Zoo

The Monday after Martin left for his 2 week trip to Kosovo and Albania, the kids and I went to the DC zoo again, since it was a teacher work day at Waterman Elementary.  My sister Rachel and her children had planned to join us for this excursion, but unfortunately Rachel woke up that morning not feeling well.  So it was just me and my fabulous kids!  We rode the metro, and we had lots of fun.  Here's a pictorial...

Photo credit:  Vincent James Witmer Rhodes

Photo credit:  Elliot Hans Witmer Rhodes

Photo credit:  Annaliese Day Witmer Rhodes

Photo credit:  Annaliese Day Witmer Rhodes

photo credit:  Elliot Hans Witmer Rhodes

Photo credit:  Elliot Hans Witmer Rhodes

Kosovo, Albania, and back home

These are the shirts Martin brought home for the kids.  This picture was taken the same night we picked him up at the Weyers Cave airport....SO GLAD to have him back home!  The next several days Annaliese kept saying, "I missed you Daddy when you were in Albania." All of our sentiments expressed through this one dear sentence.  

Showalter's Orchard Field TripjAbout

About a month ago, I went along with Vincent's kindergarten class to Showalter's Orchard in Timberville for a field trip.  Here Vincent is with his teacher, Mr. Dayton, filling a basket full of apples, like the workers do.  

Remainder of apples after pressing for cider.  These are fed to pigs.  

Pressing apples for juice/cider.

Pig slop...!

Scavenging for pumpkins.  

'Twas a fun experience, albeit freezing cold.  Yes, we even saw snow flurries, which unfortunately meant that it was too cold for a picnic lunch outside at the orchard, as had been planned.  So I kissed Vincent goodbye, and he returned to school to eat lunch with his class, and I went home to bid Martin good-bye for his 12 day trip to Albania and Kosovo.  

Rodanthe Beach 2013

Family Picture.

Playing in the waves.  Annaliese really enjoyed getting in the middle of the waves and testing her ability to stand up as they crashed around and over her.

Sand castle building project orchestrated by Todd and Rachel.

Soren playing in the sand.  We enjoyed getting to know his fun amusing personality this week!

Sand play continued...

Soren loves the water too!  Lots of squeals of glee and laughter from him!

Elliot learned how to boogie board like a pro this year.  He went far out in the waves and could ride them to the shore.

Digging holes.

Friends.

Deb and Peter, Petra and Paradise.

Brothers enjoying the ocean waves together.  

Us!

Vincent.

Handsome.  

Elliot's art work at the Mad Crabber restaurant.

Vincent creating roads, pools, and other designs for his truck.

Puffer fish.  CRAZY!  This fish washed ashore and we had fun seeing it all puffed up, then deflate to normal, then just about die.  So we let the fish go back to the ocean to rest in peace.

Todd and Rachel.