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

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

So I thought that making some milkshakes would be a good idea.  Little did I know that it was not just a good idea, it was a great idea.  Joseph had about three full glasses, and as you can see from the second photo, he had to use three straws to get enough.  Anyway, it’s good to have small moments like these ones.

Norma, Joseph, and Erik sharing mommy’s strawberry milkshake

Warning! Triple straw action going on here

This is the new sewing machine that I got for Norma as an anniversary, birthday, Christmas, Kwanza, and any other reason you can think of gift.  We had been saving up for a while to buy it, and I figured that she should have a few months to get familiar with it.  I ordered it without telling her, and took her to the fabric store as a surprise.  When we entered the store and the sales rep asked if we wanted to see anything in particular, I said, “I think you might have something for Norma Bergaust.”  Norma then said, “Chris, what did you do?”  Of course I didn’t respond, and a few moments later the sales woman appeared and told Norma, “I think this is for you, and the good news is that it is already paid for.”  Needless to say, Norma was quite surprised and pleased with her new gift.

http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/US/7118.htm

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

On our way up to DC, we stopped by the Natural Bridge (http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/), which was pretty cool to see.  Thomas Jefferson purchased this site from King George III in order to preserve it for all to see. 

We had the chance to visit an interactive railroad museum in Chattanooga, which Erik and Joseph both enjoyed (http://www.tvrail.com/).

They have a pretty good museum, and then they let you take a six mile trip to their repair shop and back.

This is the locomotive we rode on

A very excited Erik reboards the train

Joseph and Grandma getting off the train with the Engineer and Conductor’s help