Isktoberfest

Right after Joe's 30th birthday last year, he came up with his birthday party plans for this year. He really wanted to have an Octoberfest in our backyard with kegs, lights in the trees, tents, brats and everyone in liederhosen. It was a great idea and we spent a lot of time this past spring cleaning out the backyard area with some help from friends. But when it came down to the expenses and time to plan such a grand event, we both just knew it couldn't happen this year. It will happen in the near future however!

To compromise, we invited some people out to the Biergarten Haus in DC. I didn't know when I made the reservation that it was the same day as a major music festival on H street where the restaurant was located. The entire street was closed to cars so that people could roam the street and check out the stages and stands. It was crazy!! But it added great atmosphere to the day that's for sure. Almost everyone was able to come out to celebrate and it was so much fun to have everyone all in one place to catch up.

Even Reed made it out to the party! He took it easy on the milk drinking since he had his baptism the next day.

We were all very proud (and a little shocked) at our tab for the night. All I can claim is Jagerschnitzel and water!

31 Weeks!

I can't believe how fast the time is flying now! When I think back to March when we found out we were pregnant it seems forever ago. But here we are almost 2 months away to meeting baby girl or boy! I have only had to buy ONE maternity item so far... my stretchy straight leg jeans that I love. I hope everyone else likes them because I wear them ALL the time! Now that summer dresses are put away I am living in these jeans, scrubs and pajama pants. All my tops still fit for the most part! Everyone wants to know if I have a feeling for what gender the baby is, but I really don't. We have been hard at work on the nursery and all the projects have taken up all my time during my days off but I totally brought the extra work on myself. But I love doing it and it's a good excuse to try all sorts of new arts and crafts skills that I haven't ever tested myself on. I will share very soon!

Alpine Adventure

We headed up to Alpine Lake with the Iskow side for Labor Day weekend. Now that Joe's parents, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Sam and Uncle Gary and his wife Debbie all have houses there, it's a great place for a long weekend with family. We don't go up in the summer very often so I am so used to cool weather and even colder weather at night since it's in the mountains of West Virginia. But the weather was amazing! We were able to get in the water and even got sunburned the first day. I didn't bring a bathing suit and was kicking myself the whole time for being so silly. I packed scarves and a fleece:) But I am notorious for packing the wrong things for trips so it shouldn't have come as a huge surprise.

Highlights of the weekend:

1. Playing with Mason at the beach.

2. Walking sans leash with Roxie in the woods. And getting her on the Kayak.

3. Meeting Sam, cousin Matt's fiance.

4. Coffee every morning on the porch. (I treated myself to one cup a day while we there)

5. Going over baby registry items with Beth, Kris, Jenn, and Aunt Paula and realizing all the tons of crap I forgot to add!