Evie's adventures with Bebe

Evie had a wonderful adventure with Grandma Bebe on Wednesday downtown in the city. First stop was the Museum of Natural History. Evie was very helpful in pointing out the museum to Bebe and instructing her to go park in the parking lot when no parking could be found on the street. The two explorers enjoyed looking at the dinosaurs but Evie loved visiting the butterfly garden the best, where they flew all around her.

Evie looks up in wonder and delight at the butterflies fluttering around her.


Then it was off to Union Station where Evie watched all the model trains chug on by. What a great day - thanks Bebe!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

December is finally here, which means it's time for the holidays! The season kicks off as usual with our traditional attendance at the Scottish Walk parade in Old Town. Evie really enjoyed it this year (last year it was snowy and cold) - she loved the bagpipers, Scotty dogs in their fancy sweaters and kilts, and candy cane lollipops. Here she is saying "Wow" as the MacDonald clan walks by.
Nothing's better than getting free candy canes at a parade!
There's Santa in the background, "Ho, ho ho!"

Then after the parade, it was time to decorate our Christmas tree! Evie was very good at putting ornaments on the lower branches and even developed an interesting technique to put on the glass balls - she threw them on the tree and most of them ended up sticking (for the others, luckily our tree is on carpet so nothing broke!).

There is much to be thankful for...

The family had a wonderful, laid-back Thanksgiving this year in Old Town with Bebe, Popi, Opa and Ba. Dad made a scrumptious turkey which was so good that we didn't have any leftovers, and the rest of the food was delicious too, from the stuffing to the apple pie.

Evie is all smiles as she and Daddy toast the turkey they helped prepare together. Evie helped with the potatoes too by organizing Daddy's potato peels.
Evie proudly wears her Native American headdress with her pink and white feathers.
Bebe and Evie get changed in their PJs and practice their funny faces!

Happy Birthday Popi!

On the weekend of November 12, the family went up to Spring Lake to wish Popi a very happy 70th birthday (his actual birthday is November 14).

Evie is the guest of honor at Popi's toast.

But that didn't last too long as cousins Julianna, Molly and Stan joined her. I think Evie liked being the only one on Popi's lap.

The next day there was time for fun in the backyard as Evie pushed her duck around in her stroller.

Hmmm... who's on that phone (and she shouldn't have that phone next to her head with all that radiation going into her brain!).

Evie and Molly hold hands in the double stroller ride around the lake!

Dad lines up with his three brothers in age order with Uncle Patrick (a guest appearance from Los Angeles) leading the group, followed by Uncle Wally, Dad and Uncle Dave.

Evie goes trick o' treating for the first time...

Evie hit the infamous Lee Street in Old Town for her first trick or treating experience. She mastered saying "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you." but then it became a little harder as she couldn't resist the lure of her lollipop treats for the rest of the evening.

Evie poses next to her friend the witch. She was much more friendly than the witch that when Evie gave her a high five, started screeching. Whoops, didn't see that coming.
Daddy's friend the pirate skeleton peeks over his shoulder to check out Evie's booty. I believe she is on lollipop #2 at this point.

Evie helped design her little pumpkin so that Daddy carved 2 Jack O'Lanterns this year.

Everyone loves a parade, including Evie!

Our little bee donned her wings and antenna for the annual Del Ray Halloween parade. While waiting for Daddy to arrive, Evie buzzed around the backyard, smelling flowers and dancing in delight.

Mommy, look at me sniffing the flowers!
After walking to the halfway point of the parade, the family made a pit stop at the Dairy Godmother for some pumpkin frozen custard. Evie prefers the lavender sorbet though. We sat on the curb and watched all the families in their costumes walk by.
Evie pauses for a photo shoot...
Our little actress, hamming it up -

Requisite October Pumpkin pictures...

It was off to the pumpkin patch this weekend in our search for the perfect pumpkins. Evie tests one candidate by knocking on the outside. Hmmm... keep looking Daddy!

Ach du lieber! Could this be the one?!?
Evie is all smiles sitting among the gourds.
Wait a second, she realizes, I need to find a pumpkin for me too!
I found one! she cries as she runs through the tunnel.

Later, on the ride home, Evie would try to take a bite out of her pumpkin to see what it tastes like. Hmmmmm... needs salt.

Evie rejoices the successful discovery of two perfect pumpkins.

The October birthdays continue

It was a weekend of celebration for Ba and Karl as they celebrated their birthdays surrounded by family and an enthusiastic Evie, who loved playing "Happy Birthday" on the piano (accompanied by Opa's baritone). Karl flew in from Florida to surprise Ba, and Evie had a fun time playing with her "Uncle Ka" whether it was showing him her trains or playing hide n' seek. Above, the family enjoys the weather after a brunch at the Tabard Inn.
That night, Evie raises the roof in excitement that it was present time! Or maybe she is just trying to encourage Opa to figure out how to use the timer on the camera.
Evie's gift to Ba was a cooking kit so they can make muffins together. Evie dons her chef hat and apron and would later twirl her whisk in anticipation.
Evie helps Uncle Karl blow out his candles in his ice cream cake.

On Sunday morning, the family gathered at Four Sisters, a Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church. How appropriate, as there were four sisters to celebrate: Auntie Mailan, Van, Nga and Ba of course. Co Ba, Co Hoan, and Co Hoa also could join us for the lunch, along with Uncle Minh, Tung, Dinh, and Diem, and cousin Kevin too. Whew - what a gathering! Evie is already digging into the cake with both fingers...

Ba and her two sons - Evie is all smiles in her preppy little dress.

"Blow out the candles, Daddy"

Daddy celebrated his birthday all weekend long and it was a great time. Evie had practiced singing happy birthday all day on Friday so she would be ready for the big day. She also helped open all of Daddy's presents.


Evie showed off her dancing moves to the tune of "You Make my Dreams Come True", the song that was in the card Mommy gave Daddy.
Evie is now an expert at blowing out the candles (Daddy is actually 37 but Mommy figured he would want to stay 36 for another couple of years).

End of September Wrap-up

Well, it was an exciting month overall! One trip to Colorado, meeting her best friend Thomas the Train, and oh, did we forget to mention that in all the excitement Evie also started preschool?!? Here she is on her first day looking a little worried, but as soon as she settled into class with teachers Miss Lindsey and Miss Milu, she was good to go. She didn't even notice when Mom and Ba left.
Ba gets to drop her off and pick her up everyday. She gets the first look of all the fun things that Evie makes, like her chicken with feathers, cow, and even a pizza made with real dough that she topped with sausages, cheese, and "snake".
Evie discovers colored chalk and sand - a fun combination.

Then, to end the month, Evie, Daddy, Ba and Opa participated in her third annual Dash for Dad in Alexandria. Evie made a run for the finish line.
Hooray! Celebration time.
Evie admires her "Dash for Dad Finisher" ribbon.
Finally, that afternoon Mommy and Daddy took Evie to see the Nationals play the Atlanta Braves. It was a great day for the ballpark - and the Nationals ended up winning. Hooray!
Evie was very attached to her ticket - she must be excited about something on the field that Daddy is missing in this picture.