birthday, camping, and catching up

We are all together again and so there has been less time on the computer and more just hanging out, enjoying the summer, and doing loads of boat work.

And of course June was special not just because we got Doug back from the Middle East, but also it was Zach's 11th birthday. ELEVEN. That's very big and still so very little at the same time.

Celebrating was a low key gathering of friends for what was supposed to be a pool party at the marina. But thunder and lightening were threatening a storm, so they closed the pool. Not a worry, the kids made themselves happy with a big water fight, staying cool in the sweltering humidity.

(Zach is holding a plastic fake dog poo. This is one of his favorite birthday gifts.)

We had a little family celebration at home on the boat...

And then per the wishes of the birthday boy, we went camping up at Shenandoah National Park. It was our first time camping with Choo Choo, so we weren't sure what to expect with him. Thankfully Shenandoah is a very dog friendly park. But we found out that Choo is a bit of a prima donna.

We went to a local cave, did a little hiking, and checked out a bizarre local museum with old parade floats.

My baby boy is eleven, really? Sigh.