Chincoteague and Cape Henlopen

Alma and I had a great time with Erica, Kate, and their girls in Chincoteague/Assateague, seeing the official pony swim, parade, and carnival.  As always, it's so great to have time with Erica and her girls. Plus, it was fun to catch up with Kate, who was my tennis partner in high school.

Then Alma and I went to Delaware to visit the beach and the bay at Cape Henlopen, a water park, and the outlet stores.  She is my favorite traveling and adventuring partner -- easy-going, flexible, creative, and joyful. Plus, she knew so much about the aquatic life in the bay!  It was awesome. While this summer has had many wonderful highlights, this time with my special girl was the best.

 

Pittsburgh

We were so grateful to be able to visit Pittsburgh again this summer.  The Kloders are always the best hosts -- delicious meals, fun adventures, and Rio! Plus, amazingly, the toaster I engraved for their wedding is still kickin'.

 

Pine Grove (6th year!)

The best part of Pine Grove is that we know the area, know what we like, and can easily get into "vacation mode."  Traditions include a park ranger talk (this year: lightning bugs), a movie at the R/C Carlisle Commons Movies 8 (this year: Into the Spiderverse), eating Al's Pizza the night we arrive, lots of bike rides and lake time, continuing on the Avengers coloring book, ice cream at the Pine Grove General Store, and playing games of Settlers of Catan and peanuts at night.  

This year's new elements were a dung beetle along the path and a trip to the US Army War College History Museum, where James knew a surprising amount about tanks, his newest obsession due to the World of Tanks video game.

I'm so grateful for this time together as a family. 

In the Heights (DeSales University)

We had a great time seeing In the Heights with Nana and Grandpa.  What a great production! Then we enjoyed a tasty meal at the Cooperhead Grill and ice cream at The Inside Scoop, which we love for its weird giant auto-mechanic-turned-ice-cream confectioner.  (His name is Chip, which somehow makes it funnier to us.)

 

Sea Isle 2023

James, Alma, and I started the summer with a great week in Sea Isle City, New Jersey with the Thompsons.  This year, we went on a sunset kayaking trip, which was quite an adventure as it was very windy.  Good thing the crew were all up for the challenge.  What a fun memory!

Spring Time

While we did not have much of a winter (no real snow storms), we have also had a slightly delayed and chilly spring season.  Recent happenings: The kids and I really enjoyed the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove and a hillside adventure. We took Nana on a winding walk there on Easter.  I celebrated my birthday and our blooming tree.  James tried out for a soccer team while I took a work trip to rural Maryland to serve as a Middle States reviewer.  The kids had school events -- Poetry Morning and the Middle School Spring Concert.  Plus, we have had lots of chill days at home with friends and doing yard work (including removing an older tree in the front yard).

 

Spring Break

A visit from Uncle Scott, the Dungeons and Dragons movie, time at the beach building sand castles, and then a chill weekend = perfect!