The Beach!!

Overall, we couldn't have asked for better weather, a cooperative 2.5 year old in the car, good company, and challanging puzzles on this beach vacation... even though Hanna chased us away a little early. The first picture is of the surf on Friday morning... just getting good for the kiteborders and surfers. The week before the beach we saw lots of relatives in PA, Virginia Tech friends Becky and Paul in NJ, Mike and Tracy in DE, and Erin and Dave in VA along with their families. We had a nice visit with Grandma Rae Rae in VA and a couple of trips up to DC. Virginia's favorite were the pandas and monkeys at the zoo.




















Virginia most of all loved her friend and future VT roommate Ella. She had so much fun playing, sharing, tickling, talking, swimming and giggling with Ella. Here are a few of their best times building sand castles, burying Mark in the sand, blowing bubbles, playing in the pool, riding trikes and sharing a laugh. (We had as much fun with her parents) Can't wait until next year!

July!

We are ready for the rain and severe weather to stop soon, but when it isn't raining we are trying to take full advantage of the sunny days. Virginia's favorite thing to do after dinner is head downtown and get ice cream. She always asks for a "soft serve, 'nilla in a cone" (we usually ask for a dish and plenty of napkins along with that). I think she will be pretty upset when the Bubble shuts down for the winter!




We have had lots of nice visits with family and friends. Our cousins Nicole, Maria and RJ came for a long weekend in July. We swam, played mini golf, knit, shopped and best of all won the 2nd Annual Glow in the Dark Wiffleball Tournament for the family division! RJ is planning to come back next year and defend our title. Check out Jamie's pictures of the little Hokies when we visited Beth, Samuel and Jonah.


















Virginia enjoyed her trip to Storyland with Taylor and I. She had a ball riding the teacups, dutch shoes, driving the tractor and antique cars. I think I was more nervous about some of the rides than Virginia... she wanted to go on the log flume again and again (I think she liked getting splashed). She was fascinated with the Big Bad Wolf in the Little Red Riding Hood story and continues to talk about the "Wolf! In Grandma's bed! OH NO!" Hopefully, we didn't leave any permanent damage.







































Amelia, Virginia and I rode on the Conway Scenic Railroad one rainy day, but it was still lots of fun... the cows at the farm were definitely a highlight. Although we have only made it to the beach one time this summer, Virginia has been working on her swimming in the tub. She has mastered floating on her back and blowing bubbles. Maybe when we go on vacation to OBX she will be able to practice her new skills.

















Taylor and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary this weekend. We cheated and drove up Mt. Washington to take in the beautiful views at the top. I can't believe how fast 6 years has flown by... my how things change!

I love July!

Virginia rode in our VBS float on the 4th of July. The theme was Rainforest Adventure and it just wrapped up on Friday. The entire chuch was transformed into a rainforest which I believed made the church look a whole lot more interesting. The float shows just a sampling of what we did. Virginia had a great time waving to everyone and saying "Happy 4th of July!" By the time we made it downtown, she had stripped down to only her underware... in front of hundreds of people. We had a great day celebrating including a cookout at Grandmom's house, ice cream downtown, and dancing at the bandstand to the Cate Park Band. We didn't make it to the fireworks... our little girl told us she was tired and wanted to go home after dancing up a storm.





It has been beautiful weather and perfect days for July. My hydrangeas are blooming, we have been busy picking rasberrys and making strawberry jam. Why I love NH so much in July.

Summer is Back!!

It was a long, snowy winter so we are really enjoying the warm summer days. Here are a few of our highlights from May and June.

Meeting baby Jonah













Taylor's birthday celebration with Virginia, Amelia and Laurel













Our 3rd Annual Memorial Day picnic - 77 of us this year! We had games for the kids and adults including a hula hoop contest, wheelbarrow races, 3 legged race, face painting and of course the slip n' slide. Once again, Virginia was a party animal and could be found in the kiddie pool, painting her body with the face paints or eating as much sugar as she could before Taylor or I could say no.








































A heat wave in the beginning of June sent us to Moody Beach with Grandma Rae Rae and Granddaddy to see Bob and Bev


Amelia graduated from Preschool

















Grandma Taylor turned 90!













During Krista's trip to Atlanta, Taylor took Virginia to the Meredith Children's museam













Virginia road the rails on The Conway Senic Railroad. She loved to wave to all the people at the train crossings.

Spring is here!

We took Virginia to see the Smith River Canoe race last weekend in Wolfeboro. It was a beautiful day and Virginia had a great time cheering for the "noers" and picking dandelions.









Keegan and Virginia at Spider Web Gardens

















Virginia in her "Big Girl" underware!









Bathtime Fun!