10th Wedding Anniversary

Summer Stories, Part 4: Grandpa Steve and Alex Come to Town

Grandpa Steve made the journey from Iowa to Virginia again, but this time with our nephew Alex. We had such a fun time playing games, going to the beach, visiting DC and just simply being together. For Alex, it was his first time out of the Midwest and there were many new things to see and do. His highlight was definitely kayaking and enjoying all the bay has to offer. A special thanks to Jim for taking him running, kayaking to the lighthouse and rustling through the neighbor's weeds to play frisbee golf. 

I got a sack and it is just my size!

Pausing at the Reflecting Pool

One of those moments...

Alex at the Lincoln Memorial

Say cheese!

Cheese!

Can you guess where he is from?

"Swing me!"

A ride on the Carousel 

Grandpa Steve visits Richardson's Cafe*

*My dad likes Richardson's Cafe on Facebook and so before Father's Day, Jim emailed them to ask if they would use his name and/or dog' name in an upcoming specials menu. They were happy to do it and my dad was totally surprised when he read his own name on their posts, which he likes daily. Jim alerted them to his visit and they were ready with a reserved table and a warm welcome. He might have just felt like a celebrity!

Summer Stories, Part 3: Art Camp

A highlight of the summer was going to the Bay School of Arts for a free week of art camp. Each day for a few hours we went together and did art projects around myths and legends. It was great fun and because Bryce was just shy of the cut off, even mommy joined in as a helper. Below are a few photos of their experience. We will definitely be on the look out for this again next year.

Nature Hunters...A Parenting Win!

Last weekend we wanted to go for a hike, but the kids were happy playing and didn't share our enthusiasm. So after a little brainstorming together, we created a scavenger hunt to entice them. Once our "Nature Hunters" list was unveiled, they couldn't wait. I'd say it was a parenting win!

The first "Nature Hunters" list

It's always fun to visit the climbing dome at the start of the trail

Climbing up this steep hill was the highlight. Forget the scavenger hunt, it was fun to be daring and brave! Well, at least until we saw the imprint we were making and then we had to get back on the trail.

We did it!

Look at that view! We are so lucky to be living here!

The great thing was, we used the list a bit and even had a bag to collect some of the items, but after a short time we didn't need it because the kids were just enjoying some time on the trail...just as we knew they would.

Watching and Wondering @ The Virginia Living Museum

Ot

Summer Stories: Going Fishing

As summer was winding down, Bryce developed a real fascination with fishing and so we dug out the rods and headed to the beach. Our lovely neighbors have always encouraged us to use their dock and so this time we finally took them up on the offer. With us we brought a children's pole we had for Amelia and some old rods from my dad. The kids settled in and hoped for the best. 

The fish didn't seem to be biting, which was probably because of our bait. We were in the process of emptying out the fridge in preparation for departing and closing the house. Corn was all we had and . I was sure I knew of people fishing with corn. So we thought we would give it a try.

Sitting on the dock and waiting for a nibble gave us time to think, which almost always leads to wonderings worth sharing. She asked, "Daddy what happens if someone's pole falls in?" And right on cue, Bryce's rod dropped into the bay. For a moment it hung on the end of Amelia's rod, but there just wasn't enough time to catch it. Watching his beloved pole sink below the surface resulted in loud sobs and quickly a plan to find the rod was hatched.

Jim got a pair of goggles and jumped in. He swam around, searching the bottom for signs of the missing pole. But it was no where to be seen or felt! Poor Bryce, he was heartbroken. We packed up our gear and headed home. Perhaps next summer we will have a better experience fishing...and maybe we will even get some real bait.

To the beach we shall go...

Casting with High Hopes

Search and Rescue

We still wonder where the pole went. We are now theorizing that maybe we actually caught a fish and it pulled it in and swam off with it. What do you think?

Summer Stories, Part 1

Normally by the end of the school year we are dragging our bodies across the finish line and are itching to get back to our little patch of paradise by the bay. This year was different in that we enjoyed Bulgaria and the Balkans so much that we have a real sense of contentment. We are surrounded by natural beauty and have so much right at our finger tips. It has been such a welcome change from our urban life in Jakarta.

Once the departure date got closer, it was hard, however, not to be excited. The kids could not wait to get back and go to the beach. They were also so excited to see grandparents, aunts, uncles and lots of cousins. 

Here are a few photos to begin to share our summer adventures...

Getting ready to begin our journey home via Vienna, Chicago and then Richmond.

Because we departed in the morning, we never had a "night" during our travel. (It only takes about 16-18 hours home, compared to about 36 to Indonesia.) So we were awake during the full journey to the US. The kids love the long flight most because they have so much uninterrupted TV time. Amelia was so tired by the time we got to Chicago that she fell asleep while sitting up at a restaurant for dinner. Bryce had the opposite response and was just wired. Luckily, we had a short flight to Richmond to sleep and get enough to help us make the bridge to bedtime. 

Catching crabs was a big part of our summer. Bryce especially loved going out on the kayak with Jim to put the traps in and check what they caught. Last summer he would have crab-tantrums, but this summer he didn't have much of a taste for them. Regardless, he always staked his claim on a big one!

Our first crab feast!

While Jim prefers steamed crabs, I lust after bbq. Buzz and Ned's is one of our favorites.

My favorite - pulled pork with slaw and fried okra.

Mary Ann and Jim - we love you grandma!