Afternoon at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum

 It has been a rainy mess here for days and days.  We really felt like we had been cooped up in the house for way too long, so Saturday we took a trip to the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum.  We had been once before but Winona was still crawling so it wasn't nearly as much fun.  This time she was able to roam freely and play til her heart content.
They have many different rooms.  One room is set up with a ton of roller coaster attachments and a couple hundred balls.  She really loved this room because she really loves balls.  (hehe)
There is another room with a Native American yurt-like structure made of tree bark.  Inside the yurt it is set up so that you can play and pretend you are an Indian!!!  There is a little fire and beds with animal skins.
My favorite room is the hospital room with hospital beds and xrays and xray illuminator.  I love to hold the x-rays up and try to diagnose the broken bones.

Obviously we were really into the mirrors.  Winona thought it was so cool that there were so many "Mamas" and "Papas".

Overall, we had a great time.  It was well worth it for the two hours that she ran around and got some energy out.  We will surely be going back.

i like to ride my bicycle

Yesterday evening we took our bikes for a nice ride down the C&O canal for a dinner picnic.  Our friend Devin rode out with us to enjoy the dinner.  We have been riding a few times a week.  Mine and Jake's anniversary was this past Thursday and I got a basket for my bike.  Woo Hoo!!  But yesterday was the first time we've been able to make a stop and have a picnic.
It was also our farthest trip so far.  We rode 8 miles.  Now that may not seem like a lot to you, but for this out of shape woman, it was far!  Plus our bikes are only cruisers so we really had to work it.  On the way back, we were chasing the daylight and I was about to die.  Today my thighs are killing me!
For our picnic, we stopped at a little white house out in the woods.  It was perfect.  I packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, strawberries, cherries, cheese, oranges, carrots and hummus.  It was good food to make the trip back.

 I love my bike.

 The C&O Canal is such a beautiful place to ride.

 We picked the perfect place to have our picnic.

 Since I am so sore, I should probably get out there and ride another 8 miles tomorrow, when I'm hurting even worse than I am today.  Yikes.

Weekend Adventures {Photo heavy}

We spent the weekend at a private local rock quarry.  It was absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait to go back.  The water was the deepest azure blue I have ever seen.  The men were jumping off of the cliffs, as I am too much of a scaredy cat.  Winona had a great time in the water and being over all filthy the whole weekend.  

Tonight we went to the county fair and had the greatest time.  It was Winnie's first ever fair experience.  She rode a couple of the baby rides.  She was so brave!  She especially loved all the farm animals.  The horses were her favorite among them.  My favorite part was my deep fried oreos!  Mmmm.  Winnie drank all of our lemonade!  She doesn't usually get any sugar so I knew she was in heaven!

Weekend with Instagram

Little Lady

Trains

Daddy's girl

 Papa and Maya

 Afternoon family walk

 Patomac River

 Patomac River @ the C&O Canal

 River rocks.

Good morning

 Bread, cheese, applewurst, peaches and blackberries at the farmers market.

 Making wineberry pie

Rolling on the floor

 I was so busy instagramming, this happened.  And she is wearing my headband around her neck.

Bubbles!

Carolina Weekend Adventure

This past weekend we decided to get away to North Carolina.  We have a beautiful family with which we have become friends.  We drove down on Friday for a glorious Fourth of July weekend.  It was so relaxing.  On a personal level, I really felt like it was good for me to be around a mother that I really connect with.  I'll talk about her and her beautiful family more in just a second.  

For now....LOOK at those fruits and veggies.  We went to a gigantic farmers market.  I was like a kid in a candy store.  I wanted, wanted, wanted.  It was endless amounts of produce and I had a hard time making a decision of what I wanted to take home.  I walked away with some blackberries (my favorite) and some sweet Carolina peaches.

 Most of the time was spent with one another.  Relaxing and laughing.  Sharing stories and building relationships.  Elizabeth of Magnolia's Graces and Brian have two beautiful children.  Hayden is smart, funny and charismatic.  Maggie (four months) is curious, smiley and makes you want to start making some more babies...AHHHH.  Okay, maybe not yet, but I was suffering from some serious baby lust.

 Hayden's smiley little face.

 Loving some hummus...always.

We enjoyed being outside as much as possible.  It is the blazing hot of summer.  Elizabeth made a "pool" for little Winz and the boys enjoyed squirting each other with water guns as a way to try to keep cool.

 Sidewalk chalk!!

Winona love, love, loved Hayden and Maggie.  Elizabeth and I decided that Maggie and Winnie are to be best friends.  We have pre-arranged it.  They shall be pen pals, college roommates, bridesmaids in each others wedding.  Okay, okay....maybe I'm jumping ahead of myself, but really.  No for real. 

 Kitchen party/Sweet baby kisses

 The Fourth was spent amongst friends in a glorious pool...and we've decided we must get one.  Winona loved floating free and I loved not sweating outside.  Now it is all I can think about.  We don't even know anyone around here with a pool.  I couldn't remember the last time I'd been swimming and it was quite a pleasure.

 Beautiful Mama and Baby Magnolia

 That night we lit a few low key fireworks, put the babes to bed, and enjoyed our last night of hanging out.  Our big party went down with a pint of ice cream for each of us.  

I couldn't have asked for a better holiday weekend.  Thank you Elizabeth, Brian, Hayden and sweet baby Magnolia.  We can't wait to see you guys again!

 Happy July Fourth!!!