Duke Gardens

 Being in North Carolina was a family reunion. We had over 20 people at the gardens. 2 Grandparents their 5 kids and spouses and 9 grand kids. I like this picture because we are walking in together and everyone starts going in different directions.

 My lovely nephew and nieces. D being his usual grouchy old man.

 F.W. and the pond filled with turtles.

 Gates to the gardens. (My In-Laws walking together on the left)

 Red faces...It was a little to hot for my clan. 

(photo taken by my sister in law)

Ducklings

(Photo taken by my Sister and Law)

Family picture time

If I had to pick my favorite place on this trip it would be Duke Gardens. It's absolutely beautiful. It is this huge green park filled with ponds, fountains and lots of different plants and trees. Duke Gardens had the biggest Magnolias I'd ever seen. I wish I'd gotten a picture. They smelled so good. It was really hot the day we went...in the 90s. I would've liked to have stayed longer but it was just TOO hot. I think if it was cooler the boys would have enjoyed themselves more.

Father's Day Buns

 Proofing

 Fresh out of the oven.

End Result

For Father's Day I made sticky buns for The Hubby. I used the recipe from Flour By Joanne Chang. They turned out good. They are very sweet and filling. The recipe calls for honey but I think next time I will use maple syrup. I have basic brioche dough left over. I am not sure what I am going to make with it. 

Hope all you Dads out there have a lovely Father's Day!

Washington DC

F.W.
When we got to DC we were very hungry. We met up with The Hubby's cousin, who lives in DC. He took us to this delicious burger joint called Black & Orange. I had the Now & Zen burger. It's soy sauce, green onion and ginger. So yummy!

World War 2 monument

 The last time The Hubby and I were in Washington DC this monument had just opened. It was really neat to share this trip with the kids. F.W is interested in WW2 so this monument had an impact on him. F.W. and I had recently watched a really good documentary on World War 2 on PBS. I think it was called War.

 Ford Theater 

 Everything is so green at the IRS building. Must be all my tax dollars.

Family photo at the Lincoln Monument

We had a great time at the Capital. We couldn't go into the Washington monument because it got some structural damage from the earthquake that shock the East Coast last year. The real bummer of the trip was they were working on the Smithsonian museum that has the neat pop culture exhibits the boys would enjoy. So we couldn't go in there. They were also redoing the reflection pools. The pools were all dug up and fenced up. We did a lot of walking that day and the boys were real troopers.

Summer Vacation

Was shocked the pilots let D in the cock pit. So nice!

We just got back from a vacation to the East Coast. We went to Durham, NC to see our oldest niece graduate from High School. The Hubby and I figured if we are flying cross country we might as well try to see as much of the East Coast as we could in a week. It was our first time flying as a family of 4. I was planning for the worst but the whole experience of flying was great. We flew from LAX to Baltimore, MD.

End of an Era

 1st & Last day of school

Proud Graduate with Teacher Mary

Today was little D's last day of preschool. I didn't shed a single tear even when the kids sang Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. D was super cool about preschool being over. I don't think he realizes we won't see his buddies again. It is a shame no one from preschool will be at his Elementary school.

Queen Bee Market

 Felt Balls 

A vendor's display. So cute.

Last night I went to the Queen Bee Market in Carlsbad, CA with my sister. Lots of neat crafts to buy from soaps shaped like cupcakes to headbands. Lots of bow ties this year. My sister got a scarf and a leather key chain. I picked up a pair of earrings. If your in the San Diego area you should check it out.

Legoland

A battle with the Dark Side

Rock Out

 Fairy tales can come true, they can happen for you. If your young at heart.

End of the year field trip to Legoland. D and I had a blast!