Pocahontas State Park

After being stuck in the house for what seems like an eternity, Jim and I decided to pack up the kids and go "hiking" at Pocahontas State Park. Hiking with a toddler, a couple of preschoolers and a 6 year old is not the same experience we used to have when we would go hiking in college. The weather man forecasted cooler temps and lower humidity. While it wasn't quite as hot as we had been experiencing it was still in the 90's and the weather man was dead wrong about the humidity. It was worse than it had been. We were only out there for a couple of hours but we were all a sweaty mess by the time we packed up and left! Still, the kids had fun, got to burn off some energy and I got a few pictures with an older camera I have.

Virginia Beach

While Jim was on vacation this week, we went to the beach. The weather has been miserably hot and a day at the beach in the cool water was a welcomed reprieve. It was a great day to leave Chesterfield as they set record highs for Wednesday, August 8th. Sandbridge was lovely, not very crowded, and loads of fun. The waves were very strong and very frequent. The water crept up the beach closer and closer to our blankets. We moved them a number of times; it felt like the ocean was chasing us! The water collected on the beach and created a little pool for the girls to play in and for the boys when they needed a rest from the forceful waves.

Unfortunately, this may be the last edition to the blog for a while. Julia was knocked down by a wave and while trying to pick her up out of the water, I was knocked down by another wave and the camera drowned. I'm not sure when we'll get around to replacing it. The ocean also claimed my sunglasses and a pony tail holder!

After the reunion, we took a day trip to New York City. It was the kids' first time on a train. We took a bus tour of Manhattan so the kids wouldn't have to walk all over the place and I wouldn't have to worry about loosing someone. We saw so much in our one day in New York, even famous people!

Waiting for the train.


This sure beats walking!




"Tiles For America"


The Statue of Liberty


"Wadur"


The kids had the most fun with the vent. The waves would come in forcing the air up the vent and the kids had the best time playing above it.








Stopped for something cold to help cool us down. Julia shares!


Andrew fell asleep on the bus!


So did Julia!

Cooke Family Reunion

We drove up to Denville, New Jersey for the Cooke Family Reunion. There were a total of 143 people there and although the day was hot, it was a lot of fun. We enjoy getting together with the extended family and are looking forward to the next one.

Kids playing in the water.


Partied out


Our little model!

Dancing with Daddy

We turned on the player piano and Jim and the kids had a blast dancing around the living room.