DC

I had an energy tax credit conference in Washington DC this past week, so we found it to be the perfect time to take the whole family to tour our nation's capitol, and no better time than around Veteran's Day. I spent 2 1/2 days in my conference, while JB took the kids and Nanny to tour the Air and Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Aquarium (don't waste your money here), and the American History Museum (albeit only briefly since this one only interested JB). We stayed 3 nights at the Ritz Carlton due to the location of my conference. Have your ever stayed there? Talk about Ritz!! I've never been in a place that advertises a bath menu where the butler will draw your bath for you. Seriously--people actually need someone else to turn on their bathwater?!? After my conference ended, we moved over to the Holiday Inn - more suitable to my liking.
On Veteran's Day, we visited the National Archives, saw the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and visited all the Veteran Memorials. It was quite touching to see all the veterans that gather for remembrance. On Friday, we went back to the Natural History Museum (Nathan's favorite plus I was jealous that I didn't get to go earlier in the week!), toured the Capitol, went to the Supreme Court, went to Union Station and rode the metro back to our hotel. We spent Saturday morning at the National zoo - do you think we can go on a trip without finding a nearby zoo?? Then we started back on our drive home. It was an exhausting trip, but its always fun to spend time with the kids and make vacations educational.

Halloween

This year's costumes were from our favorite cartoon - Scooby Doo. Reagan was Scooby Doo, Nathan was Shaggy, JB was Fred, I was Daphne and Nanny was Velma. Thanks to Julie for supplying the Mystery Machine - her father's restored VW bus. We celebrated at our church's Trunk or Treat and fall festival. The kids had fun playing games and riding on the hay ride, and best of all - getting candy. As soon as we got home, JB and the kids started planning next years costumes...so where will we get the Bat Mobile?

Monkeying Around at Monkey Joes

I took the day off from work today to spend with the kids since Nathan's school is out for a teacher's workday. JB and I went to Nathan's parent/teacher conference, then the kids and I met Kristi and Lexi in Charlotte at Monkey Joes. It was a fun day jumping, climbing and sliding on the inflatables.

Atlanta, GA

Since the kids weren't able to travel with us to Atlanta last month, we planned a surprise weekend trip for them this past weekend. We left for our trip right after work on Friday and made the drive down 85. I hate the traffic in Charlotte! - our biggest traffic holdup was within an hour of home! Not a great way to start a trip!
On Saturday, we started our day at the GA Aquarium - what a wonderful place. The kids and I loved the beluga whales and the whale sharks best of all. We also visited the Atlanta Zoo. It took us 45 minutes to find a parking spot (at least Reagan was able to get a nap in), but frustration had already set in before we saw the first animal. The kids enjoyed seeing animals that we don't have in our zoo at home - pandas, penguins and tons of killer snakes, like the king cobra. We ate at the Varsity - the local hotspot, so I hear. We went based on recommendation of a co-worker - I guess he doesn't like me so much! The atmosphere was neat, but the food was awful!
This was a quick vacation, but it was worth the smiles on our kids faces.

Farmer Fall Festival

Nathan's school held its annual fall festival fundraiser this past Saturday. JB and I volunteered to help with games. We were scheduled to help with the tic tac toe game in Nathan's classroom. JB took over the task of manning the game, so I could walk around the school with the kids and play the various games. The kids had a great time especially jumping and sliding in the bouncy inflatables. Farmer School knows how to put on a great fall festival.

Field Trip to the Zoo

Nathan's class went on their first field trip today. Although October 15th is a tax deadline, I was able to take the day off and tag along with him. This was a fun day with Nathan. He had a blast going to the zoo with his friends from school. Even though he frequents the zoo on a regular basis, he doesn't seem to grow tired of it. He knows his way around so good - he really was a tour guide letting Ms. Thomas know when she headed the wrong direction. Super fun day - glad I could spend it with Nathan!

Summer...must you go?

Wow! This summer has flew by and we have a new hobby which has taken up most of our time this summer. ...like we needed another hobby, especially an expensive one like wakeboarding, which requires wakeboards, bindings, new lifejackets, wetsuits (for extending the summer a little longer), ropes, and of course, a boat. From our group of 6, only one of us (i.e. JB) could get up on the wakeboard at the beginning of the summer, now all of us have our own personal wakeboards and some of us are jumping like pros (that wouldn't be me). How's that for a few months of practice? We've spent so much time at the lake over the past few months that Nathan's reference to Tuckertown as "our lake" is almost true. A broken ankle (that would be JB) and numerous faceplants and sore bodies later, we're still coming back - glutton for punishment? I guess, but we're having fun. We've had a blast all summer and now that it's cooler, we'll still be at Tuckertown on Saturdays...but you'll see us in wetsuits. Don't want pneumonia - we've got enough pains to worry about!