The creature

I've seen posts where someone called this the "spawn of satan". 

It is pretty scary looking and the first time we have seen one. 

It's a Dobsonfly. And mostly harmless to humans.

We love living next to the woods, but sometimes the things that come OUT of the woods give us a fright.

Stormy weather

If a tree falls in the woods and no one is watching, does it make a sound?

 

Well, this one did. I was watching. We had a very short but furious storm come through. I was talking with a friend on the phone and walked into the dining room to look out at the storm. I said to her that I thought the tree was about to come down. The next minute it did. The next morning I went out to take these photos.

Anniversary...finally

I mentioned in this post that we had another activity planned for our anniversary. But it is very dependent on the weather. After rescheduling 6 times we finally had good weather. This is what we've been waiting for...

A ride in a Hot Air Balloon!

 

Clay was given a rewards package as a thank you for all his hard work at Orbital Sciences. He got to choose from several different "adventure" items. We decided that this would be fun.

 

Clay helped get the balloon set up.



There was another smaller balloon going up at the same time as ours. Ours had 4 couples plus the operator. We went in the evening. It was so cool to look down at the valley while floating in the basket (with no parachute or safety harnesses...yeah, I got a little freaked out at first but told myself if it was dangerous they would have provided those things).

The other balloon provided some great shots. 

Oh no! Clay's hat caught on fire!

Only kidding. Just thought it would be a funny shot.

Actually, that flame was really hot! When we took off, I thought the hairs on my arms and eyebrows were going to get singed. They didn't but I understood why the operator was wearing a hat. It was hot and you could not get away from it. 

We landed just past some horses in a small neighborhood. Everyone came out of their houses to see us.

Loudoun Museum

Took the girls to the Louduon Museum today. It's a tiny little museum with colonial items from Loudoun County. Their favorite part was the childrens' play area where they could dress up in colonial outfits and play school or house.

Swim Meet

First swim meet of the season.

(here Emma was concerned who came in first. It was VERY close)

Tooth #2

Trip to the Temple

We drove up to enjoy a beautiful day at the Washington DC Temple.

Clay and I took turns going in while the other hung out with the girls. We packed a picnic dinner and ate on the lawn by the Visitors Center.

That evening they had a performance with Jenny Oaks Baker and the DC Mormon Orchestra. She played music from her Wish Upon a Star album. We had many friends in the orchestra, including the wonderful Valerie Wride playing the cello in the Beauty and the Beast duet. It was a great evening for the girls. Emma has decided she wants to play the viola for music in 6th grade. We wanted to take her to get a taste for string music.



C.A.R. new officers

We had our CAR meeting to install new officers. 

 Emma is the new Vice President.

Rebekah is the new Historian.

I am the new Senior President.

Last Day of School -Graduation

Last day of school pictures!

Today was Emma's 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony.

I had the pleasure of representing Ketoctin Chapter D.A.R. to award a 5th grader with the DAR Youth Citizenship Medal. This is my 3rd year presenting the award at Emma's school, but this time it was for Emma's class. I know all these kids. I got a little emotional presenting the award this year.

(Emma's school counselor and I before the program)

The gal who won, Anna Lunt, is a friend of Emma's and they enjoy getting their teachers confused (Anna Lunt & Emma Hunt). In fact, Emma missed getting a certificate for being part of the Morning Show because it was awarded to "Anna Hunt". They we both confused, but it was Anna's name on the certificate and he never called for Emma. Both girls had been part of the Morning Show.

But never fear, there were PLENTY of other certificates for Emma. 

There was a reception in the cafeteria for 5th grade families. 

Here's a photo of Emma with her homeroom teacher, Mrs. Lissak.

A few of the neighborhood moms put together a "School's Out" water party for the kids. 

It started raining a couple hours before school got out.

We decided the kids could still play in the rain with the water toys. They'll get wet either way.