Cousin Love!

I feel very blessed that my sister lives so close to me (probably about 35min with no traffic).  Unfortunately with both of us having babies, working full time, and the HORRIBLE DC/NoVA/MD traffic, it makes it very hard to see each other.  I was super excited when she texted me the other day wanting to hang out.  Her husband was out of town on business so I suggested she and baby Ben spend the night (especially since we haven't quite moved Zachary into his crib yet).  She battled traffic and came up Friday late afternoon.  The boys got right down to playing with each other (Zachary mostly watched), with Jonathan excitingly showing Baby Ben all his toys.  After dinner we had the fun crazy idea of giving all the boys a bath.  It probably would have been much better if they were just a LITTLE bit older, but it was still an adventure.  Have I mentioned before how hard it is to get these kids to all look at the camera at the same time???

After bath time the boys played train for a bit.  It was more like Jonathan played train while the two younger ones chewed on them, but it was still fun watching them play and interact together.

We had such a fun weekend - but went by way too quickly!  Hopefully it won't be too much longer until the boys can all play again.  These boys are going to be best buds!

Maple Lawn Street Festival

Whew.  I can't believe that it is already the middle of July!!  Over the Fourth of July holiday we headed up to Mimi and Pop's house in Ohio so we could meet our new (born in January) niece who lives in Iowa.  It was great catching up with my brother and his wife and I'm so glad we could spend some time with baby Jessie Mae.  She's a cutie!

Last weekend we went to the annual Maple Lawn Street Festival.  We are so lucky that we live walking distance from such a wonderful little area full of little shops and good places to eat!  This is the third year we've been to the festival and we have had a great time each year!  

Zachary was excited to be riding like a "big boy" in his stroller!

And it really is VERY difficult to to get two kids under two to smile for the camera at the same time!!

The festival always ends with fireworks at the end.  Zachary seemed to enjoy was unfazed by the fireworks.  Jonathan on the other hand was really quite unsure whether he liked them or not.  He was excited about them... until they started.  Then he cried a bit... Then towards the middle seemed to enjoy them... then at the end, was a little unsure.  He was trying to hide and watch them at the same time. 

The Terror or Excitement of a Two Year Old and Fireworks.

Overall, we had a great night of good weather, hamburgers, ice cream, and fireworks.  It's definitely a tradition we'll keep doing.

Cow Appreciation Day 2014!

Cow Appreciation Day 2013

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love am obsessed with Chick-fil-a.  I frequently visited there, sometimes twice a day, while I was pregnant (with both boys).  It definitely doesn't help that there is one located about five minutes from our house, which is also less than five minutes from my work as well.  I'm even friends with them on Facebook- so I always get updated with any upcoming specials they may be running.

Joseph and I first experienced Cow Appreciation Day last year, when Jonathan was a little over a year old.
 It wasn't hard to convince him to dress up like a cow when free Chick-fil-a was involved!  When I told Joe that Cow Appreciation Day was coming up- he said we'd definitely be there!!

I had a warm up run at work that afternoon.  We finished with our patients earlier in the morning so we got some OR bunny suits and and decorated some spots with spray paint.  We took some pink gloves we had for our utters and printed off some of the spots, ears, and noses that Chick-fil-a supplied on their website.  We arrived during the lunch hour and Chick-fil-a was packed!!  We definitely stopped some traffic as we walked in!  We even made the top ten best pictures/costumes on our  local Chick-fil-a website!

The Maple Lawn Crew getting lunch- Cow Appreciation Day 2014

Once I got home after work, Joe and I got to making our costumes.  I brought home my bunny suit that I had worn during lunch so Joe could wear it.  I cut out spots we had printed from the website and taped them to Jonathan's, Zachary's, and my outfits and headed to Chick-fil-a.

Needless to say we had a great time as a family.  This is one of those traditions I know we will plan on doing every year!  (and its free!!)

It's Been A While!!

Well, I think the last time I attempted to blog, the Esposito's were just a party of three... well, now I'm trying this whole blog thing again- as Esposito's: Party of Four!!

As you may be able to tell from the title, we had another little boy.  Zachary Campbell Esposito surprised us on February 7, 2014 almost three weeks early!  He seemed pretty teeny at 7lbs 1oz, but absolutely perfect!

The adjustment went well- with much thanks and help from our family members and friends.  Even big brother Jonathan is doing well.  He definitely loves his little brother and makes it his mission to make Zachary laugh at him.  (Denise at Newborn Daydreams did our Newborn pictures- just like she did with Jonathan.  You can check out Zachary's pictures here).

Jonathan is always asking to hold his little brother and then wants me to take pictures of him doing so.  While Jonathan is playing Zachary is right there watching  and giggling at him.  Jonathan always makes sure Zachary has at least two toys within in reach to play with-- and is even sharing his trains with him!  I am so enjoying watching them together- especially as Zachary is getting older and more interactive.  I can tell he already loves his big brother and looks up to him.

So, back to this blog thing again... Looking back at my childhood, my favorite memories are from the times we spent as a family.  I am constantly searching for local "adventures" to do with our little family around the area- in hopes that Jonathan and Zachary will have wonderful family memories just like I do.  Since Jonathan is only two and Zachary... well, he's only five months old now... it changes the focus on the kind of activities we can do now-- but I am soo lucky that we live in an area with sooo much to do for both young and older kids!  The blog will be a way to share our adventures with you and maybe someone else that happens along the blog!

I've also become quite addicted to this little thing called Pintrest.  It has been encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone in the crafty world (and even helped talk my husband into getting me a $200 cutting machine!).  From room decoration ideas, to furniture refinishing, and even birthday parties- I'm excited to show you my crafty success stories-- and probably just as many failures!! :)

Well that is all for now.  I have to get started on my first adventure post!  Stay tuned!