Sophie's First Surgery

 We bought Sophie hiking boots for, well, hiking, and beekeeping early in the year so she would be protected and be able to hike Yellowstone, though that got rescheduled (thanks COVID19! Grrr.) Well, while hiking in VA which had a lot of up and down, her toe was in bad shape with an ingrown nail that was not too happy about all the pounding. We called the doctor when we got back home to set up an appointment and just like that she was being cut on! I've had that surgery and the worse part is the numbing shots and the cleaning afterward. Those shots brought me to tears. She was such a champ and said it hurt and just kept reading.

NEOWISE

 About bed time for the kids, Neal says, "What to go see a comet? Everyone in the car."  This is why I love him. So we drove far away from the city lights and took in the some fireflies, a shooting star, and indeed the comet NEOWISE.

Our First Honey Harvest

 Remember Donna, our amazing beekeeping mentor? She invited us to her farm to harvest a few frames of honey so Sophie taste her success as a brand new beekeeper. We had a blast and watching the gold pour out of the extractor was a proud moment. We stayed to learn how she manages he 15 hives during harvest and helped her extract several frames. Sophie got her first official sting as a beekeeper while in her bee yard but pulled it together to help Donna before leaving for the day. In all we got 4.5 pounds.  Donna had 119 in the end!

Independence Day and Fly Over for Opa

 We spent the day enjoying ourselves at Oma's, with Neal's Aunt Winnie visiting, swimming, and watching Opa participate in the flyover of the National Mall of historic and modern military aircraft. He was part of the crew of the B-29 bomber, Fifi, only one of two B-29s still flying. Super special imoment for us and super proud of him!

Virginia, Here We Come

 We took off to spend time with Kira and David for almost two weeks. We made the trip in one day to avoid staying over in a hotel and only stopped for gas/bathroom breaks. It was good to see their faces and they are the best hosts. 

We spent a lot of time just relaxing, hanging out on the porch, talking, and playing games but we got out to some great places too.

Cascade Falls. It got sweaty near the end but the breeze coming off the thundering falls had us all refreshed by the time we finished lunch. So many millipedes.

Roanoke Star and Explore Park

 

 

Neal smelling a tree to see if it smells like vanilla, a sign it's white pine, I think.

Frog at Explore Park. So cute!

 

 Houtz Barn, built 1837

Sloan's Grist Mill, built 1880-1890, in use until 1952

 

Another barn quilt spotted at The Creamery, this with cows. Kira feeling barn quilt joy.

Civil War Swinging Bridge in Buchanan, Natural Bridge to Lace Falls, Civil War era river locks, steep and long hike to and from Apple Orchard Falls (not even one apple *wink*) and Blue Ridge Parkway sunset.

This is one of my favorite pictures. They are fall below the natural bridge trying to catch drops of water from it in their mouths.

Hand holding

Underpass to locks

 

 

 

 

Very, very long and steep but beautiful hike. Really tired. So happy to see car.

 Bottom Creek Gorge hike

Way across the gorge there are falls.

We celebrated Sophie's 13th birthday in Virginia. She's a teenager!!! I don't think she ever gets a birthday at home. Ventured out for a short hike to Roaring Run to which Kira and Rhys ventured to the very top of the falls. I muscled both kids under a small waterfall just to remind them that I'm that mom. Sophie enjoyed homemade ramen noodles (her new love) Uncle David made. Finished of with homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Happy 13th, beautiful girl!

 

Shenandoah National Park, steep hike

We also celebrated Neal's birthday in Virginia. We took the day easy and toured downtown Roanoke. We celebrated with key lime pie, at his request. Kira has a keeper recipe.

 

Covered Bridges tour through Virginia and West Virginia. Saw old barns, deer, and even a bobcat!

We stayed an extra day but we were still sad to go. We love you, Kira and David. We love the time we have with you. Thanks for everything.