Abingdon

We came back today from a great visit to Abingdon to visit my parents. The timing was really good as my mom turned 78 today, so we got to help her celebrate her birthday.

My mom opening some gifts (early, which she almost never does!)
















We got there Friday and had my favorite and Steve's favorite dish, her Lasagna. Yum!

My dad gave Nathaniel and Steve a John Deere hat (from when they visited the factory). It just so happened that Nathaniel had packed his John Deere shirt, so he wore them both together, which looked very...green. Which is perfect, because green is his favorite color.

Saturday, while Steve and my dad went to the Flea Market, my mom took Nathaniel and I to see "Planes". He had been wanting to see it for a while and my mom really enjoyed taking him to see a movie.

Saturday evening, they took us out to dinner at Milano's (yup, like the cookies). There Nathaniel and my mom had a good time looking at and feeding the goldfish (Nathaniel couldn't understand why they were called "goldfish" when some of them weren't gold).

feeding the fish

see, not all are gold!

Nathaniel and my dad after dinner.

My favorite comment of the weekend was on the way to the restaurant when we went through town. Nathaniel noticed that the traffic lights in Abingdon are held up differently than they are here. He said, "look, they are on a string!".














On Sunday, I took Nathaniel to a great playground not far from our house. He had a blast and was very adventurous. It helped that we have been watching "America Ninja Warrior" and he pretended that he was on the show.

Sunday afternoon, we went to a picnic for my parent's Sunday School class at Sugar Hollow Park. There was another playground there, too. Needless to say, he was well worn out Sunday night.

Nathaniel and Steve by a really big rock

Nathaniel and I by the rock (a better picture of the rock)

On the way home today traffic was stopped, so we took a shortcut. Google failed to tell us that there was a gravel road. Steve said it best, "I guarantee you we were the only people on that road headed to Fredericksburg!"

The dirt road

Pretty scenery, though!

West Virginia, part 2

Finally, I have the rest of the pictures, and proof that I did the zip line and trampoline-bungee jump. Also, the pictures have been developed from our trip to the NRAO and, they came out good!

It is really huge!

Nathaniel and Ella posing for me

oops! With a thumb in the picture

and without

A Day at the Cottage

The three Smiths went to Heathsville, VA yesterday to visit Steve's Grandma Smith, Aunt Jackie, dad and Sue. It was a quick trip, but we all had a great time (especially Nathaniel).

It was relaxing day, for sure!

Doug took Steve, Nathaniel and I out on the boat to the bay that is in the back yard of the cottage. Nathaniel had his first chance to be a boat captain and absolutely loved it. I think Grandpa Doug enjoyed it too!

The look on Nathaniel's face says it all!

Lovin' it!

Nathaniel also liked looking at Grandpa Doug's crab traps - he thought they were pretty cool and enjoyed looking for the boueys that showed where they were.

There were some jellyfish in there too!

Nathaniel and I also got to fish a little. Nathaniel surprised us all by doing a good job of casting - I think he may be catching on! Thanks Grandpa Doug for being so patient with Nathaniel (and me!)

He also fished from the boat where Grandpa Doug was sitting

There was a yummy dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs for us as well!

Sue and Jackie 

Doug

Our trip was a quick one, but many memories were made.