Labor Day Weekend!

The reflection pool from the Lincoln Memorial
Originally uploaded by smc06r

For the long weekend I went to D.C. to visit my roommate from London, Sarah! We had a great time!

I got in late Friday night and was pretty tired, we just stayed up talking and catching up.

On Saturday we did the tourist thing and saw all the monuments. It was a gorgeous but hot day. The best part of the day was definitely the improv show that night which was hilarious! And we ate at Union Jack's, a TGIFriday's type of place but British. I attempted to eat the biggest plate of fish and chips I had ever seen but failed. It was delicious either way.

On Sunday we went to the National Zoo to see the pandas and the new baby gorilla! The baby gorilla was so cute but I couldn't get a good picture because of the glass. That night we went to a party at one of her boyfriend's friend's houses. A bunch of law school people but we had fun anyway!

I left on Monday but before I did me and Sarah went to downtown Alexandria and did a little shopping and exploring. Old Town Alexandria is such a cute place. Brick sidewalks and cute shops...what more could a girl ask for?!?!

Hope your three day weekend was fun! Click on the picture for more of D.C. and the national zoo!

Welcome to 2nd Grade!

Look at that...an actual teacher! Welcome to the first day of second grade! I'll be your teacher, Ms. Cole. We are going to have a great year!........

Fast forward to the second week of school.....not so cheery anymore are we?!?! After three schedule changes and three seating arrangements, I think we are finally getting somewhere. We are doing actual work and not procedural fluff.

We do have some doozies in class but we are working forward. I just can't wait to do my full time teaching. Right now I'm doing a lot of observations and errands. I'm sure I'll have some great stories once I really get into it!

Playing Tourist

The Main House...Pebble Hill Plantation
Originally uploaded by smc06r

Me and a couple of friends spent Sunday at Pebble Hill Planation. The plantation is just over the Florida/Georgia line. We had a picnic and explored the house and the grounds. The whole compound was absolutely gorgeous! The main house was beautiful and we all wanted to move in immediately! They also had stables and a couple of the horses were out in the pasture. They were beautiful. A couple of them came right up to us! The whole time I was wondering if I could talk someone into letting me go for a ride! Next time! Click on the pic for more of Pebble Hill Plantation.

Our last sumer adventure...

The view from our RV site
Originally uploaded by smc06r

We got back on Sunday from our vacation in the Keys. It was a great time and there was beautiful scenery. We stayed at Bluewater Key RV Resort and it was beautiful. Each site had their own dock and was right on the water. The picture is the view from our site!

We spent a day in the upper keys and fed the giant tarpon at Robbie's Marina and toured the Turtle Hospital. Then we went to Key West and explored that area. We rode the tourist trolley, toured the Ernest Hemingway House, Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum and Truman's Little White House.

And guess what I found in Key West?!?! A real Irish pub!! They even had my favorite English cider, Strongbow!!! Great food and great atmosphere!

I know your all jealous now. Click on the pic to see some more of our tropical break.

Our South Carolina - North Carolina - Tennessee Adventure!

About to ride The Dragon!
Originally uploaded by smc06r

So after my parents picked me up form camp we traveled to Cherokee, NC to check out the Smoky Mountains and the surrounding area. We saw Unto These Hills, the outdoor drama about the Cherokee people. It was great! Also me and my dad rode the motorcycle on the Tail of the Dragon. It is a world famous motorcycle and sports car road. It has 318 turns in 11 miles. What a blast! After that we rode 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, what views! Absolutely gorgeous! Click on the pic for more pictures of Tail of the Dragon and the Smoky Mountains.

Victory Junction Gang

Adam's Race Shop
Originally uploaded by smc06r

a.k.a. the happiest place on Earth! Move over Disney World...you're title has been taken! This truly is a magical place! When kids come here they can be themselves, do anything they want, and forget about their illness. It's a great place and everyone should volunteer here and experience the magic for themselves. I will most definitely be back next summer! Click on the pic for more pictures of the grounds and Kyle Petty (who I totally met!).

Happy Mother's Day

A Glorious Day for a Sail
Originally uploaded by smc06r

This year for Mother's Day we took my mom on the schooner Freedom. She has seen it sail since we moved here and every time she does she says, "I want to do that." So today...we did. It was a great day for a sail and the water was wonderful.

We ate at a little restaurant downtown afterward. It was good food and great service!

Overall a great Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers in my life...you know who you are!! Love ya!

P.S. Click on the pic for some views from the boat.