Krispy Kreme

Woo Hoo! We found a Krispy Kreme in Alexandria! We were so happy to stop on our way home from Mount Vernon. The kids love to watch the doughnuts being made, and of course, love to eat the doughnuts. Yum!

Mount Vernon

Greg's parents and nephew, Brandon, came to visit us yesterday! We have kicked off our week of sightseeing with a trip to George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. We enjoyed VERY nice weather, and got to see the mansion, some demonstrations, animals, and even the grist mill.

Greg, Brandon, Emma and George's family

Little Punkin

Brandon in front of the mansion

Brandon and Emma in front of the Greenhouse

Emma and Mac

Cheese!

Greg and his dad

More Swimming.....

Emma finished up her first round of swimming lessons yesterday. We are very proud of our girl who was declared 'ready to move up' to the next level. We have a busy July planned, but might pick up another class in August. During swim lesson time, McGinnis and I just hang out on the other side of the pool. He thinks the water is great!

Emma waiting for her teacher.

Mac in the water

Emma during her lesson

Mac getting the water gun ready....

Mac sporting Emma's goggles. Ready for class, Mama!

Trailside Park

On Saturday we found a terrific park while on our bike ride. The kids had a fun time playing there while we took a little break.

Swimming Lessons

You know it's summer when it's time for swimming lessons! This is the first time that Emma has taken lessons, and she really enjoyed them. After her lesson, she practiced putting her face in the water, and of course in true Emma style, practiced her 'tricks'. McGinnis and I took advantage of being at the pool and did some wading on our own. Mac is fearless in the water (scary!!).

Above: Emma is by the teacher.

Above: Emma is on the right

No Training Wheels!!

Emma has decided that she wants to ride her bike like a big girl without the training wheels, so today, she and Greg got out the tools and took them off. (She actually wanted to do this last summer after Daddy went to Iraq, but Mama vetoed that idea.) After a few wobbly starts, Emma took to riding without them very quickly! She is very proud! We told her we would get her a bigger bicycle once she learned, so I guess bike shopping is on our to do list.

Cooling off

The kids had a great time with their new sprinkler today! With it starting to get pretty hot and muggy around here, it's nice to cool off a bit. We don't have much yard, but we live at the end of a street that doesn't get much traffic, so we (and all the neighbor kids) block off the street and end up playing in it! I am sort of feeling like we live in a big city!