While we waited

Lots has happened since my last post. We did get the townhouse in Kingstowne, which is an area of Alexandria, Virginia. It is a really nice community and we will have access to unlimited playgrounds or tot lots as they are called here, pools, fitness centers and jogging trails. Originally we had ruled out a townhouse because we thought they were too small, but they are surprisingly spacious on the inside. We will be losing some square footage from our house in Kansas, but I think we will be just fine. We may need to downsize a bit, but we probably needed to do that anyhow.

Tomorrow the movers will be here to deliver our stuff from Kansas. I am excited, but dreading the work ahead of me. Nick has to work all day, but thankfully my friend Angie from Kansas will be here helping me for awhile. She lives up in Maryland now, and is in town visiting another friend and offered to stop in and help. I jumped at the chance because moving can be a bit hectic. Every box has to be accounted for on the inventory, and you have to tell the movers where to put everything. It will be fabulous to have help!

Nick and I have been keeping really busy while we have been waiting for our things. Most recently we have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. The previous tenants apparently cooked with a lot of oil, because the kitchen was very gross and sticky. It took us hours and hours to clean it up, but it was by far the worst room in the house. The carpets had been cleaned before we moved in so we were thankful for that. It took me awhile to dust this place because it has lots of pretty decorative woodwork. It only took a few days to get it up to our standard of clean, and then we were able to enjoy our weekend.

Over the past two weeks, Nick and I have been trying to do things here in the DC area that would be harder to do with small children. We figured while the kids are with our parents would be the best time, because who knows how long it will take to find a good babysitter. We have visited downtown DC a few times. Our first trip was an adventurous one. Our car got towed!!!! You would think that as seasoned travelers, we would have know better to read the signs fully. We thought parking was free after 4pm. So we paid the meter up until 4. Apparently, after 4pm you get towed! There is so much traffic here that they open up some of the parking areas into traffic lanes during rush hour. It wasn't too difficult to retrieve our car. We also received a $100 dollar ticket. So we figured we paid about $33 dollars an hour to park in a prime location! We have learned our lesson-always read the parking signs completely!

One Saturday Nick and I visited Arlington National Cemetery. He had been there recently with his boss to see the Iraq/Afghanistan area to pay their respects to their fallen comrades from the 1st Infantry Division. But he didn't get to see much else on his trip. We visited the grave sites of the Kennedy's and also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The cemetery is definitely overwhelming.

The next Sunday we visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum. It was a very sobering experience. There isn't much to write except it is just very troubling how cruel humans can be to one another.

On a lighter note, we went in to Old Town Alexandria several times. There are lots of cute shops, restaurants and bars in this area of town. It is right along the river, and there is a festive air about the place. On Father's Day we enjoyed a nice meal at the Fish Market. Another night we had Thai food, something we couldn't do with Ben in tow (Sophie would probably love it!). We've also been for Indian food, one of my favorites. We hadn't had Indian food since Germany, and it did not disappoint. (We just couldn't seem to find an Indian restaurant in Kansas). Last night we decided to celebrate our anniversary a little early, and we dined at the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant. It has been a place we have always wanted to go, but never had the chance. It was a bit pricey, but it was very, very delicious. Dessert was our favorite, and I probably would have licked my plate clean had I not been holding Addie.

This morning, we attended Mass in downtown DC at the National Basilica of the Shine to the Immaculate Conception. It was a beautiful cathedral and a beautiful service. We will definetly take our kids back, and visitors too!

We miss our kids terribly, and cannot wait until we see them on Friday. Life has just not been the same without them. I have never been away from either Ben or Sophie for more than one night. We are so thankful to our parents for taking such good care of them while we have been gone. We really couldn't have been able to house hunt and get set up with three kids in tow! We call them frequently, but they are usually too busy to talk to us. They have been having so much fun of their own. They have been swimming, to baseball games, to the zoo, to breakfast on the farm where they got to give a bottle to baby calfs. This weekend they went camping out at Nick's Aunt Amy and Uncle Kevin's house. I am glad that they are so well adjusted. I think Sophie has been giving everyone a run for their money though. She is currently infatuated with sticking things up her nose! Cheerios, corn, an onion and a piece of a hamburger to name a few. Don't worry, Grandma and Oma, we are on our way soon!

I hope to post some pictures of our new place soon! I will probably add some pictures to this post soon also, Blogger is giving me a bit of trouble right now.....