Country Bumpkins

Northern Virginia can get a bad rap for our 'hustle and bustle,' but we are fortunate to have the benefit of DC  only a metro ride away and the country just around the corner if you know where to look. This summer, we've thoroughly enjoyed getting out and practicing our animal noises at local farms and petting zoos. We also took a long weekend and went even further into the country in Lansing, West Virgina. We stayed in a cabin in the woods with Chris' parents (Grammy and Grandpop) where we perfected out s'mores-roasting skills and zip-lined our way through the tree-tops. Allie and I are conveniently ignoring that my count-down to returning to work is under a week, and trying to hang on to the last days of summer. To help us squeeze out the most fun possible, we've enlisted the help of one, Brady Gonzales, whom you'll see featured here often as Allie's partner-in-crime and all around good bud.

Friendly Farming at Frying Pan Park with Grammy!

Fortunately, these little guys weren't scared of our toddler's anatomy lesson for anyone willing to listen.

Wooahhhh! These guys aren't baaaaa-shful at all!

Who are you calling a turkey?

Wagon rides. The closest Mommy lets me get to off-roading...for now.

Allie and Brady take their playing VERY seriously. Sometimes they work in a little higher math while they're at it...

Hah! I forgot to carry the one!

Allie: Hey, can someone take my shoes off, I need to keep counting over here.
Brady: Amateur.

Hey! We don't need those Mommies! We've got our diapers, our water and the open road...

Seriously, we just need to wait until they're not looking...and...

NOW! Go! Go!Go!

Country Roads took us right into the heart of the country in West Virginia.

To quote Tom Hanks in Castaway: 'LOOK, what I have created!' (only this time with a double-meaning :o) 

A family that s'mores together...

Wait, did someone say 'S'mores!'?

Stays together :o). Please note the leg pop. We have no clue where that came from.

Sure Grammy, I'll have just a little bite.

Back in Virginia, and ready for more furry friends.

Hey, come over this way, friends.

Brady, our problem is we're OUTside the fence.

Ah, that's better. 'C'mere Sheep!'

I could totally take you in a race, old timer. (This guy's 100 years old!)

Back at home with her favorite 'aminal' of all. 

 And a little bit of water-fun to round out the week, courtesy of the Gonzales Family Backyard!

They're not enjoying this at all.

Nope, not one bit.

 Brady was kind enough to share his sprinkler which was a huge hit with our girl! But she may be watching our other girl a bit too closely these days...

Brady: Oooh, feel that water! Come on, Al! Dive in!
Allie: HERE...I...COME!!!

Allie: Let me just get a closer look.

Allie: Yep, that's better.

Brady: Don't worry, Buddy. I gotcha covered.

Allie: Phew! Playing's hard work...You gonna eat that?

Tomorrow we're heading out with Mart and Olivia to finally meet another fan-favorite, Barrett Miller! We've tried to convince this little guy to stay a 'little guy' until we were able to make our way to Lynchburg for our official introduction, hopefully he listened! Pictures to come..