After having a pretty crazy week, we thought that it would make sense to head out to a fall-festival type place. Cox Farms (http://www.coxfarms.com/) was pretty close by and had lots of things for the kids to do like petting some goats, going down some big slides, and a corn maze (well, okay, it’s more like a marked path in the middle of a corn field).  The apples were great, and some of the best I have ever had.  And while the apple cider wasn’t quite as good as Grandpa Foote’s, it was a pretty good substitute.

Heading down the slide

Chris and Joseph

Erik, Dad, and Joseph

Becca and Hayden playing with the goats

We went to a really cool park that Norma discovered with her playschool group a few weeks ago.  It’s probably about 5 acres in size and is totally covered with playground equipment for all ages.  Erik probably liked the carousel best, closely followed by all the airplanes and cars elsewhere.  Joseph just liked dodging in and out of everything and playing hide-and-seek with his dad.  For directions and information about the park, you can click here: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/

Joseph and Norma on the carousel

Erik hopping between steps

This weekend we had the chance to go on a Father & Son Campout with some people we go to Church with.  There were about 250 people there, and Erik definitely had a good time.  He loves being outdoors, playing with sticks, and looking at bugs (or anything else that moves).  During the evening program, I brought out my guitar, which helped me remember why I like playing.

Ever since we got back from El Salvador, Erik has been begging to go to the beach.  Unfortunately, the only quasi-beach close by is the Chesapeake, which isn’t exactly an ideal place for swimming.  We decided to avoid the summer crowd and go down for the weekend to Virginia Beach a few weeks after Labor Day.  We all had a great time, and Joseph couldn’t stop giggling with delight for the first ten minutes that he was in the water.  This beach had way more things to do than we had time for, and we could easily see ourselves spending a week or more here.

Having fun at the beach

Erik and Joseph chasing birds and going on a walk together

On our way down to Virginia Beach, we decided to stop by a WWII Iowa-class ship, the USS Wisconsin.  Of course Erik and Joseph liked wandering around the ship and seeing the big guns.  Interestingly, this ship has been decomissioned and reactivated three times, last serving in the Gulf War.  I would highly recommend a brief stop by this site if you have young kids or are touring the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. Here’s the link: http://www.hrnm.navy.mil.

Standing on the bow of the ship

Erik having fun

Given the outstanding weather in DC during the summer months, we thought it would be a good idea to head towards our local water park, Cameron Run.  Of course Erik and Joseph had a good time, and Erik would have liked to stay all day long going down the waterslides.  They have a wave pool, and when Joseph first got into the water he burst into a huge smile.  We could definately tell that he misses going to the beach and having real waves.

 
Watch out, he just might get you…

Chris & Joseph heading down the slide

Our cabin in VA sprung a leak, so I had the chance to plug it up.  I thought that the repair would be pretty simple, but I had to remove more rotted wood than I anticipated.  Fortunately my Mom was able to help out and I think that the repair turned out pretty well.

The area needing to be patched

Fitting the plywood to the area. I purchased a slightly thicker plywood that what was in place, so I hope the difference won’t matter too much.

Laying down tar paper.  While I couldn’t get it completely under the existing shingles, it’s better than an open hole.

The finished product.  After the first two rows Mom suggested drawing a line to make sure the shingles were straight. Oops!

I guess that I should have brought a magnet for holding nails.

This past weekend, Erik and I decided to take a father-son camping trip to the mountains.  We left on Friday afternoon and after setting up camp, we cooked some foil dinners and smores.  While Erik liked cooking the marshmellows, he preferred eating the chocolate bars.  We then had a light saber fight with glowsticks and slept in our new tent. 

Saturday we got up, did some work around the cabin, and went fishing.  As you can see below, we were successful and caught two fish.  I hadn’t been fishing in a long time, and this was Erik’s first real attempt, so reeling in the fish, removing the hooks, and trying to get them into the bucket was pretty comical.  After going for a swim in the lake, we had a picnic lunch and headed home. 

Erik camping

Roasting marshmellows

Catching fish

Norma and I were fortunate to get a tour of the West Wing, Rose Garden, and Press Room of the White House.  Seeing the Oval Office in-person was a pretty cool experience.  We also saw the Situation Room (and kitchen right in front), the Cabinet, and Roosevelt Rooms.  Our tour happened at 7:00 pm, after the President and other employees went home. 

We learned two interesting facts on our tour: 1. The President doesn’t use a computer in the Oval Office.  2. In the Roosevelt Room (essentially a waiting room in front of the Oval Office), the party of the current administration determines which Roosevelt has the most prominence. Currently Teddy’s picture is above the mantle, but if a democrat were to win, FDR would receive more prominence.

Chris and Norma in the Rose Garden

White House Press Room

Twice each year, the Mine Mountain Homeowners Association cleans up the roads, lakes, and other common access areas.  Our family has owned property in this beautiful mountain area since its start in the 70’s.  Norma and I purchased a lot in 2005, which we plan on using for family camping when we are posted in DC.

 After helping cut down some trees, Erik and I decided to take a quick rafting trip on one of the lakes.