T-17 minutes!

ORS-1 Minotaur rocket from Wallops Island, Va.
(obviously a previous launch...)

So I've turned into a supernerd and found out that there is a military satellite rocket launch by NASA on the east coast of Virginia tonight, and we're supposed to be able to see it! The launch was originally set for 10:05pm, but due to some problems it's now for 11:09pm. I am trying my hardest to keep Logan awake because I think this is an awesome opportunity for him (and me, too!). 


To make me more of a supernerd, I follow NASA on Twitter (follow me @tiffany_lynne83) and I tweeted them and they replied! I'm such a geek that nobody has ever replied to me on twitter and so I'm super excited that they did.


11:21pm-edited to add that we didn't see anything :( I got my hopes up for nothing. Oh well. But now I have decided that I want a telescope! Guess I'd better add it to my wish list...

E-A-G-L-E-S-EAGLES! (and cheesesteak. Oh, and a LONG trip home)

In an earlier post, I mentioned a horrific trip back from New York and said I'd mention it later. Well, since the kids are napping, I guess now is as good a time as any. What was supposed to be a 6-6 1/2 hour trip home actually turned into a 9 hour trip home. We left Long Island at 2:30ish (mistake #1) and thought we'd be home by 9 at the latest. Ha.


We kind of weren't in much of a rush at all, so when our GPS decided to take us through the city to get back, we decided what the heck (mistake #2). Kyle had never been to Manhattan before, so at least he'd see some of it. Well, that nice Manhattan trip turned into a not-so-nice Bronx trip. The traffic wasn't too scary, but the tolls sucked (note to self: get an EZPass for our next trip ANYWHERE, the lines are MUCH shorter!).  As we finally got onto the NJ Turnpike, Kyle decided that since we would be "so close" to Philadelphia that we should just swing by Lincoln Financial Field to get a look at it (for those of you that don't know, Kyle is a huge Eagles fan) and also get some authentic Philly cheesesteaks. I reluctantly said okay (mistake #3), because I knew that a "quick" trip into Philly wouldn't be so quick. Boy was I right.


We got into Philadelphia and right away went to the stadium. Luckily the Phillies game had already ended, so there was no traffic or anything like that to deal with. We drove into the parking lot and got some pictures, then left to go find a cheesesteak. Logan & I had already eaten at a rest stop off the NJ Turnpike (don't do that - 2 small meals at Roy Rogers cost us $20! - mistake #4), so it was just Kyle looking to get one. 30 minutes later we find the place that he wants to go (Geno's, which I'm told is one of the best), find a parking spot, and the kids & I stay in the van while he goes and gets his much-awaited cheesesteak. 


While waiting, Dylan gets hungry and decides that he needs to eat now or else! So, I feed him in the front seat and wait for Kyle to get back. He does, eats his food, we get Dylan situated back in his car seat, and we're off again. We run into a bit of traffic, and about an hour later Dylan decided he is done with this car ride. We pull off to get him out and walk around a bit... mistake #5.


After we're done with potty breaks and a quick walk around the rest stop, we decide to forge ahead. Dylan wasn't too happy with the mini-break, and boy did he let us know! I thought he had some loud fits before, well... those were nothing compared to this! Apparently he was tired (so was I), and he fell asleep. About 20 minutes back into our trip, right after Dylan falls asleep, another little voice from the back of the van says, "I have to go potty." Oh, Logan....


So, we stop for yet another potty break, all the while praying that Dylan doesn't wake up when the van stops. Luckily he didn't! We get going (again) and all seems well. Then the traffic in Maryland is awful. I finally get some rest (many thanks to Kyle for being our chauffeur all weekend ♥), and about an hour into my nap, Dylan woke up and started screaming. Again. This time, he's not hungry or tired, just bored and ready to get out of the car seat. I have to shimmy my way between the two captains chairs in the van (the back seat was folded down to allow room for all of our "gear") during bad traffic, and I have to sit there consoling Dylan for what seems like an eternity. My legs were both asleep, my head was pounding, let me just say I hope it's something I'll never have to do again.


He gets quiet. Then traffic stops in Virginia. To save you the misery, we find a back way home and finally make it home at 11:30 pm.  What a day.

The Pool is Cool!

Logan, Dylan, and I made a trip to our community pool today for the first time this summer. Logan hasn't been too keen on swimming, especially without hanging on to me or Kyle. But today he shocked me! He jumped right into the pool, went down one of the water slides the pool has, and even JUMPED OFF THE DIVING BOARD! GO LOGAN!

Here are some videos (sorry they're poor quality - I have an iPhone 3g which doesn't have a video camera, so it's an app and it sucks). Once I get my Flip (*cough, cough, Kyle*) I'll be able to take nice HD videos...

What a weekend!

This past weekend sure was a busy one! Kyle's brother got married in Long Island, NY and we make the trek up there. The ride up there was not so bad; the kids did great and we made it there in pretty good time. The trip back, however, was a totally different experience... but more about that later. 


Logan was the cutest ring bearer you have ever seen, Kyle was a great best man, and I was on baby duty. Unfortunately, during the ceremony I had to leave due to an unhappy Dylan, but I heard it was a beautiful ceremony. Luckily I got to see Logan do his thing, then the beautiful bride (my new sister-in-law!) walk down the aisle with her parents. But then I had to leave :( 


Once I get more pictures I'll add them, but for now I have a few taken from our iPhones... but first a video of Kyle & Logan shaking their butts at the reception!

The best man & ring bearer

The happy couple
with Logan

The cutest baby ever &
my mother-in-law

We ♥ LaLa!

We'll be leaving Wednesday for New York to go to Kyle's brother's wedding. While we're there, LaLa (my sister) is so graciously staying at our house and watching our dogs. I feel so much more comfortable with this, rather than leaving the dogs at a boarding facility. Ever since Rocky starting having seizures, he's been on medication twice daily for it, and I know LaLa will give it to him, and he'll be much more comfortable at home. And Oscar... well, we all know he's a diva and won't be caught DEAD at a boarding facility...

Thanks LaLa!

Happy (early) Father's Day!

Logan & Grandpa at Disney World!

Kyle & Dylan

Poppy, Logan, & Dylan

I just wanted to wish all the dads (and moms that deserve it) a happy father's day! Yes, I'm a little early, but I'm not sure if I'll be updating this weekend so I figured I'd do it now. The awesome fathers in my life definitely deserve it, putting up with Kyle & I :) So, to my dad, Kyle's dad, and Kyle - HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

All About Us! (Not that you already didn't know...)

Just us 

Kyle & I have been happily married for over 7 years. We have 2 wonderful, awesome sons, Logan & Dylan. Logan turned 5 this year and is SUPER excited to start kindergarten in the fall! Dylan was born at the end of February this year and is quickly learning the ropes of being a Steffensmeier! We live in Northern Virginia, where Kyle works as a computer geek and I'm a veterinary technician.

Logan & Oscar

Quirky ol' Rocky

We also have 2 very cool dogs, Oscar & Rocky. Oscar is a miniature dachshund who will be 8 in November, and Rocky is a weird mixed breed dog who's age is unknown. We think he's about 9 or 10. They add some cuddle into our lives, as they can never be too close to anyone (or their lap!).

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog! We've had a blog in the past, but I figured with all the new and exciting things going on with us, I'd start a new one. Hope you enjoy, and if you have any suggestions please let me know!