The past couple of years we have been heading back to Virginia in August and it always seems to work out that I drive up with the kids while Don flies up from wherever he is at the time and meets us the next day or so. He's got it tough. But I have to say, for an 11.5 hour drive, it's not bad. And we don't even turn the DVD player on until South Carolina somewhere.
Welcome to Manassas!
and to a fantastic farmer's market!
Dragonfruit, not purchased at the farmer's market, brought up by Don. Beautiful, but not much taste. What flavor there is, is a bit kiwi-like. And mangoes too!
Mom, Dad and Karen took the kids to the Prince William County Fair - biggest in the state! when Don and I went out one evening to catch with some of my old high school friends. We were very tempted to skip it and go to the fair - it is a great fair. Unfortunately, Grandpa forgot the camera.
The next day Don, Dad and I ventured off to do some antiquing, with a side stop for some wine tasting. We hit a new winery this time - - not my fave Virginia wine but it was a beautiful winery. Unfortunately it was my turn to forget the camera. We did have Don's phone and used it to capture the thrill of driving down one of the many back roads on our country drive.
Picture to come... once I get it off Don's phone...
Otherwise we (Nacho too) spent our time lounging by the pool, exploring the yard, catching up with fam and friends and eating good food.
Then, it was off to the eastern shore...
How many PhDs does it take to...
Pumpkin "picking"... I'll take one of each please.
Orangey goodness...
Grandpa would be jealous...
How do I pick just 10?
Pale pumpkins are just cool. So are the warty ones.
Down time...
The pursuit of boiled peanut happiness.
Ah, country.
Happy Fall Y'all...
Unfortunately my fave picture is the blurry one. Never fails.
Hanging at the pool, a lot.
Going tubing in the middle of the week.
Apple Snail eggs
Even the early summer series swim meets were lots of fun.
Even Grant had some fun.
Olivia did great too - I think at some point she earned a ribbon of each color. For some reason we don't have a photo of the treasured blue one.
Summer wasn't all unstructured. Olivia and Grant spent many days at GASP - a summer camp run by a teacher at Olivia's school. It was still much fun for them.
Oh those eyes.
Bike Bums...
and Boat Bums...
While much of the eastern shore gives you the feeling that time has stopped, there is some evidence that it does march on... the Assateague lighthouse is getting a re-do soon...
Wave riding (that's a given)...
Grant and Aunt Karen catching some breeze...
Oh Captain, my Captain...
And the funny part of this picture is supposed to be us winking like Mr. Baldy but Dad's tshirt steals the show. Only he could get away w/ wearing something like this... or would want to...
And no Assateague trip is complete without spotting the wild ponies...
And yes, mom's girdle is still there... 30 years-ish and counting. Revisit: Grandma's Girdle.
Love the eastern shore...
and to a fantastic farmer's market!
Dragonfruit, not purchased at the farmer's market, brought up by Don. Beautiful, but not much taste. What flavor there is, is a bit kiwi-like. And mangoes too!
Mom, Dad and Karen took the kids to the Prince William County Fair - biggest in the state! when Don and I went out one evening to catch with some of my old high school friends. We were very tempted to skip it and go to the fair - it is a great fair. Unfortunately, Grandpa forgot the camera.
Then, it was off to the eastern shore...
