Summer Teaser.

The most beautiful weekend in the PNW so far this year. We spent most of the day outside soaking up the sun and trying to get our Vit. D that is in such short supply here. It was 80+ degrees today and Carson and her BFF spent the day trying to get away from "the little brother" and trying to convince him that mud is made of chocolate. He decided that it isn't, but it didn't taste too bad if you add more water. Sharon and I dug up a huge mound of dirt for the garden and took the kids to a Pirate Treasure Hunt with the "pirates". Probably not the best time to glorify a pirate, eh? Carson was full of Booty knowledge. Then the girls and Sam played in the sprinkler. We ate dinner outside and now Sharon and the kids are making a fire in the fire pit. Too bad the ants got to our bag of Marshmallows. I think this weekend is my promise that the rain really does go away. Even the animals were out soaking up the sun. Mr. Bluebird was on our back fence.

We are tired.

We had a great trip to Disneyland over the weekend. We got to spend two full days in Disney and one day in California Adventure Park. We met Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, The Jungle Book Bear, Alice and the Mad Hatter and many more. We rode almost all the rides. Carson rode the biggest, fastest, longest roller coaster on the west coast, The California Screamin' which goes from 0-55 in 4 seconds and goes upside down. She rode it 3 times. Once with mommy kim and twice with momma share. She couldn't believe her old moms love roller coasters! Sam went on some scary rides too. He went on his fair share of roller coasters, but wasn't big enough for Space Mountain or the Screamin'. (no way would I have let him go anyway!) Sam's favorite ride was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. We went on it many times. The rides in Fantasyland were great. The Teacups, Alice in Wonderland, Flight of Peter Pan, Snow White, The Matterhorn roller coaster were all great. Walt Disney might have been an ass, but he was a genius. You really do get taken to another world inside Disney.
There is a Disney tradition of lapel pin collecting and trading. You can trade a pin with any staff member (they call them Cast Members) if they have pins on a lanyard. Carson spent almost all her spending money on pins and then traded with people. I think I may have had the most fun of all. I loved every ride! They were all so well done and the place was spotless. We couldn't have had a better time (unless we had an extra day!)

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.