The person I most admire

Yvonne Black Stark, my grandmother is the person I admire most. She is the strongest, most gracious, loving, intelligent person I know and I would like to be more like her.

I love you grandma! Meggin loves you too, grandma great!

Lake Anna and more

In July, we were able to go on a family vacation. We went to Lake Anna, Virginia and enjoyed a lake house. The weather was fantastic, the company was fabulous (Laura, Colby and family) and the water was warm.

We were lucky to spend the 4th of July at the Lake and watch fireworks from the back yard. Here are the kids wearing some patriotic outfits!

Battles on the beach and hanging out by the lake. What a fun Vacation!

Fishing, more fishing, and more fishing (thanks daddy...uncle Dave). Rides in the canoe were very fun, Meggin loved the boat.

On the way home we visited Antietam, what an experience for all. There was a reenactment of the soldiers marching and firing their weapons.



Day trips to Mount Vernon and Fredricksburg, very good experience.
A dear friend, Christanne, and her kiddos were able to come and stay with us the last couple of days. It was a treat!


The Girls! Meggin and Annika were inseparable the entire week. Annika was great with Meggin, helping to keep her from getting into trouble and Meggin loved all the attention. Thanks Annika!

What a memorable trip!

Philadelphia

While Nana was visiting, Dave and I took a couple of days and went to Philly. It was a nice time for us to spend time together and neither of us had been to see Independence Hall. We took in the sights, slept in and ordered room service. It was a nice "getaway".

Reading of the Declaration

Time with Nana

In early June, Nana and Uncle Mike came for a visit. The boys (Dave and Mike) went to check out Washington, DC and Nana was able to spend time with me and and the kids. We did lots of things. I think it's an official tradition now (we've done it 2 years in a row) that we clean the garage when she comes. Nana loves to organize and I love to have her help me organize. We did that and then I was able to do some yard work with Nana loving on the kids. Then we began to do all the things on Alex's list. There was Mini Golf, the Zoo, Eating at Burger King and more. We were also able to celebrate Meggin's 2nd birthday early so Nana could be with us. She thought she turned 2 in June :) As a final treat and Mother's Day present, Dave took Nana to the City to see Wicked on Broadway. I think she loved it! What a fun visit, thanks Nana. Meggin's birthday celebration...Dora balloon, Dora cake and the Nana! Doesn't she have a beautiful new dress?! Thanks Nana!

Mini Golf with Nana Meggin was running all over the place

Cool

Meggin loved the animal statues more than playing golf

Closing Programs and Final Picnics

Niklas had his Closing Program from the Chickadee class at Dogwood School in June. He did great, singing all the songs and doing all the actions. What a great kid! He especially liked the number rock song! These are all his buddies at Dogwood.Getting ready for the performance

Nik's amazing teacher, Ms. Beth!Meggin had a great time too, eating up all the snacks! Alex had his final picnic for Kindergarten at Ironia Elementary in June as well. Here is his fun class and his teacher Ms. Acquaviva. They had a Hawaii theme for the picnic, fun, fun, fun!Friends! Alex, Cole and OwenMom got to come tooDancing

The tale of two babies

Meggin and Hathaway getting to know one another. Meggin loves "babies" even though she is one so she became instantly enamored with Hathaway (9months younger).
Hathaway played along and then finally just walked away :)

SO CUTE!

Memorial Day!

On Memorial Day, we had the opportunity to visit the Trenton Barracks used during the Battle of Trenton and throughout the Revolutionary War. We also went to Washington's Crossing and the Battle of Princeton Battlefield. We met up with our dear friends, the Harrison family, and had a fabulous day!