King's Dominion

A couple of weeks ago, Cory and I dropped the kiddos off with Scott and Brooke one Saturday and headed to a kids' park.

We went to King's Dominion Amusement Park and rode roller coasters ALL DAY! I was so excited to go someplace without carrying around a lot of stuff (i.e., kids and kid gear), that I didn't even take the camera. This is The Intimidator, which just opened this year. What a RIDE! Seriously, we were going so fast that as we opened our mouths to scream we were sprayed by our own spit. It was like those cartoons where the character is going so fast their lips are flapping around their teeth. It goes up to speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour.

And you see that big drop? An 85 degree angle. Can you feel your stomach in your brain even as you read that? Unfortunately, this one did me in by the end of the night. We'd been riding all day -- sometimes having our brains jostled around in our heads (this one wooden roller coaster gave us a severe beating) -- and I was fine. But, after our second go on this one around 9:00, I about lost it. So, we called it a night.

But it was great fun!

Graduation

He did it, Folks.
Actually, he did it about 5 months ago, but now he walked the walk.
Last weekend, Cory graduated with his Master's in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University.
Whoot, whoot!

Mom M. came all the way from Washington to join in the festivities. We were glad to have her here with us. Mom and Dad R. planned to come, but en route from my brother David's graduation from Penn State Law School to DC, Mom got sick. Their valiant effort is recognized.

A funeral or a graduation?

Congratulations, Cory! We're all proud of you!

Our Weekends for the Next Two Months

The Spring 2010 Baseball Season has begun! We've got Gabriel playing T-ball with the Yankees, and Lucas playing A-ball (machine pitch) with the Dodgers. Here they are before we headed off to their first games of the season. Gabey was so excited, and he kept his uniform on all the rest of the day following the game.

This is Gabey covering 3rd base. Not sure how many balls he'll catch with the mitt on his head, but...

Lucas is focused. Tell him the rules, where to go, how to do it, and he'll do it.

Gabey is a bit more of a free spirit.

He was sitting down in the grass, spinning circles, putting the mitt on his head, doing push-ups and jumping jacks...being Gabey. By his 3rd (and last) bat, he just kind of sauntered to 1st base.

They each bring something completely different to our family and, obviously, their teams. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Should be a fun season!

Myrtle Beach, SC

For spring break last week, we headed south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was somewhat of a last-minute decision as we were closely watching the weather to make sure it would be beach-appropriate. It was looking good, so we booked our stay at the Springmaid Beach Resort and left the following Wednesday. After we checked into our room, we thought we'd ask about an upgrade, since it was obvious the hotel was not full. Well, friends, it never hurts to ask. We were upgraded to a larger suite with a kitchenette for the same price we were paying for the smaller room.

Sunset on the beach, taken from our room's balcony.

The water was COLD.

Lucas working on his strength training, and Gabey working on his plumbing ambitions.

Fun with sand.

Evening kite-flying on the beach.


Awwww.

Gabey has come a long way from our first big visit to the beach in Hilton Head. He now likes to play in the waves with Lucas and me.


Being pushed by the waves as they roll in (and filling up with sand).

McKay liked the feel of the sand on his feet. He did NOT, however, like the feel of the icey-cold ocean on his feet.

We colored Easter eggs,

and got a visit from the Easter bunny Saturday morning.

I found an egg!

Hey, why didn't Cory throw me in the air?

There was a pay-per-ride amusement park that the kids loved. My children can be somewhat unpredictable as far as thrills and rides, so I didn't know if this would be a big hit. But it totally scored.

Watching the sunrise on Easter morning.

Relaxing on the balcony one last time before heading home.

First Day of Spring

We had the great idea to go to Great Falls to have a picnic and celebrate the first day of spring. It was a gorgeous 75 degrees!

Unfortunately, a lot of other people had the same idea.

Plan B. A nearby playground.

Also a lot of people with the same idea.

Plan C. Hang out on a field so picnic and play football and soccer.

Score!

At one point the game turned into a "shirts and skins"...if you know our boys and their cousins, you can guess who took us up on the skins part.

Gabey and Tad are about 2 1/2 years apart. But, as Brooke put it, "They speak the same language."

McKay

McKay likes to... Play in the ashes in the fireplace (whoops).

Color (whoops).

Help do the dishes.

Put things on his head.

Be outside.

Wear his food.

Watch the goings-on outside.

He also likes to tell you what a lion and a monkey say, sign baby, apple, more, please, thank you, and water, and climb up the stairs.

Love this boy!

Creepy

I was walking around our neighborhood the other day with McKay and came across this on someone's porch: First, I was a bit creeped out.

Then, I had to laugh and go grab our camera to take a picture.

Is this welcoming?

Or a threat?