Camping Out (Back Yard Style)

The name of the game - "Improvise"

A couple weekends ago, as I was upstairs folding laundry, Dallas and the kids were outside on another adventure. It had been quite a while since they came inside in need of juice or snacks so I decided to check up on them. To my surprise Dallas had erected our tent (I'm not really sure why we have a tent!). Lin-Ley and Tru were having a ball just walking in and out of it.

Here they are. Tru does not seem happy. He wants to take photos only when he wants to take photos.









We can not forget about Airborne. She is now approximately 115 years old (in people years). Dallas makes sure she is involved in all family activities.







It was getting dark out so Dallas decided to make a camp fire....












in the portable deck fire bowl....












Now... there was a tent, a fire, and it was getting dark. The next logical step would have been to roast marshmallows and/or make smores.

I raided the pantry and found: only miniature marshmallows (that could be a problem), a box of graham crackers (that was a surprise), and no chocolate (Strike One!).

Well... maybe we could try to roast the mini-marshmallows on a long fork. That did not work. Strike Two!

Then most of the marshmallows fell out of the bag onto the ground. And Tru instantly began eating them like they were the best snack he had ever eaten. Strike Three!




Well, they did not care. They enjoyed the backyard camping (for the two hours it lasted). Afterward we went inside for dinner and bed.
(That's my perfect version of camping out!)

The National Zoo

Last weekend we had an extended family outing to the National Zoo in Washington D.C. We were joined by Donna and Dwyndle (Dallas' cousins) and their families.


Dallas, Jody, Peter, Tim, Tori, Lin-Ley, Nick, Tru, Tom and Donna.



And there is Dwyndle.











Our first snack break.
















Of course one of the biggest attractions at the National Zoo are the panda bears. We could not find them in their exhibit so Lin-Ley decided that she would take a photo with the red panda statue instead.







We finally found a sleeping panda inside. Lin-Ley made sure that everyone in our group knew that panda bears came from China - just like her.













Family photo.















Unfortunately I did not take many photos but I did manage to take a photo of the elephants which seemed to be Tru's favorite animal.

Tru let us know when it was time to call it a day. He was such a good boy!

We had a great day. The kids liked seeing the animals and we (the adults) loved being able to visit with one another. It was a rare treat.

And that's our recap of the weekend. Short and sweet....

Pumpkin Picking

The kids have been having a ball with Dallas. He plays with them outside in the our yard until the sun goes down most evenings. When it is time to come in for dinner both of the kids are very upset with me. Tru keeps yelling, "outside, outside" and clings to the door. It is only when he sees me put his plate on the table that he is able to finally switch gears to dinner time.

Dallas and Lin-Ley are back in the routine of their nightly foot races and soccer games. Tru has discovered Lin-Ley's Barbie Jeep. He punches the gas and takes off just to let go of the gas petal and stop instantly. I am a little concerned about his neck. At this pace he is heading toward a pediatric case of whip-lash! He has basically taken over the Jeep and becomes very upset if Lin-Ley tries to sit in it with him.



















Dallas took us to a local farm this weekend to pick our own pumpkins. The kids were totally up for it!

Let the search begin.

The vines were a bit much for Tru so Daddy gave him a lift.

Hmmmmm.

Tru found his pumpkin and Dallas helped him pull it from the vine.

Time for a hayride.

Tru was very unsure if he wanted to sit in the hay but soon learned that it was fun.

Posing with the giant pumpkins before leaving the farm.

Time to get down to business.

Tru chose to observe only as Lin-Ley pulled out all of the pumpkin goo.

Pumpkin #1 complete.