we're back ;)

So I figured I should get back to blogging.

As cute as these kids are, not everyone on Facebook wants to see a million pictures of them.

I've got to share them somewhere!

^^there are more, but they wouldn't fit into the collage^^

See what I mean?

;)

(and can you tell that I'm still figuring out how to take pictures while walking and pushing a stroller?)

~ New and exciting things that happened today: ~

We took a walk! It was my first one with kids.

We spent a little bit of time in someone else's driveway while Joey hid behind a plant... (he didn't nap very well.) -_-

Other than that, I'm pretty sure he thinks he's Flash with the way he never sits still ;)

Maybe he'll join the track team in high school.

Hannah got the training wheels off of her bike. She's still learning to ride it, but she's so excited!

Caleb loved pushing the stroller around.

And can we please talk about how sucked into Micky he gets??

^^it's adorable :)^^

xoxo,

Danielle

the first week of november

Happy November!

As promised, I have more pictures of the Lakeside Baptist fall fest:

:)

Today the fundraiser Aunt Becky has been planning for what seems like forever finally happened!

Hannah wanted to build a soccer field for kids in Burundi, Africa, and her mama made her wish come true!

We met our goal, and then some.

I painted my face.

Have a lovely weekend!

:)

xoxo,

Danielle

fall fest weekend

Happy Halloween!

My Hannah is so indecisive.

I can't relate to that at all.

(kidding)

;)

Joey, enjoying the ride.

Cotton candy!

I like to describe it as "magical clouds of sugar that melt in your mouth".

Elizabeth, with her scarecrow face paint.

(and me, with my dancing candy corn.)

This was one of the best days for a hammock.

The weekend was so fun. :)

The weather was great (if a little windy) for Fall fest... both times!

The Holy Family festival was very well done, with a ferris wheel and everything.
They really went the whole nine yards.
I can't wait to go again next year!

Hopefully I'll be able to get more pictures of Lakeside Baptist's fall festival.
It was also very well done, and included Trunk or Treat.
(people decorate the trunks of their cars as stations for handing out candy. It's like Trick or Treating, but more organized... and with cars.)

The weekend was also filled with my dear friend, Elizabeth.

I will miss her sorely when she moves back to Alabama.

<3

On another note, I am quite proud of myself for mailing both a package and a letter today.

I write letters and thank you notes quite often, but consistently forget to send them.

Mornings are not my thing.

Speaking of mornings, I found the perfect recipe for breakfast this week!

(assuming I can find time to make it, that is.)

How delicious does Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cake sound?

And even better....

it's vegan.

The great thing is that supposedly you can't even tell how good it is for you!

I can't wait to try it.

Have a fantastic Halloween!
I'll post pictures of my costume later on.
:)

xoxo,
Danielle

Tuesdays

Let me just say that I am loving this weather.

Some would describe it as mucky, but I actually really like it.

It's a fantastic excuse for sleeping in late, not going outside, drinking tons of tea, etc.

(although I'd probably do all of those things if the forecast were different)

Over the weekend....

I went to the Star Wars convention!

(I'm not totally positive that Padme wanted her picture taken)

You'd be surprised at how many people dress up for these things.

Mostly Star Wars characters, but I did see Captain America and the Green Lantern...

not sure why.

It was so cool! :)

On Sunday, I finally finished my collage!

I don't know why, but they seem to take ages to complete lately.

It's been a good weeks so far.

:)

xoxo,

Danielle

ps, school has been crazy! pre-calc will be the death of me.

on the bright side, I'm super excited to finally be applying to college!

thoughts, Tristan, and toddlers

Hey :)

It's been a crazy week! 

This is my thought process:

Yesterday was fun!

I got 5 hours of community service hours through decorating (not a bad way to earn hours), and then picked up Tristan to hang out all day. 

There's no limit to the things you can do in a Super Target with lots of time to kill.

My sister and I stayed at Tristan's house for his great uncle's birthday party...

we didn't know his name until we sang Happy Birthday.

Also, apparently it's awesomely normal to sing Happy Birthday both in English and in Spanish when you belong to a family of Puerto Ricans.

It was cool.

:)

Earlier this week, I went to the Myraun's house to watch the kids for a bit.

They're so flippin' cute.

I'm pretty sure that the only time Hannah puts her feet on the table is when I'm there.

