fair

The Lake County Fair where we met up with my folks who were volunteering - many prizes in the awards tent, farm bureau setup, etc

cousin buddies

So many cute snaps of these cousin buddies especially that littlest cheeky guy:::

racers

When the sun was back up, we used our game pass for some bumper boats - J was an easy target in the slow boat.  But he was not slow in the go carts!  It was fun to see Aiden drive on his own for the first time - after a few over steering jerks he was on track!

games

We had one bit of rain in the afternoon at the lake so we snuck inside to bowl, play laser tag, and other games.  First time I won laser tag, thanks to my long hair covering my vest sensors.  This crew was pumped!

nature center

We love to explore a good nature center especially when they have plenty of stuff to touch.  Bring in a table full of animal bones and skulls and these guys are doggone giddy. They were feeding the owls and eagles when we visited the aviary and thankfully some of them are shy while they eat. The center had a beautiful view for the insect hotel. The boys picked up their souvenir stuffies - an otter and a wolf.

gems

These guys have a pretty big collection of  gem stones that they were happy to add to up on the mountain. This semi touristy business is one of their favorites, and this one has a ton of good gems!  They both slept with their bags of gems that night - comfy, ha?!

bday treats

My birthday treat was a fun getaway. This sorta combined a treat for J, who was really looking forward to the mountain coaster, with a stop at Wisp Mountain half way to Ohio.  We'll definitely be back to Deep Creek someday.

My birthday included as many pictures as I'd like and many treats.  Then perfect bday menu started with a batch of made to order donuts, creme brûlée french toast, crab cake sandwich (all crab!), and a pesto asiago flatbread, topped off with a peanut butter pie. Woah, I'm drooling just thinking about it!

spider monkey

Aiden was the first of the family to brave the Spider Monkey course. He was a rockstar scurrying across and stretching his arms between the big obstacles. This course was really high up with a few tricky parts.  The funniest was that the end was a giant zip line where occasionally the rollers on your line would get stuck and you'd stop about half way and they'd have to come rescue you with a tow line. Just hanging there looking around may have been the most nerve-wrecking part.  The only part not pictured below was a snowboard mounted on wheels that you had to tow close to your platform, carefully step on to as it zipped across the line, and balance as you pull yourself the rest of the way....tricky if you didn't get to the middle of the board you'd fall off the back of the board.  I lost track of how many times we all went across (minus Keaton who would've if he was tall enough).

chipmunk

These guys on their first ropes course challenge.  They call the course the Chipmunk Adventure Challenge.  Keaton joked as he crossed the first tricky balance beam floating bars, "I've never seen a chipmunk do this!"  They were pretty fearless zipping across the zip line and marching down the wobbly beams.

coaster

We stayed two nights in a new to us, really fun area around Deep Creek Lake in the farthest west reaches of Maryland. The biggest draw was the Wisp mountain coaster!  It sped and spun down the ski mountain.  We rode with the kids all three days we were there and it was fun every time.  The craziest ride was when it started raining on Keaton and I during the last ride of the day - I think my brakes were skidding ;). I was slower than dad's rides at first but I think I was booking it by the end.

snaps

So many photos to catch up on soon!  In the meantime, check out these funny guys!

tidbits

Check out this mosaic from Prisma of Keaton and his two headed dragon ;)

These pool rats at the pool helping daddy work out his arms ;)

The boys went to an adventure program on the farm where they were pioneers for the week.  They helped out on the farm, took wagon rides, explored the creek, milked goats, made their own snack everyday (fresh butter for their own cinnamon buns!), and created a craft (painted snakes, pillow cases, yarn dolls, etc)  They had fun making new friends and playing games.

We've been meeting up with our friends to go bowling when it is ridic hot and they occasionally catch pokemon on each other too.

Chocolate chip pancakes bigger than your head!

builda

These guys earned a trip to Build-a-bear with some good behavior.  Keaton finally got that two headed dragon which he'd been dreaming about.  Aiden added to his treat puppy set with Chocolate Chunk - he also has Peanut Butter Pup and Caramel Canine.  Choco has a pokemon hoodie and roller skates and a cell phone to play ;)

voice

Aiden started taking voice lessons (after I won free lessons at an auction for his old choral group) and he is having so much fun with it.  His teacher Anne has a summer fun show where everyone does solos or duets at the beginning, followed by dessert, and then the main show.  This year it was the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Trial by Jury.  His duet partner Jerry reminded me a of a grown up version of Aiden (both a little goofy, yet serious) and people were even asking if Jerry was Aiden's son ;) They coordinated this little schtick at the start of their singing where they lowered and lifted the stands, which made Aiden giggle.  During the main show it was funny to see Aiden peeking through the group of sopranos which were mostly older women.  He was the youngest by far but has really hit it off with his teacher who really encourages him.

We were talking about how our cameras do not pick up the best audio - which stinks for a vocal performance especially - but he hit that funny high note ;)

Flowers that bloom in the Spring from LB on Vimeo.

police

The local supervisor's office was hosting an event at the park complete with a meet and greet with the police.  The police were encouraging the kids to act out arresting each other dressed in full gear?!  These guys and their expressions ;)

buddies

We were lucky to have our friends visiting from WY again this summer and we met up at Burke Lake with all the kiddos.  There were giggly babies to cuddle!  Trains and carousels to ride!

grandeur

The last of the vacation highlights includes what has to be the most hokey video yet - highlighting the Grandeur of the Seas ;)
Grandeur from LB on Vimeo.

prisma

This Prisma app is fun!  All these random art styles to apply...

dockyard

The Royal Dockyard was the home to Dolphins, a Neptune statue, and this awesome playground with a giant wooden eel wrapped around a lighthouse slide.  Inside was fun kid's activities and a fun sailor mural with a tongue bench - you could practice tying sailing knots in his hair - ha!

national museum

The National Museum of Bermuda was tucked in across a moat near the dockyard. The Commander's House has a two story mural documenting all of Bermuda's history, rooms full of cannons and tools, and doll houses.  There were many tunnels, caves, and bunkers tucked into the hills.