Yesterday we spent a wonderful Sunday afternoon in DC taking Simone back for her second tour of the White House--her first was when she was just 14 months old. I'm not sure she was all that impressed then or now, but the grown ups had a great time. We first spent some time at the White House Garden Tour where we walked the South Lawn, saw the first daughters' play set, and had a view of the first family's vegetable garden and the Rose Garden.
A view of the Washington Monument from the South Lawn.
Simone in front of the Obama play set. She could not fathom why she wasn't allowed to play on a perfectly empty play set. I think that's where she totally lost interest in all things presidential --LOL!
The President's podium in the Rose Garden.
I can only dream that one day Simone will actually look AT the camera when we take a photo in front of the Rose Garden.
After lunch we had a special tour of the interior of the White House. Only limited pictures were permitted, but here are a few.
Grandad and Simone in front of the Old Executive Office Building.
Grandad and Linda have come to visit, and today was an ideal autumn day to visit the Claude Moore Farm Market Fair. It was a fun way to learn about how Virginia farmers lived in the late 1700s. Daddy was the photographer of the day, so there weren't too many pictures, but here's a small sample.
Simone in front of the farm house.
Grandad talking to a "local militia member."
Taking a look at the bbq spit.
Simone making her very own paper fan.
Everyone really enjoyed the Market Fair and being outdoors on such a beautiful day. More adventures tomorrow, stay tuned...
What a great day! Gram and Pop are visiting for the weekend and yesterday, Uncle Jim, Aunt Jen and the boys came down to join in the fun. We had a wonderful time at the Cox Farm Fall Festival, which is always such a great way to kick off the season.
This was Simone's 6th annual visit to the festival, but the rope swings and hay slides just never get old.
Even hay bales are fun with friends!
And we just couldn't resist some huge, freshly dipped candy apples...
Daddy enjoyed the pumpkin sling shot game as much as Simone.
The final slide of the day.
Daddy's FAVORITE part of the day was getting this text as we left the festival. Mommy was NOT impressed.
And finally, my little pumpkin posing with her little pumpkin that she selected on the way out.
Today was another fine outdoor day for the Dotsons. After a lazy morning at home, we went over to our church's annual picnic. Simone was pretty excited to go to what she thought might involve a bouncy house and a hot dog, but when we arrived she realized she was about to kick it up a notch.
We headed first to the food tent to grab some lunch and then the real fun began. Simone spotted the rock climbing wall and of course darted straight to it to see if there were age or height requirements. When I noticed no helmets or protect gear was involved, I was more than a little nervous, but figured she'd harness up, go a couple feet and want to quit. Ummmm, not quite...
She started off a little slowly and then....
next thing I know, BAM! at the top!!
It was crazy and terrifying. Clearly Simone doesn't have her mommy's fear of heights. Once at the top, she however realized one thing.... she didn't really know how to get down.
But no fear, a little verbal coaching and voila.
She got to the bottom and first words -- "Can I do that again!?!" And of course my thought was... let's go play mini golf!
Here a few more shots of her on the wall.
The rock wall wasn't the only climbing of the day. Simone scurried up this much milder spider web apparatus as easily as she crawls into bed, no sweat.
Other than a mild heart attack and a little sunburn for mommy, the day was great! Simone got to go rock climbing, daddy go to eat all his heart desired, and mommy didn't have to cook dinner -- what could be better? And now, sadly, the weekend is over. But there's always next weekend! :-)
The weather was really spectacular today, and we decided to forsake pulling out the summer annuals from our flower beds and take a leisurely drive westward for some pure sightseeing. So after a quick run to Home Depot and a stop to check out a new piano school for Simone, we headed to Luray Caverns. But first I'll share this awesome "thought of the day" that I noticed in the deli as we picked up a picnic lunch... We all know this feeling. LOL!!
And then we hit the road, we couldn't have asked for a better Indian summer day...
A shot along the Blue Ridge mountain range.
Along the way, we stopped in Washington, VA. And how could we resist this place? Wine AND chocolate? what's not to love?
Mommy and daddy did the wine and chocolate tasting, and Simone got to make up her own box of truffles from the truffle bar. Sampled a GREAT port, and made sure to grab a bottle to take home--upcoming visitors will surely get a taste!
Simone and daddy in front of the Inn at Little Washington.
Next stop... Luray. The caverns were great. Simone had never been to a cavern before, and this one's not too shabby for being in our own backyard. We ate a quick picnic lunch and then spent over an hour exploring.
We all enjoyed the caverns, and then made a quick stop for some pumpkins and gourds (in anticipation of next weekend's fall yard work). Finally, we wrapped up the day with dinner at Dan's Steak House -- a local joint.
The leaves along the way were only just starting to turn colors so we hope to take another day trip in a few weeks to soak in some more autumn scenery. I'll be sure to post when we do.
