Feb 27th weekend; weather in the 50s

Nice weekend in Arlington; on Friday night we had Caroline come over to baby sit so the parents could have a night out in clarendon; we first went to eventide for dinner, then got recruited by the 2 young SI all-stars to go to Hunan one, which unbeknownst to us had a 20s style happy hour…..definitely reminded us of 10 years ago, but it was fun even though we were probably the oldest ones there

On Saturday we took the girls to Greenbrier Park near Yorktown high school and afterwards decided to cash in the kids piggy banks….we figured the money was doing no good just sitting there…….that evening, after much debate with the kids, we went to stray cat cafe for dinner.

On Sunday we took the girls and back to glen echo park; wendy had not seen it before and last time we went were not able to go to the kids center, which we did this time…..the girls were able to pet snakes and run around the gardens,…..mike even went for a run on the c&o canal, which ran along the Potomac river; great views.

 

Parents night out with SI all stars

 

jan 20th weekend with mom

It’s great to have mom back home for the weekend; on Friday night we went to our old standby, Clare and don’s beach shack….we got the royal treatment by Dave, the owner.

On Saturday morning we took the girls down to the Rosslyn spectrum theater for the Teatro de la Luna bilingual celebration; they did art and puzzles with all the other kids before going to see the Hansel and Gretel play….riker watched the entire thing and piper laid on the floor for most of it

That evening we went down to Clarendon to do some shopping and eat dinner at Pete’s new haven pizza; we got a great booth for the girls to hang out so the parents could relax (see pix at the top).

On sunday morning mike took riker ice skating at reston town center while wendy took piper shopping (we figured piper would not be able to ice skate); riker was very excited, but got nervous quickly, we did about 3 shaky laps around the rink before she called it quits.  that was okay; it gave mike and riker a chance to have lunch together at Jacksons.  The rest of the day we cooked, watched football, and the girls played on the ipad.

 

jan. 13th weekend

This weekend was just mike and the girls as wendy went to New Mexico to be with her mother during her final days (LINK).

The girls were great all week; listening, eating and sleeping (although I did start a bad habit of letting riker sleep in my bed at night).

The weekend was a nice relief; on Friday we went to pizzeria orso after ballet; we got their early and beat the crowd

On Saturday we woke up went downtown to the natural history museum; riker was talking all week that she wanted to see dinosaur bones, so we checked those out.  Not sure if it was the MLK holiday, but down town DC was crowded; too an hour to find a parking spot.

On Sunday, we went downtown again, but went to the oconnell’s to hang out with neve and josie…..you can tell these girls are going to be good friends; riker and neve were scooter’ing all over the neighborhood, and josie and piper played great.  We went to a kavanaghs for lunch.

 

GrandMary Riker – 5/28/42 to 1/12/12

“Death is not extinguishing the light, it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come.”

–Rabindranath Tagore

With sadness and a heavy heart we remember the life of Mary Christopher Riker (Christy), 69, _­of Cochiti Lake, New Mexico—formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by her husband of 37 years William Riker and her beloved children Christopher Riker, Rachael Schultz, Rebecca Riker and Wendy Matthews, Christy passed away peacefully in the early morning of January 12, 2012.

She fought her cancer valiantly for two years and did so with great resilience, being strong for her many grandchildren:  Liam and Rhiannon Riker, Lucas and Nathan Schultz, Riker and Piper Matthews, Allen Scolese and Sam Siple.

Her family and friends will miss her delightful ability to charm and engage them, her creative cooking flare, her zest for life, her remarkable way of leaving a positive impact on her children and the children she taught and inspired, her affection for animals, her love of Independence and Christmas Days and her effortless pride in her family.

Thank you all for the support, love and well wishes that were sent during her journey and for your friendship during her life. We know that she loved each and every one of you very much.

When I die

Give what’s left of me away

To children

And old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,

Cry for your brother

Walking the street beside you.

 

And when you need me,

Put your arms

Around anyone

And give them

What you need to give to me.

 

I want to leave you something,

Something better

Than words

Or sounds.

 

Look for me

In the people I’ve known

Or loved,

And if you cannot give me away,

At least let me live on your eyes

And not on your mind.

 

You can love me most

By letting

Hands touch hands,

By letting

Bodies touch bodies,

And by letting go

Of children

That need to be free.

 

Love doesn’t die,

People do.

So, when all that’s left of me

Is love,

Give me away. 

~Merrit Malloy

In her memory please consider making a donation of blood, as it is a reflection of her generosity to give back to the living. If you care to make a monetary donation in her name to a charitable organization, she was actively involved with Futures for Children located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, or please consider any local animal rescue organization.

 

Success at the dentist!!

