The Apple House

One of the best parts about where we live is that we are equally close to big city as we are to full-on country. Especially in the fall, it is so great to be able to drive a half hour and be in little country towns with cute barns and fall foliage. Last week, my friend Maytanee introduced me to this little gem of a country restaurant called, The Apple House. Right on the side of the road in a cute red barn, The Apple House is famous for their apple donuts. So we stopped in for some, as well as some delicious country breakfast, on our way to Skyline Drive. (more on that later)

Annual Smith Halloween Extravaganza

Our friend Maytanee has a father who is...well...OBSESSED with Halloween. She had warned us about how all out he goes for Halloween decorations...but, still, I was blown away. Entire rooms wallpapered in blood splatter.  Severed heads around every corner. Hallways of enchanted photos. Incredible.

Plus, the only thing he MIGHT love more than Halloween, is Rock Band. So he combines them into one crazy night. They have the most incredible Rock Band set-up ever. A full stage. Personal monitors. A live-view camera for the crowd. And stage lights synched to the beat. Also. Incredible.

Jared and I didn't have much time to plan out our costumes like in years past. {See HERE for some of our costumes from the past.} So we went to the local costume shop, and got Pac-Man and Inky the ghost costumes...mostly because we knew we could reuse them over and over in the middle school ministry, when we play Blind Pacman. So we made do...and had a lot of fun spending time with new friends, and being impressed by their dads.

Eastern Market

Jared and I ventured to Eastern Market for the first time a couple weeks ago. Spring was just beginning and everyone in the District knew it and was taking full advantage. It was the nicest day out...a little crisp in the shade and so nice and warm in the sun. I even took off my sweater for a while as we walked through the city. I think that was the first time my arms have seen the light of day since October!  But anyway, we stumbled upon Eastern Market, and I must say that it may be my new favorite thing to do in DC. It's kind of like the Swap Meet, but in the middle of a city and with an entire fresh farmers market. The sight of all those fresh local fruits and veggies was so mouthwatering. Don't they look yummy?!  People were selling all their arts and crafts (like purses and wallets made out of old books) as well as their homegrown produce and meats and dried fruit and nuts. Including this cute old lady whom we bought some yummy dried mango from. They also have a whole indoor market where you can order meals that you eat right then. Unfortunately Jared and I had just eaten breakfast...but we'll have to go back soon to eat some lunch!  I look forward to many more trips to Eastern Market!

Blossoms

Jared and I went down to the cherry blossom festival today. It is so PRETTY! I've always loved spring...but after today I think I've never known what spring was. In California, we get the mustard that blooms and takes over all the hills, which has always been my favorite. But we never get trees that are taken over by flowers. No leaves...just flowers. It's incredible! Also, I now understand the phrase, "spring has sprung" because it literally SPRUNG! I mean, one day the trees were skeletons, and the next they've exploded with color. Here is an example. I took the picture on the left last Saturday, and the picture on the right today in the same spot. See what I mean?

Here are a few more of my favorite pictures from our walk around the Tidal Basin today.

 

And here's a little video of the things we saw today...including a sighting of Marine Force One. That helicopter flew back and forth over the Tidal Basin all day. Maybe the Obamas just wanted a good view of the pretty blossoms!



HAPPY SPRING!

Snow Nerds

Ok so we're back. I wasn't sure if anyone was reading our blog, so I didn't put in a lot of effort to keep up with it.  Then I learned while visiting California, that you do read it...and you kind of like it. So there. One little ask.  If you read this lovely blog, let us know. That way I will feel like my time is well spent. So leave a comment or something...

Moving on...

Snow is still really cool. We haven't experienced "crazy, keep you inside the house, only eat boxed macaroni" snow like we heard about happening last year during "Snowmaggedon".  I'm sure when we experience that kind of snow we might change our feelings towards it. But for now, it's really fun. We got maaaaaayyybee and inch last night, so Jared and I decided to go goof off in our driveway. We are such California Snow Nerds....and I'm an even bigger nerd for making a video of it. I'm slightly embarrassed. I hope it at least makes you smile a little.

Snow Nerds from Alanna Moine on Vimeo.

My family, Cannons, & Jordin Sparks

My family came out to visit last weekend and it was so good to see their faces.  We did lots of fun things together...one of which was visiting the battlefields.  If you didn't know, we live only a few miles from the place where the Battle of Bull Run (1 & 2) was fought. Given the fact that Jared and I are history nerds and we only live a few miles away...AND it only cost $3 to visit, I am surprised we hadn't been there yet. But now we can check it off the list. Not only is it a cool historical spot, it also is really pretty and a great place to take pictures....especially with all the fall colors and fallen leaves. So, we had a little impromptu family photoshoot for the Christmas card. We also went for a little hike, climbed all over the cannons (which we later learned is prohibited) and I attempted to teach my 6 year old brother what the Civil War was about. FYI...since living here we've learned that in the south they call these battles the "Battles of Manassas" and they call the Civil War "The War of Northern Aggression." Interesting. Here are some of my favorite shots of the day.

 

 Speaking of the Civil Wars...how good is this song?

I guess it's official