May and June

We had a busy month in May. Ryan started out the month with a Job offer as a patent agent for the  law firm Meier and Meier, in Old town, Alexandria.   It is a smaller Patent firm and will be a perfect transition from the working at the Patent Office.

Alyssa also finished up her swimming lessons. She had so much fun and wanted to be out in the water with out anyone holding onto her.
In order to pass the class the kids had to be able to stick their face in the water and blow bubbles. No problem, as long as we could keep her from swallowing the water that would get into her mouth...

We spent a Day at the Zoo with Nate and Catharine.

Alyssa and Claire

Of course we had to go visit Alyssa's favorite animal, the Hippo's.

We also took our first trip up to Philly over Memorial day weekend. We drove up on Sunday night we didn't do much that day, just walked around and saw some of the city. On Monday, we went over to the Liberty bell and Independence Hall

Ryan and Alyssa in front of Independence Hall.

Then we decided to go on a tour of the city. We decided to go with the Duck tours and were so glad we did. They were so fun and loud and everyone was blowing their duck whistles and we got to see some amazing views of the city from out in the water too. Alyssa thought it was the funnest ride ever!

After the tour we headed over to go see the Eternal Flame. On our way over there were some soldiers asking for volunteers from kids. Alyssa was standing in the line with all of them before we could even ask her if she wanted to. She is definitely not a shy one.
They gave all the kids wooden guns and then showed them the way they were suppose to stand and hold the gun.

It took Alyssa a little bit to follow the rest of the group. Holding the gun was too much fun for her.

They marched them all over to the grass and

After they got back each kid got to go and salute the General.
It was such a fun thing for Alyssa to get to do and it was such a great way to teach the kids about the sacrifice that the soldiers had made for us.

Afterwards we went and wandered around Philly some more.

The Eternal Flame.

We went to see the smallest street in the U.S.



We went over to see the Rocky Statue.


You can't go see the statue with out running up all the steps!
At the end of the day Nate and Catharine drove in and met up with us for some Philly Cheese steaks. We went to Geno's this time and they were really good!

After wards we drove about 15 min outside of Philly to our hotel so we could spend the next day playing at Sesame Street place.

In June Ryan started his new job, and at the end of his first week, he took the Patent bar and passed. So he is officially an patent agent now!

We also had my ultrasound done at the end of June and found out that we are having a BOY! We are both really excited. Especially Ryan!

April Birthdays!

In April we celebrated Ryan's 27th birthday!!

Ryan's Birthday always happens at the busiest time for him with school. He is always finishing up papers or projects for the end of his semester or he is studying for finals. We were able to find some time to have friends over to play games and have cake with us.

Hanging out with our friends Jeremy and Jessica, Matt and Christianne, and Nate and Catharine.


We also got to celebrate Alyssa's best friend Emma's 3rd birthday. They had pony rides at her party, and the girls had a great time!

Emma and Alyssa

Alyssa loved riding the horse! She never gets nervous of anything and always has so much fun.

Happy Easter!

Alyssa makes holiday's so much fun because she gets so excited and loves Everything! She couldn't wait for Easter to come.

Checking out all the stuff she got.

She loves her peeps!

Running around the house looking for all the eggs.

Alyssa is all Girl! She loves getting all dressed up and accessorized!

After church we headed down to Nate and Catharine's for a wonderful Dinner.

Alyssa and Claire

The boys camp out the weekend before Easter out on the Mall for tickets to the White House Egg Roll. This year it was freezing and snowing on them but they stuck it out and got our tickets for us.

Ryan and Nate bundled up in their snow clothes.

This was the second year we were able to go to the white house for the Easter egg roll. This is one of our favorite things to do out here.

It rained all morning and stopped right when it was our groups turn to go. It ended up being a really nice day.

At the gate before we went in.

They always have several fun crafts and activities waiting for the kids just after you go in.

Ready... Set... Roll!!

Carrying it is much faster!
Easter Bunnies everywhere
We walked around and listen to people read stories. The actor Stephen Baldwin was one of them. We watched magic shows and watched performances by various people from Disney including Hanna Montana.

The kids finished their time with an obstacle course.

At the end of the obsticle course they have an egg hunt for the kids. Alyssa was so excited about the 1 egg that she found.

Claire and Alyssa eating their fruit snacks they got from the obstacle course.
It is such an amazing experience to get to go on the white house lawn and run around. We are so glad we live in an area where we are able to do so much fun stuff.

March

In march we celebrated my 26th birthday! We went to Mikes restaurant for dinner with our friends Matt and Christianne and then headed home to meet up with our friends Jeremy and Jessica and have Strawberry shortcake and play games. That weekend we went down to Nate and Catharine's for dinner and to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Conover who were in town. Catharine made me my Birthday cheesecake and did an amazing job. It was a great Birthday spent with friends and family but the best part of my Birthday was finding out that we were expecting Baby #2!

Alyssa loved the cheese cake!

Grandma and Grandpa Conover. It was so fun having them in town!

Catharine pregnant with Elizabeth. Sorry Catharine, had to document it....

Later in the month Alyssa started swimming lessons at the Rec Center.

She is a natural little fish, and loves the water. It helps that she is fearless too.


It was great that we were able to get a class Friday evening , so Ryan could come and do her lessons with her. Alyssa loved swimming with him.

In February Alyssa started her first dance class. We had her in other classes before this and all she wanted to do is go by the music at the front of the room, and start dancing. That is when we realized she needed to be in a dance class.


Even though she loved the dancing, her favorite part was dressing up in the dance outfits.


Her teacher was ms. Rachael and she was the best. She was so energetic and made the class perfect for these 2 1/2 year olds.

The kids danced to every kind of music, went on bear hunts and had fun just being silly.

This is Alyssa with her good friend Adayla.

This is often the face we would get at the end of class. Which means she wore herself out and is ready to go home for her nap!
At the end of class Ms. Rachael praised each of them and gave them their stickers.