We spent part of the holidays in Kansas City with family, beginning our trip with a Christmas Eve visit to my grandma Martha. That evening, we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at Lydia’s with Zach’s mom, Beth—ordering the pasta trio—before heading home to wrap a few last-minute gifts. On Christmas morning, we had a wonderful time with Brian, Darlene, Jadzia, and Grandpa Don. We opened gifts, enjoyed veggie quiche, and played a board game called Obscurio . Later that evening, we c

Zach and I ran a snowy Jingle 5K at the Tidal Basin last weekend. It was absolutely frigid—our toes went numb early on—but we had a blast. The holiday spirit helped, especially with so many runners showing up in full Christmas costumes, which made the cold feel a little more fun. I’ve also been spending time at Bethesda Fine Arts Studio, where I started pastel art classes in late November. So far, I’ve worked on a still life of a swan and apple, as well as drawings of penguin

My parents visited us in DC, and we spent the week exploring the city and nearby areas on long walks. They met Goose and Berry, and we ended the trip by enjoying the sparkling lights at the Smithsonian Zoo.

Earlier this week, we adopted two four-month-old kittens—Goose and Berry! They’re a bonded pair, brothers from a litter of five. Playful, snuggly, and cute as buttons, they’ve already filled our home with purrs and mischief.

Zach and I visited Lake Bernard Frank of Needwood Park and Lake Clopper of Seneca Creek Park this weekend right when the leaves started...

Zach and I spent the day at Harpers Ferry in West Virginia where we visited local shops that had unique pottery, vintage clothing, and...

Zach and I did a fall spruce-up of our rooftop garden. We replaced the marigolds, vincas, and Black-eyed Susans with asters, pansies, and...

Zach and I visited the Maryland Corn Maze last weekend, celebrating the start of Autumn by navigating a Wicked-themed corn maze and...

Zach and I made a trip down to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, where we saw giant pink lotus flowers and water lilies surrounded by wetlands....

Zach, my mom, and I went walking at the Overland Park Arboretum. The weather was beautiful and the park was in full bloom with zinnias...

We joined a few friends to go camping at Lake Anna, and we arrived there right as the sun was setting. We swam during golden hour and...

Zach and I returned this year to Dumbarton Oaks Garden where bees were buzzing around spectacular flowers and fruit trees bearing apples,...

Zach and I have been adding plants to our apartment's rooftop, and we've enjoyed the colorful blooms and pollinators they attract. A...

We went to McKee Beshers, a wildlife management area, with three of our friends and had a picnic by sunflower fields. We then stopped to...

Photos by Emily Levinson, Alexandra Kelsay, and Zach Kelsay Enjoy these pictures from our stroll among the sunflowers at Burnside Farms.

We spent the weekend at sunny Fenwick Island in Delaware and enjoyed our time at the beach. We had fun playing like kids on the beach -...

We went hiking in Soapstone Valley, and stopped at a field of yellow flowers.