Boys Trip to DC

Keith had some work to do in DC, so while the girls were at camp, he and Payson took a boys trip to DC.  Payson and Daddy talked about what they could do in DC before they left and he was very excited about the Air and Space Museum. Here's the report I got from the boys about their trip:

Payson was asking about some of the things downstairs and when Keith offered to take him down, he said, "Before we go down, I want to see everything upstairs."  Here's a picture of him with an unmanned drone.

Payson loved being the man in charge behind the the controls of an aircraft carrier.

Military planes. Payson wanted lots of pictures.

The world's first successful airplane, the 1903 Wright Flyer.

Payson asked to take a photo in front of this fountain in the Sculpture Garden.

Graft, a stainless steel tree sculpture, is a new addition to the garden since Keith and I visited almost exactly 6 years ago while we were living in Boston.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was both exciting and intimidating with all of those big animals. Payson needed reassurance that they were no longer real!

Father/son time! This is a great exhibit of a giraffe bending down to drink water.

Scientist uncovered a 48-foot long Titanoboa snake from a Colombian coal mine from 65-million-years ago that looked a lot like this. Amazing.

And what special trip is complete without a ride on the carousel?

While out to dinner Payson strolled the sidewalk and captured DC by night. He took a lot of pictures, but most were of this police SUV (white vehicle on the right).

Mother/Daughter Camp

The girls and I went to a Mother/Daughter Camp over the weekend - the same camp that I grew up going to every summer. My SIL and nieces came too along with Nunie. Here are the girls of Cabin Five!

This place is too much fun. Lots to do and lots not to do which gave us plenty of time to play and relax. My girls were the babies of the group as four is the youngest age to attend and there weren't many of them. Hayden wanted to play tetherball day and night!

And what girls' camp experience would be complete without a good ole' game of Red Rover? The kids would start games on their own whenever there was free time. It's such a great way for them to get accustomed to one another and learn each other's names. 

BINGO time!

Arts & crafts was the perfect activity to allow the girls to chill and get a break from the heat.

The experiences these girls have here are priceless. Madison shot her first bow and arrow but wanted and needed some help getting it all coordinated.

Hayden accepted a short introduction and then was off on her own.

She needed a little stabilizing from the counselor but quickly new how and where to set up the arrow on the bow. She improved with every shot and each of her six arrows traveled further each time.

I was a little leery of taking them out on the canoe as I didn't want to deal with tantrums while in an unsteady boat on the river. But the girls were excited and eager to use their paddles and "help" as best they could. They did great!

This camp is the real deal. The girls got to pitch in and help load and shoot their very first rifle!

Up next - the Banana Boat!

Or the "Zucchini Boat" as Hayden mistakingly called it!
(Back three from l-r: Cousin Addison, Hayden and Madison)

The driver wasn't going to intentionally flip the boat over like they do for fun during the regular summer camp, but the little girls on this ride were so light that over they went! I expected them to pop up crying but they were laughing hysterically and yelling over and over, "that was fun!"

Just look at those smiles! It was definitely the story of the weekend.

Addison and Madison hand-in-hand as they walk to the stables.

Riding time! Madison takes Flint for a ride.

Hayden and Mommy go for a few laps around the ring as well while the big girls went on a trail ride. My favorite crazy horse of the 90's, Skeletor, was no longer around and instead I rode a very calm horse named Flashy.

3rd and 4th generation campers! I love how little this place has changed since I was last there 17 years ago! A few of the changes were safety and health related: no more deep fryer and an addition of helmets for riding and ear muffs for shooting.

On the last day the girls got to ring the bell for lunch...

...the same ole' bell that I rang two decades ago!

Yay Madison!

Woop woop! Madison decided that she was ready to part with her Pull-Ups. While she's been mostly potty trained during the day and fully at night since she was 2 1/2, she hasn't been so sure about taking that final step. But one day, out of the blue, it happened. Just look at the smile on this girls' face!

Madison and I have been talking about her "Poo-poo in the Potty Party" for over a year now and she new exactly what she wanted for her cake: strawberry cake with chocolate icing, topped with M&Ms, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, strawberries and sprinkles. It was a 4-year-old's dream!

And what's a party without a few good friends to celebrate with?

Payson and his best girl, Ryann.

We went to buy Madison some new undies and after making her selection she joined her siblings in reading books. I love how they were in the middle of a toy aisle and after a quick look around they chose to settle in and read books!

While I was away at Bible study, Keith showed the kids the Annular Solar Eclipse from our upstairs window...

...and from our roof! Although this is a safe place, I was a bit terrified when I saw the picture! 

What a view.

Keith's sister, Chelsey, and her sweet kids came into town and we celebrated Chelsey's birthday on one day and Chloe's birthday another.

I just love seeing all these cousins play together. They have loads of fun!

We all went for our first swim of the summer and the slide was an instant hit this year. More fun in the sun to come!

Kauai by Sea

The sea is blue in Kauai. Very blue. Here is an overlook shot of our favorite beach on the island called Hideaways. 

This. is. real. Borderline unbelievable.

Keith taking in the view and the sounds of the small waves rolling into the beach.

All smiles here. I breathed easier on this day. It was heaven on earth.

And we took another special photo for the kids - this time an "M" for Madison!

The view from the pool at our hotel was a dream. I could have spent day after day in this spot alone!

While our time in Maui was all adventure, our time in Kauai was part discovery and part relaxation. We spent some time Paddle Boarding along the Hanalei River and then ventured out into the rough, wave-breaking bay. Such fun! 

"Just" another beach along the road.

We visited the Kilauea Lighthouse which is located on the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. This was the perfect place for bird watching.

An Albatross bird taking flight.

A pair of Red-tailed Tropicbirds.

We celebrated our anniversary with a superb meal and a great view at the Beach House in Poipu. The large windows were drawn open letting in fresh air and a great view, and we enjoyed watching surfers while we dined.

Spectacular.

On our last full day we spent some time relaxing and playing at Anini Beach which we had all to ourselves! The low hanging Kamani trees and fringed reef makes this beach unique.

Another moment of bliss.

So long Kauai. Until we meet again.