Sunday, August 31, 2008

Harlow's In Town...

So my parents and grandparents came up to visit Labor Day weekend. It was great, because they found a great deal they actually stayed in Old Town, right across the street from the King Street Metro stop at the Embassy Suites Hotel. They had a perfect view of the George Washington Masonic Temple. The view from the inside of the hotel was just as pretty, there was a courtyard in the center atrium area with tons of live plants and trees, incredibly neat. Friday night we just hung out with everyone in the hotel room and planned out the weekend agenda. Then Mike and I walked the 8 blocks back to our place to get some rest for the next couple of days. Saturday morning Mike and I woke up early, showered and then walked back to the hotel where there quite possibly the most delicious breakfast buffet, where they had a grill cook taking orders and making personalized omelets, pancakes, waffles, etc. So delicious in fact that my stick thin grandfather ate 4 plates for breakfast the first day he was there. After breakfast we headed into the city by metro. We took the Yellow line to the Red line to Union Station. I had only passed by Union Station once before and had no idea it housed so many little shops and restaurants...it was unbelievable. At the main desk we bought tickets to take the DC Duck Tour. We bought the tickets at about 11:30am but our tour didn't start til 1:00pm, so we took some time to wander around the station. My dad took the time to have his picture taken with some pretty prominent people, while Mike chose to ride a Harley


When we were done fooling around we finally boarded the Duck. The tour departs from Union Station and takes you anywhere and everywhere you could think of in DC. We wove through the streets passing by the Capitol Building, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Washington Monument, the Pentagon and all sorts of museums. The driver was so informative and entertaining. I would highly recommend this tour for tourist and residents alike! So after our classy picture with the Captain we headed over to the Postal Museum....I know, you are all so jealous! It was mainly a stall tactic, as the "boyz" (Mike, my dad & my grandpa) were heading over to the Nats game at 6pm. The musuem wasn't actually that bad. My dad even got to live out the dream (not really) of being a truck driver, with Mike as co-captain. We all ate dinner together at Cap City Brewery, right across from Union Station - actually in the Old Post Office building. It was deliciuos and filling. So "us women" were thankful that we didn't have much planned for the rest of the night. The guys, on the other hand, jumped back on the metro and headed over to Nationals stadium to watch them battle the Braves (my grandparents favorite team). My grandfather has always been a huge MLB fan, but to my surprise he had never been to a professional baseball game. He was so excited. Fortunately, my boss had given me 3 tickets on the 3rd baseline about 11 rows up from the field...so he enjoyed his first experience. Sunday morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel again then all headed over to New Life @ Westmoreland Community Church in Mclean. Afterwards we went to lunch at Ledo's - mmmmmm, delicious squared pizza. It wasn't long before it was time for my family to head back to Salem. So we said our goodbyes. It was so nice spending time with my family. We crammed as much into our 2 days as possible and can't wait til they visit again!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Best Wishes Witherspoons...

Just a little note to wish the Witherspoons good luck and best wishes on starting their own Bible Study group. Previously Toney, Heather and Morgan would travel from Centreville to Annandale on Thursdays to study with The Gardners, Caso's, and us.

After praying about it for a long time, they have decided to branch off and begin a new study in Centreville. So from our Thursday night group - Best Wishes, may God bless your new group and you as you lead it! We'll miss you - but we'll see you at Renew!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Old Town Welcoming Party...


So, welcome Adam "Chuck" Kelly - welcome to Old Town Alexandria!!! For those of you who are aware, Adam is one of Mike's roommates from Mary Wash. Adam is originally from Lorton and after graduating from college moved back to Lorton for a while, then to Clifton and now he's finally joined all of us in Old Town. He moved into the cutest 1 bedroom apartment off Washington Blvd!!! So he's close and he's single (fyi - any single ladies reading this). Mike and I enjoyed visiting Adam's new place, and even attempting to put furniture together. So to truly welcome Adam in Old Town style we held a "Welcome to Old Town Happy Hour" at Chadwick's. It was fabulous and I think Adam had a great time.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Legg Mason Tennis...

