Music and Fireworks

The last few weeks have been full of music, fireworks, and trying to stay sane in the heat.  In late June we walked down to the Del Ray Music Festival which is always fun but always seems to be on one of the hottest days of the year.  This year was no different.  Katie's friend Marin was there so they got to play together and dance to the bands.

On July 3rd we beat the crowds and saw the dress rehearsal of the Capital Fourth concert at the Capital Building.  We had a nice picnic on the grounds and the kids ran around and danced to Kool and the Gang.  The show ended a little early because severe thunderstorms were rolling in but we were ready to go home by then anyway.

On July 4th we went to Haymarket to go swimming with Aunt Sue, Uncle John, and Theo.  They joined a really nice pool and somehow it wasn't crowded.  It was nice hanging out with them and staying cool in the pool.  Then we went home and watched the Mall fireworks from our street.

A few days later we went to a nearby church parking lot to watch Alexandria's 263rd birthday fireworks.  In between we've tried to keep ourselves entertained indoors as much as possible.  The heat has been brutal.  The temperature was over 100 degrees for 5 days in a row!

Soon we leave for the kids first trip to Disney World.  We'll try to post something each day during our trip so stay tuned!


Playing with the bubble machine.


Enjoying a meal together.


Katie and Marin at the Del Ray Music Festival


Enjoying a band at the music festival


Dancing to the Pat McGee band




Sharing the couch


Damage a block away from our house from the Derecho.  Luckily we were spared any damage.


Katie dances to Kool and the Gang at the Capitol.






Relaxing at the show


Picnicking at the Capitol


A funny bumper sticker that Nancy saw.  It refers to Romney tying his dog to the roof of the car during a family trip.


The view of the Mall fireworks from our street.


Playing together


Sleeping together


Not sure what he's trying to accomplish but he seemed pleased with himself.


We had a big electrical storm one night.  It was fun laying in bed and watching it.  I took a few photos of the lightning.  This one was taken at 2am but it looks like daytime.


I lucked out and managed to capture one of the bolts.


Playing in the basement


The kids revolutionized baseball by changing some of the rules.  Namely, you bat while sitting on a bouncy ball and swing a stuffed cat instead of a bat.  Also, the pitcher stands 2 feet away.


Basket cases


Dance party


Ava's birthday party at an ice cream shop in Old Town.




Playing in the sink


Taking care of Katie's little baby while she was away.


Katie demonstrates some of the moves in her ice skating show -- Jasmine on Ice!


Katie and Peter dance to Kool and the Gang at the Capitol Building.


Katie and Peter entertain themselves while trying to stay sane in the heat.