Summer's Almost Gone?

I have just realized that I have not posted anything since March! I missed quite literally a whole season of blogging! ;) So I thought I would take a moment to catch up before I completely miss summer, too. 

In March of this year Joe and I took the family to the nation's capitol. It was a fun trip for us all. I was a little under the weather so I got worn down about two-thirds of the way through our days. For me it was nice to go back since I was 13 years old for my only other visit to DC. The kids loved the Metro! We also did some trolley rides which the loved, too. They were amazed at how big the statue of Lincoln really is, got to see the White House (from behind the fence), and got to visit the Smithsonian Museum. Also on the way up we stopped by Monticello. I enjoyed seeing that and Otter did as well. She saw pictures of Monticello in Art class after that and got so excited saying, "I've been there! That is Monticello!"  

Virginia Welcome Center

The White House

That was our big trip this year though we did take a quick trip to South Carolina for the family reunion. Most of the summer was spent relaxing and spending time together. I will have to say it was one of the easier summers at home in a while. The kids got along really well most of the time and did not wear out each other's nerves (or mine!). We did a few things closer to home while Joe had a few days off. 

 World's Fair Park splash pad

Fort Kid

Celebrating a birthday for Jo's little girl

 We also went to the Knoxville Zoo

We got to see the black bears out playing

Now school is back in session for the boys and for Otter. I am still teaching Otter at home. She loves being able to stay with us while she does her school. The boys are geared up with marching band again. Butch has also joined a newly formed Jazz Band at the high school.