Pool and Addition: a sneak peek

I've been holding off on the release of these photos because I keep wanting the project to be DONE before the big reveal but now I'm realizing that I will be making excuses for months about why it's not finished enough to post pictures...so here they are...this is why I've been slightly amiss for the last six months...and no it's not over yet...

These were all taken 3+ weeks ago but really there isn't much new to show...



I'm sneaking in a pic of these 2 new chandeliers and the new gray paint in our living room:)



and this was the day we finally...GOT IN THE HOT TUB!



totally worth the wait...totally...

A Wedding (in the works)

I visited my sister Megan in DC this past weekend. Our goal was to jumpstart her wedding plans...and boy...that we DID!

Meg had us booked to check out venues from the time I stepped off the plane with my wedding dress in hand (soon to be HER wedding dress...yes so cool...she's wearing my dress and I could not be more honored).

First stop: The Army Navy Club



Newman is a member here and we felt it would be an okay option but it was a bit stuffy...no one under 50 roaming the halls and very conservative decor...



so moving onward....

Next up: The Arts Club of Washington (President James Monroe's House)



think Meg wanted me to check my camera at the door:) SORRY! don't know what to do with myself without it!



Here's the courtyard for the Arts Club...perfect for a ceremony...no?



The Arts Club allows the wedding party to roam throughout this historic house while mingling, gazing at the many art exhibits and enjoying a beverage...

     

So we walked away thinking this is a pretty darn solid option...only catch?...Meg and Newman have to get married on July 16th 2011...Yikes...that's like tomorrow in wedding planning years...we'll make it work...



and right next door is this cute hotel offering great group rates...ideal! although there are many close by options for accommodations...



back home to discuss what the heck needs to happen to make that July date work...long story short we got lots of details organized, phone calls were made, vendors were penciled in and remember...the dress is d.o.n.e. She tried on the dress and it was more than perfect with my shoes and all. She just needs to get that darn salad dressing out of it from 6 years ago...ooops...

sneak peek: Doesn't it look nice?:) Ha!



On the last day of the trip we headed to the church Meg and Newman attend. The original plan was to have the ceremony here but with the lofty price tag I think they may just opt to keep all events at the Arts Club...



so that is the White House over Meg's left shoulder...it's that close and it's a close stroll from her condo...what a cool place to stomp around on a daily basis!...



Overall Meg is on a well organized track...we both left each other super excited about how much we accomplished in 2 days time. YIPPY! Congratulations Meg and Newman...

Yellow Belt

Aston graduated to a yellow belt from orange last weekend. He's very proud of his accomplishment but sometimes he still asks to wear his orange belt because orange is his favorite color:) His physical "skills" have much improved from october when we started. We are actually really impressed at some of his moves...Here's some recent footage from Jeff's cell:

Taekwondo Feb 2011 from kate Lee on Vimeo.

HOWEVER...I wish we could say the same about his focus skills:( He continues to look into space, roll around on the floor and just plain not listen at times. But I will say the biggest thing that we've gained thus far from this experience is that we are able to reference "self-control" and "focus" and "respect" from the way they teach it in class and Aston does seem to respond to that better than he does if the teachings were coming from us.

Jeff takes him on most Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's...it seems like a lot but Aston looks forward to it and Jeff and I LOVE getting the one on one time with each kid...boy times at karate and ice cream afterward from Dunkin' Donuts and girl times at home reading books and playing with babies. If we all go to Taekwondo it's a major distraction and it just plain doesn't work. A couple weeks ago I got brave and took both kids by myself to class because Jeff had to work late. Things were mostly fine until the parent involvement part (which is the whole second half of class). Stell was climbing up my back as I was trying to direct Aston's kicks but I did get to witness Aston raise his hand at the end of class. Mr. Cook asked "what does it mean to be respectful" and Aston raised his hand in a class of about 25 and said "to be nice to your friends". I was so proud that he was even paying attention:)

Congratulations Bud...you're a Yellow Belt!

(grainy cell phone photos from the ceremony)

Shabbat Dinner at the Brown's 2011

Last Friday night Larry and Tracy invited the whole Lee family to the Brown house for their weekly Shabbat dinner. I think it's funny that last year when we attended a Brown family Shabbat dinner Aston had the same response: "We are going to Larry Sprinkle's House for dinner?". He may have just been playing us this year because he's heard that story a couple times since but then again Larry Sprinkle is always on Aston's mind:)

Mei was a Daisy magnet...wherever Daisy went, Stell followed...the poor dog is probably SO not used to a toddler tugging on her...



Tracy's beautiful dinner table with her whole beautiful family...including Sammy's girlfriend Sophie! Can't believe Sammy will be 18 in mere days!



Annie was up and entertaining the kids in no time...priceless to Mom and Dad...we actually got to enjoy Tracy's food and the company around us! Aston remembered the dressing up with Annie from last year so he requested playing dress up first thing...



did I mention I want to take Annie home with us? Well...I do...don't worry...I got her phone number:)



Aston found one of Sammy's old Karate belts...a camo belt...it will be Aston's next belt! He is a yellow belt now by the way. Notice the splits:)



The girls put Stell in this princess ballerina get-up and there was no getting her out of it...she came home in the thing...I really do love this outfit. It's so well made and so darn cute! Thanks Browns!



Oh...and then there's Katie...I'll take one of those too:)



Here Larry is showing us his man-cave-baseball-extraviganza...it is utterly impressive says Jeff (I know nothing of the sport but this place is nothing short of AWESOME).



Katie and Princess Stellerina



Some Larry fun times...look at poor Daisy in the background all like "when are these little people going to get out of my space?!"



"Oh man...they found my bed"



and then the goodbyes...thanks so much Brown's...your family never ceases to amaze me...thanks so much for all your loving hospitality...and I hope so much that the wine came out of your couch (if not Annie has my phone number:))