Orbiting Virginia

Thanks to my brother Beau getting the word out and the rest of my family contributing to a slightly excessive purchase on behalf of Baby number 1, my unborn child is the beneficiary of a beautiful and highly functional stroller. Whilst in Korea I was recently pregnant and perusing the internet for important baby items...car seats, strollers, cribs etc. When on the crate and barrel website I came across what looked like a very streamlined, compact yet pricey stroller. They had a link to the stroller website including an informational video and I was quickly convinced that this stroller was worth investigating more despite the cost. After researching, comparing the Orbit with many other strollers and reading countless consumer reviews from both sides, Chas and I pretty much decided that we would use dishtowels for diapers and use a laundry basket as a crib in order to have this stroller. When we shared this desire with my family they were skeptical but being the youngest and the most spoiled they all indulged me enough to look into it. Their contemplation turned into action and effective January 18th we became proud owners of a Mocha Orbit stroller. It is parked in my living room waiting for a tiny passenger named Olive. I can't wait to try it out and I know that Olive and I will have many comfortable power walks with the Orbit, not mention the rest of our children to come who will all partake of the pneumatic tires and completely washable microfiber lining.
(*Disclaimer...I do not read People, or US magazines. I don't care what Brad and Angelina's kids are wearing and I could care less if Gwen Stafani is "Hollywood's hottest mom". I wanted the Orbit before I knew of it's popularity among the stars and before it was on The Office. It would seem that I just happen to have really good taste and my supportive husband likes seemingly NASA made baby gadgets. :)

Here is Chas practicing putting a diaper on a butternut squash. It's his first time with a squash and baby for that matter real or pretend.

We live to DIY

(New eating nook)


For those of you who wondered, we did make it out of Ogalalla. Our car was miraculously fixed although not in time for the temple marriage of Josh and Jessica. Since returning to Virginia on October 13 Chas and I have been avidly helping Mema and Papi Clawson move out to their beautiful farmhouse at Lake Anna while just as avidly painting and preparing their old home in Montclair for baby Olive. We have had so much fun making it more our own, and all before 1.) Olive arrives and 2.) Chas starts school. We have pretty much finished and it feels like a huge accomplishment. The house is beautiful and perfect for us and we are so grateful to be settled. It was a major combined effort but I have to say that for a married couple we passed with flying colors. Although our visions and ideas were not always in sinc the overall process was not tainted by our opposing views. All in all we were able to both have a say and fuse our styles into something that works. I did have to put my foot down when Chas wanted to paint our kitchen table half black and half white calling it, "really funky style". However now that he sees the completed all black table he is relieved that I had the sense to stop that madness.


(I got this clock for my birthday and I love it, especially on our red walls)

Chas started school at George Mason last Wednesday and he is slowly remembering what it's like to be a student. He has 12 credits and they are all in the evenings, I'm not quite sure what I will do when he's not here but I suppose you can count on at least a little regularity with the blogging. I am slowly finishing getting things organized for the baby who seems to be positioning herself already for her big debut. My midwife said that she is very low and dipping which means that she is almost engaged. I have an appointment every Thursday from now until I deliver and last Thursday she said, "well I'll see you next week if you make it that long". YIKES! Luckily I am not to the point of wanting her out right this second and I also would like her to wait until Grandma Annie (my mom) arrives Thursday the 29th. We will see.



(Chas making enchiladas in our new kitchen with painted cabinets, new hardware and I already mentioned the red walls...the cabinets were a long process but definitely worth it.)

Adios Neil y Megan!

On Saturday we had a going away party for Chas' cousin and his wife...Neil and Megan. Megan is in the Foreign Service and they just received their first assignment to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was a fun time had by all and we were so happy to be able to open up our freshly painted home to friends and family. We will miss you Walton's and can't wait to come visit you. The 3 of us of course :) Here are some pics from the evening.



These are pictures from a camera we had set up on a tripod.











This cake was supposed to look like Argentina, it was pretty close but we forgot to take a picture before we hacked into it. It was a joint effort...Thanks Heidi for the tips, Judy for doing the actual assembly, Zac for the flag, and Brandon for the last minute outline.

Fine China

Many of you know we spent 3 weeks traveling China at the end of our sojourn in Korea.  Well here are some fabulous pics of our excursions.  Sorry they're all of the fine art variant sans any of us Clawsons.

Click here for the images.