Applesauce

Anya and Gracie

For several days now, Grace has been asking to make applesauce from the apples in Grandma and Paka's little orchard. I'm not sure where she got the idea but she's been very intent on the process. For awhile, she insisted that she was going to mash the apples without cooking them. When faced with the practical reality of that task, she let Paka boil them. I wish I'd taken a picture of the apple picker. I'm sure my mother-in-law, queen of gadgets, would buy one if she saw it. It was very handy. We ate the "fruit" of their labor at dinner tonight. The applesauce was delicious and the little harvesters and cooks were quite proud of themselves!

200 Feet Under

The girls and I recently spent an afternoon at the Shenandoah Caverns. I can't believe we haven't been before because it's an easy drive from my parents' house and a lot of fun. The caves were cool and the girls behaved perfectly which made my own visit much more enjoyable. Ella spent most of the time in my arms saying, "Let's go. Scary". The darkness made her nervous. By the end though, she was down, walking around, exploring the corners.

Waiting for drips. A drop on the head supposedly brought luck for the day.

Mia caught about 8, Grace fewer but still enough for luck.

Lakes, Rivers and Streams

Mia, Grace, Madeleine

Well, I never thought I'd say this but I am officially water-logged. The girls and I have been swimming at Camp Kreitzer every day for weeks now and today, we spent the day at Lake Laura, a manmade lake about a half hour's drive from Woodstock. We picnicked, swam and boated. The girls loved it. Every one of them ran and jumped off the dock and the diving platforms countless times. I'm not a big fan of the paddle boat because of the work involved but we all enjoyed jumping off of it. I had to take my life preserver off to maneuver myself back on to the boat. I think a little more P90X is in order! Chris missed out on the paddle boat but had a lot of fun paddling the canoe. We head to NOVA tomorrow and will hopefully have a few days to dry off before our beach trip next weekend.

Ella was so brave. She jumped off the dock, the diving platform and the boat.

Mia, Ella, Chris

A few days ago, I took the girls down to the river for some wading and fun. A neighbor had told us we could use his property to access it and we took advantage of that. It was very calm and peaceful and reminded me of my days in Charlottesville swimming in places that looked just like it. Technically, we weren't there to swim but of course, we left with a few sopping wet girls which was just fine with me.

Note the crawfish at the top of the photo

Queen Anne's Lace

We love to pick it and dye it with food coloring.

Madeleine took this photo.

down country roads

Fun at Wheeling Park

Sunday, we all went to Mass. Then David and family plus Madeleine, Jamie and family and Mom and Dad headed home while our family spent the afternoon at Wheeling Park. I used to spend a day there each summer of my childhood and I wanted to relive the fun with the girls. For a very reasonable entrance fee, we were able to enjoy paddle boating, the game room, the pool and the big water slide. We would have played mini golf but ran out of time. It was a very fun day and Mia asked me if we could please move to West Virginia so that we could come back often. If not that, then could we please hurry and move to Virginia and make the trip back every summer. That would be fine with me and we're praying hard to St. Joseph for the rapid sale of our house.

Mia loved the game room

We had unlimited rides on the slide. It was a blast and the girls climbed the hill over and over to ride. Grace and Sophie had to take a swim test first. Sophie was so proud when she got her wrist band but only rode four times because the tube kept whipping her around and flipping at the bottom. I didn't really understand what she was experiencing until Chris and I rode together with me in the front. Fun but very likely to cause whiplash.

negotiation

flip

pobrecita

Weekend in Wheeling

So, where were we? Well, after Steve Songs, the Doyles and the Virginia Kreitzers climbed in our vans and made the drive to Wheeling for my cousin Melissa's wedding. Jes and I rode together with all of her boys, Sophie and Ella and David and Chris had the other girls. Normally, the trip should have taken five or six hours. Somehow, Jes and I dragged it out for eight painful hours (possibly an exaggeration but not by much). We heard a lot of "I have to go potty"s and "I'm hungry"s and were very glad to pull into Oglebay Park after dark. Our rooms were perfect, with plenty of space for the kids to spread out. Before the wedding Saturday, everyone enjoyed the indoor pool. I started the dolling up process for all of our girls and Rachel about two and a half hours ahead of time and still rushed out the door at the end. I don't think my years as a tomboy prepared me well for all of my hair doing duties.

The wedding ceremony took place in the church where my dad was baptized and made his first penance, first communion and confirmation. We went to Mass there every summer when we visited my grandparents as well. So, a lot of history. It was very special.

The kids had a tremendous amount of fun at the reception as the pictures show. My uncle gave the second best father of the bride speech ever (I have to give my dad credit for the best). Everything was beautiful and it was great to see so many aunts, uncles and cousins.

the Bristow Kreitzers

Our gift was a treasure box with a few fun things inside

Ella and Anya

Best buds and the two cutest two year olds ever

definitely a daddy's girl

a little ditty about Zack and Grace

those are dancing feet

Two of the nine Kreitzer siblings

David danced with the bride

Happy Birthday Dear David

So many things to blog about today. Mia's first communion, our tenth wedding anniversary, Ella's first solo jump off of both the side of the pool and the diving board. Before any of that though, I have to send out this message for a very special person.

We missed you today and we love you! This little video was Jes' idea.

Steve and We

Steve with most of the Doyle, Lauderdale and VA Kreitzer kids

(Lauren, Sophie, Zack, Brendan, Ella, Alex, Steve, Grace, Rachel, Mia and Ryan)

missing: Madeleine, Matthew and Sean

We had a very big weekend--huge really--so I have a lot of photos to sift through and post. My cousin Melissa, who is my Dad's brother Rick's only child, got married on Saturday. We spent the weekend in Wheeling where my Dad grew up but before leaving Friday afternoon, we took the kids to see "Steve Songs" at Wolf Trap. It was so much fun. You may have caught Steve on PBS. He comes on between a few of the shows. We were introduced to him by Tara who gave Grace his first two CDs. This was our first time seeing him live. Steve is funny, great with the kids and a terrific performer. After the show, we picnicked and hung out while the line for photos and autographs died down. When we finally went over, Steve spent a long time talking to the kids who tried out a few jokes on him. Grace did her impatient cow knock knock joke and a few others but Brendan was the most persistent. I think he probably made up a couple on the spot for Steve's benefit.

We bought Steve's latest CD which he signed, "To my dearest Doyles, you rock like a geology museum!"

Steve asked Ella if she would go home with him and she said, "yes".

(At least she hesitated.)

We took up a whole row.

Steve came walking in doing a robot impersonation. He went right behind us--the kids thought it was cool but shy Alex wouldn't help him with directions to the stage.

Uncle Dave

Mia, Rachel and Grace

Alex is foot loose before the show