G'Night, John-Boy!

Degen & Kyrie shared the fold-out bed in our suite at the Residence Inn this trip. It was the first time that Degen wasn't in our bed or a pack & play! (He has shared a hotel bed with Kyrie previously, but we were always in the same room.) As usual, we got to bed way too late every night. Still the kids wanted to watch a movie as they fell asleep (a vacation treat). They looked so sweet cuddled up asleep together!

Metro Mix-Up

 Traveling with young children is almost always an adventure! Upon our arrival in the D.C. area we were stuck in traffic for nearly an hour (which is pretty usual and would happen again on this trip). Thankfully, our kids are getting older and are better able to handle the ups & downs of travel.

Armed with firsthand experience of D.C. travel (as well as advice from my dad), we knew that we were going to take the Metro to & from the zoo. I am a big fan of public transportation (though it is not without its frustrations), and the kids liked the adventure of walking through the stations to catch the trains.

 On the way back, we were acting like pros making our way down elevators and through corridors to get to the right platform. Happily, we stepped on the next arriving train and found seats tucked away so the kids could laugh and romp between us. We were grateful that the train was not too crowded and most of the passengers smiled warmly at our giggling two. A man wearing a NASA name badge handed the kids large NASA stickers, and we settled comfortably into our seats watching the scenery whoosh by as we left the tunnels. And then I noticed scenery that I hadn't noticed before: the airport and the George Washington Masonic Memorial. I couldn't find a map, but I started questioning our route. Then I spotted the signs running up the aisle, which simply stated "BLUE." Yeah, we were supposed to be on "ORANGE." Knowing that our stop was the end of the line, we hadn't thought to pay attention to the station announcements and were almost at the end of a completely different train line. Rookie mistake! I told Darren of our error, and we deboarded at the next station.

Of course, our happy, little travelers were quickly becoming tired travelers as we boarded a train headed back up the track where we could catch our Orange-line train. The trains were a little more crowded now, but after a few stops I was able to find a seat just in time to cradle an ever-fussier Degen who was asleep within minutes.

National Zoo

 We were glad that we could make it back to the National Zoo during our stay in the D.C. area this year. The last time we were there, Degen was only a few months old. It was a beautiful day for a trip to the zoo, and we were excited to see more than we had on our last trip. There were school groups of young & old crowding many of the exhibits, so we started with lunch near the far end of the zoo. Previously, we hadn't even made it that far into the zoo so we really enjoyed the area, which included the petting zoo and Amazonian exhibit.

By far, our favorite part of the zoo was the invertebrates exhibit. There were large tanks filled with all sorts of sea life and bugs. We were fascinated by the octopus!

 In the small primate exhibit, Kyrie showed off her goofy side while posing with the tamarins. We were coming to the end of our day and she was much more interested in heading towards the entrance than posing for one more photo. We almost left a child (or two) behind in the small primate house!

Stopping to rest and get a drink in the shade. The school crowds left soon after lunch and we went back to see some of the more popular exhibits like the pandas. We saw the back of one, lazy panda munching on a big pile of bamboo.

 On our way out of the zoo, we saw the cheetahs. They were being shepherded from one enclosure to the other, slow in the afternoon heat. One cheetah jumped on this tree limb and posed for pictures. It was a great end to a great day at the zoo!

Finding Our Way

 On the road heading east to Virginia, we make our official start of summer. Just when we think we can't take another mile in the car, our eyes have been scanning the roadway to catch sight of our favorite rest stop not too far ahead. Pulling up the hill, we start to grin a bit easier and prepare to jump out of the vehicle as soon as we can. Our picnic table is empty and the cool, green woods beckon. Perfect!

 The kids hurry through their lunches anxious to venture up the hill to the woods. They are more adventurous than last year and head farther up the path on their own as Darren & I glance at them from our conversations and lunches. They find mounds of moss as soft as a pillow and try them out.

 The frustration over the morning's cramped quarters eases as sister & brother settle into the playfulness of siblings at peace. Can we capture this moment in more than a picture?

 Daddy knows the way to go, and the kids are eager to follow him to new adventures. These short paths are the same as they have always been, but each visit we feel the same excitement we did the first time. Leaving the roadway and the cars behind, who knows what we will find today?

 We let the kids run ahead to scout out their own adventures & challenges, then catch up to share in their discoveries or offer reassurance that the path is safe when taken with courage & caution. This is not just the path we walk twice a year in these woods, but the path we walk daily.

 Kyrie asks us what might be in the woods with us today, and we tell small tales of bears, birds, fairies and elves. Too soon we near the end of our path and must turn back towards the road.

Putting with Papa

 The kids took advantage of our golf-pro houseguest and had Papa give them some putting pointers.

MANual Labor

We didn't want Darren's dad to think that he would get out of some yard work just because he was a houseguest! So, Darren put him to work helping him build the 'pad' for the shed we ordered. Seriously, we were very grateful for Derrel's insight and help with this project! Both men worked hard over two days in the first, real heat of the season to dig the holes to bury the cinder blocks on the soon-to-be site of the shed.

Degen wanted to be included in this Coble-man project, so he acted as the inspector!

Three handsome Coble men at the end of the project!

I am also including a picture of the 'orchard.' Earlier this spring, we had all the overgrown honeysuckle bushes torn out of the backyard. We reclaimed a large chunk of our yard and a big pile of mulch (seen in the background). In their place, Darren planted a dozen fruit trees, including: apple, peach, nectarine, plum, pear & cherry. We look forward to seeing the fruits of his labor in the future!

A Swingin' Good Time

The kids were happy to have their Nana Billie & Papa Derrel come for a visit, especially because of all the playtime! There were stories, movies, pretending and lots of fun outside!

Both kids enjoyed showing off their swinging & climbing skills for Papa Derrel!