Fritz's, yo

Natalie makes the paper engineer's hat way cuter than it's cut out to be.

Sutton's first time at "the train place." Again, making the hat way cuter than it ever thought it could be.

Natalie wasn't overreacting. It really is quite exciting when the little arm drops and the train deposits the food to your table! Grilled cheese, yay!

Watching the train go round and round and trying to keep up with all the big kids is exhausting for a baby. Plus, imagine how hard it must be to hold your heavy eyelids open with the lashes weighing them down!

Hugging bye. I love their love-hate relationship. This is Caden. Natalie makes up stories when he's not around about them fighting over things. It's actually pretty cute.

Arteest

Coloring a valentine from her great grandmother, Nonnie. Coloring is one of her favorites pastimes lately. Mom loves it. Now, if we can just get all the lids back on the markers we'll be doing really well...

The Buns

I just couldn't resist. I mean, honestly, he could not be cuter.

"Mom, come on, I'm trying to read here."

Afternoon Tea

Practicing for if we move to Africa one day. Lots of tea to be had there.

Making Valentines

Sorry if you didn't get one. They made it to the party, but never made it to the mail.

Born to Fly

I know she's flown a lot, but every time I'm still amazed by how good she is. It helps when we get 2 entire rows to ourselves. She's becoming quite the little lady.

Natalie and Daddy hard at work.

Traveling light went out the window for us long before the additional fees for checked baggage were added.

Old Town, Alexandria

Okay, so we weren't technically in Old Town, but this little chair at Chris and Katie's looked pretty Old Town to Sutton. A perfect fit for our happy guy.

He fit right in at Noah's house. They're very close in age, so the chair wasn't the only thing that fit perfectly. So many toys to play with...although, most of the time we spent there, everyone napped.

More from DC

Katelyn and Natalie played really well together. They are so much alike in looks and interests. Here they're making bread for dinner. No, we didn't mind their not-so-secret ingredient: saliva.

They were really too cute together.

And what's a playdate if it doesn't involve a bubble bath?

Snacks and movies.

They even both have adorable little brothers...

with matching dimples.

Carson thought Mr. Nate was pretty funny.

Far Away Friends

We were happy to get the chance to take a family vacation to DC. We have 4 sets of friends living in the area, all of which were available to visit with us while we were there. The kids all played together and the Mommies and Daddies somehow got plenty of time to play too.

Here are all the kids watching a movie while the adults enjoyed dinner upstairs! Don't worry, we fed them first. From left to right: Rebecca Joy (Swank's girl), Katelyn K, Natalie and Micah (Swank's boy).

Sutton and Micah jumping on the bed, sort of.

I came downstairs to find Natalie already up and in Laura's arms helping with breakfast. They were such wonderful hosts. Rebecca Joy even shared one of her beloved babies with Natalie.

I guess Natalie DID share her baby too. Rebecca Joy is so excited to be getting a new baby brother from Ethiopia at their house hopefully soon. She is a great big sister already.

See how happy she makes babies?