Friday, August 26, 2016

July Days

There was the day we did Target, the big cat, the train, the ducks

...and a little dance-off 



Then there was the day we first broke out the sprinkler. 

 




 And then, in a seemingly coordinated effort, they charged over to dampen the onlookers

Another special day: Grandaddy and Oma came...with froggy pajamas!

Loves that purple hat.

Here, I told them they could each bring a toy in the car. 
Anna tried to get away with selecting her bread soup and accessories. 


You'd think she doesn't wear clothes. I don't remember the circumstances. Probably she came inside filthy from some good play. But here she is in her favorite window seat reading her favorite library book at the time, Doctors Without Borders.

Sharing a hot day with some of their best buds, the Changs. 
Simple as it is, I simply love watching them having fun with friends. 
(Peter was having more fun here than you think.)

Some more dear friends, showing us the ways of the city bus on our first ride to the library. 

It was hard and thirsty work.

"Mommy, Baby Dah turning the page!"



Where better to be on a hot, hot humid day than huddled in a playground sauna tunnel "like a porcupine in his log!"

A last lunch in Arlington with Toby and John who, by the time of this posting, are now Texans. 

Though we haven't seen them as much as we planned in their infancy, these boys remain dear to our hearts, and their mom one of my favorite people in the world. 

Another one moving west: Here's the MedI Team at Mike's going-away party (center). 


And some of the cooks. There was some FINE food to be had at this dinner. I'm so glad my hubby has mostly Asian co-workers!

Last up, our trip to Orange. Here's a cute one from the first morning after we stayed with Nana in Pop-pop's house. 

Helping Nana pick flowers

Greeting all the animals at the Yoder's farm zoo

Anna loved the turkeys. Almost as much as she loved the peacock. 

My sweet sweaty heart.

And these!



Inside the cool store for some Yoders deli sandwiches. 

Back home on the ranch. 



Walking the driveway

After some fine dining in the Dogwood Village dining room, we fulfilled Peter's great desire to see where Pop-Pop sleeps. Here it is, folks. Thanks for your hospitality, Pop-Pop!



Wednesday, August 17, 2016

To the Lake!

In the beginning of July, we stayed for a week at Deep Creek Lake with Nana and Daideo (who could only be there for part of the time) and the wonderful Trabandts.

Vacation prep: We bake our muffins...

Pick up a 23 lb jackfruit

Make sure we leave the fish with clean teeth 

And catch up with an old friend visiting our church before we skip town.

Here's us, ready for a quick pit stop after church and car load-up.

Annnnnddddd.....We're off! Locked and loaded and well-capped. 

Operation Monster Fruit. Tom is committed. 

  It was a rainy 4th of July. So here we were making friends at the nature discovery center.



Happy Fourth, ya'll. This was the best cousin shot we got at this sitting.


Later on, a rainy, juicy, patriotic watermelon party on the deck!
 These girls couldn't get enough.



More crazy cousin time


 An iconic moment: Peter introduces Nana to Frank the Harvester

Add one happy baby, and it also makes for a photo op!

Here's another favorite group shot:

Anna loves Uncle Scott

 That was 4th of July #2, in which we had myriad pinwheel parades. 

And lakeside ice-cream. 

And hello lake!


The sheer joys of a bug mud puddle



Examining the moss.

Taking us out on the lake


 If there was one single activity of this vacation that stole Peter's heart, it was this.

This boy loved the boat, the front of it, going fast.  

  The Martins at sea





We docked for lunch and playground. 
Ahoy, matey!
 


This one. I love it. 

Back on the boat and headed home.


But one didn't quite make it...

 Date out with my favorite

 Our after-dinner stroll took us here. Not too shabby.

We checked back in at the discovery center to visit an old friend. 

Last day on the lake. Perfect. 
The clouds. 


Oh, the sweetest shadows.


Here's us, last minutes at the lake. 
Then we headed back home. 

But vacation isn't quite over. Time to end it right. 


3 words for you: All. Star. Special.     The tradition continues.