Wiffle Ball Game

Since the Fourth of July fell on a Saturday this year, Friday, July 3rd was a holiday.

Brett and many of our friends had the day off work, so our friend, Ant, decided to coordinate a wiffle ball game.

Outdoor, active, game, and with friends are all of our favorite things, so we packed the kids and the dog up and headed to Blue Mount Park for the game.

Brett and I were the team captains to ensure that we would be on different teams (so we could take turns chasing the kids).

Aaron was a great cheerleader (no doubt, inherited from his mother).


And Peter ran the bases with us a couple of times.


Rusty was new to the family at the time and was a huge hit with our friends.

After the game was over, I had no idea what the score was; but we had a great time, so we both won!

Let's Talk about Sex Baby!

Brett and I have been hosting a small group for over a year now, and as our current study come to a close we have picked our next topic and new night of the week.

If any couples are interested, here is the information:

Intimacy Ignited
A small group study for couples

Time: Meeting the first and third Thursday of each month from 8:00-10:00pm

Hosted & Facilitated by: Brett and Jillian Gardner

Location: The Gardner Residence, 4544 Garbo Court, Annandale, VA

Contact: 703-941-0901 (home), 703-304-6652 (cell), JillianBGardner@gmail.com

Materials: Intimacy Ignited by: Dr. Joseph & Linda Dillow and Dr. Peter & Lorraine Pintus (can be purchased online or at most book stores)

Thursday September 17 – Group Game Night

Thursday October 8 – Lesson 1
Introduction: Sex at its Best
Chapter 1: Where Did all the Passion Go?
Chapter 2: Give Permission for Passion

Thursday October 22 – Lesson 2
Chapter 3: Sooth Insecurities
Chapter 4: Offer Sexual Refreshments

Thursday November 5 – Lesson 3
Chapter 5: Trade Sexual Compliments
Chapter 6: Catch the Little Foxes

Thursday November 19 – Lesson 4
Chapter 7: Create a Safe Place for Loving
Chapter 8: Remember your Vows

Thursday December 3 – Lesson 5
Chapter 9: Be Romantic In and Out of Bed
Chapter 10: Give Your Body as a Gift

Thursday December 17 – Lesson 6
Chapter 11: Stamp out Selfishness
Chapter 12: Be Free in your Mind

Thursday January 7 – Lesson 7
Chapter 13: Be Free to Forgive
Chapter 14: Be Free with Your Body

Thursday January 21 – Lesson 8
Chapter 15: Be Free to Be Creative
Chapter 16: Fan the Fire of Lifelong Love

Uncle Donald

Both Brett's brother and my sister life far away from us. Because of this we try to show the kids lots of pictures, have video skype phone calls, and talk about Uncle Don, Aunt Jenny and Aunt K all the time.

However, whenever there is a visit we still have a little bit of re-introductions that we need to make to remind the kids who their Aunts and Uncle are.

This past weekend, Brett's brother and our sister-in-law were visiting, and the for the first time Peter actually said their names and really warmed up to Don especially (this might have had to do with a bond over shared boo boos on their knees).

Don and Jen left on Sunday and Peter told me they were at work the following 2 mornings (he thinks anyone that isn't at our house MUST be at work). But by Wednesday they were out of sight, out of mind... or so I thought.

During our music and story time this morning I was asking him what songs he wanted to sing. After we went through "the bus" and "the choo choo song" he asked if we could sing "Uncle Donald"

I had no idea what he meant, until he started singing...

"Uncle Donald had a farm. E-I-E-I-OOOOO!!!"

Naughty Baby X 2

I have written before about Peter getting into the cat food when he was a year old.

I have also written about Aaron doing the same thing with the dog food this year.

Now, I am writing to tell you where Aaron learned this behavior:






Rusty's expression cracks me up.

And by the way - this is proof that I don't even have time to go to the bathroom without my children getting into trouble!

Sesame Street

My kids don't watch a lot of TV - usually only 30 minutes a day. But those 30 minutes are their favorite part of the day.

We always watch Sesame Street after our walk in the early afternoon (before lunch), and each day as I walk back to the house Peter starts asking, "Sesame please Mommy."

Here is our favorite Sesame song:

Bubbles!!!

More pictures from the bath!

Peter absolutely LOVES to have bubbles in the bath, so we appease his request most of the time.

Enjoy!

Puppy Prozak?

Our dog, Rusty is perfect... except for one thing - he has sever separation anxiety.

We were told he was crate trained, but would come home to this when we left him alone in his crate:


And what we can't show in the picture, is that he would also pee in the crate.

After seeking many fellow dog owner and lover's advice we decided to look into puppy Prozak. He has been on it for a little over a month and it has done wonders.

Now when we leave Rusty is allowed to roam free in the house and does not mess anything up; and he sleeps in his crate with no complaints.

Very happy to have a happy dog!

NOVA Rap Battle

A few months ago someone forwarded me the following rap about Arlington.



Fairfax came back in response.



Brett and I have lived in both Arlington and Fairfax, so we love them both.

By the way - 1/2 of the Korean restaurants from the Fairfax rap are within walking distance of my house - more proof that we really live in Korea.

Time for your close up...

Brett sent me the following email today:

Subject: Forgot this one

Just reading the blog and forgot that I had one more photo! Thank you for being so amazing and documenting the family. I love you so much. Hubbs



Hope you enjoy those chubby cheeks as much as we do!

The new patio in full effect

More pictures of the kids playing. This time on our newest home improvement - the patio!

Playing in the pool of balls:

The sandbox:

Coloring with chalk:

Rusty enjoying the nice weather:

And every once in a while; Aaron throwing a fit:

Hope you are having lots of summer fun too!