Disneyland 2009! SO MUCH FUN!

Disneyland 2009!

Down south I think these are called Magnolias.

Springtime for birds and bees.

We meant to get to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral last year to see the tulip tree.  Today we had a lovely brunch with Don and Norma.  She made a fluffy airy souffle (I think it was my first souffle ever) and some Hot Cross Buns (also my first time).   Then we stopped at Trinity to see the tree.  AMAZING.  The most beautiful tree I have seen.  

The warmup.

We went to Oaks Park Amusement Park yesterday since the weather was so nice.  The kids "practiced" riding rides to get ready for Disneyland.  Carson was sad to learn that she was a little to big for some of the kids rides, but excited that it meant she was ready for the bigger ones.   

Steve's Birdhouse

I guess I am not the only nostalgic one in the family. I was with my kids on Gma Eloise's hill and took a picture of the old bird hotel my Gpa Burl made decades ago. Then, I went to see Steve's new place and he had built one just like it for his yard. Here they are......

Funny WV sign. This is not a joke.

This was hanging in a roadside store on Rt. 50 in Cool Springs, WV. Gma Judy, Carson, Sam, and I drove there to see the store with all the old time toys and the donkeys. I almost peed my pants when I saw it!

WV whirlwind trip

On the way home, carson gets an airport manicure.
Seriously, Uncle Steve has turned into Uncle Owen. This is his tractor in his huge garage.
Sam was collecting pinecones at Gma Eloise's house.
They picked flowers at Gma Eloise's to put on her kitchen table.
Sam and Carson feeding the donkeys at Cool Springs.
This is Carson in my dad's buckskin suit. He made it when I was little. He was a hunter and used every part of the animal.....yuck, but cool.
Carson and CoCo in a dress. Carson thought a Chihuahua was the best.
Pappaw and Sam on the bumper cars at Valley World's of Fun
Collecting acorns at Kati's house in Virginia
Me and Kati. I am glad I drove to Charlottesville to see her even if it was too long in the car for two days.
The kids at Caverns in Shenandoah Valley. Cool tour. Cool caverns.
Carson and Sam at Valley Falls.
Carson got into Grandma Eloise's wigs and hats.
With Grandma Judy. I loved playing at Grandma Eloise's when I was little.
The kids with grandma.

Portraits

She and he.

The Circus is in town. Again.

Not to be outdone by his sister, the amazing SAM DODY performs his circus act. His death- defying trapeze act of swinging back and forth was incredible. He could log roll under a little girl. His donkey kicks were amazingly donkey-like. Then he stood with his hands down his pants and his tongue stuck out while parents hooted and hollered like fools. AHHH. Motherhood.

Blowing the budget at Ken's Artisan Pizza

We realized that we blew the budget in many areas the very first month....Maybe we went to the extreme with the planning. I am well known to go overboard. Can Kim cook every night? I think not. Can she cook 6 days a week? That also seems to be pushing it. The budget was blown on housewares (thanks to a dead vacuum), pets (thanks to an dead hamster), and vacation (thanks to Mickey Mouse). So we decided to go ahead and eat the pizza tonight. Was it worth 60$? You bet. While waiting for the pizza, Sam wrote his name for the first time, Sharon had to finish my second beer which left her a little giddy on the way home, and we all got our tummies full of yummy food. Carson even found a new food.....If rhubarb crisp qualifies as food.

Maybe she will join the CIRCUS!

Carson had her Do Jump "show" yesterday. Do Jump class is an acrobat class for kids. They do trapeze and gymnastics. The camera couldn't quite catch the action shots, but here she is on the trapeze. The little boy hung under her with his hands and they hooked feet. The mom sitting beside me started crying when her daughter was on the trapeze and said, "I didn't expect it to be so beautiful". I thought that was a little much, but it was a really cute show. Sam's is later today.