I did it!

Well, I did it! An entire year in pictures. Visit my new Project 365 here.

Highlights of the past year include:
1. Deciding not to move to England on my recent spousal visa
2. Celebrating our 10-year anniversary (oops! never did add that picture!)
3. Getting Henley
4. Buying a new house
5. Sammy starting kindergarten

And my top 10 favorite posts:
Number 1
Number 2
Number 3
Number 4
Number 5
Number 6
Number 7
Number 8
Number 9
Number 10

365

Spring is finally here!

364

As an early birthday present, we took Sammy to the Baltimore Aquarium.

Until today, I've only known Baltimore in terms of immigration - spending countless days and big bucks attending various green card appointments, a US citizenship ceremony, and a few UK biometrics appointments over the years. And each of those times, I've been desperate to run home and wash myself.

Today, however, I was pleasantly surprised to see a side of Baltimore that was really nice!


Sammy studying the sharks. He's a marine biologist, remember?

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Sam's latest obsession is collecting money. Thanks to Uncle Chris, Pop, and even the dentist (!), Sammy has money from more countries than I could ever hope to visit.

Did I mention that he is obsessed? He even carries a money pouch around with him, strapped to his pants. It's a good thing he's so cute, because I can see his nerd qualities emerging. LOL.

362 (?)

Two cute red-heads were waiting for me and Sam to get back from the dentist. And it only cost me $279.00! *rolls eyes*

But thankfully, I didn't have to pay for lunch.

357

What this sign doesn't say is:
"Home to The Most Disgusting College Town in the Entire World".

How did I spend four years of my life in this sh$thole?!

But College Park is home to the coolest airplane museum outside of the Air and Space Museum!

356, part 2

Peter and my dad scrumming down in their matching shirts. Freaks.

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Knocking back the "wine" at tonight's seder. Kids are so easily fooled.

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Spying on the little guys.

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Yesterday we dropped the kids off at my parents' house on route to PA to shoot a wedding. After racing each other to the car in a mad dash for freedom, we encountered our first obstacle: a flat tire. Since we didn't have time to deal with it then, we quickly transferred our gear to my mom's car and A Great Catastrophe was averted.

We planned a leisurely drive home today to get back for Peter's 1:45 soccer game. But when I heard muttering coming from the bathroom at 7:30am, I just knew there'd be trouble. Peter had left his red soccer shirts in the cursed car that he'd so carefully packed the day before. Without those damn red shirts, there would be no game. And, as you all know what a die-hard player he is, this was A Great Big Catastrophe.

The rest of the story is just too graphic to share. But it involved about an hour of high-stress, high-anxiety phone calls. He didn't have his wallet ... I didn't have the key to the other car. We had to pick-up Henley ... I had to work for a Monday deadline.

So he ended up buying all these crappy red T-shirts, which we'll have no use for after today. *sigh* Tomato costume, anyone?

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I didn't take any pictures of my own today, but spotted this rather athletic-looking one of me running to get out of Peter's way at the wedding he was shooting.

I've cropped/erased out the beautiful bride and handsome groom here, but they looked fabulous. Congratulations, Kim and Wes!

352, part 2

Hilarious! Peter called them to point out the confusion between the parsley and the parsnip. And this just came in the mail, quite unexpectedly.

Yay, Ferry Morse!

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I was once an anti-dirt neat freak, but I've had to amend my ways.

And so the afternoon progressed.

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Hanging out at the barber shop, old school.

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The neighbors had their tree trimmed today.

This reminded Peter of a job he had applied for when he first came to the US as a "Tree Cutter". When he called to inquire about the position, he was asked what experience he had. He thought for a second and said, "Well, I liked to climb trees as a boy." There was a pause, and the lady pointed out through muffled laughter that a little more experience was crucial for this position.

Afterwards, Peter realized that it was like applying for an architect position because one had had experience playing with building blocks as a child. Needless to say, he didn't get the job.

349, part 2

Had to add this, just because. Check out the difference an almost-year makes!

*But don't worry, my new 365 - starting April 13 - will have a separate place for overflow photos. So it will at least appear that I'm following the rules. :P

349

Mutant Peter pushing Alex on the swing. I swear that his left hand really isn't a pincher claw.

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I love my early-morning walks with Henley, and spotted this happy sight near the lake.

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Dig a hole! It will keep your kids occupied for hours.

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These Here Boots
(bought in 1994)

Qualifications Summary
Over 14 years and hundreds of miles of hiking experience. Motivated, flexible, and adaptable; can climb large mountains and keep feet dry.

Experience
Today, March 28: three miles through woods in rain
2003-2009, US: various terrain; on lookout for bears
1999-2003, UK: all-weather walking through tons of livestock dung
1998, S Korea: continued uphill despite unreadable signposts
1994-1998, throughout Europe: met Peter near Nimes 1995

Career Highlights
* Crater of Vesuvius, Italy 2002
* Monhegan Island, Maine 2001
* Land's End to Durdle Door, Southwest Coastal Path, England 2000
* Jirisan, South Korea 1998
* Thira to Oia, Santorini, Greece 1996
* Picos de Europa, Spain 1995

References available on request