The Riddles Go To Washington

Because First Grade is all about "The USA" and everything American (George Washington, the Lincoln Memorial, etc.) we decided - along with our good friends - to take a quick trip up to DC during the kids' Spring Break. Us - and about 10 million other people. Ahh! It was so crowded. But, we had fun. Wednesday we went to the Zoo, which we had not been to before. The Gals got to ride the Metro, and they enjoyed that. Today, we got up and walked over to The Mall - well, walked around the backside of The Mall for about an hour before we actually found our way to where we wanted to be. How many people do you know who can't find The National Mall in Washington, DC.? Crazy, I know. We went into the Air and Space Museum at The Smithsonian and looked around a bit. Dorothy's Red Shoes were on display, but the line was way too long for us. We left and hit The Natural History Museum. We walked in, saw a couple dinosaurs, and walked out. We had had our fill of kids on class trips and lines and rude people.

Despite the crowds and the fact that we could never seem to find our way around, we really did have a wonderful time. We're already planning our next trip (NOT to be during another school break).

Here's The Gals and their friend in front of the one

monument they all had to see. Can you guess what it is?

The Riddle Family after a day of fun

Chillin' at the ESPN Zone (the company we were with was much

better than the service we received)



Madeline and Logan at the zoo

What A Wonderful Day!

This has been a good Easter. We went to church, came home, had an Easter egg hunt like we always do, goofed around, ate a wonderful dinner (K - the ham was really good), and then went on a walk to one of the tot lots and let the gals play for a bit. The one downside was that Logan had to work all day. He left right after church and won't be back until about 9:30. Poor Logan!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

Like My New Ride?

Isn't she pretty? We have wanted an Expedition forever. And it was getting to be about time to get a new car. So - we started to look, did some research, found a dealer who gave it to us at the price we wanted and are now the proud owners of a 2008 Expedition XLT. She's not loaded with a bunch of fancy stuff. We didn't want that. We just mainly wanted the room and the feel of all that heavy metal. We know she's a gas gussler, but, truly, the van isn't much better. Sometimes you just have to get yourself something that you want and quit putting it off until later.

It's A Beautiful Day!

The Gals have been enjoying the beautiful weather and having fun decorating this house that I bought them. It is one of those hard cardboard ones that they can color and put stickers on. They are having a blast!

Eggcellent!

I am a horrible mother. My girls are almost 7 years old, and they have never colored Easter Eggs before. No reason, really, except for the fact that I cannot hard-boil eggs to save my life. Anyways, this year our dear friend asked us to join her and her gals, and we jumped at the chance. It was so Eggciting! (I'm sorry. I can't help myself!)

Bakers At Work

Madeline and Amanda have been hard at work frosting our green (well, light green) St. Patrick's Day cake. I can't wait to eat it. I have made this cake every St. Patrick's Day since my friend Anita gave me this recipe. I have to admit it is a bit wierd eating green cake, but I just close my eyes and it tastes wonderful!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Can you believe my girls are going to be 7 soon? When they were babies, I used to do this to them for every holiday. Of course, they hated it. But, we had nothing else to do but dress up and change clothes.

Wee Wee Wii!!

FINALLY, after months of waiting, we were able to get our Wii. I am so happy. The kids love it and are actually better on it than we are (at least the little we have let them use it).

Freedom!

See what a night without kids means for us?

Mike and I stopped by the wine shop and got a bottle of our favorite. Then we stepped into the Humidor and decided we would get a cigar. We have no idea if it was a good one or a bad one. We just know we had no one yelling for us to wipe their bottom or give them money. :)

The Year of Mike FINALLY Begins

After months of thought, tonight is the kick-off for The Year of Mike. He and I and our dear friends are going to go see Ron White. Did I think this would be the first thing he would want to do? No. But, that's one of the reasons I love him - always full of surprises. As long as it took him to plan this we may have to extend The Year of Mike into The Decade of Mike.

Chef Logan

FINALLY Logan let me take him picture in his outfit he wears for the Culinary Arts program at school. He spent last weekend in Williamsburg at a cooking show and loved it. And, I didn't get any phone calls telling me he was in jail or in trouble so that means EVERYONE had a good weekend.

Who's That Girl?

Madeline at her finest. She takes after her Aunt Jackie, who also loved to "ham it up" as a kid.

Heep How

Mike and the girls had their Indian Princess campout this weekend. It was so cold when it got dark that they didn't stay in the cabins this time. Instead, they came home Friday night after the Opening Ceremony and left bright and early this morning for another day of fun. They got back tonight and both girls headed straight for bed. They are FILTHY and exhausted! So is Mike. Madeline won First Place in Archery and Amanda won First Place in Shooting (Mike's new glasses really must be good). They all smell like a campfire. I want to run out and get some marshmallows right now and make s'mores.