Bye, Burke

I can't believe we have already been here a week. It has really flown by.  We have stayed very busy, hitting all of our mandatory sites.  The Natural History Museum, the Air and Space Museum, and  Hidden Ponds are always on the agenda.  I love that my folks live in an area with so much to do.   There wasn't much down time but that is how we like it.  One drawback about being away from home is that the boys wake up at the crack of dawn.  They have been up at 6:30 every morning!  I am use to Myles sleeping until 7:30 and Grady usually doesn't stir until 8 or later.  Other than that, we have had a blast. 

Tomorrow we get back in the car and make the long drive home.  I hope it will be as easy as the trip up here.  Wish us well!

 Papaw took us to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport.  It is a great place and so much easier than going to the one in DC.  The boys were fascinated by the helicopter, planes and space shuttles.  Everyday they asked to go back.

 Papaw and the boys

Myles McPhail and Papaw

The boys were spoiled rotten with all the junk food.  I think they had 500 Popsicles.

Myles was in Heaven.  This boy has inherited my sweet tooth.

Look who else enjoyed the trip.

Ms BJ was nice enough to invite us to her pool.  The boys loved swimming and splashing around with Mimi and Ms. BJ.

Ms. BJ, Mimi and Grady

Myles enjoying a snack

It's Raining, It's Pouring....

The boys and I made it to VA on Sunday.  It was a long drive but pretty uneventful.  I had to listen to Grady ask how much longer about 100 times and Myles wanted me to get things he dropped constantly but that's about it.  Not as bad as it could have been.

It's been in the 100's in the DC area so we were very happy to get rain yesterday.  A shower without thunder and lightning is my favorite.  The boys participated in one of my favorite childhood pastimes, running in the rain!  I use to splash in the exact sames place they were cruising through.  I know I complain about my parents living so far away but it is pretty cool that they live in the same house where I grew up.  I have so many memories here and now the boys get to make memories of their own.  It's nice to come home.

Soaking wet and happy!!

This weekend Lisa, one of my best friends from college, came to visit.  Her partner, Chris, had to head up to Asheville for his business so Lisa and Lily hitched a ride with him.  We met them at the Biltmore and cruised around.  It was so great to catch up.  They live in Columbia, SC which is not too far away but with kids and work, it's hard to get together.  Thank you all so much for heading up this way.  Let's do it again soon.

Josh and the boys at the Biltmore

Run to the house, Lily.  Man, was she fast!



Let me tell you, this little girl could hang with the boys.  No problem!

 Lily makes some great faces.  Look at the wrinkled nose in this one.

This picture cracks me up.  Lisa was trying to get a fabulous mother daughter photo at the Biltmore gardens.  Lily did not want to sit still.  There was too much to see.



 Myles and Grady hiding in one of the crazy trees.

 I love this picture of Lily.  She is such a sweet little thing

I'm not sure what they are doing but it looks intense.

Chowing down on some yummy ice cream.

Breakfast!!

4th of July Week at the Lake

One of my favorite Summer past times is going to Lake Summit.  To me, it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.  My grandparents use to own a house there and my mom grew up going to the lake.  Every year she is nice enough to rent a house for us so we can experience the joy she had as a child.  Usually, we go on an off week but this year we went for 4th of July.  Josh's brother, Nick, and his family endured a drive all the way from PA to stay with us.  The cousins had a blast playing together and it was great to catch up with Nick and Carolyn.  My folks, Aunt Duffy and Uncle Doug also came down to the lake for a few days.  It was a wonderful, relaxing vacation.

Like any good Dad, Josh gave the boys some safety instructions before lighting fireworks.

Myles was very cautious with the sparklers as last year was a bit of a disaster.

Nicholas watched as Josh set off the fireworks

 Myles didn't like the noise.  "It's bad for my ears", he yelled.

Connor and Carolyn testing out the water.

 Grady wasn't afraid to jump right in

Fourth of July wouldn't be complete without fried chicken.  Usually, Myles won't touch meat but he loved his first taste of this Southern delicacy.

We went on quite a few canoe rides. 

When you get a bunch of boys together, wrestling is bound to ensue.

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 Cousins

 We took a trip to Hendersonville

Hanging on the porch swing.  I got some good reading in while sitting in this comfy seat.  It is my favorite place in the house.

Mimi giving Grady some swim lessons.

 A view from the dock

 We took the boys to Pisgah National Forest to visit their fish hatchery. Here they are feeding the trout.

 A walk in the woods

 The Scala Boys

Grady and Nicholas had a blast jumping from the dock and doing tricks.  They were wild men and I couldn't stop laughing when I caught their moves on camera,.

 Nicholas's great leap into the water.

Grady looks like he is on a flying carpet.  I love this picture!

 Josh and Myles

 Myles makes the best faces