Back to Lake Anna...

It may have been the hottest weekend of the whole summer but we were lucky to spend it camping at Lake Anna. We got to borrow Mark and Bebe's boat which meant we spent those sweltering hot days out on the water. Our campsite was pretty shaded which was also helpful. 

Adam and Harper got pretty accustomed to riding on the boat and just jumping off the boat into the water. Lake Anna really is the best for just throwing out the anchor, grabbing a cold beverage and just floating in the water - yacht rock playing in the background. 

Sadie, it turns out, is quite the boat dog. She loved having the wind in her face and was happiest when we found a little beach to spend a morning at - she just ran in and out of the water - you could practically see the smile on her face. Knowing Lake Anna had been one of Liddy's favorite places made it all the more special - we thought of her often on that trip. 

Few things are as fun as getting to take a boat to grab a post-dinner ice cream - so we were sure to do that one evening. The moon was amazing and helped to guide us on our ride.  

Tubing was on Adam's to-do list and he did great! For as much as we tried we couldn't toss him from that tube - he is a pro - or maybe we were being too easy on him. 

Lake Anna never disappoints - well, you know, so long as the snakes keep their distance! 

4th of July....

4th of July was a Thursday which is not ideal but we made the most of our midweek day off! We had a fun lunch at Reston Town Center - wings and tater tots - very American haha. Then when we were walking back to the car the kids noticed other kids running through the fountains and it was just one of those "just say yes!" moments. So that's what we did - we just said yes - and the kids had a ball running through the fountains in their clothes. Kind of felt like the perfect 4th of July thing to do in retrospect - throw caution to the wind and just be free.

Later that afternoon we scooped up Uncle Mark and headed out to Ommy and Poppy's house for a BBQ and fireworks. It's Ommy's favorite holiday and I feel bad we hadn't celebrated it with them before. Happy we had the chance to. The cousins had a blast getting to be together. And in the end, from the comfort of Uncle Mark's lap, Harper was not scared of the fireworks - a 4th of July miracle!

Maureen goes west...

I'm always excited when my work travels take me to a state I've never been and this June I got to check another one off my list - Arizona! I had a work event that took me to Phoenix and while I'm not sure I'd recommend visiting the desert in the middle of summer - I will say it is a beautiful place and I wish I'd gotten to see and explore more of it.

I guess I wasn't really sure what to expect as far as the scenery was concerned but as my flight made it's approach into the Phoenix area I was blown away - those desert mountains are really something to see. Catching a sunset through those mountains was truly remarkable.

Of course most of the trip was spent indoors - as most of these work events are - though when the temps outside are 120 the AC inside is welcomed.

The event was a really good success - one of my co-workers whom I travel with often, Chase, was the chair of the planning committee for this symposium and did a fantastic job. Always fun to see your colleagues succeed!

Got to spend time with some of my favorite folks in my industry as well and enjoyed some incredible meals - including the best tacos I've ever had - hands down.

Phoenix you are a thing of beauty - I look forward to returning someday (perhaps in winter) and exploring more of what you have to offer - and maybe bumping into Larry Fitzgerald as well.