day trippin

We took a drive over to Amherst County to surprise the girls by taking them to their first Native American Pow-Wow. It was held in a beautiful setting - in a cattle field (of course!) just beside the Blue Ridge Mountains:

We watched the opening ceremonies and the introduction of the dancers, the Monacan Chief and the other guests of honor.

It was SO hot. I made the girls' dresses out of thin cotton fabric I got from WalMart. Most of the dancers were wearing heavy buckskin, leather and feathers - and headdresses of one sort or another. I don't know how they managed all day with the sun beating down on them. We only ended up staying for 2 hours - too hot!

Hannah was reticent at first as far as having her picture taken with the dancers, but after awhile she got used to the idea (once she was assured there were no tomahawks in sight....)

We met a friendly red-tailed hawk and her dad:

Han and Abbo had no qualms at all about sharp talons and a beak that can crush bone merely inches from their heads...

They each even rubbed her belly to see if she purred like the kitty.

Next up was a visit inside a REAL tipi!

Here they are with a couple of "squaws" - they looked so cute that another lady wanted to get their picture, too (they being the girls + these ladies)!

On the way back we stopped for a quick hike up the Appalachian Trail over near Buena Vista. I didn't know that Han had made a face until I had uploaded the pictures :)

A mountain stream dripping down from some cliffs. Cool relief for our faces and hands.

We crossed this bridge over the James River off of Route 501, and came across these folks beating the heat:

It looked SO FUN and SO WET and SO COOL! I was laughing just as hard as they were - it was hard to show restraint and not join them!

How much fun is that! Tight!

A quick stop at the Ben Salem Wayside on the other side of Buena Vista for the obligatory picnic before the last leg of the journey - then home after a fun day full of adventure!

Weekend in Tidewater

We spent last Friday & Saturday in Norfolk & Chesapeake for Andy's Dad's 80th Birthday.... Happy Birthday, Gaga!

Out to eat at Cracker Barrel in Greenbrier....

Mike & Kristi

Josh & Kaitlin

(This is the "before" ad for Claritin & Crest Whitestrips...)

Booo-dyes!

trip to WV

We stayed with my aunt and uncle and their two kids over in Fayetteville for the last couple days...Andy was in a class in Richmond. The girls love it - and although I didn't get a picture of it this time, I'm pleased to report that Han is getting rather adept at chicken wrangling. In fact, it is an activity at which she excels, if I do say so myself.

As far as the other livestock were concerned, Abigail got to ride her first pony:

Then it was Hannah's turn....
Then they rode together for awhile...

Now is the time to tell you about a Very Bad Horsie. Look closely at this picture and see if you can tell which is the bad horse:

Hint: None have been to the hair stylist.

homecoming

We are hot off the road from an extended visit to Tidewater...we were gone almost a week! Time just flies when you're having fun - truly! Lessee, after an 8-hour trip down (TRAFFIC), we destressed in the spa on my parents' deck (read: blue baby pool), vistited friends (OK, only Naurine & Emmy, and a quick pop-in to Lynn) and family (did the ole' SURPRISE drop-in on Andy's dad...I think it worked!).

Enjoyed a "berry" lovely dessert with Gaga, Aunt Robin, big brother Josh....
Met a very nice African tortise named - - - RootBeer - - - - at a marina where my Dad's company is bidding a job....
Sugar Baby became rather proficient at walking.....
and horseback riding - and keeping Han away from the horse.....

You know, I can't say that I am "sooooo glad" to be home! I mean, I AM glad, but we really had a good, relaxing time down there. I got to do my favorite: nap in the afternoons, shop at some really good thrift stores....most importantly, though, it was low stress. To those friends who we missed visiting - SORRY!! But we just can't do it all and still maintain...um....not get the girls over tired. We have a short window to do anything and we just can't do it all every time!

A highlight was my visit to Thrift Store City and a new thrift store over near Bayside High School, where I used to work....good thing it wasn't open 4 years ago when I was working there, or else I'd be in there 4 days a week!! I got Hannah some cute clothes (they had Hanna Andersson like new dresses for $4!) (who is Hanna Andersson? I seem to remember they have a catalog with $30/baby outfits as their cheapest item...those days are long gone - I have a $75/week grocery budget now) (!!!)

Well, enough about us, thought you might like to see the pictures.

P.S.

Jean: we're praying for you that you don't get waterlogged with all the rain from Fay down there in (sunny?) Florida.

Sabrena: I don't have time to blog. I carve it out of my laundry time. That is why I go to thrift stores so I don't have to wash clothes. For months.

Andy: wasn't Abba sooo cute the way she was so glad to see you yesterday?

Ma: Why don't you read my blog????!!!!

Alleghany County: Its good to be home!!!!