More fun outings

Have we mentioned we like living in VA? It's so fun to have a new place to visit each day. Two new destinations this week were a huge playground in McLean and a water feature at a local shopping/dining area with some new friends. And yes, Megan finally got to get out of the carrier and have some fun too. Click here for some more photos.

A move milestone for Tyler

Despite the fun that he's been having at our new house, Ty has repeatedly said that he likes NY better than VA. He mentions how he misses our friends, his old school, his old yard, his old room, etc.

Today, it was absolutely beautiful weather (80 degrees and sunny--pretty much how it's been ever since we moved here). Jeff has been in Italy since Tuesday (returning this Thurs.) so I wanted to make sure that Ty had a fun day planned. I saw that as part of their free summer entertainment, the Fairfax County Parks department has an "Art in the Parks" series made up of shows for kids that educate them about music, theater, and art. So, we headed to Burke Lake park, which we've heard people rave about, for the Percussion Duo from the Fairfax Symphony. It was a show in the outside ampitheater about all different kind of percussion instruments, led by a clown. Ty even got to perform on stage.

We followed that show with a ride on the carousel (our big boy went all by himself) and a 10-minute train ride through the woods (much better than the "potty train"). We topped it off with a hike around the lake through the woods, a picnic lunch, and an ice cream cone.

(Click on the collage for all of the pictures and a video of the "performance.")

And wouldn't you know it, as we were walking to the car Ty looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I like Virginia better than NY."

PS: Megan was with us too...it's just hard to take pictures of someone strapped to the front of you.

Uh-oh, Megan's mobile

Now her exersaucer is a tunnel...

Megan update

Here are some recent videos of Megan...she's growing up so fast!

Megan's hungry from Teri Schmidt on Vimeo.

Fun with my reflection (and some entertainment from Tyler) from Teri Schmidt on Vimeo.

Megan's army crawl from Teri Schmidt on Vimeo.

Our first trip to one of the many parks in Fairfax County

Fairfax County has a ton of diverse parks (most of which are free--something we're not used to coming from Long Island). Last Friday, Ty, Megan, and I journeyed to our first one--Frying Pan Farm. It is a working farm which attempts to preserve a 1920s-1950s farm. Ty enjoyed seeing the animals, including some babies, and really loved the tractor ride around the farm.

We can't wait to explore more of the parks!

For more pictures, click here.

Happy 4th of July!!

Okay, so a move and lack of internet makes this post a little late, but here are some pictures from our celebration of the holiday. We went to the parade in Fairfax, had a BBQ with our neighbors, and went to the fireworks (which Ty actually enjoyed this year).

For more pictures, click here.

The Virginia chapter of our life begins

Pictures of our back and front yards

Our move went very well (with the exception of a water line break the night before we closed and a router malfunction after waiting a week for our internet) and we love it here. Our first day, Ty and I went on a hike from our backyard and within 2 minutes, we discovered a large creek complete with a little bridge. Since then, Seger (and Tyler) have enjoyed many dips into the water and we've been on many more hikes. Ty and Megan are also enjoying the playset in the front yard and Jeff is loving the many deer sightings (and even one fox sighting) from our deck. We love being set back from the road at the end of a long driveway. It is so quiet (and dark), but we have all of the conveniences of suburBia about a 5-10 minute drive away. Our neighbors are great and Ty loves playing with the 5 yr. old and 2 yr. old girls who live next to us. There's also a neighborhood co-op for families with playdates and parents' nights out. We feel very blessed to be here.

For more pictures of our new place (all of the outside), click here.

Our NY chapter ends

Although we never thought we'd be New Yorkers, our time there was full of happy memories. Ty grew from a 6 month-old baby to a 3 and a half year-old little man. He learned to walk, talk, and make us laugh. We had many fun visits from family and friends. And last but not least, we added little Megan to our family. Here's a glimpse into our time in New York.

Our time in New York from Teri Schmidt on Vimeo.