Splash Park!!

Elaina's first time at Glenn Dale Splash Park!
This little girl is a WATER BUG, so we knew she'd love it.

She started out simple...the little fountains on the sidewalk.
She liked to stop the water with her foot....
She was NOT a fan of the sunglasses :(
Then she moved to the beach entrance edge of the big pool (notice the sunglasses are gone?)
It took a little getting used to the waves splashing up on her....
Then she decided she loved them!....
We were having fun just chillin' at the water's edge....
Playing the UP/DOWN game....
Then she decided she wanted to venture a little deeper....
Now she really loved it when the waves splashed higher on her!....
She ventured out to the bubbling fountain Grampa showed her....
And found this little island, where she could splash her feet....
After that, all bets were off!
She RAN through the water....
Found a bigger bubbling fountain....
And wanted Grampa to walk her into even deeper water....
So he decided to take his shirt off (now we're getting serious!) and walk her up to her chin!
She loved it!! She was laughing & splashing :)
Then time for some fun in the big mushroom fountain....
Even the waterfall!....
At the end of all the fun, she walked out of the big pool on her own. What a big girl! :)

National Arboretum

I know, I know....I've broken all my promises to be better about posting.
I'm bad beyond bad. I'm sorry.
No more promises.
I'll do what I can do.

Here's a post from back in April. We went to the National Arboretum with Ryan, Jen & Elaina.
Have you ever been there?? I hadn't been there in years. I don't know why!! It's such a neat place & only about 15 minutes from our house!

The grounds are ginormous! You can really only take in little sections at a time. This day we visited the National Bonsai Garden & Penjing Museum.

First we came to the koi fish pond.
Elaina LOVED the fishies! (she really wanted to jump in the water with them!!!) Grampa's job was to hold her back. Hahaha....










LOOK at all those crazy fish!!!!....
There were gorgeous tulips in bloom everywhere....

























From the bonsai gardens, you can see the Capitol Columns, so we decided to head over there....
Along the way, Grampa stopped to show Elaina some blooms close up.
The sun was bright, so she was making her little squinty face....
















Then on our way again (with a clump of blooms in her hand)....












A beautiful day for walking, the columns ahead (there's Ryan, in the middle)....
Wow! They're HUGE.
I feel like I'm in Rome again (hehe)....
Here's their story (of course you can click on the picture to make it larger)....

So, after lots of stomping around on the cobblestones (and Elaina liked it too, ha!), we headed back. Down the hill. Very s-l-o-w-l-y so that little Miss Elaina could "visit" all the grass & bugs & dandelions along the way....











Some pretty blooms along the way....














A really super resting/reading spot under this big tree!....
I loved this view of the American flag up through the trees....
And back in the parking lot, before leaving, a quick game of "stinky feet" with Gramma....
And one last "race" in the stroller with Grampa (Jen watching in the background, thinking "that man's crazy!!!" Hahaha)....
It was a wonderful afternoon. Let's go back again SOON!!! :)

Easter 2010

Wow! It's been a l-o-n-g time since I posted here.
I'll try to do some catching up.

Here are a few pics from Easter Sunday afternoon at our nephew's house.
It was a very small family gathering, with just Matt & his wife Becca, their three kids--Lily, Joey & Cora, Paul's brother Steve & his wife Faye, and us.
We shared a very yummy (and huge!) meal of turkey and ham with all the trimmings.

Then it was play time and, as you can see, it was "all about the kids!"....

First, Uncle Paul was CAUGHT, trying to steal candy from Lily's basket (notice it's a cute little bumble bee? and she picked out her beautiful Easter dress herself this year!)....
Then Lily & Uncle Paul did some "head bumping" (he learned this from his good buddy, Linus)....
I don't know quite what's going on here--just some more crazy playing with Uncle Paul! (notice Joey's Jack Sparrow hat--which of course must be worn on all special occasions, and his cute little snake basket)....
Silly Uncle Paul tried to pretend like he was sleeping. Of course Lily would have NONE of that!....
Here is Steve giving Joey some much-needed zerberts!!!....
Then sweet little Cora woke up from her nap, still in her lovely little Easter dress....
Ever since she was tiny, Lily has loved dancing! Just put on music & watch her go!!
Some of her moves are very artistic....
But I love her "twirling" the best! :) ....
Thank you Matt & Becca, for having us over! We love our family :)