Mission Accomplished: Evie's Eighth Birthday

Evie has really been into spies and mysteries this year so naturally we decided to do a secret agent theme for her 8th birthday.  She helped design the cake - which she described as a "man disguised as a cake".  As guests came into the party, they picked from an envelope to get their secret code names.  (Evie was Fast Poodle and Ellie was Autumn Tuna.) 

After practicing their fingerprinting skills and testing out some invisible ink, it was time for the laser maze. Our agents practiced their agility getting through the maze without ringing any of the bell alarms. They later found it was probably easiest to scoot through on their tummies. 

Even Ba got into the action! She must be practicing her yoga. 

After the laser maze, our training was interrupted with an urgent call from the Party Intelligence Agency (PIA) Director. The evil Mr. Chaos had stolen the secret files and the agents-in-training would have to use the clues and decoders found in the golden briefcase to retrieve them.  The kids really got into running around the house and working together to solve the riddles. 

  

Evie happily blows out her candles. 

Unfortunately, a side effect of the black tuxedo was some pretty black teeth, as London and quite a few others discovered! 

We ended the party with water balloons which alas, had a hard time popping. 

Another legendary party ends with lots of smiles!  Mission accomplished! 

Fourth of July weekend Fun!

We had perfect weather for the Nationals game on the Sunday of Fourth of July.  We joined the Kallaurs for quite the exciting game- one grand slam and several home runs! 

Emily and Sam wave their caps to celebrate another home run! 

Lara, Evie and Ellie in their patriotic and Nats gear, while we wait for the fun of the playground. The kids all had an amazing time, and we actually lasted the whole game! 

We had a fantastic neighborhood block party on the Fourth hosted by the Sullivans.  Among the fun activities was bobbing for apples.  the girls also created their first tie-dye t-shirts. 

Ellie decorated her Big Wheel for the big parade, which we got to do before it started storming. 

Mommy's patriotic girls! 

Another year at OBX is a delight!

We had another delightful vacation in the Southern Shores at the end of June.  The girls wanted to be in the water most of the week, starting with the first day of our arrival. 

Ellie, Dad and Evie get ready to take flight! 

Evie was a master rider of the waves on the boogey board this summer! 

Next stop: Lost Treasure Golf, with accompanying train ride up to the top of the course! 

Do these girls look like golfers or what?!? Must be the plaid pants. 

Mom and Ellie celebrate their hole in one's - Mom got two on the course! 

Ellie is at the top of the mountain! 

Evie celebrates her hole-in-one on the pirate ship! 

Another hole in one for Mommy - this was her day! 

Although Daddy ended up winning at the end, the whole family did great. 

The next day Bebe and Popi arrived, as evidenced by the arrival of this delightful hat, which came in handy when playing "Mother May I?" 

Bebe demonstrates her skills in bear hug steps. Getting closer! 

Ba and Opa arrived as well and the next day the first thing Opa did at the beach was build a castle.

Evie and Ellie decorated the sandcastle with all the shells and sticks they could find. 

Meanwhile, Daddy likes to carry his own personal umbrella around to keep out of the sun.

Ellie and Ba on the Duck boardwalk. 

Family smiles! 

We attended the magic show at the Duck amphitheater which was awesome!  Ellie was called on stage and was the assistant for the magician - she helped turn a completely white hankie into a fully colored clown and a completely blank coloring book to a completely colored book!  

We spent the show trying to figure out how he did all the tricks!  After the show Ellie was happy to "levitate" for a photo op. 

Our traditional picture by the hydrangeas. 

Later that day it was off to the Wildlife Center in Corolla, where we practiced the art of fish printing (the girls made rainbow fish), before posing with our friend the bear. 

Before leaving Corolla, we all climbed the steps of the Currituck Lighthouse!  The breeze was much appreciated at the top, as we all enjoyed the views. 

The next day - more mini golf with the entire family at Pirate's Cove! 

Saying goodbye to our house on our last day! Thanks for another great vacation! 

Big wins on stage and on the track!

At the end of the year, it's always great to see the girls up on stage showing everything they have learned.  This year Evie enacted Degas' ballet dancers while dancing to a Moulin Rouge song. 

Look at her beaming! 

 A couple of weeks later, Ellie tapped her way into our hearts with some moves to Strawberry Shortcake. 

Big sis Evie is proud of her sister's first performance on stage! 

The whole family poses for a picture before we head to Hank's Oyster Bar to celebrate Father's Day. 

Ah, Ellie looks too old with the make-up!!!  But a doll nonetheless.  

Speaking of Father's Day, we continued our traditional Dash for Dad walks/run. Evie did a great sprint in the 100-year dash, while Ellie donned her superhero cape (we didn't let her run just in case she fell and hurt herself before her recital later that day. 

Opa, Mommy and the girls did a 1-mile walk while Daddy won the 5K. He came in first place out of 478 runners - what a champion!

The girls celebrate with smoothies and celebratory cupcakes!  What a morning!

  

Two dads with big smiles!