While the girl was away...

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...the boys did play!  Michael's been working in Delaware some, about 10 minutes from Rehoboth Beach, so brilliantly suggested we come up.  

The Bay Bridge is an incredible architectural and engineering masterpiece, impossible to capture while driving.  

When Daddy got off work, we hit the town for a stroll and a dip in the ocean.

 

 Big brother is a perfect shower teacher.  Is Mom off the hook now??

 The boys played in the waves for HOURS on Friday, but a few games of Mancala was a nice way to break-up the day. 

We left our things on the beach to go pick up Michael after work....guess I should have researched the tides more.  A nice couple moved all of our soaked things as the beach created HUGE tidal pools for our evening play.

Lunch in Annapolis on the way home.

 We went to the mountains to play with Dody and Granddaddy a few days before pick-up.  A rainy first day didn't dampen our spirits!  Hard to believe I've been spoiled by these mountains since I was Matthew's age. 

Mom practically has a whole garden on the deck that has blossomed into a beautiful scene.

                                            The Elk River Falls.

We took a new turn on our hike from the falls to the wilderness center in town and found, well, we're not sure what.

 Boys being boys....but why on earth did I take them anywhere near water of any type without their suits on??

 Sunset Park is now a legitimate establishment.  I have mixed feelings about this.  It's a great place to picnic and review the boards that name every NC and TN peak in sight and their elevation, but I remember foraging through the woods to climb on the rock that made us all nervous.  It was like our own secret hide-out to watch sunsets. 

 A lesson with Granddaddy is always helpful...a very patient teacher. 

 Andrew would have hit balls (and well!) for hours while Matthew diligently set up tees and balanced balls on them.  Whatever it takes! 

 ...and a few swings in there, too, for Little Man!

 I think the flowers at the clubhouse...

 ...and their house get more impressive every year.  Stunning!

 Can you tell who has Mommy's phone??

Learning to shoot the BB gun.  A racoon has been after the bird feeders all summer, but our first night there there were two!  Dad was already asleep so I asked for a refresher on the BB gun so I could go 'coon huntin' the next two nights.  And wouldn't you know they didn't return:-(  

 Apparently the ducks are gluten-free now!  No more bread allowed, we have to be prepared with corn and rice.  It seems to suit the swarming animals just fine!

Out for his first few holes after a lesson with Bryce! 

Lalu and Big Rob came up for lunch on Thursday before we departed for Asheville.  What a great effort and lovely to see them for a bit!  

It's fun to have the cousins together, but great to have some quieter time with Dody and Granddaddy, too, in their special place.   Sharing the traditions of the mountains with the next generation is something we all treasure.