Williamsburg and Busch Gardens

A week and a half ago, we took a trip to Williamsburg, VA with Rich and Carol (Grampy and Grammy) for a couple of days. On our arrival day, we had lunch in Colonial Williamsburg and then walked down the main street looking at the buildings, gardens, old trees, and people dressed in costume. Along the way, the girls enjoyed playing stick and hoop. (Kate even got creative and used the hoop as a hula hoop...probably not seen that often in those days.)

The next day we headed to Busch Gardens for a fun-filled day of riding rides, meeting Sesame Street characters, feasting at Oktoberfest in Germany, and enjoying a show here and there. Mark was even brave enough to take on the Griffon...a 90 degree drop for 210 feet!

At the end of our day, we tried on several hats before leaving the park. Not sure what started the hat frenzy, but we had a lot of fun in the process!

Here are a few highlights from our day.
Thanks for a great trip Grampy and Grammy!!

A Day at the Zoo

With Mark and Kate both tracked out until July, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and our membership and head to the NC Zoo for the day. We figured out our last visit was the fall of 2008 prior to the zoo's renovations.

We began our day long journey in "North America" stopping to see the polar bears, harbor seals, otters, puffins, and much more, including this alligator and black bear.

The girls took a play break at the playground as well, scaling the spider web, sliding down the leave, and hanging out with Dad in what we believe is a pear.


After lunch at the junction stop, we ventured into "Africa" taking in the sights of safari animals. We were able to see among other things, the giraffes, zebras, reptiles, baboons, elephants, and the special attraction...the SWAMP GHOSTS (a.k.a. albino alligators)!!

We all enjoyed our day, but were happy to rest on the way home after walking the entire zoo. In fact, I believe it took Lauren no more than 5 minutes to fall asleep once the car was started! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Flowering Progress

As many of you recall, we planted a garden a couple of months ago (see photo).

With a little water, some bird netting and plenty of sunshine, our garden has changed quite a bit.

We have already harvested 12 green beans! Not quite enough for a meal, but definitely tasty as a snack!

We have a couple of tomatoes and cucumbers on the vines as well as carrots, lettuce and peppers growing. Hopefully we'll be able to cut back on our produce purchases in the upcoming months...we'll keep you posted!

Flower Girls - Double Duty

Kate and Lauren were asked to be flower girls in two weddings this past May...5 days apart, one to the north and one to the south!

We traveled first to Harrisburg, PA for Mark's cousin's wedding. The girls did a wonderful job walking down the aisle and sitting quietly with the bridesmaids throughout the service.

At the reception (after quite a bit of coaxing), the girls gave in and hit the dance floor, requesting songs by Taio Cruz, Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift. (Where have our little girls gone?!) Kate even scored a purple flower from the cake...perfect for her wedding role.

We returned home on a Sunday only to depart that Wednesday for my cousin's wedding in Kiawah, SC. This wedding was on the beach, posing a slight challenge with windy conditions, walking through sand in flip-flops and dropping rose petals at the same time. Yet, the girls once again were successful! (As you can see, the first picture was taken at our place, prior to the beach.)

How Does Our Garden Grow?

We'll find out soon enough!!

I spent the morning helping my Dad construct a raised bed garden on the side of our house. We've tried gardening in pots for the past two years and haven't been that successful. It was time to move up in the gardening world and plant straight into the ground!

Once the bed was assembled and the potting soil was in place, Lauren and I selected which vegetables to plant. If successful, our produce will consist of red and yellow tomatoes, yellow and green peppers, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers and green beans.

The girls helped dig the holes, plant the vegetables, place the seeds, and water the garden According to the seed packets, we should see results in 7-10 days. We'll keep you posted.

Our completed garden!

Thanks, Dad, for all of your help!!!!

Soccer Season...times two!

Lauren began her first season of soccer this spring. Excited to begin, she selected her own ball (metallic pink) and slipped on her sister's old cleats. She donned her dark green shirt, wearing #7, and began warming up with her new team. We were curious to see how she would fair on the soccer field...would she be cautious, aggressive?

During the first game, she insisted on running with her hands behind her back (obviously a nervous habit). Although she ran with the pack and kicked the ball several times, she didn't appear to be very aggressive.

However, after 2 rained out games, she finally took the field again this past Saturday. Showing tremendous confidence on the field, she proceeded to go after ball, dribble it down the field, and score 2 goals!!!! (Of course, this was the week we didn't have our camera. Note to self...bring camera from here on out. )

Looks like soccer may be in her future!

Special Person Day

Lauren had "Special Person Day" at preschool this week, a day in which the children can select a special adult to bring to school for the morning. Lauren's special person...her Dad!

Mark had the pleasure of decorating a picture frame with Lauren in her class as well as watching their circle time. Lauren's job for the day was Calendar. After classroom time, they shared a continental breakfast together before heading to music time in the sanctuary.


At music, the children sang many songs, danced and played various instruments.

Posted outside the classroom was each child's portrait of their Dad and a completed questionnaire.


Mark and Lauren had a wonderful morning and enjoyed their "special" time together.