St Louis Visit

We went for a quick visit to St Louis to visit friends and family on the weekend between Christmas and New Year's.  We landed in St. Louis on Friday night and headed to Jim's mom's house.  On Saturday we woke up and headed to Einstein Bagels in Webster Groves

We then headed downtown to the Arch.  After buying tickets, we went for a run around the area:

 

While we were running, Grandma and Grandpa watched Avery and cousin Emily:

 

Then it was finally time to go up in the little pods and up into the Arch.

At the top Avery loved the view down, even if it was a little creepy laying down and looking out the windows!

After we came back down we took a few more pictures by the Arch:

 

Then on Saturday evening the cousins had a pajama party at Aunt Julie's house (Jim's sister).  The girls had so much fun playing together!  First they played dress up:

 

Avery especially loved dressing up as a doctor

 

And dressing up in other outfits and practicing other professions as well.  Olivia showed her all the options in her play room!

 

 

They played for hours.  We had originally planned a movie night pajama party but they just kept playing and didn't want to stop for a movie:

 

 

 

On Sunday Avery (and us) went to see Great Grandma Shirley (Jim's Stepdad Ted's Mom)

And then went to see Great Grandma Dahlem (Jim's paternal Grandma).  Avery loved putting on the animal masks with her!

 

 And she loved putting on flapper headwear :)

Then we were off to eat at Pi Pizzeria in Kirkwood  (It was the first time Colleen had real authentic deep dish Chicago-Style pizza) and Avery got to visit with Great Grandma Harper (Jim's maternal Grandma).  After that we came back to Jim's mom's house in Fenton and opened presents for a late Christmas.

On Monday morning we woke up very early, headed to the airport, and flew home from a very busy two day trip to St Louis!  Avery was excited to pick up Kylie from dog camp, and it seemed the feeling was mutual as they snuggled up in the back seat together on the drive home:

Apple Picking

We went to our favorite pick your own farm, Lariland Farm, to pick some apples yesterday.  (Lariland uses integrated pest management instead of pesticides!). Avery enjoyed picking the Empire and Magnolia Gold.

The Red Delicious weren't as flavorful though. Those three were available now but throughout the fall there will be 12 more varieties ripening so we will be back a few times!

They also have so many other fruits and vegetables to pick!  In the summer we picked blueberries, raspberries, and beets.  Well yesterday we picked spinach and Swiss chard!

We also picked more raspberries (we never thought raspberries and blackberries would still be available this late in the season!).

Next week broccoli and more become available too.

Lariland starts their fall festival next week too.  They were constructing the hay maze, characters to see on wagon ride through the forest, and more.  They also were setting up "spooky" things around the farm! 

We can't wait to come back to pick more vegetables, apples, pumpkins, wagon rides, and enjoy the fall fun there!

Track Meet

Since we are part of the Montgomery County Road Runner's Club (And for $40 a year we get a family membership which means all their races from 1 milers to half marathons are free!). Last night was the Going Green Track Meet, a unique race that was like being at a high school track meet again. There was a kid's run (1/4 and 1/2 miles), a 2-mile race, a 1-mile race, and a 4x400m. Avery is part of our family membership so she ran in the 1/4 mile kids run. Here she is line up waiting to start:

One last stretch before running:

And they're off!

Here she is struggling to reach the finish line:

And crossing the timing mat!

Enjoying a much needed drink after the race to re-hydrate:

And yes, she was proud!

Later, Colleen ran in the 2-miler. Her good friend Anna from high school ran track with her back in NH, and now lives in DC. It was like old times again!

Here is Colleen passing a guy in her heat:

She finished 3rd overall in her age group!

Berry Picking

Lately we've been going to Larriland Farm to pick our own fruit and veggies. It is in Woodbine MD about 45 minutes from our house.  They use integrated pest management instead of pesticides.  Essentially it is organic farming but they haven't gone through the formal certification process.  We've picked blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and beets there!  Soon they will have blackberries and later apples.  They also do fall hay rides and a pumpkin patch.  Earlier in the year they had sweet cherries but we missed out on those.

Here is Avery helping out picking berries, she LOVES doing it!

This carton of raspberries is so heavy!!!

Pirate Ship!!!

We took advantage of an Amazon Local deal to take Avery on a pirate ship adventure here in DC.  It's called Boomerang Pirate Ship and leaves from the Georgetown Waterfront.

Once on the boat they teach everyone how to "talk like a pirate", and do face painting and temporary tattoos for all the kids.  It sails up and down the Potomac past all the monuments too.

Then all the kids have to keep an eye out for "Dangerous Doug" who stole the keys to the treasure chest.  When he shows up they all spray him with the water cannons! 

Eventually he gives up and hands the keys back so all the kids can get items from the treasure chest.

They also have some adult cruises at night and they have a cash bar for all the cruises!  Here are a few more pictures from our trip:

YARRRRRR!!!!!

Afterwards we took advantage of the spray ground at the Georgetown waterfront since it was a blazing hot day!

4th of July

For Fourth of July we started the day by taking part in the Montgomery Village 5k Race.  Here is Jim before the start:

Colleen and Avery cheered on

since we couldn't find a sitter to watch Avery and allow Colleen to run it.  Jim got 5th place overall, and man was it a hot race!!!!

Then we went to Harper's Ferry about an hour away from us in the beginning of the Appalachian Mountains. The Potomac there is wide and shallow with lots of places to play in the water.

We had a picnic, sat in our camping chairs, and played in the river

Then we ate dinner in Frederick MD on our way home and stayed for their fireworks show (small!) over the canal at their downtown park.