Up, up and away!

While I was working Saturday someone reminded me that it was the annual Hot Air Balloon show in Bealeton.  Our family loves going to this so I met Jeremy and we drove down for the show.  In the past, all the balloons take off from the big field where their flying circus takes place but this time there was only one there offering rides up and down.  All of the other balloons took off at other locations and aimed to land on the field.  It was fun to scan the horizon for the beautiful colored orbs, but none of the 10 or so balloons made it to the field!  We enjoyed relaxing in the grass in the mild weather and seeing the airplanes and balloons shooting through the sky.  Maybe someday I can work up the courage to go up in one!

Will work for donuts

All summer I have been wanting to take the kids to Alexandria to the nearest Krispy Kreme.  Did you know that they give a free donut for every A on a report card?  Not to mention that they are my favorite place to have donuts.  But the 45 minute drive has been a bit of a deterrent.  Finally, now that the summer is almost spent, we made the exodus for some hot, glazed beauties.  Cameron and Gavin earned 8 donuts for their efforts and we bought some more to share with daddy.  Then we hopped in the car and took advantage of our close proximity to the "airplane park" and picniced under the landing planes.  There is nothing better than donuts for lunch, but these boys earned it with their hard work.  Keep up the hard work!

Fairly Fun

We just can't resist the fair when it comes to town.  Animals, greasy food, shows and "fair people" are all attractions for our family.  We went last night with the Tolers to see the demolition derby, a serious favorite of our three boys.  Who can resist a bunch of cars slamming into each other and catching on fire?  Pretty entertaining. We always gorge ourselves on funnel cake and see the prize winning animals.  It never disappoints.  

Berry Picking

We took Grandma to one of our favorite picking places around- Great Country Farms to pick peaches on Tuesday.  We've been going there for years picking strawberries mostly, but also blueberries and blackberries a couple of times.  We took the tractor ride out to the orchard but their peach pickin's were poor.  It was the end of the season and most of the peaches were hard or squishy so we didn't pick many.  Instead of being disappointed we were thankful that it was still blackberry season and we found many ripe, delicious blackberries to bring home as well as some cherry tomatoes.  More than the picking, the boys love all there is to do at Great Country.  Slides, mazes, and clever play equipment could keep them entertained for hours, even in the heat and humidity of the day we chose to go.  Gavin is still talking about the neat pedal cars and track that they have there and is asking Santa for one for Christmas...  We also got to feed some animals there and watch the crazy scene that occurred when you threw some food into the chicken pen- swarms of chickens descended!  Alas, no peach pie for the Johnson family, but perhaps some blackberry cobbler?

Making a Splash

We're sucking up every moment we can with the Tolers before they leave for New Zealand.  This week we headed to Splashdown and the kids wore themselves out until thunder cut our trip short.  Mason could've done the little slides all day, while the older boys wanted to do it all and just be with their buddies.  Another happy memory with our favorite family.

We haven't changed a bit

in 13 years of marriage...

Happy Anniversary, Jeremy!