Manassas and Great Falls

On Labor Day we took a drive to Manassas, VA to visit the Civil War battlefield, also known as Bull Run. Here we are on the infamous bridge over Bull Run where silly spectators from Washington were overrun by retreating Union troops. We were not sure which side we represented that day with the Union caps and the Tarheel clothing! We also drove over to the Great Falls of the Potomac in Northern Virginia for a picnic and a look at the magnificent falls. Of course the water was low this year. It definitely warrants another trip in the spring.

This past Thursday the boys had the day off so we went into DC. We were able to get a tour of the Capitol including the House Chambers. We also took the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument. But sadly we left the camera at home. You'll just have to trust me :)

School starts

School started on August 27. Here are Trenton and Drew headed to 5th and 2nd grades with their new friends Rachel and Jacob. Believe it or not they are in 6th and 1st grades.

More Missouri photos

More Missouri photos. See me doing my Bill Dance impression. Kiss, kiss.

Missouri

The week in Missouri was so much fun. The state park is beautiful. At the visitors' center they offer a basket weaving class. Yes, each of us weaved a tiny basket with grass and raffia. But of course we were there to catch rainbow trout. Tim and Opa hit the stream very early every morning and then took the boys out in the afternoons. The boys were good sports about having to wade in the frigid water in their clothes. They both enjoyed the thrill of catching their own fishes. I also gave it a try-without waders the first time. What fun! I caught my limit the first time out. We ate fish a few nights and brought home our limit of 32 in dry ice.

August was busy!

In August, we drove out to Bennett Springs, MO for a week of fly-fishing with Tim's parents. We made the drive out part of the fun. On the second day we stopped at Daniel Boone's grave in Frankfort, KY and drove around the state capitol area. We stopped in Evansville, IN to see some good friends who used to live down the street from us in Georgia. That was a treat for all of us. On the third day we visited the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. We were a little nervous about the ride up and down in the small capsule-like cars but it was well worth it. What a view! Then we were able to visit with more friends in the Ft. Leonard Wood, MO area before arriving at our destination.

We're having fun

For the July 4th holiday we went to Boone, NC for my family reunion. Here are just some of the great-great grandchildren. Oh, and be careful while traveling the US 321 corridor. The second photo was our view all the way down the mountain. (She was NOT part of the family reunion!)

A couple weeks later were back in NC, in Fayetteville, for my 20-year high school reunion. Yes, I'm that old. It was so much fun seeing and catching up with old friends. It made my entire year when everyone told me that I was the one who had changed the least since high school. :) Also in July we had the opportunity to go boating and fishing with my lifelong friend, Christine, and her family. Drew was the only one who caught a fish that day, a striped bass, aka rockfish. But we had fun riding in the boat, swimming, and picnicking.