Camping (in the backyard)

Camping (in the backyard)
Summer 2012

 

Roughing it!

(Don't pay any attention to the house and fence in the background.)



Kids being kids

Kids being kids
Summer 2012

 

Human pyramid.

 

Who's going to pull me?

 

Want...more...cupcakes...!

 

Katie and her friend just hanging out in the rain on the front porch!

Projects with Dad

Projects with Dad
Summer 2012

Built and painted a wood Penske moving van out of wood with the kids.  Got the project from Home Depot.  Everyone made their own with Dad.  This was probably their favorite project this summer.

 



 

Made a peacock out of colored paper with the kids.  Everyone made their own with Dad.

 

 

 

Built wooden organizers with the kids.  Everyone made their own with Dad.  Andrew used his to store nuts and bolts.  Katie and Gracie used theirs to store bracelets, erasers, rings, and other things.

 

 

Made bird feeders together.

 

 

Made tin-can robots out of nuts, bolts, magnets, nails, hair clips, wire, and other odds and ends from around the house.  Used a glue gun to put them together.

 

 





Made paper purse with the girls.

Projects with Sarah

Projects with Sarah
Summer 2012

Re-upholstered an old family chair together with Sarah.  Did it in one day, but it took a long time!

 

 

Re-finished a garden chair with Sarah.  She did the bulk of the work.  We like it a lot!

Re-finished toy chest with Sarah. 

 

 

This project Sarah did with a friend.  The shelf turned out great and was anchored really well!

Slacklining

Slacklining
Summer 2012

Gracie's first slackline!

 

Slacklining is different than tight-rope walking.  The "slackline", made of nylon webbing, is flexible, and allows you to bounce and do tricks.  You usually attach it to two trees, and then make it taut by cranking on the attached ratchet.  We think its a lot of fun (although it is pretty difficult)! 

 

For a short video demo of professional slackliners, go to the following URL:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=slackline+final+and+youtube+and+2011+brixen&mid=FA48F05A0BFAF0EE03B5FA48F05A0BFAF0EE03B5&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1



Golfing with the Kids

Golfing with the Kids
Summer 2012

 

Four!!!!

 

 

Gracie digs the long ball!!!!



Washington Nationals Baseball Game

Washington Nationals Baseball Game
Summer 2012

 

Went to Washington Nationals baseball game with some friends.  Had seats right near the bull-pen.  A lot of fun!

 



Gracie's First Piano Recital

Gracie's First Piano Recital
Summer 2012

 

Gracie began taking piano lessons a few months ago.  Her first recital at the Young Musicians Fireside went super!  Dad was more nervous than Gracie was!  So proud!

Slip-N-Sliding

Slip-N-Sliding
Summer 2012

 

Gracie, Andrew, Katie, and the Neighborhood Gang!

Virginia Safari Park

Virginia Safari Park
Spring 2012

Went to the Virginia Safari Park.  Everyone had a blast.  Drove around the park for about an hour feeding the animals from our car.

 

Katie feeding the animals....she was a little anxious.

 

 

 

Dad feeding the animals.

 

 

Katie was not sure she should turn her back on the animals to take a picture.

 

 

Everyone was shocked how big this guy and his horns were -- he actually scratched our car.