Thursday, December 25, 2008


Merry Christmas!
I don't think Jonah fully grasps Christmas yet because we weren't up at 5:00 am to open gifts.  He actually slept until 7 and so did Jackie. We had such a special day celebrating the birth of Jesus.  Having only been in California for three and a half weeks, life has been a little hectic.  It was nice to take a day to enjoy time as a family.  My Gram, Aunt Suzanne and her son Ethan (on my Dad's side) came to visit for the holiday.  After opening some presents at our "new" house, playing a little, making a few phone calls, and eating a breakfast of baked oatmeal, we went to GP's house to spend time with family, open a few more presents, eat Christmas dinner, and sing Christmas karaoke.  When we pulled into our driveway at 7:30 this evening, Jonah said "We are happy, because we are together."  That is the truth.  Here are a few pictures to commemorate this special day.  

Jonah is seeing his bike (with pedals) for the first time.  For the past month whenever anyone asks him what he wants for Christmas, he says a bike with pedals.  Since he is so skilled on his bike without pedals, he got a special orange Christmas present.


GP is very good at karaoke.

Yes, I look a lot like my Daddy!


This is Gram.  Jessi's Dad's mom.

Jackie might be ready for solid food as indicated by her eating some wrapping paper.


Thursday, December 11, 2008

WE APOLOGIZE FOR NOT UPDATING THE BLOG MORE FREQUENTLY.  WE HAVE BEEN BUSY MOVING.  KEEP CHECKING FOR A DETAILED UPDATE TO COME SOON.  UNTIL THEN.....HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES FROM MY 30TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT PALO ALTO SOL (A MEXICAN RESTAURANT).  MY 30TH BIRTHDAY WAS SO SPECIAL WITH MANY WISHES FROM MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.  I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE.  ALSO COMING SOON ARE MY 30 GOALS FOR MY 30TH YEAR!   I WILL HAVE TO POST THEM HERE FOR SOME ACCOUNTABILITY.







  


Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!

Jonah was a pirate and Jacqueline was a pumpkin.  This was the first Halloween that Jonah really understood what was going on.  We trick-or-treated with a bunch of friends from the neighborhood, and there were tons of kids wandering around Foxhall Village having a great time.  Jonah inherited his mommy's sweet tooth, and was bouncing off the walls for a couple of days based on his loot.  Daddy has been doing his best to help Jonah get through the candy :)

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!

Jonah insists that he is a "good pirate" not a "scary pirate"

Cutest pumpkin I've ever seen

Emre, Charlie, and Jonah trick or treating

Jonah, Emre, and Lea setting up spider webs outside

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Marine Corps Marathon

I ran the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 26, 2008.  I am just getting around to posting about it now because this is the first time I could walk all of the way to the computer since the run.  Really, though, it was a great marathon.  At the start line, I was surrounded by marines, and they started singing some sort of marine song about going off to war.  Very motivating stuff as you're getting ready for your first marathon.  I met my goal of finishing in less than four hours, and was able to raise some money for an injured marine charity along the way.  While I didn't win the race, I certainly had the cutest support/cheering crew of the 30,000 runners by far.  Many of our friends from the neighborhood came out to cheer (and/or jeer) me along.
Finished!

Gram with Jacqueline after the race

Jonah and Jackie waiting for daddy

Snug as a bug in a rug

Buon Giorno, Principessa! (my favorite picture from the race)

Daddy giving some tips to a future 2:30 marathoner. . .


Sunday, October 12, 2008

Grandpa and Nana visit DC

We had a great visit with Grandpa and Nana when they came to visit October 10-12.  Grandpa got to meet Jackie for the first time.  As always, the kiddos were spoiled and it was great to spend the weekend with the family.




Saturday, October 11, 2008


Jonathan's Admission to the Federal Circuit Bar

I was admitted to the Federal Circuit Bar on October 7, 2008. Judge Prost said some really nice things from the bench, and made a point to mention Jessi, Jonah, and Jacqueline. I don't know how to express what an amazing year this has been without sounding like I'm kissing up, but I feel so blessed to work for such a wonderful judge and with so many talented clerks at the court. Now I understand why former clerks always tell me that this is the best job I will ever have. . .
Jonathan & Jacqueline

Judge Prost, Jacqueline, Jonathan, and Jessi

Sunday, October 05, 2008


Baby Jacqueline's Dedication

Jacqueline was dedicated on Sunday, October 5, 2008, at DC Metro Church in Arlington, VA.  David and Taryn Stine's youngest son Josiah was also dedicated on the same day.  It was a very special day.  Jacqueline wore a beautiful pink dress from Nana, but we didn't get any close-up pictures :)  Ooops. . .


Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Family Pictures

We had these pictures taken a few months ago, but we just realized that none were posted on the blog.  These were taken at the Lincoln memorial, a few miles from our house, when Jackie was 13 days old.  Jonah lost his monkey when we were in Seattle a few weeks ago, but Nana came this weekend and saved the day, bringing him a new monkey :)





Saturday, September 27, 2008

Photos!!  I've had some requests for photos and apologize to our wonderful friends and family who are interested in the happenings of our lives.  















We had some great friends living with us for three weeks.  Jonah and his best buddy Owen really enjoyed playing the guitar in their underwear.  



















Jon and Jacqueline waiting at the bus stop after a visit to the court.  















We made a scouting trip to Seattle and were lucky enough to run into the Baird family.  I got to swim with Melissa (who is 8 months pregnant), and Jon got to run with Nathan. 



















Jackie loved looking at Uncle Ben's cool beard.







 











Jackie's first plane flight to Seattle and Jonah's ...ummm .... 15th???



















Owen will be a great big brother some day.  He was enthralled with "Baby Jackie."



















We had many adventures with Kiki and Owen.  This picture was taken on our way home from a morning at the park.















Jonah rode his bike to his first day of preschool.  He was so excited to go to school and says circle time whenever you ask him what he did at preschool.







  











What is this big green chair?  We are still trying to figure it out (well, not really).  It sure makes for a cool picture on our walk home from a Saturday morning bagel breakfast with the Fountains.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008


SIX WEEKS OLD!

The mosquitos got Jackie (twice).  Washinton D.C. has a lot of mosquitos and they are constantly getting all of us except Jon.  Jonah likes to say "mosquito got me".  Whenever we clap our hands together he thinks we are getting a mosquito.  Jackie is smiling now.
When I was taking pictures of Jackie's mosquito bites, Jonah asked me to take a picture of him.  He actually has a bad cold today, so we are home playing with Lego's and watching Sesame Street (right now).  He is also potty training, hence the big boy underwear.

Life with two has been busy and an adjustment, but I have
been reminded that this is just a season of life and a very special season to enjoy. I (this is Je
ssi writing) feel so thankful and blessed with these two children. I know they are a gift and we want to raise them to be good people to help others and enjoy life to its fullest. Life has progressed much quicker with two. We seem to be out and about a lot more and have had some fun adventures. Jackie went to the zoo with her brother one week after she was born, and we go on daily walks, and spend a lot of time at the park and pool. Jonah is still adjusting to having a baby sister. For example, last night I was holding Jackie and Jonah said "Daddy hold baby Jackie, mommy hold Jonah."

We just found out that Jackie is going to have another boy cousin from Aunt Laurie and Uncle Ben. We are so excited and can't wait to meet the new McFarland family member (due at the beginning of January). Also, my sister Stephenie and her husband had a baby 2.5 weeks after Jackie was born (July 30). His name is Graham Anthony DellaRocco. Unfortunately we won't be able to get to Florida until Thanksgiving, but what a special time it will be to see baby Graham. Uncle Stephen will be there visiting too.... yipee!


Sweet Sleeping Baby - 5 weeks old.


Go Redskins! Daddy, Jonah, and Jackie at the redskins game. We made it almost to half time. It was a beautiful night with milkshakes, nachos, and pizza. Of course Jonah drank almost all of the milkshake

Every Sunday morning, we walk somewhere in Georgetown for breakfast and coffee. We started doing this in April and have really enjoyed our Sunday morning walks before church. It is always a challenge to see how quickly we can get ready for church.
Owen and Jonah... As Owen says, "Two Peas in a Pod". Owen and his family will be staying with us for two weeks. We will only be there for one week (because we will be in Seattle the other week), but that week will be full of fun and craziness.
Jonah always wants to give baby Jackie her "baba". Lately he has been asking her to lay down with him for story time before nap.