 

post holiday hangover?

Getting back into the swing of things after the holidays; we went out to dinner on Friday night at the beach shack; piper ate an entire plate of pasta with butter.

On satruday we went to hains point park in the morning to let the girls run around for a couple hours,….i don’t know what it is about this park but someone always seems to get hurt; piper nailed her head, but was okay.  That evening we went over to the petersens to watch football and eat hotdogs and chili,….the loughs, brantleys, and blachards were there- 10 kids!

Sunday mike took the girls to glen echo park so wendy could pack for her trip to new mexico to see her mom.  This park was very cool; it’s an old amusement park from the 1930 that still has all the buildings, but none of the rides,…regardless, the girls loved running around it for a few hours.

 

 

Clare and dons night out

 

xmas week 2011

Mimi and pap came into town on Wed and we went to pie tanzza; on Thurs. Steve came into town and the Matthews went up to university of Maryland for Pap commencement speech to the Maryland business school graduates.  Pap did a great job addressing the crowd of almost 1000 people; check it out on line if you have a free 15min.  After the commencement we went right to riker and pipers xmas recital at building blocks; both girls did an excellent job singing and dancing- riker had a bells solo and even wore a steelers santa hat.  That night we got a sitter and the adults went out to dinner at willow’s; we had a great time catching up with mimi and pap.

On Fri riker took mimi to the rough faced girl play in Shirlington as her xmas present; mike went with but went to the Shirlington Library to do some work.  That night we had a home cooked dinner by pap then steve mike and wendy went to Clare and don’s while mimi and pap watched the kids.

On sat morning mimi and mike took the girls to the international spy museum; then home to listen to the steelers whoop up on the rams.  That night was xmas eve; so we wrapped presents, went to church, and then tracked santa on his way to Arlington, va.  Riker was scared that santa would come into the house and made mike guarantee he’d keep watch on the stairs.

Sunday was xmas and damn were the girls excited; they were up at 8am and did not finish opening presents until 10am; before heading off to the airport we took the girls to the park so riker could ride her new scooter that uncle steve gave her.  We dropped everyone off at the airport and picked up aunt lynn on the same trip; she is in town for a few days to watch the girls so mike and wendy can make their annual trip to NYC.

On Monday morning we had a great breakfast, opened presents from aunt lynn, then went to clemijontri so the girls could get some energy out; Aunt robin and kate met us there.

On tues morning mike and wendy took the train to NYC we had a blast; we stayed at kenny’s princes place in the west village; we went to time square, out to eat a few times, saw phish and the disco biscuits, hung out with schaivi, jess, pete, and marshall, and took the subway up and down Manhattan.  It’s a great annual trip and so fun and easy on the train.

We got back home to well taken care of kids by aunt lynn and played it cool for a few days; Julia and Bridges came into town on the 30^th; we hung out with the kids and watched the phish show on tv; definitely a strange experience.

On new year’s eve we first went to jammin java for a kids concert, rocknocurous; it was so cute to see neve, riker and oliva jammin’ at the front of the stage!…..all our friends were there and afterwards we went to a local park to let some energy out……that night we went to the carrier’s to get the kids together; we knocked open a pinnate then faked a NYE countdown at 9am then put the kids to bed and the adults (and drew) watched the real count down,…..it makes you feel old to spend NYE this way, but it’s always been armature night when you go out on NYE.

 

riker knows her NFL teams

 

Matthews go to church

 

xmas is near; ballet and work parties dominate the weekend

Christmas is near; we had a great weekend leading up to the holidays.  On Friday we went to riker and kayla’s ballet recital; it was a culmination of the work she does all year.  She was very excited to see us there and ran over to us a few times.  After wards we went to pie tanza for pizza and meatball sandwiches (rikers new favorite food for this week)

On Saturday was mike’s work party; so that he could prepare wendy to both girls down to olive and gigi’s birthday party at the lough’s house; they came home with whistles.  On Saturday afternoon was Mike’s work party to celebrate the recent ocelot win.  We rented out the downstairs bar at clare and don’s; Dave and Rebecca (owners) put on a great event that exceeded expectations.  We had tons of food and bought drink tickets for all 45 guests.   They party was only supposed to last until 5pm, but folks stayed until 8pm.  It was great.

On Sunday, after being awoken by whistles, we went down to union station to shop and get train tickets for our upcoming trip to NYC.  Wendy went for a run while we were down there, and mike took the girls to the national postal museum.  After a nice lunch in the train station we headed back for naps.  Sunday evening was a big event for riker; she went to the Kennedy center for the real nutcracker ballet.  Wendy took her along with the johnson’s (Kayla) and her friend Casey from school.  They even had a tea party at the Johnson’s beforehand.  Very cool.

