Thursday, May 22, 2014

Virginia

We took our 2nd trip to Virginia to stay at Shenandoah Crossings.  This time we were invited to go with our neighbors Rick & Karen.  On the way Steve wanted to stop in Lexington to look at VMI - Virginia Military Institute.  The parade grounds were huge!

When we arrived at our townhouse, Steve went out to make friends with some of the horses on the property.

We spent one day touring James Madisons home.   

The four of us toured 3 different wineries.  Steve ended up buying a couple of bottles.  Theses are our very first "official" bottles of wine that we've ever bought!  I have bought some cheap stuff at the grocery store to cook with - but those don't count!


On the way  home we stopped at the Greenbrier Golf Course in West Virginia.  This is the home to many different golf tournaments.  This place is old and beautiful.  I looked up online what it costs to stay there.  They had a special for 6 nights plus 2 tickets to a tournament for $16,000.  I think we'll pass! 


Picture time after we ate lunch at the Michie Tavern.

We spent hours the first day there touring the University of Virginia.

This is inside the rotunda on the 3rd floor.  It used to be a library.  It was designed so you couldn't see the bookshelves.

Now do you see them?

These are individual rooms that honor graduates apply to live in. These rooms are big enough for a twin bed, desk and chair.  They each have a fireplace.  The graduates must go to a communal bathroom behind the building! We talked to one young man who said it wasn't too bad, except in the winter. They have one room that has plexi glass in place of a door.  It's where Edgar Allan Poe lived in college.

We took a hike in Shenandoah National Forest.




And saw this mother and her 2 little ones by the side of the road!




Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter

We had a full house for Easter this year!  The weather was beautiful and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. Carl wasn't able to make it and we sure missed him, but I'm sure he'll be at the next family gathering.   Here are a few poor quality videos of the egg hunt.  There are more on my youtube site if you want to see them.







Saturday, April 19, 2014

Olivia's 3rd birthday

 Olivia celebrated her 3rd birthday this week. There was lots of fun, presents, cake & ice cream! 







Monday, April 14, 2014

Sunday, April 13, 2014

The birthday boy goes for a ride

Michael wanted to go on a pony ride, but when it was actually time he was a little skittish.  Amber talked him into it and stayed with him as he went around the corral.







When he was done he asked to go 4 more times!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Trout Lodge

  For Michael's birthday we went on an overnight trip to Trout Lodge.  When we arrived it was raining, so we headed to the arts & crafts room.  The 3 older kids painted ceramics.  Amber made Michael a hat to wear for his birthday and the younger 2 played in the gym with Grandpa.


This is what I got when I asked for a smile!

The rain let up so we grabbed umbrellas and took a walk back to a cave.

Michael wanted to go on a boat ride so we hopped on a pontoon and took a trip around Sunnen Lake.


The next morning the kids wanted to go another boat ride so we took out canoes.

The bikes were a big hit. 

This is a nice, peaceful picture before the hornet attacked Michael in the bathroom.

Catherine did a really good job with the bow & arrow.

Another picture of the lake.

AND they had face painting!!!



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Happy Birthday! Happy 3rd CF Anniversary!


A few weeks ago Steve and I flew to LA for Tommy's birthday. As a surprise for Jena, her parents flew in for her birthday also.  Steve & I love the marina so that was one of the first places we went while waiting for T & J to get off work.


The next day for lunch we all met at MB Post.  This is where Jena's parents surprised her.  It was very sweet!

That night we went out to eat fish tacos at La Sandia.  I've never eaten guacamole before, but they  made it at the table so I thought I would try it. Delicious!

As you can tell from all of these pictures, all we did was eat!  Here was breakfast at Flake.


After a trip to the Santa Monica farmers market we picked up lunch at A Cut Above.  They had tongue, intestines, stomach and several other interesting things.

The Dads checked out Tommy's car.

 We had a surprise get together to celebrate Tommy's 3rd anniversary cancer free!!!  Yeah!!!!

 Here's one of the burgers from Pono.

And we made a trip to Malibu to play at the beach and eat some seafood.



 Paul, Steve &  Tommy tried to see who could touch this rock before the waves got them.  Tommy succeeded! ( I experimented with some music- watch out LA I'll be out there editing before long.)