Our trip to SC

We decided to get away from home while Derek was very busy with trying to get his boss re-elected in his Aug. primary- so me and the kids and my mom and dad and Anthony decided to take a trip to see the Coopers! We missed them very much and decided that it was the perfect time to see their new house!

Mom, Dad, Anthony, and Austin only stayed a few days and then traveled on to NC to visit some other friends. Reagan and I stayed behind and enjoyed some girl time with Aaron and Riley! It was a great, relaxing trip!

The only thing missing was Daddy! We got to see him at the end of our vacation in NC!

Strawberry Picking!

In May we decided to take the kids strawberry picking at Shlagel Farms in Waldorf. The kids loved trapesing through the strawberries and picking the shiniest and the biggest ones they could find. Aunt Shelley joined us on this last field trip of the kids Kindergarten school year.

What a fun time! We ate strawberries until we were sick of them!

Hear Ye Hear Ye...Princess Reagan turns 5!

This year Reagan decided that she was going to have a Princess party....sound familiar. I'm not sure when this stage will end, but I hope not anytime soon since she has every princess thing known to man...thanks to Aunt Shelley!

Her invitations were so much fun to make. We made them look like scrolls with burnt pink edging. They read:

Hear Ye, Hear Ye...all Prince and Princesses of the land are invited to a royal celebration in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Reagan's fifthe year of birth. Please join us for feasting and festivities at the castle of King Derek Vaughn Baker at ....please have your carriage drop you off at the noon hour and retrieve you at the stroke of four. Please let the Queen knowif you will be attending, as she has to prepare the castle for your arrival. Princess Reagan has chosen to bequeath all gifts from her loyal friends to homeless children attending the Bright Beginnings Center in Washington DC. If you wish to grant Princess Reagan her deepest desire, please inquire from the Queen what you might be able to give to one of these precious little ones.

Reagan had a blast decorating and preparing for all of her friends. We had fun food and games as well as the hit of the party...the chocolate fountain. One of the kids asked if they could dip theirface in it....a girl after my own heart!

Some friends from NC (the Romaine's) came to visit and helped us make it through the day with 15 little Prince and Princesses ...oh and a Pirate running around. I couldn't have done it with out their help!

A few days after her party, several of the kids from her party came with us to deliver the many gifts to Bright Beginnings. I think it really helped them to see how richly blessed they all are. The first thing they saw when they walked in the door was a Christmas Tree-a lady shared with us...it was probably the only Christmas Tree any of these kids had and they all had to share it. Because of their generosity, Reagan was able to donate some money and gifts for 18 children that attend the center.

I can't believe my girl is 5 years old already. She is truly a delight and blessing to us each and every day!