 

Letters to santa- going in the mailbox

 

uncle steve in town; pot luck weekend

Good weekend as we ramp up for the holidays; uncle steve came into town thurs. night for business and we met up with him at the Arlington roof top bar to watch the steelers browns game.  He gave the girls presents; they were excited

On Friday evening we went to pizzeria orso; we got a great booth and the uncle steve joined us for dinner.

On Saturday we prepared for our annual pot luck party; this year we said “no kids allowed” so the adults could enjoy the evening.  Wendy set up the house while mike and uncle steve took the girls to lyon village park and gravelly point park, before dropped steve off at the airport.

Saturday night was the big party; it was great having all the adults, just like old times.  We had 28 people over and everyone fit nicely in our house.  The girls went to the Johnson’s where we got a sitter for our two girls and the Johnson’s two girls.  Stayed up a bit later than normal, but it was worth it.

On Sunday we went to the mall to do some xmas shopping at ballston commons mall; santa was there, although he looked kinda creepy; the girls were initially excited to see him, but once we got within a few feet of him they would not get any closer.  We also finally got our xmas tree; we’ll decorate it this week.

 

Decorating the xmas tree

 

At arlington roof top for the game w uncle steve

 

1st weekend of Dec

It was a great weekend to be home in the Washington metro area; on Saturday night we met up with chris carrier at the beach shack; he had all 3 of his boys for the weekend, so he was looking for a little break.  Good thing we had an outside table, because all the kids did was run around.

On satruday we packed everyone up and went down to Alexandria for their scottish christmas walk; we had a great time walking the parade route; we loved the bag pipes and there was even a group of Airedale terriers in the parade.

That evening we went over the petersen’s so he could take xmas pictures of the family; you’ll have to wait for the xmas card to see those.  We then went to firework pizza; the pizza was okay, but the girls behaved great- piper had the ipad and riker just chatted.

On Sunday morning mike took the girls to the national harbor; they have a really nice set up over the holidays; it’s like they just dropped a few city blocks on the side of the Potomac river.  We walked along the harbor, saw the xmas decorations at the Gaylord hotel, and went to the kids zone museum.

That evening we listened to the steelers crush the Bengals on the radio, and made gingerbread houses.  Now we have to get the house ready for xmas.

 

wanna see the girls sing?

 

thanksgiving 2011!

We had a great thanksgiving day weekend; the night before we called an audible and decided to have thanksgiving dinner at home vs. going to magianos as planned; just did not think the girls could sit still for an hour.  At 10pm the night before thanksgiving pap went to the grocery store and was able to get all the thanksgiving fixens with no lines.

On thanksgiving morning, since we were in town, we decided to head downtown.  We went to the American history museum, then for a walk on the national mall.  It was a great time to go downtown as there were not many people down there.

Thanksgiving dinner was great; we watched some football, ate some food, and then watched some more football.  I think the girls liked being at home, so they could watch all their TV shows.

On Friday morning aunt robin, kate and aly come over; they were in town from auburn and Atlanta respectively.  They played with the girls and we learned kate will be in town over the xmas holidays so we’ll have a sitter.  The girls also made birdfeeders with mimi and pap; they now are hanging on all the trees in our yard.

Mom came home from new mexico on Friday evening; the girls were ecstatic to see her after being gone for a week.  Mike and wendy took advantage of mimi and pap being in town and went down to iota to see the jackfields play.

Saturday was all about the university of Virginia – Virginia tech football game.  We took the kids down to clarendon in the morning decked out in uva gear; we had pizza and cupcakes.  During their nap caroline came over to babysit and mike and wendy went to bailey’s to watch the game; the carriers, josh, reina, tracy and josh foo met us.  It was a crappy game, but we had fun.  We were outnumbered by tech fans by a factor of 50-1, no joke.

On Sunday we went to difficult run in great falls; this is an awesome path near great falls.  The girls really enjoyed the outdoors, they ran/walked up the path for about two hours; we had lunch, and then hiked back.

 

wendy in new mexico; mimi and pap in town

Wendy left for new meixco on Friday evening, and mike had an evening with the girls,….we did not do much except drive wendy to the air port, then home for tv watching!

On Saturday we got up early and went to the enchanted forest at the tyson’s corner westin,….we were expecting a bit more kids activities, but we walked through the xmas tree forest, did some crafts and had lunch at the hotel.  Afterwards we went over to the Blanchards for pizza and play in their park.  The o’connells were there as well, so the girls got some good friend time.

That evening mimi and pap came into town for the thanksgiving week; we had a great dinner at clair and dons, then watched the thrilling UVA-FSU game……the game vs. VT is huge next week for the rights to go to the ACC championship.  UVA has never been!

