Our Quiet Fourth

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Guy and I decided to skip the whole craziness of traveling on the Fourth of July again and instead stay home and do things around the house, visit with family and if the weather cooperated maybe visit one historical site near the house as we had made a commitment to do this more often.  We discussed a few places and then decided on Williamsburg this time, if the weather cooperated (we live so close no reason to go and be miserable if it was going to be 95-100 degrees ).We started the weekend of with a great breakfast visit with Chris, Mallory and Avery.  That girl, she is so darn cute!  She is now starting to talk become more toddler than baby.  Such a fun age.  She showed me her belly over and over and then told us the Rooster in the kitchen (fake) was a CooCoo, she said this over and over.  Apparently, this is the latest animal in her books that she is fascinated with.  Unfortunately the neighbors who have a rooster were not outside or I would have taken her to see it.It was such a beautiful morning that we decided to take Avery for a short walk and then her first ATV ride on our Polaris.  She loved it!! The noise at first made her jump but after that she went on a short ride with Grandpa and daddy and then a little longer one with me and Mommy. She is going to have so much fun on this as she gets older.  I know Guy can't wait.After the kids left we decided to head over to the new Cabella's that was built in Richmond since Guy needed new shorts and loves his Cabella branded ones. All I can say is we were not impressed.  For all the talk about how great the store/chain is, we didn't like the store.  Prices were a bit higher than Bass Pro and I don't think the stores floor plan flowed all that well.  It's nice to know it is there but I think we will stick with Bass Pro.After hot dogs and corn on the grill we decided to sit on the front porch for a little while when Guy realized the new neighbor had started burning his clearing pile.  He headed up there to watch and later came back and picked me to go see.  This was one large fire, it seemed he had a full acre of the brush he cleared flaming away.We hung out for a bit then headed to bed as we had a early alarm going off as we had decided a 80 degree day in July, even with the threat of rain was as good as it would get and we were heading to Colonial Williamsburg.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Avery's first ATV Ride:

Start of our Camping Season

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Just back from our first camping trip of the season.  We returned to Belle Isle State Park as we just love it there.  Small, quiet, beautiful park along the Rappahannock River.The weekend weather started out with rain but after out first night it changed to clear skies and beautiful weather. Wildlife was plentiful including a Bald Egles nesting above our campsite, over 30 ground hogs (yes we counted), deer, rabbits, and birds, so many birds. It was a perfect start to our spring/summer.Next up a week camping in the Outer Banks! So excited I could burst LOL

Wreaths Across America

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I am so fortunate to be able to participate in this event each December.  Each year on the same date thousands spread out across the hundreds of federal cemeteries in the US that are the final resting place for our military veterans and their family members (if they wish) and lay memorial holiday wreaths.

Growing up as a military brat and living on and then outside Quantico Marine Corp Base as well as the fact that my dad and brother rest at Quantico National Cemetery this is the cemetery where I volunteer.  I and my childhood friends that is, most of us in the group who attend together, grew up together,  attended HS together and now as we have gotten older, unfortunately have parents resting together here so it makes sense we do this together. It's a surreal site when done, beautiful and sad at the same time.  Laying these wreaths is a honor and now a holiday tradition and I can't imagine not doing it each year.

This is my dad and brothers final resting place.