Just Looking for Fresh Air

We ventured to play soccer at a nearby school with an empty field. 

Selah found sonmething to climb on even though she's been warned she's not on the insurance!

I'm not sure if this was football or soccer...I was distracted by the black knight there on the left.

The red ninja spotted him,  too.

The red ninja made it most of the way up before panic set in. 

Panic intensified for most when this dog showed up and wouldn't stop jumping all over everyone.  

On the way back to the car, the rest found things to climb on.

Shenandoah National Park

There are so many beautiful places in this country, and we are so blessed to have so many of them captured in the National Parks. Shenandoah has always been one of our favorites. 

I got yelled at taking this picture of the map.  The two ladies standing there were reading the whole board aloud... even though I was clearly waiting. So eventually, I leaned around and took a quick pic of the map. The one lady snapped something about social distancing and stormed off. Shocked, I quickly apologized while the other assured me that it was no big deal and followed her friend back to the car. I felt horrible, and should have likely been more patient.  But everyone was in the car waiting for me to figure out if we were in the right spot. I couldn't see from where I was, so I thought taking a picture would allow me to get a better view without disrupting them. Boy was I wrong.  

Imagine that, the kids found a vine on the path to swing from. 

And then find a better one at the old farm. This was a good 30 minute break while they played. 

Elijah wanted to take a picture and this was it. Well,  I suppose that since it had been our view for most of a 3 hour hike, it seemed fair to document it. 

Post hike, We enjoyed another round of Catan. 

And even had a visit from a panda!

When we went to Maymont, there were many bamboo forests. Elijah pretended to be Selah's pet panda eating all of the bamboo.  He then spent days begging to look up panda costumes to order.  Somehow, one ended up in my cart and when I went to purchase something else I saw it and say why not. He's spent many days as a panda since.   

Some Sundays Are Fundays

Jonah and I flew back to DC this morning.  After 5 16-hour days of working on the house, I was so ready to go back to that little apartment.  

It was mostly overcast again,  but we did catch a quick break in the clouds. I enjoyed the view,  where it looked like a coastline in the distance. 

In case you wondered what the airports look like... this is the view I'm used to when I fly on a red-eye. Not at 230 in the afternoon flying into Washington-Dulles.

Other than one bag being delayed (the one with the pillows, not the pressure cooker, if you can believe that!) It was uneventful, easy travels.  

We picked up Red Robin for dinner, thanks mostly to a thoughtful gift card we had. It was a fabulous experience.  In an effort to eat our food hot and get some fresh air,  we pulled over to the side of the building in the empty parking lot to eat. Halfway through our meal, 2 employees came out. They began by saying,  "our manager sent us out here..." and I thought for sure they were going to ask us to leave. Much to my surprise, they handed us a stack of napkins and asked if we needed a refill on fries or anything else. I was glad I had tipped them,  even though it was takeout. 

After dinner, in an effort to enjoy the last nice weather day for a while, we went to a local park that had a nature preserve. The playground was off limits to help curb the COVID-19 spread but we were able to walk the trail.

Unfortunately, the boardwalk was also closed. After much discussion of ways to get around the gate, it was decided there best idea was to go home for dessert and try the boardwalk once we return to normal.  

We made a quick stop by the school that Bryan and the kids had played at the day before, hoping to find Micah's tennis shoe that appeared to be missing. We were all a bit relieved to see this view as we entered the parking lot.

Dessert was cherry cobbler.  Doesn't look like much besides a mess,  but it sure was tasty!

And in case it wasn't good, we also had chocolate chip cookies.  And fake "M&M" cookies, Trader Joe's dye-free version.  It was all good and I think we all overindulged.

A Few Old Finds

Well, I found some treasures today in my packing.  Many you've likely seen before,  but pictures of the kids when there were little and cute never get old to me.  

Jonah,  in the hospital,  looking every but if his 9lbs 5oz self. He HATED to be swaddled and could get out of it in seconds from day one. 

A few pictures from Aunt Cara and Uncle Travis' wedding in 2012. EJ was still cooking.

An old picture of the cousins. Not sure if the date is accurate but 2010 is probably right given their sizes. 

Dad and Selah with Grandpa Mike in the background. 

And today's fun, this kid refuses to make any more trips than absolutely necessary. No matter if it takes him twice as long to accomplish it this way. 

He ate a pound and a half of bacon himself today,  I mentioned maybe a few extra trips up and down the stairs would be good for him but he didn't agree.  Must be nice to be an 18yo boy and be able to eat like that.