Tubing on the Shenandoah River

We went tubing on the Shenandoah River with our friends today.  I was nervous about it because I didn't know what to expect but was really surprised by how much fun it was.  I can't wait to go again!

The river wasn't deep (in fact I was scrapping bottom in spots) and it wasn't cold.  The kids really liked the little rapids and are already begging to go on the more advanced ride where there are rapids.

We had some geese join us in the river for a swim but other than one fish and a bunch of dragonflies we didn't see any other wildlife.

Here are the big rapid sections!!

Darren walking back up river to get Evan unstuck from a rock.

Basically we spent most of the almost 2 hours doing this.

Except for one who enjoyed jumping in the river more than riding it.

When we got close to the place we had to get out we tried like skydivers to get ourselves all together in a big clump.  Evan didn't like that we all decided to use him as a footstool.  LOL!!

Watering the Garden

We have cucumbers and tomatoes and zucchini in the garden and also some pots of peppers on the deck.  They need to be watered and Evan wanted that job so I let him.

Today watering ended up with him wanting to play in the sprinkler.

Hopefully the tomatoes got a little bit of that water!!

Happy 5th of July

Since Ian and Darren were off at camp on the 4th, I saved the sparklers we had from last year until they got home.  After dinner, we waited until the sun started to set and then went out and tried to burn down the back yard...  I mean we lit the sparklers.

Both boys immediately went to the Harry Potter and his wand with their flaming sticks of death.  Pointing them at things and shouting made up spells.  They both quickly learned not to put a flaming sparkler above your head.  *insert eye roll here, I mean seriously - that has to be taught??*

They both also tried to write their names with them.  Luckily being a good parent that I am, I gave them both short names!

And every good sparkler night needs to end with a flaming pretend wand duel!!

2014 National Fireworks

Evan and I braved the crowds and went to Whipple Field on Fort Myer to view the National Fireworks.

This was our spot.

Four hours to go.

Two hours to go.

Almost time, please hurry up sunset -- I'm tired of playing Uno.

Happy 4th of July

Evan and I made tie dyed t-shirts to wear for the 4th of July.  They turned out pretty cute!!

Mother's Day 2008

I had a lot of photos from Mother's Day 2008, so I put them all together on one layout.  Darren was gone TDY somewhere and Elise's husband was gone too.  So we got the kids all together and headed out for a nice dinner at the Melting Pot.

Trying to work on my speed.

No not running speed silly!!  My scrapping speed.  I used to be able to churn out a couple of layouts a day but lately I sit at my desk and stare at all the stuff wishing for it to magically start dancing around the room like in a Disney movie.

Today Evan is off at a friend's house playing so I have some time to myself.  I turned on Rizzoli and Isles on my DVR and told myself I need to get two layouts done by the time I was finished watching the two episodes on the DVR.  AND IT WORKED!!  I pulled out the first things that caught my eye and ran with it!!

Hot 1st of July

The temp was in the 90s this afternoon but it was beautiful outside.  The humidity was low and there was a nice breeze.  Evan and I went to the pool and I got to try out my new underwater camera (my other one died a couple of weeks ago when we last went to the pool).

We weren't the only ones there today and Evan tried making friends with some of the boys.  He also is starting getting braver and trying to do stunts off the diving board.