*Warning* Lots of Pictures :)

I am in "catch up " mode. I am finally posting pictures of our trip back East to Washington DC and Hershey, Pennsylvania. We had SO so so so much FUN! A huge thanks to my wonderful In-Laws for taking us with them.

We arrived in DC first and we were welcomed by Liz and Ben. It was great to see them! The kids especially love to see their fun Aunt Lizzy. We got to visit the Smithsonian Zoo and the kids loved the Panda Bear. Liz took Matt, Scott (Matt's dad) and I on a bike tour of all the monuments. We started in Arlington and biked over to the Pentagon and saw the 9/11 monument. I really liked how they did it. Such a great tribute to those who lost their lives. We then biked across the river over to the monuments and spent time at each one. We did this all in the evening and it was awesome to see everything at night. We also went to some museums and I personally was very glad that I got to experience the Holocaust Museum. I spent hours there along with Matt's dad and it was such a somber experience. I am glad that I was able to learn so much.

We then got to drive to Hershey to see Jon and Mel and their adorable kids. On our way to Hershey we stopped in Amish land and spent the day shopping and walking around. Then off to Hershey we went. You can't go to Hershey without taking a tour of the chocolate factory. The kids were in awe of all the chocolate and loved the candy they got at the end. We also went to the Hershey amusement park. I have to say there were some pretty fun rides. Max and Ava loved the rides and Max especially loved to play the games to try and win prizes. One of the nights we were there, Matt and I went on a walk and our hotel was close to the place were they have concerts and The Dave Matthews Band just happened to be there in concert. We could hear the concert perfectly. How lucky were we? We had such a fabulous time on the trip and I have 100's of pictures to prove it. Here are some of them.....

Max enjoying his window seat

Ava and Grandma

Matt,Liz and Scott on our late night bike ride

Matt on the bridge

watching the fish

Ava and the panda ( look in the background)

dancing in the morning with Jaedon

giddy up

Aunt Liz and Ava

Who knew that fruit could be so grumpy?

best friends

he is determined to win that prize

A day at the fair

This is a late post of when we took Max, Ava and their friend Cannon to the Washington County Fair. They had a show featuring black bears and the kids loved it. We watched them do some tricks and wrestle around. The kids loved the rides best. I couldn't believe how brave they were. They went on both of the "kiddie" roller coasters and weren't scared a bit. They laughed and even put their arms up in the air. Max, Cannon and Matt went on the Ferris wheel and the boys thought it was pretty cool to be up so high. It was such a fun evening and I am so glad we went.

Amazing pictures

I had Isaac's pictures taken on Monday. He was 8 days old. Here is a preview the photographer posted on her blog. Aren't they amazing. I am so in love with this little guy.

and then there were 5...

Our Little Champ!

Today Isaac is one week old. The week has flown by in a blur of activity. The quiet times come at night when it is just Isaac and I awake. He is usually the most alert in the night and I love looking down at his beautiful wise eyes. I am in love with him. He melts my heart and I have a hard time putting him down to get my daily tasks done. Thankfully I have 2 helpers who also love to hold and cuddle him.

One week ago today I got the unforgettable phone call that Isaac's birth mother's water had broken and that she was in the hospital. We were in Hershey, Pennsylvania at the time getting ready to go to my niece's baby blessing. We frantically tried to arrange our flights so we could get back home. We were blessed in so many ways and everything fell into place and we were headed home the next afternoon. On the morning of Tuesday the 28th we walked into the hospital room and had the opportunity to meet our son. It was an incredible experience and also an emotional one. We love Isaac's birth mother and her family so much and we will never forget the hours we got to spend with them in the hospital that day. At around 2pm Isaac was lovingly placed in our arms. There aren't words to describe the joy we felt. We truly feel as we have been given the world.

holding Isaac after placement (an emotional moment)

Matt holding Isaac for the first time in the hospital



Max and Ava were thrilled to meet their little brother and you can see the excitement on their faces. The first time Max held Isaac he stared at him for a couple of minutes and said, "Mom, I just love him so much". Ava held him and gave him kisses while saying how cute she thought he was. I know that Max and Ava are going to be such great siblings for Isaac.