Cunningham Falls State Park

Yesterday we headed over to Cunningham Falls State Park, in the Blue Ridge. The short walk to the falls was lovely, and when we got there the boys gleefully hopped around on the rocks "like pikas" as Alex put it (if clueless, click here). After which they splashed and played in the lake for eons... and then, while we were eating ice cream, a ranger showed up with a barred owl. And after that we went down to see the rest of the birds in the park's aviary. So, from an Alex and Ben perspective, it really couldn't have gotten better, unless maybe there was pie or David Attenborough showed up. (And the adults had a good time, too!)

Like pikas, I tell you.

(Not a great pic, but it does have Alex, the ice cream, the ranger and the barred owl in one shot).

Cousin Mania

Right after the grandparental visit came a cousinly (and aunt and uncle-y) one. Much water-based fun was had, starting with an impromptu backyard crafts project that involved washing clam shells we dug up in the back yard (leftovers from a clam bake?) and coloring them. Eric was an especially assiduous shell-scrubber.

Ben displaying his finished product

The next day we went to Patapsco State Park, where there was much splashing-- plus we found a millipede, proudly displayed below on Alex's hat.

In a non-watery interlude, Rodney, Lucy and Eric were all smiles on the porch:

Finally, sprinkler fun!

Grandma and Grandpa's visit

A couple of weeks ago, Grandma and Grandpa Leupen came to visit. (There can be no excuse for such delayed picture posting, but if there were, it would have to do with the blogger teaching two intensive summer classes while arranging to move from two separate houses, one of which is hundreds of miles away, into a new house). Anyway, here are a few pics:

Reading with Grandma

Ben building a train car with Grandpa

Alex building a train car with Grandpa

With G&G at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis

Ben lost a tooth! Grandma spotted it right away.

Snuggling with Grandma. Awww.