I don't technically encourage it, but it is pretty funny.

We ate pizza.

Phase 1...

... and Phase 2.

This is how Joey likes to blow on/lick his pizza.

Like I said:

 so flippin' cute.

I get to go back to their house today! :)

The weekend should be fantastic.

(Friday just so happens to be my birthday.)

However, since today is Wednesday (and not Friday), I'd better do my laundry.

Actually, Wednesday has nothing to do with it.

Mostly it's the issue of not having any clothes clean. 

xoxo,

Danielle

Happy Forth of July! (oh, and I may have hiked yesterday)

Happy 4th!

Today was good :)

We travelled to Uncle Mike's house for a cookout/pool party.

I went vegetarian, but I heard that the chicken was very good.

We swam, too!

(second cousin Chris and his wife Allison with their son, Jack)

Later on, Uncle Mike took us to his nice neighbor's pond.

Actually it was more of an expansive garden.

Basically the neighbor planted flowers and trees around a natural spring that had created a very long stream, which eventually leads to a pond.

(or something like that)

We even walked in the stream!

I didn't fall once, and it was awesome. :D

By the way, yesterday I wasn't even on Facebook until about 11:30 at night.

That is the majority of the reason why I did not blog.

Dad and I went back to Lach Raven, but this time we hiked a bit. :)

(we ate raspberries right off the bush)

Yeah, we stick our heads out from behind trees.

It's only because we're cool.

Maybe we'll start a trend.

Anyway, tomorrow is our last day in Maryland and although it's gorgeous up here and visiting family is nice, I am very ready to go home.

Next week is camp, so I'll have about a day (Sunday) to do laundry.

{We'll probably spend the night in NC again on our way back, which puts us at Saturday as a return date}

Fingers crossed that tomorrow goes well, and that packing will be a breeze!

Since I may or may not have time to blog tomorrow or Friday...

... Have a lovely weekend. :)

xoxo,

Danielle

Oh, Monday

Nothing particularly exciting has happened thus far, but I thought I'd blog anyway. 

There are so many people at the hotel right now!

The storm has left people without power since Friday, so most of the White Marsh population seems to have migrated to the hotel.

I've spent my day wearing stripes and listening to my playlist of songs that I can't get enough of.

Oh, and I made this collage.

I, for one, find it quite lovely. :)

Well, I'm off to drink tea and hopefully read Jane Austen.

I hope your weekend was fantastic!

xoxo,

Danielle

Sunny Sunday

Hi :)

I just realized that Friday has passed and I still have not done my faves!

Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the energy to form them at this time.

When I get back to Florida, I'll be sure to get back on track. :)

What I can do is give you pictures from today's adventure!

We made the hour and a half trip to Gettysburg, PA to visit my grandmother.

(and a few others)

After eating lunch, we also explored the woods behind my grandma's house a little.

Despite the crazy heat, it was a pleasant afternoon. 

Here's hoping that the next several days are just as enjoyable.

xoxo,

Danielle

North Carolina

Hey :)

Yesterday my family and I stopped in North Carolina on our way to Maryland.

We met up with my great aunt and uncle... on their farm!

It was actually really neat.

^ Aunt Jody, Dad, and Uncle Bob

Today we arrived safely at our hotel in Maryland and are setting up nicely for the next 10 days.

Until tomorrow, my friends.

xoxo,

Danielle

Packing

Hi :)

I hope your weekend was lovely!

Mine was filled with plans for the trip to Maryland.

I have been packing non-stop since the middle of Sunday.

You'd think it would be easy to pack for a 10-day trip up North, but there is so much to do!

Fortunately I'm almost done.

It's a good thing, too, because we leave tomorrow morning.

Since a trip straight to Maryland would take about ten hours, we'll stay in North Carolina for a little bit before continuing our journey.

A few things that have kept me sane...

Frank Sinatra

Coldplay

Dean Martin

this blog <3

tea, of course

realizing that I love the majority of my closet

knowing that my Jane Austen novels will keep me from going bonkers if I ever find myself with nothing to do

the thought of taking pictures of MD and sharing them with all of you wonderful people

Also, my aunt and I have been planning a tea for my 17th birthday party.

It's going to be delightful!

Until I can take and upload pictures of our travels (I hope to do so daily), I leave you with this thought.

"Adventure awaits."

We shall see.

xoxo,

Danielle