Wednesday, 8/10/2011

One of my favorite meals while growing up (and really to this day) is what we affectionately call an "egg in the center of a piece of toast with cheese on top." Straightforward, right? Greg finally had his chance to try this delicacy. He approved.

"Whatever this is, it's delicious!"

Relaxing in the recliner

Monday, 8/8/2011

Swing time!

"This way, Mama!"

"That slide was intense!"

Greg plays with the letter magnets on the fridge, including a clean sweep!

Trying hot dog for the first time

"Mmmmmm..."

Monday, 7/18/2011

"Yummy!"

Here's Greg at his "feeding station." I will cut up fig newtons or cheese and put it on the chair where he can reach it. Then he'll take a break from his important work rearranging the pantry or playing with his door toy and have a little snack. The hardest part is keeping the dogs from helping themselves since it's right at their level too.

Thursday, 6/30/2011

Another picture of the garden? Don't mind if I do!

The baby has been replaced by a toddler!

What do you think of eggs, Greg?

His opinion

The beagle surveys his kingdom from the top of the stairs

We went to Andrew's softball game.

A new favorite!

Andrew and thousands of bugs

Lens flare!

Walking on the soccer field

Watching Andrew at bat

"I don't quite understand this softball yet..."

Going over to the opponents' bench

Mid-game toss

"Hi Dad!"

Checking out the grass

"It's hot, Dad, let's go home!"

Friday, 6/24/2011

Friday was our last day out on the trail. We departed from The Priest shelter and made the big descent. It is ~3,100 feet in 4.3 miles over 37 switchbacks. It wasn't hard for the cardiovascular system, but the joints were feeling it! We drove to a local campground to stay for the night. Another leader and I went to get my truck from Hog Camp Gap too. Then we enjoyed our dinner by the Tye River at our campsite. We all had our first showers in a week!

Bear bags. Timestamp 6:35 AM. That's
okay when you're asleep by 10:00 PM.
The Priest shelter

The Priest shelter. The hiker journal is filled with confessions. Get it?

Megamid, aka circus tent.
The Priest shelter

One blister, two blisters, three little blisters!
The Priest shelter

Beginning the descent on The Priest Mountain.
~3,100 feet in 4.3 miles. 37 switchbacks. Steep!

Continuing the descent on The Priest Mountain
(click to enlarge)

Overlook on The Priest. 15 pictures taken for this panoramic.
(click to enlarge)

This is the life!
Overlook on The Priest

Descent on The Priest. It was cool to watch the terrain change from sparse
trees and a lot of rocks at the top, to thick areas of trees near the bottom.

Crossing Cripple Creek on the AT. ~2263 feet
down, ~830 feet to go on The Priest descent.

Crossing Cripple Creek on the AT

The foliage at Cripple Creek on the AT

My post-hike snack
Montibello, VA

Driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We went
to pick up the truck from Hog Camp Gap.

My view for dinner, sitting next to the Tye River.
(near Crabtree Falls)

Meanwhile at home, Greg, Andrew, and Memaw were having fun too!

"Poor Pookie!"

"Knock knock, Memaw!"

Harvesting sunflower seeds

The harvest

"Five Guys burgers and fries!"

Frozen yogurt at YoPop - Greg didn't like the coldness at first!

Waiting patiently for dinner

Tuesday, 6/14/2011

Our new dishwasher finally arrived after several delays. When we ordered it, the old one was on its last leg. It finally gave up about a week before the new one was installed. We have a new respect for having a functioning dishwasher!

Farewell, old dishwasher

Greg inspects the new dishwasher, then moves on to the lazy susan

"Can we go outside, Mama?"

"I love peanut butter toast!"