Not-So-Hostile-Takeover

There is something to be said for blogging in a timely fashion. I feel a bit out of sorts here . . . like sitting down to do this is long over due. There is also something to be said for having seven house guests for a straight week . . . in the best way possible -- it totally takes over one's world and blogging becomes a wispy little memory stuffed somewhere behind, "Time to cook again!" and "The bathrooms need more toilet paper!"

I have had the best of intentions, but the least of time, in the past week and a half to sit down and write about the goings on in the little Lee universe. Now the guests are gone, the last of the turkey is in our bellies, and to save myself from a houseguest hangover and depression due to loneliness and quiet, I am going to blog about recent events in a much needed attempt to cheer myself up. (also an attempt to put off putting Thanksgiving away and getting out Christmas!)

Here are a few highlights from the last week: (in chronological order)

1. Mini-reunion!

Who doesn't love one? Right before the visitors arrived, I was able to reconnect with a friend from my "Army Brat Life". These reunions are always fun, especially when the friend is just as you remembered them. Fabulous in every sense of the word - kind, easy going, sweet natured, enjoyable to be with, and if that weren't enough, she also brought her wonderful husband and darling REDHEADED baby girl with her. What a fun afternoon for me! Thanks Becky . . . and I really do hope you move to Leesburg. We'd love to have you!

2. Beautiful Baptism!

Our little Hannah had a very special day surrounded by her family and closest friends as she was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her Uncle Matt and Papa Bob both gave very humble and emotional talks and her dad baptized her. I will never forget the look on her face when she came out of the water and into my arms - she was beaming and so very happy about what had just happened. After she was confirmed, Soren leaned over and asked me, "Is she a new Hannah?" I think she is! It was a great day for our family. Afterwards, we came home and had dinner catered by Pei Wei (YUMMMMMM) and enjoyed celebrating Hannah.

3. The Visitors

We wined em, we dined em, we completely wore em out (and ourselves too)! Highlights included: an amazing tour of the Library of Congress from my extremely impressive brother Chris, visit to the Supreme Court, lunch on Capitol Hill in 70 degree weather, a trip to the ribbon outlet and Lucketts Country Store for fabulous antiques, shopping in historic downtown Leesburg, dinner at Sweetwater Tavern, two movies (in the theater), the fabulous game of Canasta, Hannah's baptism, Thanksgiving at the Carlson's, sweet rolls, biscuits and gravy, paninis like crazy and five boys ages 2-9 running around with various weapons of war! Please ignore the red-eye in most photos . . . it was either blog or work on touching up photos.