Have I mentioned how much I love my job...and the perks that come with it. Mike and I had briefly talked about going to the Legg Mason Classic this year. A few weeks ago his sister reminded us about it quickly approaching and said she and a friend had bought tickets for all day Saturday. We thought some more about buying tickets but decided not to spend the money. And so the story goes, I'm sitting in a staff meeting on Tuesday the 5th and my boss says, "Oh, and we have tickets to box seats for the Legg Mason tournament, anyone interested" - so of course, I said "YES". The seats were amazing. Not only were there seats, but an air conditioned box stocked with beer, wine and tons of deliciously catered food. So we watched Our tickets also got us into the "Players Club" which was really just a big air conditioned tent turned into a restaurant/bar with free wine tastings. I'll never mingle with the commoners again...haha, just kidding!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Happy Birthday Kelly...

For our friend Kelly's birthday (actually on 8/10) we went out to Carpool in Arlington to celebrate. A little shuffle board and too many drinks later we were on our way to drop Kelly back off at her apartment. It was a fun night had by all....but not so much a fun next day for the birthday diva!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Happy Birthday Hillers...


Happy Birthday
Christopher Palmer Hillers!!!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Peter's 1st Birthday Party...



Peter Lincoln Gardner was born on August 14th, 2007 to proud parents Brett & Jillian Gardner. To celebrate Peter's 1st Birthday his parents threw an Olympic Themed Birthday Party. It was amazing....I don't know how Jill does it - she had a baby 10 days prior, was released from the hospital, plans a birthday party, decorates, has so much energy and love for all her friends and family - whew, I'm tired even talking about all the stuff she does!!! Mike and I bought Peter's birthday present back in July when we were in Leesburg shopping at the outlets. We passed by the KB Toys Store and I just couldn't resist. We battled over which toys to buy him but finally decided on a car theme for the birthday boy. For those of you who don't know, Peter's "Big Boy" room (when he's big enough) is decorated in a car theme from top to bottom (again...Jill and her energy). I think Peter enjoyed his cars, especially the big one that makes noise!!! I can't begin to tell you how adorable he was when we all sang Happy Birthday, he smushed the cupcake and then smeared it everywhere...supercute!!! Can't wait to celebrate more birthdays with the entire Gardner fam!!!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Go Team USA...


So I'm very excited about the summer Olympics. Unlike my husband, I think they are going to fabulous and interesting! He seems to think that nobody gives a hoot about them anymore...but I bet he'll sit and watch some anyways! So for these Olympics I feel a little bit more connected, I'm not sure if it's because I'm older and have a better understanding of what's going on or if it's because I have friends who know people that are participating! I know I'm stretching it - but, my sister & sister in law graduated with Allyson (Campbell) Schwab who is now married to Olympic wrestler Doug Schwab. Also, my friend Jill Gardner went to highschool with Justin Spring & Sasha Artemev both are Olympic gymnast. So, as the games begin - Good Luck Team USA!!!!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Jill & Aaron released from Hospital...


Yay, for Jill & Aaron being released from the hospital. Everyone will be glad to know that Dad, Mom, Big Bro Peter & Aaron are all doing well. It's actually a miracle they are home so fast. On the day Aaron was born Jill's doctor had expressed concerns that Aaron's lungs were underdeveloped and that the NeoNatal ICU would keep in for 10 days at the very least - even up to 14 days. Jill's doctor actually said "It would take a miracle for him to be released early" and a miracle is what we got!!! So welcome home to the entire Gardner clan. Can't wait to hang out!!!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Elizabeth stuck in DC?...

After a crazy and exciting week of traveling and babies I decided I would sleep in Saturday. This required a glass of wine before bed and ear plugs. I made it to bed Friday night/Saturday morning at about 1am. My sleep pattern has been all thrown off with work and visiting the Gardners at the hospital (but well worth it!). I didn't even feel Mike get out of bed, but he let Emma up in bed with me to snuggle and then I rolled back over and drifted back to sleep. At about 10:30am my phone rang - I could barely hear it because of the ear plugs, I didn't even look to see who was calling, I just hit ignore. I laid in bed for about a minute and thought - OH NO, what if it's Jill...what if somethings wrong or she needs something. So I rolled back over and picked up my phone. I had already missed 2 random calls and a text message. The 10:30 call was my friend Elizabeth - and I noticed so was the text - it read "Hey, back in the US and stuck in DC. Do you have plans today?" That woke me up. Elizabeth had just arrived back from her mission trip to Africa. I immediately called her back. She was at Dulles airport but on her way to Reagan (up the street). So we made plans for lunch and then hung out. It was great seeing Elizabeth because I haven't seen her since our friend Emily's wedding. Love ya muffin!!!

Happy Anniversary Erik & Megan...



HAPPY 5 YEAR
ANNIVERSARY!
We love you guys!!!