We awoke Sunday to 70 degree weather and went to a 5k run at bluemont park.  We did not run the 5k, but piper did the toddler dash, which she was initially excited about, but cried as soon as the race started,….mimi ran with her.  Riker did the 1k kids run, and after a slow start of wanting to hold my hand, she ran the whole thing in a record time for her.  Afterwards we played at the bluemont park for about 2 hours,…an hour of which riker was on the tire swing with random kids.  Had pizza at flippin pizza afterwards.

Sunday night was relaxing,….no steeler game, and ate mimi’s spaghetti and meatballs.

 

Nov 11th weekend; the holiday season is upon us

Another beautiful weekend in the WMA; Friday we went to pizzeria orzo,….it is now standard to bring the ipad, which keeps piper busy,…..riker is content just answering our questions.  Dinner was great, but we all realized we were a bit under the weather when we ate about 1/3 of our pizzas.  The girls both had stomach aches coming into the weekend.

On Saturday we headed down to DC to see what was going on for veteran’s day.  Mike took the girls to the new MLK memorial, while wendy went for a run around the mall,….we met wendy at the FDR memorial, which blew away expectation,…..it is a big open space, with tons of small stone platforms for the girls to climb; we also learned a bit of history.  Next we headed over to Hains Point, they have a awesome park with a very cool setting right on the Potomac river; it might the location of the girls birthday parties next year.

On Sunday we hit repeat; headed down to DC and wendy went for a run then met up with us.  We went to Georgetown waterfront park.  Mike took the girls along the waterfront were we played Frisbee and soccer for a few hours, when met wendy after her run.  Went up to the C&O canal, and were planning on doing the boat ride and museum but ran out to time.   Went to Pizzeria Paradiso for lunch, and then had ice cream.  Very cool and lively atmosphere down there,…..we’ll be back soon.

Sunday afternoon we listened to the Steelers eke out a victory vs. Cincinnati.

 

1st one at school

 

Nov 4th weekend!

First weekend in Nov.; on Friday night we met the Johnson’s at Clair and don’s beach shack; mike wanted to talk to the owner Dave to see about having a work party there in December.  The 4 girls behaved great; we got a downstairs table for the 1^st time and had a blast.

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On Saturday we woke up early for a long run, and then went to the national zoo because it was so nice outside.  We went to the Amazonia for the 1^st time and it was really cool; it was basically a replica of the amazon rainforest with monkey and birds floating around.  We also saw the monkeys, elephants, and the tigers.  Riker did fall flat on her face at the kid’s zone at the zoo, but she recovered after a few minutes.

 

 

That evening the Petersen’s came over with Colin and Campbell; colin is the cutest baby, his eyes are constantly wide open, looking around.  We had fajitas for dinner and the girls played with some new toys and watched movies in the play room.  Very easy.

On Sunday mike took the girls down to the national geographic museum in dc; it exceeded expectations; they had an exhibit entitled Grossology and had a ton of great interactive kids game.  Definitely high recommended for any kids in the area.  They also had a anglo saxon exhibit across the hall; it was not quite as kid friendly,…..we went in for a bit, but getting reprimanded 3 times for running, sitting in the middle of the floor and using a cell phone, we went back to grosslogy.

 

Sunday evening we spent at the park and prepping for the ravens-steelers game tonight,….here we go.

We also finally got bob dylans theme time radio hour back on; great way to wind down on Sunday evening at the end of the weekend!

 

Dinner with the johnsons at clair and dons

 

Halloween 2011

Strange weekend; not as much activity as most, but all in preparation for Halloween.  On Friday night we took the metro down to pete’s pizza in clarendon; it might be one of the last nice evenings to do this for a while.

On Saturday morning the weather was horrible; went down to clarendon for the Halloween festival, but it was too cold and rainy; we felt bad because it would have been a great event, with a petting zoo included, but the weather was unbearable.  As a fall back mike took the kids to ballston commons mall to run around,…..we also had ice cream.

Saturday night was a parent’s night out; Fabi came over to watch the girls so mike and wendy could go out to the American Ice Company in DC for the emery’s going away party; they are moving to San Diego in the beginning of Nov.  It was great to catch up with everyone.

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On Sunday we took the girls over to Donna’s; she has been asking to see the girls for awhile.  Riker and piper were both excited to go back to her house.  We did some park action later in the day, before settling down to watch the steelers handle the new England patriots.

Monday was Halloween; and we decided to stay local and support our neighborhood.  It did not disappoint; we went a little further than years past and it was a full on kids fest.  The girls got 100s of pieces of candy and were totally tuckered out by the time we wound our way back home.