North (and South) Carolina

Kathy is in the category of friends I have now known for more than half of my life. We feel fortunate that she married Patrick, because we also really like him.

Over two years had past since we last saw each other and in that time two little girls were born.

During our visit to the Larson's home in North Carolina, the adults got to spend lots of time talking while Caleb, Eli, Abby and Sophia spent lots of time playing.

Sophia had the opportunity to practice being gentle with eleven month old Abby and days after our return when we said the word "Abby," she would get a big smile on her face and start waving.

In addition to several playgrounds, one of our outings was a short drive to South Carolina.

We determined that on a future trip we would go to the beach in Charleston where Kathy and Patrick were married.

Daddy-Daughter Day in DC

Joshua and Sophia came along for the night and day that I would be in Washington, DC for a work trip.

It began with a rough start as we arrived at the airport too late to board our flight, but this meant that Sophia had extra time to fly a plane of her own.

While I was in an all day meeting, Joshua took pictures that gave me a glimpse of their day.

It included a visit to the White House (where Sophia got as close as grabbing the lawn through the gates).

A trip to a Museum, where they took a picture in front of a sculpture by my favorite Artist, Rodin for me.

A stroll through the Botanical Gardens.

And a brief meeting at one of the Capitol Building offices for Josh with a colleague.

At the end of the day we all got to visit briefly with our friend Violet.

Then it was back to the airport, 26 hours after we had first arrived.

Blueberry Picking

Summer 2013

We went blueberry picking for the second time in Cornish, New Hampshire almost exactly a year from our first family trip and this time Sophia was a lot more engaged.

This time Sophia was able to pick the blueberries and eat them just as quickly. Next year we will continue to work on distinguishing between green and blue ones.

The patch is set back in the woods and there is lots of room to roam between the rows.

We went with Sophia's Aunt Aimee and Grammie.

By the end of the day Sophia found it simpler to put the berries into her own bucket from her Grandmother's than to pick them off the bush.

Ocean Grove

I have been going to Ocean Grove, New Jersey for as many summers as I can remember. Most of those pictured below (My Dad's side of the family) have been going for that long or longer as well. 

This year we discovered a beach playground in walking distance from where we stay that was set up with the youngest in mind.

Sophia enjoyed playing in it with her grandparents.

She made some new friends as well.

In the mornings Sophia and I would usually leave our room at 6:00 and head straight for the boardwalk. After we watched the sunrise, my Mom would join us at about 6:30 to walk to Main street for breakfast. 

One morning we went to the playground where Sophia enjoyed it all to herself, until it started pouring. We camped out in a little plastic house while we waited for it to stop. 

When Sophia wasn't at the Beach Playground, she was pretty thrilled with a bucket and some sand.

She also enjoyed playing with shells (drawing a crowd of hopeful seagulls that she would reveal some food) and climbing on the rocks.

Maybe next year she'll spend a little more time in the water.

Houghton's Pond

We spent a Saturday afternoon at Houghton's pond; Joshua, Sophia, myself, and the Southworth-Mahoney boys (Sophia's "older brothers" whom she has spent several hours with most weeks of her life).

 

Joshua and Kevin set out for swimming.

Sophia and Jesse mostly ate.

 

 But they did eventually make it into the water.

Grateful for moments like these.