Train ride to D.C.

The advantage of living in Baltimore is being only an hour train ride away from our nation's capitol. The whole family boarded the MARC train and off we went to Union Station. I had my own seat but it was more fun to share with Mikayla:

Mommy must have been telling me something very interesting

The elephant at the Smithsonian Natural History museum was a little scary..

..but these TVs with animals was much more entertaining to me

Sitting with my MaGa at lunch makes me genuinely happy

Mikayla feels the same with Aunt Jen

Mikayla and I found a cool tunnel

So many animals can make a girl, plus her Daddy, hungry & tired

Grandpa & MaGa took us girls on the carousel and we had a blast (on the non-moving parts)

I had the most fun at the National Air & Space museum, where we saw so many rockets, planes & space ships.

Mommy & I were about to go inside one of the space ships to see where the astronauts lived in space

The Wright Brothers' model planes were fascinating

I was ready to fly on it!

However, even an "ice-pop" could keep me awake after this busy day!

Days 3-8: Baltimore, MD

Upon arriving in Baltimore, we got to see Grandpa & Ma-Ga Gette, who had flown in from Texas the day before. We were all excited to be attending Mikayla's dance recital that night. Doesn't she look adorable doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider?! Aunt Jen even danced in a number, but the pictures did not turn out as well (but I hear Uncle Robert has a video of it!!)

Playing drums on chairs is always fun in an auditorium

We were so lucky to spend Father's Day with 3 great fathers- my own, my Grandpa & my Uncle Robert. They were treated like Kings on this day by all the women- taking them out to brunch & cooking a delicious dinner for them. Even doing the dishes- you are welcome, Uncle Robert :)

I could tell that Daddy needed some help opening the card

I'm starting to take my own pictures- isn't this a great one of my Grandpa?!

The first leg of our trip..

Well, I didn't fall off the face of the earth as it may have seemed. We were just too busy on vacation for Mommy to make any blog posts! So here's a catch-up session:

Thanks to our friends, Kurt, Kristin, J.D. & Lily Stemhagen for opening up your wonderful home to us for 2 nights. The food was delicious and the toys were aplenty! The playground just down from their house was BIG, so Lily and I were able to make "cupcakes".

I tested out these big wheels & I think my legs are almost long enough for it.

I was not happy to be leaving my friends! As soon as I fell asleep in the car, it was all better again because we were on our way to cousin Mikayla's house!

Guess who came to town??

Grand Daddy Pope and Grandma Teresa were here for the weekend (of course, Samantha was along too!) We had a great time catching up and taking the train into Charlotte.

Yesterday I went to a playdate with my friend, Evan, and we had a blast playing in the water fountain. The water pressure was a little low, which was better to play with anyways.

We're leaving this morning for a road trip, so we'll do our best to update you with our whereabouts- we'll be in Baltimore for the weekend, woo-hoo, to see cousin Mikayla at her dance recital. We can't wait!

Thomas the Tank Engine

On Wednesday, we took a little road trip up to Tweetsie Railroad near Boone, NC. There was a special visitor at Tweetsie this week and he's one of my favorite things in the whole world- Thomas the Tank Engine!!

Before we rode the train, Mommy and I had to do our time in jail.

Then, I went for a quick trot on a horse.

I don't think I can handle the excitement any longer, Daddy! I must go ride on Thomas now!

This is worth all the waiting...

Even Mommy is pretty excited about riding aboard Thomas' train

I also found a stagecoach to climb into

Here's Daddy's favorite part, meeting Sir Topham Hatt (he's the head of the railway, in case you didn't know)

My favorite past was playing with the trains since they had so many more tracks and engines than I have at home (one day... plus I added Emily to my collection after this trip!)

Daddy and I enjoyed a spin on the carousel

while, Mommy and I went for a wild ride in a hot rod

I wasn't very interested in feeding the goats, just looking at them from a safe distance
Plus, we went panning for gold (and all I got was a little black rock)
Overall, it was a GREAT trip and I hope we can go again next summer!

Just some light reading

Where does the time go??

Since pre-school ended last week, Mommy and I have been on the go, so my blog has been neglected again. Here's a recap of our past week:

I had a picnic in my laundry basketWe enjoyed the beautiful weather by swinging in the park
On Tuesday, Mommy and I went to Carowinds amusement park & I had the most fun climbing on these rocks :) But, the water park was pretty cool too, especially the wave pool
To cool down after a hot day in the sun, a grape Popsicle does the trick
Hmmm, hmmm good..
At a play date on Wednesday, I enjoyed feeling the sand between my fingers..
..and riding a mini-roller coaster!
To finish off the week, I pulled together my favorite things for this picture- sunglasses, check, snack trap, check, back-up pair of sunglasses, check, duck bracelet, check..
Are they on correctly?