Last weekend in VA

Austin Road Trip: First night in hotel

What a Summer!

I don't know if any one is still following my blog postings, especially given that I've neglected my journalistic duties for the last several months. 

My excuse is threefold. First, we've been especially busy since deciding to move to Austin TX. Second, I've discovered Instagram and find it an easier way to document the precious moments of our lives. Finally, I've been thinking that, as my daughters grow older, they may soon wish that their father is not broadcasting their every private moment for the world to see. 

And so, I am going to post a little less frequently and a little more privately. However, friends and family are welcome to follow me on Instagram. Look for "oharalama".

For those of you who haven't heard, we are moving to Austin because of a great job opportunity for me at the Advisory Board. We packed up our home today. We are staying in a hotel tonight and for the next week. Tomorrow, the movers come. Saturday, we celebrate Rory's seventh birthday. Sunday, we say goodbye. And on Monday, we begin a 4-day road trip from Alexandria to Austin. 

The adventure begins!

Aven Turns Four

Our little angel turned four years old. 

We celebrated with a few of her girl friends from school at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Aven thought it was very cool to pick our a birthday bear and help stuff it.

Look at that cute smile. 

The birthday crew and their bears!

Later in the week, we celebrated Aven's actual birthday with the meal of her choice: max & cheese, broccoli, and brownies. 

More Spring Pics

Eating corn at Max's house. 

Yummy!

Belinda comes for a visit. 

Rachel and Erin enjoy Sweet Frog with the girls. 

A picnic at Gravelly Point Park

Sisters. 

Baby Max

Baby Max. SOOOOOOO cute. 

Grandma and her grandkids. 

Rory and Aven meet their little cousin. 

Aven says hello. 

Rory says "I got you".

Uncle Allen still has time for his favorite nieces. 

Bigger than a bread basket

The sandwich at Max's Briss was so big, that ...

The Mommy at Max's Briss was so big, that ...

Opening Day, 2013

Rory enjoyed her 8th consecutive Opening Day with the Nationals (including her year in utero). 

Aven enjoyed her 500th consecutive "I am a Diva" Day.

Note that Chelle is holding our Grandfather's cap. Note also that Chelle gave birth less than 24 hours after this photo was taken. 

Amelia Island, 2013

We enjoyed a fun (but chilly) Spring Break at Amelia Island, Florida. 

It was so cold, that the highlight of the trip was the bonfire on the beach.

OK, the bonfire produced some very yummy s'mores, which made the fleeces and jeans worth it. 

I mean, they were REALLY YUMMY s'mores. Daddy had quite a few. 

But despite the cold, we enjoyed the time together as a family. (Hey, is Aven taking advantage of our distraction to steal food from Mommy's plate?!)

Random pictures from a random Spring

The kids enjoy lunch with their Nonna. 

Rory holds her gymnastic ribbon with pride. 

Grandkids and Grandmothers.

Crazy hair. 

Spring Has Arrived

Spring had arrived! And the little ladies insist on dining al fresco.

The little ladies search for eggs from the Easter bunnies.

Hey, I don't see any chocolate in this egg!

Disney Princess 2013

While in the Magic Kingdom, my little princesses got to say hello to their friends, including Ariel.

Sleeping Beauty

Rapunzel

And Aven's favorite, Cinderella

At this age, this has got to be her highlight to have met the "real" Cinderella.